Iowa State defeats Cincinnati Bearcats 34-17.

Cincinnati has returned to a .500 record for the season after suffering a defeat against Iowa State, with a final score of 34-17, during a night game in Ames, Iowa, on Saturday. This loss marks the Bearcats' third consecutive defeat in away night games. The team struggled to maintain offensive consistency throughout the match, despite scoring a touchdown on their initial drive. Quarterback Brendan Sorsby completed 11 of 19 passes for 66 yards and rushed for a career-high 141 yards with one touchdown, but was unable to establish a passing rhythm. Iowa State effectively controlled all aspects of the game, allowing them to outscore Cincinnati and remain competitive in the Big 12 title race. Additionally, UC faced a setback with the injury of Dontay Corleone, which contributed to the breakdown of their previously strong run defense in this second consecutive loss to Iowa State. This encounter marked the second meeting between the two institutions in their history.

The Bearcats quarterback struggled to make significant progress on Saturday, as his record-setting rushing performance fell short during another challenging road game. Sorsby displayed commendable rushing vision but failed to connect with receivers for substantial gains, compounded by several dropped passes. This marks a continued decline in his passing effectiveness over the past month. Cincinnati managed only 66 passing yards, marking Sorsby's lowest output of the season. Iowa State's formidable pass defense proved effective, presenting various challenges to Sorsby and the Bearcats. Leading receiver Xzavier Henderson was limited to just one reception for 12 yards. Sorsby was unable to establish a rhythm, prompting the coaching staff to seek solutions for the upcoming road game. The team must improve on deep passes and longer developing plays, having completed only one pass of over 15 yards during the game. The passing production during night games has steadily decreased as the season progresses. Additionally, Cincinnati's inability to win the turnover battle continues to hinder their quest for a sixth victory to secure a bowl berth. The punting and coverage units have also struggled in recent weeks, with a particularly poor performance against Iowa State, highlighted by a botched snap, a successful fake conversion, and a lengthy return. In a contest characterized by a narrow talent gap, special teams played a critical role, and Cincinnati faced the added challenge of committing 13 penalties for 87 yards. Although UC entered the game with comparable rankings to Iowa State's special teams, the on-field performance was markedly different. The issues with punt coverage have become increasingly evident over the past month, negatively impacting Cincinnati in games where other units have performed well. Despite ranking 17th nationally in average punt distance, UC was 60th in opponent return yards allowed. Iowa State initiated five drives from their own 32-yard line or better, resulting in 10 points from two drives that began in Bearcats territory. The struggles in the special teams phase are glaringly apparent at this time.

Jonathan Thompson and the Bearcats' run defense performed admirably, maintaining UC's competitiveness until the closing moments of the game. The young linebacker has demonstrated exceptional performance since his return from injury, leading the team with nine tackles, including one for a loss. His keen ability to identify rushing lanes and quickly fill gaps was instrumental in thwarting numerous Cyclone drives, as evidenced by their 7-16 success rate on third downs. However, the run defense began to falter following Dontay Corleone's injury, allowing ISU to exploit the situation in the final minutes. Nevertheless, Thompson played a significant role in stabilizing the defense for the majority of the game. Corleone's condition will be critical in the upcoming week, as UC faces a nationally ranked top-20 rushing team. His presence will be vital for the team's aspirations of securing a bowl game in 2024 and avoiding a disastrous late-season decline.