Recap: Cincinnati 49 Oklahoma State 17

Led by a near-flawless performance from quarterback Brendan Sorsby and a swarming, opportunistic defense, the Bearcats rolled into Stillwater and dismantled Oklahoma State, 49–17, at Boone Pickens Stadium. With the win, Cincinnati improved to 6–1 overall and 4–0 in Big 12 play, keeping pace with BYU at the top of the conference standings.

 

Sorsby was sharp all night, throwing for 270 yards and three touchdowns, completing 20 of 29 passes without an interception, and added a rushing score for good measure. Cincinnati scored touchdowns on seven of their 10 offensive possessions, averaged 7.1 yards per play, and forced two Oklahoma State turnovers that led directly to 14 points.

 

(Photo: AP Photo/ Mitch Alcala)

 

“Just really proud of our guys,” head coach Scott Satterfield said after the win. “Coming on the road in the Big 12, we know it’s challenging... but our offense came out and scored touchdowns on all four drives in the first half. That gave us momentum.”

 

Scoring Recap

 

Cincinnati set the tone early. On their first drive of the game, Sorsby found wideout Cyrus Allen for a 26-yard touchdown strike, capping a 5-play, 79-yard drive that took under two minutes.

 

Oklahoma State answered with a long, 14-play drive but had to settle for a 33-yard field goal by Logan Ward. That would be as close as the Cowboys would get.

 

The second quarter belonged to the Bearcats. Allen scored again — this time on a 14-yard rushing touchdown — to push the lead to 14–3. Oklahoma State briefly responded with a touchdown run by Sam Jackson V, but Cincinnati would not be slowed.

 

On the ensuing drive, Sorsby connected with tight end Joe Royer for a 27-yard touchdown to stretch the lead to 21-10. Then, just before halftime, the Bearcats executed a back-breaking 12-play, 94-yard drive in just over two minutes, ending with another touchdown pass to Allen — his third total score of the night.

 

(Photo: The Oklahoman)

 

"That drive before the half, backed up on our own five or six, and we go the length of the field to score — that was huge,” Satterfield said. “That one gave us the edge going into the locker room.”

 

Cincinnati scored on its first four possessions, going a perfect 4-for-4 in the red zone and building a 28–10 halftime lead. 

 

Oklahoma State briefly showed life to start the second half with a 20-yard touchdown run by Rodney Fields Jr., trimming the lead to 11. But the Bearcat defense quickly responded, tightening up inside the red zone and controlling the line of scrimmage the rest of the way.

 

In the fourth quarter, Cincinnati slammed the door shut.

 

Sorsby capped another long drive with a 1-yard quarterback sneak to extend the lead to 35–17. Moments later, cornerback Matthew McDoom jumped a route for a pick-six, returning an interception 100 yards for a defensive touchdown, the longest in school history.

 

“We were all on the field when McDoom made that run,” Satterfield laughed. “Someone on the headset said, ‘He’s gonna score’ as soon as he caught it. And he did. What a moment.”

 

“I knew the play was coming to me,” McDoom said after the game. “We’ve been talking about it for weeks. I just had to make a play. I’m glad I could put points up for the defense.”

 

A fumble recovery on Oklahoma State's next possession gave Cincinnati a short field, and Manny Covey finished the job with a 9-yard rushing touchdown — the Bearcats’ seventh and final score of the night.

 

“We’re moving the ball at will — we just have to clean up the little mistakes, especially coming out of halftime,” Sorsby said following the game.

 

(Photo: Cincinnati Athletics)

 

Defense: Bend, Don't Break

 

Though the Cowboys racked up 228 rushing yards, Cincinnati’s defense stepped up when it mattered most — particularly in the red zone and on key downs. They held Oklahoma State to 3-for-5 in the red zone and stopped two fourth-down conversion attempts.

 

“It took us seven games to get an interception,” Satterfield said. “But hopefully that opens the floodgates now. Our guys made big plays — not just on defense, but everywhere.”

 

"We always talk about getting takeaways,” McDoom said. “It means a lot to be the one to finally get it going. Now it’s time to stack them.”

 

When asked about the limited role of star defensive tackle Dontay Corleone, Satterfield explained the team rotated heavily on the defensive line to keep players fresh during long drives.

