The Cincinnati Bearcats played their first football game in Lawrence, Kansas in 30 years Saturday. Here are five takeaways from the Bearcats/Jayhawks.
LAWRENCE, KS – In their second trip to the Kansas City area, the Cincinnati Bearcats flew into the same airport and stayed at the same hotel they used for the season opener vs. Nebraska.
The main difference is this time they won the game, defeating the Kansas Jayhawks at their newly renovated David Booth Memorial Stadium 37-34 on Sept. 27.
Brendan Sorsby led the Bearcats on a 10-play 75-yard drive with just over a minute remaining for the win. Tawee Walker scored from the 2-yard-line to silence what was a noisy David Booth Memorial Stadium crowd.
Sorsby was 29-for-43 for 385 yards and two touchdowns, both to Cyrus Allen. Allen had a record day of 11 catches and 128 yards. UC got 73 rushing yards from Walker and 90 from Evan Pryor, 83 of those in the first half.
UC improves to 3-1 on the season and nails down their opening Big 12 victory. They also evened the series against Kansas with their first victory over the Jayhawks since a 1997 win at Nippert. This is UC’s first win in football in Lawrence.
UC had four touchdowns nullified after penalties.
Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels hit Levit Wentz for a six-yard touchdown with 1:49 remaining for the go-ahead score for the Jayhawks. Daniels finished the game 18-for-27 for 419 yards and four touchdowns. Two of those went to Emmanuel Henderson Jr. who had five catches for 214 yards and two touchdowns.
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5 takeaways from Cincinnati Bearcats at Kansas Jayhawks
1. Cincinnati Bearcats had four touchdowns reversed due to penalties
At halftime, UC had outgained the Jayhawks 323 yards to 249 and outrushed them, 153-55.
Four times in the game, they had touchdowns called back on penalties. The first came on a third-down play near the Kansas goal line, negating an 11-yard Sorsby touchdown.
Before halftime, an 88-yard punt return from Manny Covey was brought back due to a block in the back. UC was still able to get a 43-yard Stephen Rusnack field goal on that play. In the third quarter, a touchdown pass to Caleb Goodie was nullified and a Tawee Walker one-yard rushing score was called back, resulting in another Rusnak field goal.
2. Record day for Cincinnati Bearcats receiver Cyrus Allen
By the third quarter, the UC senior had eight grabs, a pair of touchdowns and over 100 yards receiving. Allen finished with 11 catches for 128 yards.
Brendan Sorsby surpassed 300 yard passing for the fourth time in his career and the second time this season. Sorsby threw to nine different receivers.
3. Cincinnati Bearcats got some running back production
Evan Pryor had 83 yards at halftime, helped by a 46-yard jaunt. He would finish with 90 yards. Tawee Walker started and scored twice, finishing with 73 yards. The last rushing TD silenced most of Lawrence.
4. Cincinnati Bearcats star Antwan Peek Jr. with key play
As Jalon Daniels appeared heading for a go-ahead Kansas touchdown, he fumbled and Peek forced a fumble, and then recovered it. Peek now has five forced fumbles in his UC career and the fumble recovery.
5. Cincinnati Bearcats struggle again to find Joe Royer
At halftime, Royer had only been targeted once, then he caught a key third-quarter pass for 20 yards to sustain a drive. Sorsby was able to find Gavin Grover for a 33-yard gain that nearly was a touchdown and Devyn Zahursky had more snaps against Kansas. Royer would finish with just the two targets.
Cincinnati Bearcats injury updates
Dontay Corleone was listed out 90 minutes before the game per the Big 12 injury report. UC will hope to have him back for next week's matinee at home vs. Iowa State.
Next up for Cincinnati Bearcats
The Bearcats return home to face Iowa State Saturday, Oct. 4 at noon. The Cyclones came into the Saturday, Sept. 27 weekend ranked No. 13 in the US LBM Coaches poll and No. 14 in the AP poll. Iowa State hosted Arizona in a night game Saturday in Ames. The Oct. 4 matinee at Nippert Stadium is sold out outside of limited premium seats.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Bearcats takeaways vs. Kansas Jayhawks in Lawrence
Category: General Sports
