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Cincinnati Upsets No. 8 Texas Tech in Big 12 Showdown
Confirmed
In Short: JC French's four touchdown passes led Cincinnati to a 37-24 upset win over Texas Tech, ending the Red Raiders' nine-game Big 12 winning streak.
JC French threw four touchdown passes and Cole Tabb rushed for 173 yards as Cincinnati stunned eighth-ranked Texas Tech, 37-24, at Nippert Stadium on Saturday.
The Bearcats' second ranked win under Scott Satterfield came after a 21-point surge in the second quarter that put them up 24-6 at halftime.
Texas Tech, who had won 14 of its last 15 Big 12 games, struggled offensively and turned the ball over three times.
French's performance was particularly notable, as he completed 63 percent of his passes for 172 yards and four touchdowns.
The Red Raiders' defense, ranked 27th in scoring defense, was unable to contain Cincinnati's offense, which had been struggling but showed its potential in this game.
Texas Tech's offense did not score a touchdown until the fourth quarter, marking the lowest touchdown production this season.
Cincinnati's victory not only ended Texas Tech's perfect season but also threatened the Big 12's chances of securing three playoff spots.
The game was personal for the Bearcats, who had watched their former quarterback Brendan Sorsby leave for Texas Tech but never play for them.
Texas Tech's Peyton Morgan intercepted a deflected pass and returned it for a touchdown in the third quarter, but it was not enough to turn the tide.
The Bearcats' win was their first over a top-10 team at home since November 2021.
Cincinnati's victory was a significant moment for the program, which had been yearning for a signature win since joining the Big 12 in 2021.
Background
Texas Tech University is a public research university in Lubbock, Texas, United States. Established in 1923 and called Texas Technological College until 1969, it is the flagship institution of the five-institution Texas Tech University System.
What's confirmed
- Cincinnati won at ninth-ranked Notre Dame in 2021.
What's still developing
- Down goes another one of college football's remaining unbeatens, this time in the Big 12.
- Cincinnati's stunning 37-24 win over eighth-ranked Texas Tech on Saturday snapped the Red Raiders' nine-game Big 12 winning streak dating back to last season and threatens the league's shot at three selections in the College Football Playoff.
- Sorsby was suspended following a gambling investigation before mutually parting ways with Texas Tech in June.
- Hammond passed for 227 yards with an interception, and J'Koby Williams rushed for 81 yards on 11 carries for the Red Raiders.
- A 51-yard run by Cole Tabb helped set up French’s two-yard touchdown pass to Lyviel Waters with five seconds remaining, sending Cincinnati into the locker room with a stunning 24-6 halftime advantage.
- Texas Tech added a two-point conversion to cut Cincinnati’s lead to 24-15 and suddenly had some hope.
- Cincinnati responded with another touchdown drive, capped by French finding Larenzo Fenner for a 17-yard score to push the lead back to 31-15.
- Junior running back Cole Tabb held that title up as he notched a single-game season-high 173 rushing yards on 16 carries — the most Tech’s defense has surrendered on the ground this season.
- The Red Raiders attempted to rally in the fourth quarter but were forced to settle for a field goal with 7:42 remaining, cutting Cincinnati’s lead to 31-18.
- It was a scene the people of Cincinnati envisioned when the Bearcats joined the Big 12 in 2021.
- 8 Texas Tech trotted into Nippert Stadium unblemished, having won 14 of its last 15 matchups against Big 12 competition, including 12 by at least 22 points.
- Meanwhile, Cincinnati had stumbled as of late, dropping two consecutive after a 4-0 start.