Cincinnati Bearcats hand No. 14 Iowa State Cyclones 1st loss

CINCINNATI — Brendan Sorsby handed for 214 yards and two touchdowns, Evan Pryor ran for 111 yards and two TDs and Cincinnati used a 17-point first quarter to beat No. 14 Iowa State 38-30 on Saturday.

The Bearcats (4-1, 2-0 Big 12) beat a ranked opponent at residence for the primary time since beating No. 16 Houston 35-20 on Dec. 4, 2021.

The Cyclones (5-1, 2-1) trailed 31-7 with 1:08 left within the second quarter earlier than rallying to get inside eight with 1:56 left within the sport. Cincinnati recovered an onside kick to finish the risk.

“It’s a different team,” Bearcats coach Scott Satterfield mentioned, merely, when requested the distinction between final yr’s 5-7 crew and this yr’s roster. “It’s different players.”

Rocco Becht handed for 314 yards and two touchdowns and ran one other two in for the Cyclones.

Sorsby’s 82-yard landing move to Caleb Goodie within the fourth quarter was the Bearcats’ longest move play since 2015.

Iowa State, one of many least penalized groups within the nation, had 5 penalties for 35 yards within the first half. The Cyclones jumped offside on third down to increase the Bearcats’ opening drive, which led to a 30-yard TD run from Pryor for the sport’s first rating.

The Cyclones went on to take a 17-0 lead on the finish of the primary quarter. Becht obtained the Cyclones on the board early within the second on a 14-yard run.

Becht scored on a 4-yard run on the ultimate play of the half after which threw an 11-yard TD move to Brett Eskildsen on the opening drive within the third quarter.

“Rocco Becht is a dang warrior. You keep looking up and he continues to make plays,” Bearcats coach Scott Satterfield mentioned. “That is a huge win for us as we went toe-to-toe with one of the best teams in the Big 12 over the last few seasons.”

The Cyclones have been with out 16 injured gamers, together with all-Big 12 defensive backs Jeremiah Cooper and Jontez Williams. They additionally have been with out their high two kickers.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.