Final Huddle: Cincinnati Beats Houston 24-14 For First Big 12 Conference Win

Cincinnati's longest losing streak this century is over.

Author:
Russ Heltman
Updated:
Nov 11, 2023 10:58 PM EST

In this story:

CINCINNATI — The streak is over.

Cincinnati football won its first Big 12 conference game on Saturday in a 24-14 contest against Houston. The Cougars couldn't muster enough offense as UC played disciplined, complementary football powered by another strong rushing day.

The top-10 unit in the country had Corey Kiner (23 carries, 129 yards, two touchdowns) drive the train this week as Cincinnati's defense smothered the solid Houston passing attack with the best secondary performance of the season. Jordan Young (five tackles, half for loss, one pass breakup) led the way with his best game at UC.

"It's a big load," Satterfield said about the victory. "We've been very close a lot of games this year and just hadn't gotten over the hump and all the way down to the very last play. It's not over until it's over and to be able to get that victory and get that win on the road like this again says a lot about our guys that didn't have any quit and then they continue to fight."

Cincinnati committed a season-low one penalty and a 3-1 turnover margin to mark plenty of firsts during a concluded seven-game losing streak.

Secondary Smothers Houston

UC's defense played arguably its best game of the season with no options for Donovan Smith (16-of-28 passing for 102 yards, 2 touchdowns). Young and the rest of the outside secondary, including Kalen Carroll (two tackles, two pass breakups), played the best they have all season.

It was a perfect recipe against the second-most prolific passing attack in the conference that got relegated to short attacking options. Cincinnati dominated time of possession with 36 minutes holding the ball and it left Houston with few chances to catch a throwing rhythm.

"100%. We can definitely build on this and we need to for the next season coming up," UC linebacker Dorian Jones said after the win. "Especially with the older guys, we have to be an example. You know, and that's something we've talked about this whole week."

Cincinnati forced multiple interceptions (three) in a Big 12 game for the first time as conference members and totaled four pass breakups. Young has to get flowers for this great sign of the future. He hadn't had much experience before this season, but he played with a ferocity and awareness that could be built on throughout the season's final two contests.

The defensive line didn't munch with sacks but did enough pressure-wise to give UC's coverage unit time to close on passes. Cincinnati entered the game with one of the 40-worst pass defenses in this country, and it played like anything but on Saturday.

Kiner Cruises

Kiner has been one of the most consistent players on this offense and he popped on Saturday with one of his longest runs in college across a 63-yard scamper that set up one of his two touchdowns.

Kiner ran with anger, as UC moved to 2-1 this season when he rushes for 120-plus yards. The team tallied 48 carries for 204 yards, continuing its status as a top-10 rushing attack by volume while adding the touchdowns that had been missing all season.

Kiner took a rough shot late in the game that forced a fumble, but the Bearcats had done enough to seal the win by that point.

"O-linemen did a great job making those holes," Kiner said. "Receivers did a great job making those holes and the receiver did a great job blocking at the second level and coaches did a great job calling plays it was all a team effort. And I feel like we all came together."

Cincinnati entered the game ranked 128th nationally in red zone TD rate, but Houston ranked 122nd on the other side, acting as the perfect elixir to UC's biggest offensive issue.

The Bearcats scored TDs on three RZ chances and had a strong offensive line showing on the ground to power four RZ scores overall to Houston's two. The road graders have been the best part of this offense all season and that was no different on Saturday night.

Disciplined Outing

Cincinnati had one or two flubs when it came to a fumble by Deshawn Pace following his interception in the first half and the lone penalty of the night from Bryon Threats, but this game can be simple sometimes.

UC has killed itself with bad penalties, plus, big penalty yardage all season and that didn't happen on Saturday night. It allows this offense to completely smother teams with time of possession and lean on the run game.

UC entered the game ranked 94th in penalty yards per game and 71st in penalties per game. Saturday was their lowest in both categories all season and a clear teaching point/marker that the coaching staff can display during the final two weeks and prove that this type of style can win games at the Power Five level.

"We basically had one penalty tonight with the DPI on Threats down on the go line. Other than that played really mistake free football," Satterfield said about the penalties.

Cincinnati has to keep the road warrior mentality as it faces a 6-4 West Virginia team that just got trounced by Oklahoma.

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