On Saturday night, No. 24 Cincinnati secured a dominant 49-17 victory over Oklahoma State in Stillwater, marking their sixth consecutive win. Brendan Sorsby showcased his talent by throwing three touchdown passes and rushing for another, completing 20 of 29 passes for 270 yards. Cyrus Allen made significant contributions, grabbing two touchdowns and running for an additional score, leading Cincinnati’s offense to amass a total of 427 yards.
A standout moment came in the fourth quarter when Matthew McDoom returned an interception 100 yards for a touchdown, setting a new school record for the longest interception return in Cincinnati history. This victory also qualified the Bearcats for a bowl game for the first time under head coach Scott Satterfield, who celebrated with his team in the locker room, announcing, “We’re going bowling, baby!”
Cincinnati now joins BYU as the only unbeaten teams in Big 12 play, raising aspirations beyond simply attending a bowl game. Satterfield emphasized the team’s determination to compete for higher-stakes bowl opportunities, urging them to keep the momentum going.
Despite the energetic support from fans at Boone Pickens Stadium, Oklahoma State struggled once again, suffering their sixth consecutive loss. Interim head coach Doug Meacham noted that minor errors were pivotal in their defeats, which have all been by double digits since the firing of long-time coach Mike Gundy. Rodney Fields Jr. was a bright spot for the Cowboys, rushing for a career-high 163 yards and catching three passes for 27 yards.
Amid the challenges, Oklahoma State fans remained loyal, showing enthusiasm even in the face of adversity, with some creating a lively atmosphere by waving their shirts in the air.
In a bittersweet remembrance, the Bearcats honored former player Jim Kelly Jr., who recently passed away, by donning patches featuring his number and a microphone. Satterfield reflected on Kelly’s legacy, stating, “I know he’s proud of us and what we’ve been able to accomplish.”
Looking ahead, Cincinnati will host Baylor next Saturday, while Oklahoma State is set to face Texas Tech. The Bearcats, despite allowing 377 yards to Oklahoma State, forced three turnovers and will need to sharpen their defense with tough teams like Baylor and BYU on the horizon. Meanwhile, the Cowboys demonstrated potential, especially in their running game, but continue to search for consistency as they strive to turn their season around.