It was a scene the people of Cincinnati envisioned when the Bearcats joined the Big 12 in 2021.
No. 8 Texas Tech trotted into Nippert Stadium unblemished, having won 14 of its last 15 matchups against Big 12 competition, including 12 by at least 22 points. Meanwhile, Cincinnati had stumbled as of late, dropping two consecutive after a 4-0 start.
Yet, the conditions for a signature upset were perfect Saturday afternoon. Cincinnati finally secured the victory it had been yearning for in the Scott Satterfield era. The Bearcats not only spoiled Texas Tech’s perfect season. They did it in decisive fashion, knocking off the Red Raiders 37-24 for their first top 10 victory since 2021.
Texas Tech entered the matchup ranked 27th in scoring defense, but the Bearcats schemed up a masterful offensive performance, and the Red Raiders surrendered their highest point total in 21 games. Quarterback JC French IV delivered four touchdown passes, while Cincinnati’s 10th-ranked rushing offense enjoyed another fruitful day. With his running mate Gi’Bran Payne sidelined due to injury, running back Cole Tabb received a bulk of the carries and scorched tthe Red Raiders. Tabb shattered his career-high with 173 rushing yards, scoring one touchdown as a runner and one as a receiver in the upset victory.
He also put on the finishing touches of the upset, dashing 58 yards to the end zone with 6:06 remaining to hand Cincinnati a 37-18 lead, slamming the door on Texas Tech’s undefeated season.
The offense wasn’t the only unit that rose to the occasion for the Bearcats. The defense held Texas Tech out of the end zone for the first 36 minutes of action. Right after Cincinnati claimed a 17-6 lead, the Red Raiders took a deep shot and strong safety MJ Cannon made a leaping one-handed interception with 31 seconds remaining in the half. Cincinnati capitalized off the takeaway, flying 75 yards in five plays to manufacture a 24-6 halftime advantage, capped by a Lyviel Waters touchdown reception.
Cincinnati’s safeties were all major contributors Saturday. In addition to the highlight interception, Cannon finished with eight tackles, a forced fumble, and a pass breakup. His fellow starting safety Jasper Beeler recorded 11 tackles and a forced fumble, while linebacker/safety hybrid Antwan Peek Jr. added nine stops and one deflection.
The Bearcats were one of six teams that had not thrown an interception prior to Saturday. But that streak ended in the third quarter and appeared to put Cincinnati’s upset hopes in jeopardy. JC French IV’s first interception as a Bearcat wasn’t without controversy. The pass deflected off wide receiver Isaiah Johnson, who took a forceful hit from Texas Tech star cornerback Brice Pollock. The ricocheted ball landed into the hands of Peyton Morgan, who returned a 53-yard pick-six for the Red Raiders. Officials reviewed the play for targeting but ultimately kept the touchdown on the board, much to the chagrin of the Nippert Stadium crowd.
French threw another interception on the ensuing drive, but this time, Cincinnati’s defense responded, holding Texas Tech to a 38-yard field goal attempt which was missed. The Bearcat defense was at its best with its back against the wall. In four red zone trips, Texas Tech attempted three field goals and only managed one touchdown. That touchdown transpired with 59 seconds remaining in the contest, and it was the Red Raiders’ only offensive end zone appearance all game.
Those final 59 seconds were the most exciting part for the packed crowd of 38,088. The student section sat on the brick wall separating the field from the bleachers, legs hanging over the field, anticipating the venue’s third field storm since 2010 — joining the 2021 American Conference Championship Game and the 2025 win over Iowa State. When the clock hit zero, the field was immediately decorated in red as Cincinnati celebrated its most monumental victory since joining the Big 12.
Texas Tech (6-1, 3-1 Big 12) is no longer perfect. The Red Raiders were the fifth-to-last undefeated team to fall, dropping just their second regular season matchup since the start of 2025. For the first time in 19 games against Big 12 opponents, Texas Tech never held a lead in the second half.
Cincinnati (5-2, 2-2 Big 12) improved to 5-0 within the city of Cincinnati this year, including 4-0 at Nippert Stadium. The Bearcats now have at least five wins through seven games for the third consecutive season under Satterfield, hoping this signature upset springboards the team into a stronger finish.