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Cincinnati Bearcats Prepare For A Big Homecoming Game Against Arizona State Saturday

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Football

The Cincinnati football team returns to Historic Nippert Stadium for the first time in nearly a month to host Arizona State on Homecoming at 12 p.m. on Saturday.

The Bearcats (4-2 overall, 2-1 in the Big 12) expect a sell-out, raucous crowd for the Sun Devils (5-1, 2-1) in the 98th Homecoming Game in school history.

"We are both competing for a Big 12 Championship and we are excited about this game," head coach Scott Satterfield said. "This is what we all signed up for in the Big 12, to be able to host teams like this, and to come here and have a packed house and a great environment for college football."

Quarterback Brendan Sorsby shook off two first-half interceptions to complete 12 of 13 passes for 120 yards and a score in the second half to lead the Bearcats past the UCF Knights, 19-13, in Orlando, last Saturday.

Several defensive players were the real stars of the rivalry matchup, however, holding UCF star running back RJ Harvey to 94 yards, and allowing the Knights to score only one touchdown.

Redshirt sophomore safety Antwan Peek Jr. picked up Pro Football Focus National Team of the Week honors after tallying nine tackles and two forced fumbles, while redshirt junior linebacker Jake Golday was named the Big 12 Newcomer of the Week following a performance in which he filled the box score with six tackles, 2.5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

Golday combined with sixth-year senior linebacker Jared Bartlett on the game-ending sack to secure the fourth victory of the season for the Bearcats.

Cincinnati's defense will be tested once again by a stout running attack. Sun Devils star running back Cam Skattebo ranks fifth nationally in rushing (128.8 ypg) marks the third straight back Cincinnati has faced who ranks in the nation's top 10 in rush yards per game, joining Texas Tech's Tahj Brooks and UCF's Harvey.

"He's a guy where you're going to have to get a lot of hats to the ball," Satterfield said regarding Skattebo. "The first guy may not bring him down, but then the next guy has to be able to get there to bring him down. I do think playing these other backs has really helped that and I think we learned a lot at the Texas Tech game that helped us in the Central Florida game, and hopefully it carries over this Saturday."

Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham is expected to rely even heavier on the running attack after he announced on Wednesday that starting quarterback Sam Leavitt will miss this Saturday's game with a rib injury. Georgia Tech and Nebraska transfer Jeff Sims will make the start under center.

The Sun Devils were picked last in the Big 12 preseason poll, but have jumped out to 5-1 record punctuated by a dramatic 27-19 victory over Utah in Tempe, Ariz., last Friday night.

HOMECOMING & HISTORY

  • 2024 marks the 100th anniversary of the dedication of James Gamble Nippert Memorial Stadium. (See page 12 for more).
  • The Bearcats hold an all-time record of 359-198-13 (.641) at Nippert Stadium, dating back to its dedication on Nov. 8, 1924.
  • The Homecoming parade will begin at 8 a.m. on Clifton Ave. on UC's campus.
  • The Bearcats host the Sun Devils for their 98th all-time Homecoming game. UC holds a 61-32-4 all-time record on Homecoming.
  • Cincinnati is 19-5 in Homecoming games since 2000 with last year's 30-10 loss to Iowa State serving as UC's first HOCO defeat since 2017. Current ASU TE Chamon Metayer scored a touchdown for the Bearcats in the Homecoming game last fall.
  • In 2021, UC defeated Tulsa, 28-20, with a last-minute goal-line stand on Homecoming. The day also featured ESPN College GameDay's first-ever visit to Cincinnati.
  • Cincinnati's first homecoming game came on Nov. 14, 1925 - a 13-2 loss to Ohio University.
  • The Bearcats and Sun Devils will meet for a third time with UC picking up road victories in 1954 and 1976. The 1954 win (34-7) was the final victory for legendary head coach Sid Gillman, capping a 16-game win streak from 1953-54. UC started the 1954 season 8-0 before losing the final two games. Gillman then left to coach the Los Angeles Rams. UC won 14-0 in 1976 during a 9-2 campaign. 2024 James P. Kelly UC Hall of Famer Mike Woods was the star of the 1976 team, earning Team MVP honors.

BEARCATS BUILDING A RESUME

  • The Bearcats are 4-2 with the losses coming by four total points to teams with a combined 11-1 record.
  • Cincinnati has the nation's 13th-most efficient offense according to ESPN's Football Power Index.
  • ESPN's FPI rates Cincinnati as the 39th-best team in the country and gives the Bearcats an 84% chance of reaching six wins.
  • Cincinnati ranks second in the Big 12 and 23rd nationally in total offense (460.5) and keeps opposing defenses on the field longer than most, ranking second in the conference in time of possession (32:32).
  • UC has produced 13 plays of at least 40 yards and 19 plays of at least 30 yards, ranking fourth and 12th in the nation, respectively.
  • The Bearcats have thrived with their backs against the wall with a perfect 6-for-6 fourth down conversion rate. They're one of two FBS schools to be perfect on fourth downs this year, the other being Minnesota (7-for-7).

SORSBY LEADS UNDER CENTER

  • Sorsby has proven to be one of the nation's top quarterbacks through six games in 2024, passing for 1,722 yards and 13 touchdowns with just three interceptions. He is completing 66.2% of his pass attempts and his 156.5 efficiency rating ranks fourth in the Big 12. His QBR of 79.5 ranks No. 3 in the conference and 20th in the nation. His PFF grade (84.0) ranks third in the Big 12.
  • Sorsby was electric at Texas Tech, posting career highs in total offense (478), passing yards (426), completions (31), and passing touchdowns (4). His 478 yards of total offense are the most by a Big 12 quarterback this season.
  • Twice he has been named the Big 12 Newcomer of the Week - following Week 1 and Week 5.
  • Prior to his prolific Texas Tech performance, Sorsby was dominant in a 34-0 win over Houston on Sept. 21. After missing on his first attempt of the game, Sorsby completed 12 straight passes. He finished 12-of-15 for 188 yards with three total TDs.