Final Huddle: BYU Explodes on UC in 35-20 Victory

Cincinnati has lost three games in a row for the first time since the 2017 season.

Author:
Russ Heltman
Sep 30, 2023 1:53 AM EDT

In this story:

CINCINNATI — The Bearcats are still searching for a Big 12 victory after losing to BYU 35-27 on Friday night.

Cincinnati's defense let the floodgates open near the end of the first half with big play after big play and a plethora of poorly timed mistakes across all three units. Kedon Slovis (13-of-24 passing, 224 yards, two touchdowns) drove a passing game that posted six explosive plays to power the win.

Chamon Metayer (three catches, 59 yards, two touchdowns) broke out on Saturday for his first big game as Bearcat, but it wasn't enough.

Cincinnati continued to blow red zone chances on Saturday as they moved to 0-3 all-time against BYU. The program has now lost three games in a row for the first time since 2017.

Slovis Slings

BYU had just over 30 yards of total offense, until late in the first half when Slovis led a three-play 82-yard drive aided by penalty and three 20-plus yard passes.

The veteran transfer sliced Cincinnati's lacking cornerback group up for a litany of big plays on Friday. Most of them went to Chase Roberts (six catches, 131 yards, 1 touchdown) who worked all around the formation to torch Cincinnati.

UC posted two crucial pass interference and couldn't hold up long enough for the blitz to get home (no sacks, five QB hits). Tack on the muffed punt by Braden Smith and a pick-six from Emory Jones (23-of-37 for 256 passing yards, three TDs, one INT), and BYU's offense didn't have to play Superman to win. They controlled the ball for just over 25 minutes, but maximized most of them, especially in the second half.

Execution Evaporating

Cincinnati's top players aren't making enough plays, and the role players aren't filling the gaps. UC faced multiple big late downs throughout Friday's game and often failed to meet the moment.

UC went 9-of-18 on third down, but had multiple key drops, namely one by Corey Kiner that was a sure touchdown, forcing another red-zone field goal (extending a stretch of two TDs in the past 10 red-zone trips). The scheme on offense looks sound. Cincinnati had over 498 yards of offense and is a top-15 offense by yards this season.

Yet, yards don't mean wins and Cincinnati can't seem to convert the 50/50 plays and key scoring moments that separate good and bad Power Five teams. Defensively it's a similar story with the backend coverage. Cincinnati entered the game ranked 69th in interceptions (three) and 82nd in passer rating allowed (137). Slovis (159.7 passer rating) ticked that average up on Friday after a near-perfect night passing in the red zone.

So far, UC is struggling to replenish a once dominant secondary.

Metayer Makes Noise

Cincinnati's passing offense caught some life in this game largely thanks to Metayer, Smith (four catches for 72 yards), and Xzavier Henderson (team-high seven catches, 74 yards). The trio had over half the team's receiving yards.

Metayer had his first multi-touchdown game as a Bearcat after getting loose in the middle of the field during the first half. He also cashed in on a well-executed concentration catch off a tip at the goal line. Metayer showed up to make the 50/50 plays on Friday.

Tight end has been a weak position for UC, so far this season on an offense that could use all the high-percentage targets over the middle it can get. UC now goes through a bye week before welcoming Iowa State to Nippert Stadium on Oct. 14

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