Grades for Cincinnati Bearcats win over No. 8 Texas Tech

Homecoming losses have been rare at Nippert Stadium. The Cincinnati Bearcats continued the tradition of winning and pulled off an upset win on Oct. 24 over No. 8 Texas Tech 37-24 in front of a sold-out crowd of 38,008.

UC is now 6-1 in their last seven Homecoming games and 22-5 since 2000. It was the lowest-scoring output of the year from Texas Tech.

The Bearcats outgained the previously undefeated Red Raiders 426-400. Running back Cole Tabb ran for a career-high 173 yards and had three total touchdowns, while JC French IV was 19-for-30 for 172 yards and a career-best four touchdowns.

In the loss, Texas Tech quarterback Will Hammond was 20-for-32 for 170 yards.

The Bearcats break a two-game losing skid and are now 5-2 (2-2 Big 12), while Texas Tech suffers their first loss and drops to 6-1 (3-1 Big 12).

It’s UC’s first-ever win over Texas Tech, putting them 1-2 in that series. The PA played "All My Exes Live In Texas", perhaps a subtle jab of the Brendan Sorsby saga.

Cincinnati Bearcats grades for win/loss over/to Texas Tech

Offense: B

Cole Tabb scored three touchdowns again, the fourth time he's done it. That ties a record held by former running backs Michael Warren II and DeMarco McCleskey. JC French IV threw his first interceptions but found Tabb, Malachi Henry, Larenzo Fenner and Lyviel Waters for touchdowns.

Missed opportunities early, then big scores from UC Bearcats

On 3rd-and-1 from the Texas Tech 34-yard line, Waters missed a surefire touchdown pass with an apparent wrong route. Behind him was 50 yards of daylight.

UC didn't convert a third down until the second quarter during their 10-play, 80-yard scoring drive. After a 14-yard French run, he hit Cole Tabb on a four-yard score to give UC a 10-6 lead.

2nd quarter all-UC Bearcats vs. Texas Tech

UC would outscore the Red Raiders 21-0, outgaining them 200-47 and outrushing them 129-35 after finishing the first quarter with -6 rushing yards. It was 24-6 UC at halftime. They scored on the last three drives of 5:00, 4:11 and 26 seconds for the 18-point cushion.

1st interceptions from UC QB JC French IV

Brice Pollock's pick-six was ruled a touchdown when a targeting call against him was reversed. French had thrown 260 straight passes without an interception. On the next series, he was picked off by Amier Boyd.

He would redeem himself later in the quarter with a 17-yard touchdown pass to Larenzo Fenner giving UC a 16-point lead at the time.

Defense: A-

It may have been far from perfect, but UC kept a team that was averaging roughly 38 points and 422 yards of total offense down. Texas Tech's previous season-low was 29 points in a win at Colorado.

Patrick Bauer had two sacks and MJ Cannon had an interception. Brian Simms III had a late fumble recovery to ice things. It was forced by Jasper Beeler. After a late score from Texas Tech, Kenny Worthy picked off the two-point attempt in the end zone in front of the UC student section.

UC defense was factor early vs. Texas Tech

UC's first score came when MJ Cannon stripped the ball from Will Hammond, and Antwan Peek Jr. recovered it, stopping a 4th-and-1 attempt by the Red Raiders on their own 38-yard line.

Texas Tech's second drive stalled at a field goal after Simeon Coleman sacked Hammond on an intentional grounding call. The Red Raiders had driven to the UC 5-yard line. Before the first quarter ended, UC kept the Red Raiders to another field goal by Stone Harrington after they had driven to the UC 25.

With the pressure on in the second half, UC's defense kept Texas Tech to field goals.

Special Teams: B

Stephen Rusnak gave UC their first score with a 47-yard goal. On the ensuing kickoff, specialist Max Lemasters made the tackle.

Max Fletcher had an average punting day by his standards, pinning Texas Tech inside the 20 once.

UC had no yards in the return game based on fair catches and touchbacks.