5 observations from UC football's opening game victory over Eastern Kentucky

Teammates again, Xzavier Henderson compared his new University of Cincinnati quarterback Emory Jones to a lunch lady.

"He was feeding everybody today!" Henderson said.

While it may seem derogatory, it was definitely a compliment as Jones distributed touchdowns to five different receivers in UC's 66-13 crushing of the Colonels of Eastern Kentucky.

The Arizona State transfer connected with Henderson first, something the two had done when both were Florida Gators. Dee Wiggins, Payten Singletary, Braden Smith and Aaron Turner were also on the receiving end of scoring passes from Jones.

UC footballl offense Emory Jones shines in Cincinnati football debut win over Eastern Kentucky

"It's great for your confidence when you're throwing dimes out there and we're catching them," Satterfield said of his quarterback. "As a play-caller, it's like, 'These guys are seeing it really good.’ If they're doing that, we're going to keep feeding them.”

In less than three full quarters, Jones hit five different receivers going 19-for-23 for 345 yards. For kicks, he ran a pair of touchdowns in, accounting for seven overall on the day, tying his personal best.

UC racked up win No. 1 on the second day of September in the first season of their 40th head coach, Scott Satterfield. He becomes the third straight to win his Bearcats debut and sixth straight to win his first home game.

Satterfield made his debut with a black visor and all-black attire on the sidelines on a day the crowd was in White-Out mode at Nippert Stadium. While many of the players have played in larger Power Five venues, they all made note of how the notice bounces off the surrounding buildings.

"There's nothing like Nippert!" Corey Kiner said. "I've played in some big stadiums, but Nippert is probably the best I'm ever going to see."

Kiner went over 100 yards rushing for the second time in his career with 105. The announced attendance was 38,193 at Nippert, the site of UC tackle football since 1901.

"It was everything I anticipated being and then some," Satterfield said. "We fed off of that energy right from he start."

5 observations on UC's 'Satturday' win over EKU

1. Along came Jones

Jones had one of the better Bearcat debuts with his second career 300-yard plus game accounting for seven scores, tying a school record. His previous best effort came in Nov. 2021 against Samford when he threw for 464 yards and also accounted for seven touchdowns. He was one touchdown pass away from tying Gunner Kiel and Tony Pike who share that record with six.

"He played about as good as you can play, really," Satterfield said.

2. Bearcats are Xzavier fans

Three minutes and 15 seconds into the game, UC fans got to see their first Xzavier score in black and red as Jones found his former Florida teammate Henderson down the right sideline for a 49-yard score, the first of 2023. Henderson had seven catches for a career-high 149 yards. The call came on a 4th-and-5 from midfield.

"He did a great job of seeing X (Xzavier Henderson) behind the guy and (it was) a beautiful throw," Satterfield said. "I want to be aggressive and it paid off."

Said Jones, "The connection, the chemistry we have obviously showed today."

Henderson's family was with the Jones family at the game, making him extra excited about the opening score.

"No doubt in my mind!" Henderson said. "First one in The Nipp, I had to go get that one!"

3. Oh my, O-line!

Though returning just one starter with two transfers, UC's offensive line kept Jones upright for the day, allowing him to win over his new fans. Also, Kiner went over the century mark rushing, including a 54-yard run.

"The O-line was doing their thing, receivers were blocking and coaches have faith in me to put the ball in my hands," Kiner said. "It all started up front."

4. Grzesiak in the house

The Utah State transfer made his Bearcat debut by leading the team in tackles with seven and adding a sack, two tackles for loss and a forced fumble. The redshirt senior doesn't mind seeing his much-publicized teammates Dontay Corleone and Jowon Briggs being double-teamed.

"I love those guys!" Grzesiak said. "Last year I remember getting chipped and double-teamed. I didn't get touched today at all. If they slide to Corleone and Briggs, I'll do my 'Dougy' and go eat!"

Bootin' Brown

Arizona State transfer Carter Brown, UC's new kicker contributed 12 of UC's 66 points hitting all nine of his point-afters and adding a 46-yard field goal. Regardless of the opponent, seeing a new kicker's first efforts go through the uprights had to be comforting for fans.

Who's next?

UC has its first road game on Saturday, Sept. 9 at 6:30 p.m. against the Pitt Panthers. This renews the River City Rivalry from their Big East days.

CINCINNATI 21 21 10 14 66

EASTERN KENTUCKY 0 7 3 3 13

UC– Jones 49-yard pass to Henderson (Brown kick)

UC– Jones 39-yard pass to Wiggins (Brown kick)

UC– Jones 1-yard run (Brown kick)

UC– Jones 1-yard pass to Singletary (Brown kick)

UC– Jones 12-yard run (Brown kick)

EKU–McKinney 17-yard pass to Brown (Nations kick)

UC– Jones 48-yard pass to Smith (Brown kick)

UC– Brown 45-yard FG

EKU– Nations 42-yard FG

UC– Jones 6-yard pass to Turner (Brown kick)

UC–Lichtenberg 4-yard run (Brown kick)

EKU– Nations 43-yard FG

UC–Lichtenberg 65-yard pass to Jackson Jr. (Brown kick)

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: 5 points from UC's season-opening win over EKU at Nippert Stadium