 

"We’ve done it all year,” Satterfield explained. “These Big 12 drives are long. You’ve got to have fresh guys down near the red zone to finish.”

 

Oklahoma State running back Rodney Fields Jr finished with 163 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries to lead the Cowboy offense. 

 

Remembering Jim Kelly Jr

 

The emotional stakes were high this week following the passing of longtime Bearcat supporter, former wide receiver, and hall of fame broadcaster Jim Kelly Jr. Cincinnati wore commemorative patches on their jerseys, and Satterfield said this win held special meaning.

 

“Huge for Jim and his family,” he said. “He was Bearcat through and through, and I know he’s proud of what we did out there tonight.”

Stat Leaders

Cincinnati Offense

• Brendan Sorsby: 20/29, 270 YDS, 3 TD; 1 RUSH TD

• Cyrus Allen: 3 REC, 37 YDS, 2 TD; 2 RUSH, 17 YDS, 1 TD

• Joe Royer: 5 REC, 63 YDS, 1 TD

• Evan Pryor: 9 CAR, 63 YDS (7.0 avg)

• Team Rushing: 157 YDS, 3 TDs on 31 carries

Cincinnati Defense

• 2 turnovers forced (1 INT, 1 Fumble)

• 1 defensive touchdown (INT return by McDoom)

• Held OSU to 3-of-5 in the red zone

• Allowed just 149 passing yards

• Jake Golday: 6 tackles

Team Stats Comparison

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Offensive Notes:

 

• Brendan Sorsby is up to 157 pass attempts without an interception, spanning the 
  complete duration of UC’s six-game win streak. He also has 17 passing and four 
  rushing touchdowns over that span. 
• Cincinnati remained perfect in the red zone on the year, now boasting 22 
  touchdowns and six field goals on those 28 trips. It entered the night as one of six 
  teams nationally, and the only Big 12 squad, to do so. 
• Sorsby’s four touchdowns (3 pass, one rush) marked the sixth-such game of his 
  career, fifth at UC and third of the season.
  
• Sorsby’s nine first-quarter TD passes lead the nation (tied with Texas Tech’s Morton). He also has 536 yards and no turnovers on 35-of-54 passing over that time. 
• Joe Royer’s 27-yard touchdown catch was his fourth of the season after having three in 2024. It was also his longest-career score. His five catches were also a season-high.
  

(Photo: Cincinnati Athletics)

 

What’s Next

Cincinnati will return home next week to face Baylor in another key Big 12 matchup, riding a four-game conference win streak and gaining momentum in the title race.

 

“We’ve still got a lot of football left — and a lot of good teams ahead. But we’re excited to get back to Nippert next week," Satterfield explained.

 

"The standard’s changed. It’s not just about making a bowl anymore. Our guys believe we can compete for a Big 12 championship....It’s never over in this league,” Satterfield said. “But we’re playing like a team, and that gives us a shot every Saturday.”

 

The Bearcats’ locker room was full of energy postgame — with good reason. Now bowl eligible, the team has bigger goals in sight.

 

“It’s not easy winning on the road,” said McDoom. “This win just boosts our morale even more.”

 

Allen echoed that sentiment:

 

“This is the first time I’ve ever worked this hard in the offseason,” he said. “It felt like we were going to war with Coach Nico. That work is paying off.”

 

Sorsby, too, is embracing the moment, but staying focused.

 

“It’s one game at a time,” he said. “We’re 1-0 this week. Now it’s time to go 1-0 next week. We’re still hungry — the goal is Dallas.”

 

Final Thoughts

 

Cincinnati continues to assert itself as one of the most balanced and dangerous teams in the Big 12. The Bearcats are now 4–0 in conference play and have outscored opponents 183–82 in those four wins. With Sorsby playing turnover-free football and the defense consistently making plays when it matters most, this team continues to look like a real threat to make a run at the conference title game.

 

At 4-0 in conference play with Baylor, Utah, BYU, and TCU still left on the schedule, the Bearcats control their own destiny. 

 

Game highlights:

 

 

Postgame Video: Satterfield, Sorsby, McDoom, Allen