The Cincinnati Bearcats staged a stunning comeback Saturday night, overturning a 21‑point halftime deficit to defeat the Miami (Ohio) Redhawks 35‑31 in the 129th “Battle for the Victory Bell.” The game, played at the home of Major League Soccer’s FC Cincinnati, showcased the Bearcats’ resilience and a clutch performance by running back Cole Tabb.
Second‑half surge
Trailing 31‑10 after the first half, Cincinnati entered the locker room with determination. The Bearcats answered on the opening drive of the third quarter when quarterback JC French IV ran the ball in from the one‑yard line, sparking the comeback. French then connected on a 31‑of‑43 passing night, throwing for 309 yards and two touchdowns.
Midway through the third quarter, Tabb broke free on a 53‑yard touchdown run with 1:29 left in the game. He received the handoff on third‑and‑1, evaded multiple tacklers near the line of scrimmage, and outran defenders at the Miami 46‑yard line before crossing the goal line for his second score of the night.
Key plays and defensive stands
Miami’s early lead was built on a spectacular 98‑yard kickoff return by sophomore Scoop Smith, the shortest player in the FBS at 5‑foot‑5. The return, the first kickoff touchdown for Miami since 2018, set the tone for the first half.
However, Cincinnati’s defense tightened in the second half. Redhawks quarterback David McComb, who had thrown for 334 yards and a touchdown in the first half, was sacked by Antwan Peek Jr., with the ball recovered by defensive back Drew Logan at the 34‑yard line. That turnover helped the Bearcats hold a 3‑0 record for the first time since 2021.
After a turnover on downs to start the third quarter, Cincinnati scored on four of its next five possessions, out‑gaining Miami and never looking back.
Individual performances
JC French IV finished with 309 passing yards, two touchdowns, and a rushing score. Wide receiver JV Gibson contributed seven catches for 68 yards, extending his streak of a touchdown in three consecutive games.
For Miami, McComb completed 17 of 28 passes for 334 yards, a touchdown pass to Maleek Huggins, and added a rushing score. Despite the loss, the Redhawks showed flashes of offensive firepower.
Looking ahead
With the win, Cincinnati improves to 3‑0, their best start since 2021, and maintains dominance in the rivalry, having won 18 of the last 19 meetings. The Bearcats next host Kansas State in their Big 12 opener next Saturday.
Miami (Ohio) will travel to host UConn the following weekend, hoping to rebound from the defeat.
Original reporting: WLWT Cincinnati — read the source article.
