Cincinnati Hands No. 8 Texas Tech First Loss, 37–24
Cincinnati turned a strong first half into a 37–24 Homecoming victory over No. 8 Texas Tech on Saturday, ending the Red Raiders’ unbeaten start. The Bearcats led 24–6 at halftime and held off a third-quarter Texas Tech rally at Nippert Stadium. Tech falls to 6–1 overall and 3–1 in Big 12 play, while Cincinnati improves to 5–2 and 2–2.
The Bearcats scored 14 points in the final two minutes of the first half. Quarterback JC French connected with Malachi Henry for a five-yard touchdown, and after MJ Cannon intercepted Will Hammond, French threw a two-yard score to Lyviel Waters with five seconds left before halftime.
Texas Tech briefly threatened in the third quarter. Peyton Morgan returned an interception 53 yards for a touchdown, cutting the deficit to 24–15 after a failed two-point conversion. Cincinnati responded with a 17-yard French touchdown pass to Larenzo Fenner, restoring a 31–15 advantage.
Cole Tabb put the game out of reach with a 58-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. According to Cincinnati Athletics, Tabb rushed for a career-high 173 yards on 16 carries, while French threw four touchdown passes and completed 19 of 30 attempts for 172 yards.
What Texas Tech's final report shows
Texas Tech Athletics reported that Cincinnati rushed for 252 yards against a Red Raider defense that entered the game allowing only 82 per contest. The Bearcats became the first opponent to score a rushing touchdown against Tech this season. Cincinnati's 37 points were also the most Texas Tech allowed under defensive coordinator Shiel Wood.
Tech committed a season-high 12 penalties for 80 yards and lost the turnover battle 3–2, according to the university's postgame notes. The Red Raiders were 5–15 when trailing at halftime in Joey McGuire's tenure after Saturday's loss.
Hammond completed 24 of 37 passes for 227 yards, but his eight-game touchdown-pass streak snapped. Kenny Johnson had seven receptions. Kicker Stone Harrington connected on four of five field-goal attempts.
One historic note for Tech: Morgan's interception return gave the Red Raiders a pick-six in four straight games, the first time a Big 12 team has done that in a single season, according to Texas Tech Athletics.
The loss leaves Texas Tech 6–1 as it heads into its home game against Arizona on Halloween.
More on the game
Sources: University of Cincinnati Athletics game recap and Texas Tech Athletics postgame notes. See also Texas Tech's final statistics.
Related Chronicle story: Is There a Game 7 Jinx on Tech's Joey McGuire?
