Cincinnati Bearcats lose by 2 vs. UCF in Big 12 tilt at Nippert

In their first meeting in their new conference, the University of Cincinnati and UCF played a nip-and-tuck game, but it was the Bearcats who were nipped at "The Nipp" 28-26 to extend their losing streak to seven games.

It gives UCF their first Big 12 victory and moves them to 3-5 while the Bearcats are 2-7 (0-6 Big 12). It's the first five-loss season at Nippert Stadium since Luke Fickell's opening season of 2017.

R.J. Harvey ran for 165 yards and three scores for UCF while quarterback John Rhys Plumlee was 13-for-23 for 165 yards and also had a 39-yard rushing touchdown.

UC again had two runners over 100 yards rushing. Corey Kiner ran for 114 yards and Ryan Montgomery 113. UC has lost just six games since 2000 with a pair of 100-plus yard runners, but it has happened three times this season.

Quarterback Emory Jones was 16-for-22 for 217 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Braden Smith had six catches for 114 yards and a score.

How it went down

The game had a curious start as UC won the coin toss and elected to receive the ball. Emory Jones then led the Bearcats on a drive lasting over five minutes, but the Bearcats ended up settling for a 39-yard Carter Brown field goal.

A key play in the drive was a 25-yard pass to true freshman Barry Jackson Jr. who hadn't played since the Eastern Kentucky opener.

UC then had a second drive that ended at the UCF 41 after a 4th-and-1 pass play misfired. Given that opportunity late in the opening quarter and thanks to a pair of penalties, UCF drove to the Bearcat 8-yard-line where Plumlee scored for a 7-3 lead.

UC's Byron Threats was ejected after that play for bumping a referee, in addition to being one of the players penalized during the Knights' scoring drive.

Brady Lichtenberg entered at quarterback in the second quarter and appeared to have UC in scoring position after a 35-yard pass to Xzavier Henderson. However, Henderson fumbled with UCF recovering at the 12-yard line. Plumlee then led UCF on an 88-yard drive with R.J. Harvey scoring from the 14,

Jones would return and lead UC on a late scoring drive ending in an 11-yard pass to Braden Smith. The Bearcats would battle to get the ball back and were driving late, but an interception by Nikai Martinez on a long ball intended for Henderson effectively ended the half with UCF up at 14-10.

A short, 2nd half lead

The Bearcats would get their first lead of a second half since the Miami University game in the third quarter when Ryan Montgomery scored on a 2-yard run. But, the 17-14 lead was short-lived thanks to the legs of Plumlee and Harvey. Plumlee twice ran for first downs on third and long and Harvey danced in from 25 yards as the Knights went back on top 21-17.

In the fourth, a 15-play drive covering over nine minutes resulted only in a field goal, leaving the Bearcats down a point. Late in the game, the Knights drove 75 yards with Harvey banging in for his third touchdown and a 28-20 lead.

Jones would go 37 yards to Braden Smith to get UC to the 6-yard line with under two minutes left, then Corey Kiner scored with 1:27 left. The two-point pass was intended for Dee Wiggins but failed.

UC plays at Houston next Saturday at a time to be determined.

Final UCF 28, Cincinnati 26

1:27 left. Corey Kiner in from 6, but the 2-point fails | UCF 28, Cincinnati 26

A 37-yard pass from Jones to Braden Smith gets UC to the 6-yard line where Corey Kiner scores. The 2-point to Dee Wiggins is incomplete.

R.J. Harvey adds his 3rd touchdown | UCF 28, Cincinnati 20

A nine-play, 75-yard drive covering 3:40 and Harvey hits the trifecta on touchdowns. UC has 2:41 to attempt to tie the game.

UC gets closer, but can't get 7. 6:21 fourth quarter | UCF 21, Cincinnati 20

The Bearcats go 15 plays in 9:10 and get down to the 2-yard line on a 35-yard pass from Jones to Braden Smith. But, a holding penalty moves them back where they stall. Carter Brown's 28-yard field goal is good.

UCF comes back on the rush to take lead. End third quarter | UCF 21, Cincinnati 17

John Rhys Plumlee extended the drive twice as UCF went 10 plays and 55 yards in 4:42 to take the lead on a 25-yard run by R.J. Harvey. Harvey has 162 yards. Ryan Montgomery has 113 for UC with Corey Kiner at 89 yards.

UC with a 2nd half lead for 1st time since Miami game | Cincinnati 17, UCF 14

Ryan Montgomery now has 113 yards after scoring from the 2-yard line. UC leads UCF 17-14 with 4:28 and running in the third quarter. UC's first lead in the second half since they went up 24-21 on Miami in the fourth quarter in week three.

