In a thrilling Saturday night showdown, the University of Cincinnati Bearcats defeated the No. 8 Texas Tech Red Raiders 37‑24. Junior college quarterback JC French IV delivered a career‑high four touchdown passes, while running back Cole Tabb rushed for a career‑high 173 yards and a score.
Key moments
The Bearcats built a 21‑point second quarter, taking a 24‑6 lead into halftime. Tabb’s four‑yard touchdown reception put Cincinnati ahead 10‑6, and a five‑yard catch by Malachi Henry extended the lead to 17‑6 with 1:37 left in the half. After an interception by MJ Cannon, the Bearcats drove 75 yards in just 27 seconds, setting up a two‑yard touchdown catch by tight end Lyviel Waters.
Texas Tech rallied in the third quarter when safety Peyton Morgan intercepted a French pass and returned it 53 yards for a touchdown, briefly cutting the deficit to 24‑15. The Bearcats answered with an 80‑yard drive capped by French’s fourth touchdown pass, a 17‑yard strike to Larenzo Fenner, restoring a 31‑15 advantage.
Late in the fourth quarter, Tabb broke loose for a 58‑yard touchdown run, sealing the victory for Cincinnati.
Statistical highlights
- JC French: 4 TD passes, 227 passing yards, 1 interception
- Cole Tabb: 173 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD, 51‑yard TD reception
- Texas Tech QB Will Hammond: 227 passing yards, 1 interception, lost a fumble and incurred an intentional grounding penalty
- Bearcats total offense: 252 rushing yards, averaging 6.1 yards per carry
The win marks Cincinnati’s first home victory over a top‑10 team since beating No. 7 Rutgers in 2006 and follows a 2021 triumph at ninth‑ranked Notre Dame.
Looking ahead
Texas Tech will host Arizona on Oct. 31, while Cincinnati prepares to welcome No. 10 Utah later that same day.
Original reporting: WLWT Cincinnati — read the source article.
