5 observations as 'Box score' UC Bearcats drop Big 12 game to UCF

There is now but one winless team in the Big 12.

In the "seen that, done that" department, the University of Cincinnati football Bearcats again dominated a box score but left their locker room with another loss. The 28-26 near miss against UCF Saturday ended when an Emory Jones two-point try to Dee Wiggins went incomplete. UCF was able to drain the remaining 1:27 to notch their first Big 12 win.

UC has lost seven straight, is 0 for the conference and head coach Scott Satterfield was none too pleased over seeing another game lost due to penalties and mental mistakes.

"We were a very undisciplined football team, that's what we were tonight," Satterfield said. "That pisses me off. We've been that way and that's on me. We've got three more weeks and then we've got an offseason and we're going to do everything we can to get that fixed."

Satterfield, known for being even-keeled, was as animated as he's been post-game and was the same in the locker room.

"He was pretty visibly upset," senior Ryan Montgomery said. "Especially for seniors like myself. This isn't how we pictured it."

The game sold the allotment of 38,193 tickets and was a better crowd than the most recent loss to Baylor. That said, there were boos of frustration, particularly when Jones was intercepted in the end zone by Nikai Martinez stifling a would-be scoring opportunity before halftime.

"I don't like getting booed, I'm sure Emory doesn't like getting booed, especially in your own stadium," Satterfield. said. "They're trying to produce. They're trying to make plays. Our fans have probably seen too much of that (turnovers) and they're probably getting a little bit overzealous in their boos. But, I get it. We've got to do better as players and coaches to give them something to cheer for."

UC trailed at half, then took their first second-half lead since the Miami University game on Ryan Montgomery's 2-yard run. From there it was catchup and for the seventh straight game, the Bearcats fell short.

"I knew this was going to be a tough league," UCF coach Gus Malzahn said. "In the past, there were always games where you felt you had a good chance. In this league, you have to earn it."

Here are 5 observations on Saturday's tough defeat

1. Winning the box score doesn't count

UC had 515 yards of total offense to UCF's 393, outrushed them 248-228 and outpassed them 267-165. The Bearcats have only been outgained in total offense by Oklahoma, Iowa State and Oklahoma State. In the other six games, they've dominated, but have just two wins.

"I feel like a broken record coming in here where we're outgaining teams by over 100 yards, but we're on the short end of the stick," Satterfield said.

2. Two rushers over 100 yards should = win

Corey Kiner ran for 114 yards for the fourth time this season. Ryan Montgomery came back and added 113. For those not used to losing, it's tough to make sense.

"It's hard to come to work every day when you're losing, but I love football, I love my teammates and I love the coaching staff," Kiner said.

It's the third time this year the Bearcats have had a duo over the century mark and lost.

"They didn't even practice 'til Wednesday," Satterfield said of his dinged-up backs. "We've got two guys over 100 yards again. We've done that several times this year. We're extremely proud of them and the offensive line for opening up holes tonight like they did. It's just frustrating."

3. Peeved over penalties

UC was penalized eight times for 75 yards. On UCF's first score, there was a penalty on Bryon Threats, another on Jordan Young, then Threats bumped an official after the score and was ejected.

"I know it's frustrating to our crowds that show up and I appreciate those that show up out there and have to look at that crap!" Satterfield said. "It pisses me off. We've got to get that fixed and we're going to."

4. Ryan's hope

Since running for 104 yards against Miami University, Ryan Montgomery has had the injury bug. He couldn't go last week at Oklahoma State, but entered the UCF game and finished with a season-high 113 yards.

Now, as a senior, he won't go to a bowl.

"There's going to be guys that might not want to finish the year," Montgomery said. "There's a lot of leaders like me that came back for that extra year. We have this Bearcat Council and we're going to look at it and see the best plan of action to keep everyone together."

5. Strategy from here

True freshman receiver Barry Jackson Jr. had another eye-opening play with a 25-yard reception. It was his first action since the opener against Eastern Kentucky. He can play four games and still retain a year of eligibility.

"I think Barry's going to be outstanding," Satterfield said. "We're going to play him in two more games. We'll see which two we're going to play him in. You see his talent. He's got two catches. He scored on one and I thought he would on the other one."

Next up

UC is at Houston next Saturday, Nov. 11. That game time has yet to be determined.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: 5 things to note as UC wins boxcore, but not game against UCF