Explosive First Half Propels Bearcats to Season-Opening Win Over Towson
Explosive First Half Propels Bearcats to Season-Opening Win Over Towson
Cincinnati, Ohio – The Cincinnati Bearcats kicked off their 2024 season with a commanding 38-20 victory over the Towson Tigers at Nippert Stadium, extending their home-opener win streak to 23 games. In front of a lively crowd of 37,654, the Bearcats displayed a potent mix of explosive offense and staunch defense, led by redshirt sophomore quarterback Brendan Sorsby.
Sorsby Shines in Cincinnati Debut
Making his debut after transferring from Indiana, Sorsby wasted no time making an impact. He accounted for four touchdowns in the first half alone, propelling Cincinnati to a 28-17 halftime lead. Sorsby finished the game with an impressive 383 passing yards and two touchdowns on 22-of-31 passing, adding another two scores on the ground.
"It was really good to get back out there and play some ball," Sorsby said postgame. "We had a strong first half, but there are definitely some things we can improve on. Overall, it was a great start to the season."
The Bearcats’ offense was firing on all cylinders from the opening drive. Sorsby completed all four of his passes on the game’s first possession, including a 49-yard connection to senior slot receiver Aaron Turner. He capped the drive with a 2-yard touchdown pass, putting Cincinnati on the board less than four minutes into the game.
Sorsby’s strong start continued as he connected with fifth-year receiver Xzavier Henderson for a 42-yard touchdown and later found redshirt junior and Cincinnati native, Sterling Berkhalter for a 61-yard score, his first as a Bearcat. Cincinnati’s explosive plays helped them build a 21-3 lead by the end of the first quarter.
Towson Fights Back, But Bearcats Hold Firm
Towson, to their credit, didn’t back down. Quarterback Carlos Davis responded to Cincinnati’s fast start with a 76-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jaceon Doss, cutting the lead to 21-10. The Tigers continued to push, bringing the score to within one possession at 28-20 early in the third quarter after a field goal.
However, Cincinnati quickly regained control. On the first play of the second half, redshirt junior running back Evan Pryor, another Ohio State transfer, broke free for a 64-yard touchdown run, extending the lead to 35-20. Pryor finished the day with 105 yards on just four carries, showcasing his explosiveness and making an immediate impact in his Bearcat debut.
Cincinnati’s defense, led by Jared Bartlett, a transfer from West Virginia, tightened up in the second half. Bartlett recorded six tackles, two for loss, and a sack, helping to stifle Towson’s attempts to mount a comeback. Despite missing standout defensive lineman Dontay Corleone, the Bearcats held Towson in check, allowing only a field goal in the second half.
Coach Satterfield Pleased, But Sees Room for Improvement
After the game, Cincinnati head coach Scott Satterfield expressed satisfaction with the win but acknowledged there were areas for improvement. "Brendan played a really good game. I think he could have played a lot better, and there are a couple plays he'd like to have back for sure," Satterfield said. "But overall, I was pleased with the way he played.”
Indeed, 34 players made their debut for Cincinnati in this game, an impressive number that reflects the depth and potential of this year’s squad. Coach Satterfield highlighted the contributions of key players, saying, "Xavier had another big game for us. And I think Joe Royer (Ohio State transfer) obviously had a good game… and I think that's going to be a good combination as we look at it throughout this season, and proud of Sterling to be able to catch that nice, deep one down there for a touchdown. But, I think overall, proud of our guys, obviously, but we still got a lot of work to do as we head into week two."
As the Bearcats move forward, they’ll look to build on this performance, refining their execution on both sides of the ball. With Sorsby leading a dynamic offense and a defense full of playmakers like Bartlett, Cincinnati appears poised to turn things around after last season.
Next up, the Bearcats will host Pittsburgh in the River City Rivalry matchup next Saturday, September 7th, at 12 p.m. at Nippert Stadium. This highly anticipated game will provide another test for Cincinnati as they aim to keep their home win streak alive and continue their early-season momentum.
Game Highlights below.