Bearcats Back in Action

College Football is back! After months of waiting, speculations, and lots of transfer portal news, the 2025 College Football season has begun. In week 1, the Cincinnati Bearcats went on the road to face off against the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Heading into the game, the Cornhuskers were -240 favorites with a 66.2% chance to win. Both coaches are entering their 3rd year with their teams. Cincinnati head coach Scott Satterfield, with a disappointing start to his Cincinnati tenure, has led the Bearcats to a measly 8-16 record. Nebraska’s head Coach, Matt Rhule, has mustered up a 12-13 record with a Pinstripe Bowl win against Boston College.

As night time fell, 72,000 fans packed in ready for the kickoff. Nebraska won the coin toss and deferred, prompting the Bearcats to ensure the opening drive. Cincinnati gave the rock to their running back, Evan Pryor. The drive came to a stop there, as a screen pass was blown up by the Cornhusker defense. The Bearcats punted and Nebraska took over at their own twelve-yard line. After Cincinnati’s last drive came up empty, they stuck with the run game.  As the time was running down, Cornhusker kicker, Kyle Cunanan, nailed a 52-yard kick. The first quarter came to a close, all knotted up at 3. 

The Second half started with the Cornhuskers’ field goal. The Bearcats offense had no success on their drive, punting the ball back into the hands of the Cornhuskers. Cincinnati couldn’t get the offense going, resulting in back to back punts for the Bearcats. Nebraska didn't waste time. Cincinnati would try to capitalize on a pass play, but the pass was ruled incomplete. After review, the call was overturned and ruled a fumble recovered by Nebraska. On second and goal, Hunter brought it in for a Nebraska touchdown. The score at half: 13-3 in favor of the Cornhuskers. 

Coming out of half, the Cornhuskers had the rock and wasted no time. On a 4th and 2, Nebraska head coach Rhule went for the gamble. Raiola dropped back and, with pressure, threw a ball that was nearly intercepted, but dropped for an incomplete pass. Cincinnati, with the ball back in their possession, found some success with Sorsby’s legs. Cincinnati tried some trickery by giving a jet sweep to Cyrus Allen, setting up a first and goal. The next play, Sorsby faked the hand off and scored a Cincinnati touchdown.The score heading into the last quarter: 13-10 Nebraska. 

To start the fourth quarter, Nebraska was faced with a 3rd and 4. Raiola fired to Barney Jr., picking up the first to extend the drive. Cincinnati, looking to cut into the lead, returned to Sorsby’s running capabilities. With the Nebraska lead down to 3, Nebraska turned to the passing game. With 1:09 remaining and the game on the line, Sorsby dropped back and fired a rocket to Allen. With 0:40 remaining in the game, Sorsby took a shot to the endzone that was picked off by a Nebraska defender. The pick sealed the deal; final score 20-17.