UC Bearcats, Texas Tech kickoff time announced for Homecoming Oct. 24

The Cincinnati Bearcats Homecoming kickoff is set for Saturday, Oct. 24. It is UC's 100th Homecoming game and it will be played in daylight.

The 4-2 Bearcats will play 6-0 Texas Tech at noon (Eastern) on FS1, the Big 12 announced Sunday, Oct. 18.

UC's on a two-game skid in October after winning four straight in September. The Bearcats led six times against West Virginia, but the Mountaineers made a late stop, then set up for a game-winning field goal to disappoint Bearcats fans who made the trip to Morgantown, 45-42.

The Red Raiders have been thus far unscathed, having just dismantled Arizona State 53-25 in Lubbock.

The game may have been billed the "Sorsby Bowl" for former UC quarterback Brendan Sorsby who left the Bearcats before their bowl game last season and signed on with Texas Tech Jan. 4. However, Sorsby's gambling issues, which started at Indiana, continued into his Red Raiders' time, and he was eventually declared ineligible.

In early September, the NCAA ruled that no impermissible gambling by Sorsby was found to have been done at UC.

Sorsby is now training for the NFL Draft in April.

His replacement, Will Hammond, threw for 232 yards and a touchdown in their win over Arizona State and added a rushing touchdown.

Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Texas Tech series

The teams tied 10-10 in 1968 in Lubbock, then in 2024, the Bearcats lost 44-41 in a shootout where Sorsby threw for 426 yards and four touchdowns. This will be Texas Tech's first visit to Nippert Stadium. Their coach, Joey McGuire, in his high school football coaching days once played at Nippert in a Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown game.

His Cedar Hill High School team defeated La Salle and he watched some of the Tri-State's finest at the time.

"I also saw Colerain and St. X (Xavier) play," he said. "That was the first time I was in the stadium. I'm excited. I think it's cool the way it's built and the way the campus is built around it. I think it's a really cool environment."

Homecoming game for UC Bearcats, Texas Tech comes after Hall of Fame ceremony

The night before the Bearcats and Red Raiders do battle, inductions will be held for the James P. Kelly UC Athletic Hall of Fame at Fifth Third Arena. Among those being inducted are Naismith Hall of Fame basketball coach Bob Huggins, future NFL Hall of Famer Jason Kelce and former NFL lineman Connor Barwin.