CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Bearcats delivered their biggest victory of the season Saturday, knocking off No. 8 Texas Tech, 37-24, in a stunning Homecoming upset at Nippert Stadium.
Cincinnati (5-2, 2-2 Big 12) entered the contest as a heavy underdog against an undefeated Red Raiders team, but the Bearcats took control with three second-quarter touchdowns and held off a Texas Tech comeback attempt in the second half.
Quarterback JC French IV threw four touchdown passes, while running back Cole Tabb delivered several of the game's biggest plays, including a 58-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter that helped put the game away.
The Bearcats struck first after MJ Cannon forced a fumble by Texas Tech quarterback Will Hammond, which Antwan Peek Jr. recovered. Stephen Rusnak converted a 47-yard field goal to give Cincinnati an early 3-0 lead.
Texas Tech (6-1, 3-1 Big 12) responded with two field goals to take a 6-3 advantage, but the Bearcats dominated the second quarter.
French connected with Tabb for a four-yard touchdown to put Cincinnati ahead, 10-6, before finding Malachi Henry for a five-yard score with 1:37 remaining in the half.
The Bearcats weren't finished. With just 31 seconds remaining, Cannon made a spectacular one-handed interception of Hammond at the Cincinnati 25-yard line. On the next play, Tabb broke loose for a 51-yard run, and French followed with a 22-yard scramble to set up a two-yard touchdown pass to Liam Waters.
The remarkable sequence sent Cincinnati into halftime with a 24-6 lead and the Homecoming crowd in a frenzy.
Texas Tech fought back in the third quarter, connecting on a field goal before turning a French interception into a 53-yard defensive touchdown. French threw another interception on Cincinnati's next possession, giving the Red Raiders an opportunity to cut further into the Bearcats' 24-15 lead. However, Stone Harrington missed a 38-yard field goal.
The Bearcats responded with an impressive 10-play, 80-yard touchdown drive, capped by French's fourth touchdown pass, a 17-yard strike to Larenzo Fenner that extended Cincinnati's lead to 31-15 late in the third quarter.
Texas Tech added another field goal in the fourth, but Tabb delivered the knockout blow. The Bearcats running back broke through the middle for a 58-yard touchdown with 6:06 remaining, pushing Cincinnati's advantage to 37-18 after a failed two-point conversion.
The Red Raiders added a late touchdown, but Cincinnati had already done enough to secure one of the biggest upsets of the college football weekend.
The victory was particularly impressive considering Cincinnati had allowed 1,120 yards over its previous two games. The Bearcats' defense forced three turnovers and kept Texas Tech's offense out of the end zone until the final minute. The Red Raiders managed just one offensive touchdown, with their other touchdown coming on an interception return.
For Cincinnati, the win snaps a two-game losing streak and provides a major boost heading into the second half of its Big 12 schedule. After struggling defensively in recent weeks, the Bearcats proved they can compete with one of the nation's best teams.
What's Next
Cincinnati remains at home next Saturday, October 31, when it hosts No. 10 Utah at Nippert Stadium. The Bearcats will look to build on Saturday's upset and move above .500 in Big 12 play.
