Grading The Cats: Same Story, Different Week as Weak Position Groups Sink Cincinnati

The Bearcats are not getting a lot of improvement out of the weakest position groups across this season.

Author:
Russ Heltman
Oct 23, 2023 7:40 AM EDT

In this story:

CINCINNATI — The Bearcats bled away another chance to win a football game this Saturday as Pro Football Focus grades reflected that missed opportunity. On offense, Myles Montgomery led the way on the back of his explosive rushing day (80.4 overall).

Xzavier Henderson (74.7), Chamon Metayer (72.3), and Luke Kandra (71.6) rounded out the other offensive players to post 70-plus grades. All three were crucial in the 29 points Cincinnati posted.

Emory Jones (65.9 Overall), actually earned his best passing grade (72.3) since Week 1 against Eastern Kentucky. Still, most of his production came in the fourth quarter when Cincinnati trailed throughout. Offensive tackle Deondre Buford had his best game of the season, but that's not saying much given his low 2023 ceiling thus far (62.8 overall against Baylor).

The offensive line is just not reaching another level as the season progresses. All starters besides Kandra graded below 65 overall once again this week. The way Kandra is playing, he'll be on an NFL roster in 2024.

Defensively, Cincinnati had its second-highest pressure tally of the season (17) but once again notched just two sacks. Deshawn Pace (74) and Dorian Jones (73.6) led the way for that unit. Overall, 11 players graded 65 or better on defense.

Jordan Young (64.1) had his third-best grade of the year, but he's a definitive target for every Big 12 offense now (four catches allowed on nine targets for 107 yards and one score). Young's been targeted 25 times over the past three games, allowing two touchdowns and 100-plus yards in each outing.

Bryon Threats (73.2) and Deshawn Pace (71.7) were the only secondary players to tally 70-plus coverage grades. Another head-scratching loss and similar weak position groups ahead of Cincinnati's trip to Oklahoma State as touchdown-underdogs.

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