CINCINNATI — When Cincinnati running back Gi'Bran Payne went down with an ankle injury against West Virginia, the Bearcats needed somebody to step up. Cole Tabb has done exactly that, and his performance against Texas Tech suggests Cincinnati may have found a new centerpiece for its offense.
Tabb rushed for a career-high 173 yards on just 16 carries in Saturday's 37-24 upset of No. 8 Texas Tech, averaging 10.8 yards per attempt. He also scored twice, catching a 4-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter before breaking loose for a 58-yard touchdown run late in the fourth that put the game out of reach.
The performance was even more impressive considering the opponent. Texas Tech entered Saturday undefeated and was the only team in the country that had not allowed a rushing touchdown all season. Cincinnati finished with 255 rushing yards, with Tabb responsible for more than two-thirds of that production.
But Saturday wasn't an isolated performance.
A week earlier against West Virginia, Tabb rushed for 118 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries. He also caught four passes for 51 yards and another score, giving Cincinnati a productive option in both the running and passing games.
Over those two games, Tabb has rushed for 291 yards on 31 carries, averaging 9.4 yards per attempt. Those are impressive numbers, particularly against Big 12 competition.
His emergence also changes what Cincinnati can ask of quarterback JC French IV. French threw four touchdowns against Texas Tech, but he also tossed two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown. Having a running back capable of consistently producing big gains can take pressure off French and help the Bearcats maintain a more balanced offense.
Tabb has also shown an ability to create explosive plays without needing 20 or 25 carries. Against Texas Tech, his 51-yard run with 30 seconds remaining in the first half helped set up a touchdown that gave Cincinnati a 24-6 halftime lead. His 58-yard score in the fourth quarter came at a time when the Bearcats needed to put the Red Raiders away.
Payne's injury initially created uncertainty in Cincinnati's backfield, but Tabb has made a strong case for a larger role regardless of when Payne returns. With 448 rushing yards this season, he has already surpassed his entire rushing total from last year at Stanford.
The question now is whether the Bearcats can sustain this kind of production. Cincinnati's offensive line deserves credit for creating running lanes against a talented Texas Tech defense, but Tabb has shown the speed and vision to turn those opportunities into big gains.
At 5-2, Cincinnati still has plenty to play for, and its remaining schedule will test whether Saturday's upset was the beginning of something bigger. If the Bearcats hope to build on that victory, continuing to get the ball into Tabb's hands would be a good place to start.
