CINCINNATI — Cincinnati quarterback Brendan Sorsby threw two touchdowns and ran for another, and the Bearcats defense kept Houston from scoring in the Bearcats’ 34-0 victory.
It is Cincinnati’s first shutout win since Nov. 3, 2018, when the Bearcats defeated Navy 42-0 at Nippert Stadium. Houston is the first Power Four team to fail to win a game this season, and it is the Bearcats’ first shutout against a Power Four team since they beat Virginia Tech in 1995.
The Bearcats (3-1, 1-0 Big 12) have already achieved their 2023 win total.
“It’s hard to get a shutout in college football,” said Cincinnati’s sixth-year safety Derrick Canteen. “That says a lot about this defense. This is such a hungry team and a team that puts so much pressure on us.”
Sorsby threw touchdowns of 19 and 15 yards to wide receiver Xzavier Henderson in the first half. The first touchdown came after an interception on the opening drive by Bearcats safety Josh Minkins Jr., Cincinnati’s third consecutive game with an interception on the opening drive.
“It’s difficult to make those fade passes to Henderson,” Sorsby said. “The corner is playing man coverage, so he’s one-on-one. I just trust Henderson to handle it, so I just pass the ball out and give him a chance.”
It was the first of three consecutive drives by the Bearcats, who took a 21-0 lead early in the second quarter. Two of the three drives were 80 yards long, the others 45 yards.
SORSBY IN THE RILL
Cincinnati’s freshman quarterback extended his streak of pass attempts without an interception to begin the season to 118, the second-most attempts of any quarterback in college football through Saturday.
“I felt really confident out there and had a good view of the field,” Sorsby said. “We have a great punter in Mason Fletcher, so if we don’t get the first one, I know he’s going to pin (the opponent) deep. So there’s no reason to be too aggressive or take a big risk with the football.”
HOUSTON HAS PROBLEMS ON THE OFFENSIVE
The Cougars struggled on offense the entire time and were only able to achieve 233 yards. Seven penalties for 68 yards did not help.
Mistakes, including three turnovers, plagued Houston. The closest the Cougars came to scoring was early in the second quarter when kicker Joseph Kim missed a 32-yard field goal attempt. It was one of only two Cougars drives that ended in the red zone.
“We got a little bit of momentum going, then we had some self-defeating plays,” Fritz said. “I told the guys five or six times that we’re not good enough to just throw the ball out there and win. We have to do things the right way.”
THE RESULT
Houston: The Cougars’ offense continues to be shaky. Houston has scored just 26 points in four games and has only reached double figures twice.
“Last week we scored 33 points and today we scored none,” Houston offensive lineman Tank Jenkins said. “It’s a bitter pill to swallow.”
Cincinnati: The Bearcats have earned their first-ever Big 12 home win, reaching their 2023 total of Big 12 and overall wins. They have now won two games in a row after winning in Miami, Ohio, last week.
“Cincinnati has fought so hard to get to this level,” Bearcats coach Scott Satterfield said. “To finally come here and get our first Big 12 win and our first opportunity this season was huge for us. It’s been a great couple of weeks here.”
Houston: vs. Iowa State next Saturday.
Cincinnati: Next Saturday at Texas Tech.
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