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Who gets their 1st Big 12 victory in Saturday's UC vs. UCF game at Nippert Stadium?

scott springer, cincinnati enquirer
·5 min read

The surest bet in town is that one football team leaves Nippert Stadium Saturday night with a much-needed Big 12 victory.

It's not necessarily the "0-for Bowl" but at this point of the season, the University of Cincinnati and University of Central Florida share a common goal.

UC football Big 12 announces future football opponents for Cincinnati Bearcats

UC UCF football Cincinnati, UCF clash Saturday with both seeking first Big 12 win

Both teams had quick starts, then spiraled. Gus Malzahn's UCF Knights are 3-5 after starting 3-0 and are 0-5 in the Big 12.

The Cincinnati Bearcats defense paces after a Oklahoma State Cowboys wide receiver Brennan Presley (80) touchdown in the third quarter of the NCAA Big12 football game between the Oklahoma State Cowboys and the Cincinnati Bearcats at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023.
The Cincinnati Bearcats defense paces after a Oklahoma State Cowboys wide receiver Brennan Presley (80) touchdown in the third quarter of the NCAA Big12 football game between the Oklahoma State Cowboys and the Cincinnati Bearcats at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023.

Naught for Knights

Before UC had a second-half no-show at Oklahoma State, UCF lost to West Virginia 41-28.

UCF outgained WVU 463-450 yards in total offense, but like UC was outrushed 286-189. UCF quarterback John Rhys Plumlee threw for three touchdowns but had three passes intercepted.

"The bottom line is you're not going to beat any team, for the most part, if you turn the ball over," Malzahn told UCF media.

Emergency alert

UC's facility department was testing the alarm system before Scott Satterfield's Tuesday press conference. It made for a bit of a chuckle given the Bearcats' urgent need to win to lift the team's spirits.

"We’re going to do everything we can to come out here and win this game this weekend," Satterfield said. "These two teams right here are in very similar situations. You think about two programs over the years who have done a great job of winning a lot of football games. We're sitting here in very similar positions here toward the end of the season. It's been difficult obviously, for both programs."

Bearcats coach Scott Satterfield said that backup quarterback Brady Lichtenberg (16) could get time in place of starter Emory Jones if the coach thought he'd give the team a better chance to win.
Bearcats coach Scott Satterfield said that backup quarterback Brady Lichtenberg (16) could get time in place of starter Emory Jones if the coach thought he'd give the team a better chance to win.

Lichtenberg or Jones?

"He certainly made the case to play," Satterfield said of Brady Lichtenberg's fill-in performance in place of starter Emory Jones at Oklahoma State. " We will continue to battle this week in practice and see where we're at with that. Certainly, I could foresee him getting some time in the game. If he can get out there and give us the best play to win, we'll certainly go that route.”

Other new faces?

"I've mentioned earlier that Barry (Jackson) is a guy that we want to play, no matter what our record," Satterfield said. "We want to play him, and we've really been gearing him up the last few weeks so when he gets an opportunity to play, he'll know what to do out there. We're going to try to play the best guys we can play to win the game.”

3 keys for UC to avoid Big 12's basement

Cincinnati Bearcats defensive lineman Justin Wodtly (34) reacts after a sack of UCF Knights quarterback John Rhys Plumlee (10) in the first quarter during a college football game, Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando. The Bearcats could use some pressure on Plumlee Saturday in this year's contest between the new Big 12 teams.
Cincinnati Bearcats defensive lineman Justin Wodtly (34) reacts after a sack of UCF Knights quarterback John Rhys Plumlee (10) in the first quarter during a college football game, Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando. The Bearcats could use some pressure on Plumlee Saturday in this year's contest between the new Big 12 teams.

1. Pester Plumlee

Plumlee has played in just five games, but has a 64.6% completion rate and is UCF's third-leading rusher. The key to West Virginia's win was picking off Plumlee three times. The problem is UC has just four interceptions this season.

"Game plan for him is keep him in the pocket and make him throw the ball," sixth-year senior Malik Vann said. "They run 80-some plays so it's going to be tough. I do think we'll be able to match up with him really well in some of our drop-eight concepts."

2. Play the agreed-upon four quarters

Last Saturday's game at Oklahoma State had UC down 10-7 at half having outrushed the Cowboys 194-79. From there, they were outscored 35-6 and outrushed 251-83.

The rushing numbers continue to make for a puzzling season.

"Coming into this season if had you told me at this point in the season after eight games, Cincinnati is sixth in the country in rushing, I'd be surprised, and feel good about that," Satterfield said. "I think our record would be a lot better too."

A positive for UC is that Myles Montgomery and Corey Kiner returned to practice Tuesday. They ran for a combined 169 yards at Oklahoma State, but both left the game in the second half.

The Cincinnati Bearcats student section cheers on the team as a flag with the C-paw and Big 12 Conference logos is waved after a touchdown in the second quarter during a college football game between the Baylor Bears and the Cincinnati Bearcats, Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati.
The Cincinnati Bearcats student section cheers on the team as a flag with the C-paw and Big 12 Conference logos is waved after a touchdown in the second quarter during a college football game between the Baylor Bears and the Cincinnati Bearcats, Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati.

3. Win back the crowd

UC's students were in full force until some leaked out at halftime of the Iowa State game even though the Bearcats were only down 17-7. By game's end, most had left. Against Baylor, it wasn't nearly as crowded. At 2-6, with four straight home losses, they need to be wooed back to make Nippert a factor.

"We're working hard every single day," Antwan Peek Jr. said. "We're not trying to lose. The teams that we're playing are really good. No one really expected us to be on top. We're really working hard to get our first W in the Big 12."

It would mean much to the Peek family as Antwan Peek Sr. will be inducted into the James P. Kelly UC Athletic Hall of Fame Friday night.

UCF's John Rhys Plumlee (10) is a threat running and throwing for the Knights.
UCF's John Rhys Plumlee (10) is a threat running and throwing for the Knights.

Players to watch

As mentioned, John Rhys Plumlee is a threat with his passing and running skills. He averages 221.6 throwing yards per game. Plumlee previously played for Ole Miss in the SEC.

"He was one of the fastest players at Ole Miss and probably one of the fastest players there (UCF)," Satterfield said. "He did go out a few weeks ago with an injury, but came back with a knee brace and it hasn't slowed him down. He's very confident in throwing the football as well. He's a true dual threat. One of the better dual threats in the country."

Redshirt senior runner R.J. Harvey is one Bearcat fans should remember for his game-winning score with 48 seconds left last year.

The prognosis

UCF averages 33.4 points per game. Outside of UC's opening score fest against Eastern Kentucky, their high mark was 29 in the home loss to Baylor.

UCF 33, Cincinnati 20

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: 3 keys to UC getting a Big 12 win over UCF Saturday at Nippert Stadium