UC holds off UCF's opening drive of 2nd half | UCF 14, Cincinnati 10

UCF executed a fake punt to get into scoring position. Eventually, Colton Boomer's 47-yard field goal attempt was no good to the delight of the student section. 10:44 in the third quarter, UC ball on their own 30-yard line.

Halftime stats | UCF 14, Cincinnati 10

So far it's the blueprint for the season. UC has outgained UCF 291-178 and outrushed them 170-73. They've even outpassed them 121-105. Yet, a turnover and missed chances and UC is down.

Corey Kiner leads all rushers with 93 yards and Ryan Montgomery has 80. Emory Jones is 7-for-10 passing for 71 yards and a touchdown to Braden Smith but threw the late INT to end the half and take momentum away from UC. In the second quarter, Brady Lichtenberg was 3-for-5 for 50 yards. UCF's R.J. Harvey has 57 yards and a touchdown. John Rhys Plumlee is 8-for-12 passing for 105 yards and has run for 15 yards and a score. UCF has three sacks while UC has none.

A Jones INT ruins yet another possible score. Bearcats down 4 at half | UCF 14, Cincinnati 10

Emory Jones tried to hit Henderson deep. Instead, Nikai Martinez pulls it down. Martinez plays for UCF. The half ends with some boos.

Bearcats get a touchdown before half | UCF 14, Cincinnati 10

Thanks to some long runs by Ryan Montgomery, UC drove to the 11-yard line where Emory Jones hit Braden Smith on a diving catch in the right corner. There is 1:56 left in the half.

UCF extends lead taking advantage of Bearcat miscue | UCF 14, Cincinnati 3

After the fumble recovery, UCF goes nine plays in 88 yards in 3:39 with R.J. Harvey scoring on a 13-yard run. There's 4:12 left in the half.

Another possible scoring drive spoiled on Xzavier Henderson fumble | UCF 7, Cincinnati 3

Lichtenberg completed a 35-yard pass to Xzavier Henderson to the UCF 32-yard line, only to see him fumble. UCF recovers on their own 12-yard line and is currently driving late in the second quarter.

UCF leads after a quarter | UCF 7, Cincinnati 3

Brady Lichtenberg has entered as the UC quarterback to start the second quarter. UC outgained UCF 109-37 in the first quarter, including outrushing them 60-21. Corey Kiner has 52 of those yards. Emory Jones was 4-for-5 passing for 49 yards in the first quarter. UCF's John Rhys Plumlee had 16 yards passing and 16 rushing.

UCF gets the first touchdown with help of penalties | UCF 7, Cincinnati 3

John Rhys Plumlee scores from the 8-yard line to cap a six-play 59-yard drive. UCF was aided by penalties against Bryon Threats and Jordan Young to secure prime field position. After the touchdown, Threats bumped an official and was ejected. :20 left in the first quarter.

UC drives to UCF 41, but an incompletion at 4th and 1 fails | Cincinnati 3, UCF 0

UCF was keyed in on a quarterback sneak by Jones. It looked like some form of a pass intended for Xzavier Henderson that didn't quite go as planned. A decent drive spoiled. UCF ball with 3:07 left in the opening quarter.

Bearcats win toss, take ball and get points | Cincinnati 3, UCF 0

UC uncharacteristically took the ball after winning the coin toss. The Bearcats go 10 plays in 5:02 and get a 39-yard field goal from Carter Brown. A big play in the drive was Emory Jones completing a 25-yard pass to Barry Jackson Jr. It's his first action since the opener vs. EKU. There's 9:58 left in the opening quarter.

Pregame check-in

All indications are that Emory Jones will again start the game at quarterback vs. UCF.

Scott Satterfield's University of Cincinnati football Bearcats look to break a six-game skid overall and a rare, four-game losing streak at Nippert Stadium when they face the Knights of Central Florida at 3:30.

The Bearcats have won three of the last four against UCF but fell short last season in Orlando 25-21 when both schools were members of the American Athletic Conference. Of the new Big 12 members, UC and UCF are the only teams left without a victory in the new conference.

UCF won last year's meeting

UC's Ryan Montgomery gave the Bearcats a 21-18 lead with 3:08 remaining last season only to see UCF running back R.J. Harvey roll in on a 17-yard run with 48 seconds to give the Knights the victory. At Louisville, Satterfield's Cardinals downed UCF 20-14 last season in Orlando and 42-35 in a home game in 2021.

USS Cincinnati

UC's black helmets feature the crest of the of U.S. Navy ship name for Cincinnati which was commissioned in 2019 and is currently in San Diego. It's Military Appreciation Day.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Bearcats fall short at home vs. UCF in quest for Big 12 win