CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Bearcats' 37-24 victory over No. 8 Texas Tech on Saturday was more than just a big Homecoming win. It was something Cincinnati fans hadn't experienced at Nippert Stadium in nearly 20 years, and one of the biggest victories in program history.
The last time Cincinnati defeated an AP top-10 opponent at home was November 18, 2006, when the Bearcats stunned No. 7 Rutgers, 30-11. That victory handed the previously unbeaten Scarlet Knights their first loss of the season, much like Saturday's win ended Texas Tech's perfect start.
In fact, Saturday marked just the third time Cincinnati has defeated a top-10 opponent at Nippert Stadium. The other came in 1999, when the Bearcats knocked off No. 9 Wisconsin, 17-12. Cincinnati has recorded only four victories over AP top-10 opponents in the past 45 seasons, with the fourth coming on the road against No. 9 Notre Dame in 2021.
For head coach Scott Satterfield, Saturday's victory was among the best of his career.
"We just beat the No. 8 team in the country," Satterfield said following the game. "That team played in the playoffs last year. I'm really proud of our program. This is one of the greatest wins I've been a part of."
The historic victory was powered by career performances from quarterback JC French IV and running back Cole Tabb, who helped Cincinnati overcome an opponent that entered the afternoon undefeated.
Tabb rushed for a career-high 173 yards on 16 carries, averaging nearly 11 yards per attempt. His 51-yard run helped set up a touchdown just before halftime, while his career-long 58-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter effectively put the game away.
French completed 19 of 30 passes for 172 yards and a career-best four touchdowns. Three of those scoring passes came in the first half as Cincinnati built a 24-6 advantage, including two touchdowns in the final 97 seconds before halftime.
French also threw two third-quarter interceptions, including one that Texas Tech returned 53 yards for a touchdown. However, he responded with a 17-yard touchdown pass to Larenzo Fenner to restore Cincinnati's momentum.
Perhaps the most encouraging part of the victory was Cincinnati's defense. The Bearcats held Texas Tech's offense to four field goals and one touchdown, forced three turnovers, and kept the Red Raiders out of the end zone offensively until the final minute.
That was a remarkable turnaround for a defense that had struggled in recent weeks. Cincinnati entered Saturday having lost two consecutive games, with questions about whether it could slow down one of the Big 12's best teams.
The Bearcats answered those questions against an opponent that had won 18 of its previous 20 games dating back to the beginning of the 2025 season.
Cincinnati improved to 5-2 overall and 2-2 in the Big 12, while Texas Tech fell to 6-1. The victory also gives the Bearcats momentum heading into another difficult matchup against No. 10 Utah next Saturday.
One win doesn't erase the problems Cincinnati has experienced this season, but Saturday showed what this team is capable of when its offense and defense play well together. For the fans who filled Nippert Stadium for the university's 100th Homecoming, it was a performance they'll remember for a long time.
