Final Huddle: Cincinnati Drops Fifth Straight Game in 32-29 Loss to Baylor

Cincinnati now sets its sights on a night road matchup against Oklahoma State.

Author:
Russ Heltman
Oct 21, 2023 3:29 PM EDT

In this story:

CINCINNATI — The hits keep coming for a UC football team that's now lost five games in a row following Saturday's 32-29 loss to Baylor.

The same issues kept killing Cincinnati as the secondary got shredded for big plays again (11 explosive plays, seven passing), UC couldn't maintain a consistent passing game, and handed over easier scores via special teams.

UC ran the ball well with Corey Kiner (15 carries , 129 yards) and Myles Montgomery (10 carries, 103 yards), but that's about the only thing that worked on Saturday. The Bears were led by Blake Shapen and his arm (25-of-42 passing for 316 yards, one score). But overall, the offense didn't have to work hard to get Baylor its third win of the season.

One more loss next week against Oklahoma State—and it would be UC's longest losing streak since 1998 (lost opening nine games).

Explosive Plays On Repeat

Cincinnati's secondary continued to hemorrhage big plays in this game, marking the third consecutive game with five-plus 15-yard completions allowed.

The outside corner duo of Jordan Young and Justin Harris has gotten seven chances to prove they can turn things around on the outside. it hasn't happened. Taj Ward and Bryon Threats didn't help much in coverage either as Cincinnati gave up over two-thirds of Baylor's passing yards on big plays.

Whether it was a wide-open flea flicker or a nicely thrown go ball by Shapen, UC sported the second-lowest PFF coverage grade in the country entering this season and it showed. It all came on a day when the Bearcats' front just couldn't get there quick enough posting three sacks and three QB hits.

It does not make sense why Jordan Young and Justin Harris are among the top-three snap tallies on this defense, given how poorly they've produced in those opportunities.

Special Teams Anything But

The Bearcats continue to be one of the worst special teams outfits in the entire country, and that's with a strong punter and kicker in Mason Fletcher and Carter Brown.

PFF graded the entire unit eighth-worst nationally entering this game and they are tracking towards No. 133 at this rate. Cincinnati gave up multiple returns of 40-plus yards again on Saturday and has now allowed four such plays in the past two weeks.

On the return front things were arguably worse as the veteran return battery of Xzavier Henderson and Braden Smith actively hurt the team. Smith handed Baylor seven points on a muffed kick and is averaging 2.8 yards per punt return on 11 of 12 returns this season (3.58 as a team, 115th nationally). Henderson isn't much better in the kicking game (18, 97th nationally).

It's hard to believe there are not other explosive less-experienced talents on the roster that could do what this duo is offering more than halfway through the season. Cincinnati's special teams have gone from a strength under Luke Fickell to a massive liability even though Kerry Coombs remains in the same role.

Montgomery Motors

The top aspect of this Bearcats offense wasn't enough to get a win, but the rushing attack did keep a hapless passing attack afloat.

UC notched nine explosive runs on a day where the down-to-down blocking wasn't awesome but the running backs took advantage of the big holes when they were there.

The outside-zone scheme worked well against a terrible Baylor rush defense that entered the game ranked 80th in EPA/rush allowed and 116th in yards per game allowed (184.33).

Montgomery had the most impressive play I've seen from him on a 38-yard TD run that marked UC's longest play since the Week 1 drubbing of Eastern Kentucky. Still, you have to be able to throw the ball in modern college football and that just didn't get aided by a RUSH YARDS day on the ground.

Cincinnati had to run 43 times to 30 passes and Jones posted just 96 passing yards on low efficiency through three quarters.

Catch Bearcats athletics action on fuboTV! Start your free trial here.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel on all things Bearcats athletics and Bearcat Blitz on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!

Make sure you bookmark All Bearcats for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more.

You may also like:

Grading The Cats: No-Shows on Offense, Poor Pass Coverage Drive 30-10 Loss to Iowa State

Final Huddle: Iowa State Hands Cincinnati Fourth Straight Loss 30-10

The Athletic Ranks Cincinnati Among Five Worst Power Five Football Teams

UC Basketball Slotted 53rd Nationally in KenPom's Preseason Ratings

Report: UC Basketball Falls to Maryland 74-70 in Preseason Scrimmage

Look: Travis Kelce Makes Saturday Night Live Appearance, Holds Hands With Taylor Swift

Report: Four-Star 2024 UC Recruit Jase Richardson Announces Commitment Date