Nearly 12 years since their last visit to Nippert Stadium, the Cincinnati Bearcats invited Northwestern State back for another scheduled paddling to wrap up their non-conference schedule. The result was as expected.
The bigger, deeper, stronger, faster Bearcats blasted the Demons 70-0 Sept. 13 in front of 30,014 at “The Nipp”. Northwestern State, a 66-0 loser to Minnesota Sept. 6, then departed with the $425,000 game check to begin their Southland Conference next weekend.
UC outgained the Demons 605 yards to 101. They out-passed them 362-33 and outrushed them 243-69.
Bearcats obliterate Northwestern State 70-0 in record-setting performance
The Bearcats had no interest in playing with their food today. Cincinnati dumped 35 points on the Demons in the first quarter alone, adding another 21 in the second to take a 56-0 halftime lead.
Northwestern State decided they’d had enough and sued for peace, leading to truncated 10 minute quarters in the second half. Still, Bearcats backups added two more touchdowns in the half to give Cincinnati its largest margin of victory in 103 years and third largest all-time.
The Bearcats passing attack set several school records against the Demons. Quarterback Brendan Sorsby’s five first half touchdowns were a school record and a single-game career high for the junior signal caller. Sorsby headed to the bench after completing a perfect 15 of 15 for 253 yards, throwing the aforementioned five touchdowns and adding another with his legs.
Brady Lichtenberg and Samaj Jones each added a passing score, breaking the school record with seven total passing touchdowns. That record had been six, accomplished five times and most recently in 2014 against Toledo.
Not to be outdone, Cincinnati’s defense allowed just 87 yards of total offense, and the Demons never seriously threatened to score. 35 different Bearcats recorded a tackle in the game as lots of young faces got an opportunity to see live action.
The Bearcats will rest as they take their bye next week. That will provide plenty of time to prepare for the start of Big 12 conference play, as the Bearcats travel for a matchup at Kansas on Sept. 27.
Bearcats not done yet, score 42-yard TD | 70-0 Bearcats 5:01 fourth quarter
On his first drive in the game, Samaj Jones found Isaiah Johnson for a 42-yard passing touchdown. The score set the school record for most passing touchdowns in a game.
Bearcats 10 minutes from victory, up 63-0 on Northwestern State after third quarter
The Demons are putting together a methodical drive, but the Bearcats are already thinking about what they’ll have for dinner after the game. If this score holds, it will be the largest margin of victory for Cincinnati since 2009 when they beat Southeast Missouri State 70-3.
Chance Williams ends 70-yard drive with TD | 63-0 Bearcats 4:14 third quarter
Williams punched in a three-yard touchdown run complete a seven-play drive. Bearcats not showing any signs of letting off the gas with backups in the game.
Check out photos from Cincinnati versus Northwestern State
Cincinnati and Northwestern State to play ten-minute quarters in second half
After a lopsided 56-0 first half, the teams have agreed to shorten quarters in the second half to ten minutes. This marks the second straight game the Demons will not play a full 60 minutes of football.
Cincinnati scoring avalanche results in 56-0 halftime lead over Northwestern State
The first half saw quarterback Brendan Sorsby break or match several passing records. His perfect 15-of-15 performance tied the Cincinnati record, while his five passing touchdowns were the most in a half in Cincinnati history. The junior quarterback also set his own personal best for touchdowns in a game.
Cincinnati’s offense scored at will, amassing 449 yards of total offense and showing six different Bearcats the end zone. Even without Dontay Corleonoe, Cincinnati’s defense allowed only 45 yards from the Demons.
Coach Satterfield left several key offensive players in the whole first half, though Sorsby was not among them. Expect to see some younger faces on the field in the final 30 minutes.
Brady Lichtenberg connects with Cyrus Allen for 29-yard score | 56-0 Bearcats 0:16 second quarter
After shaking off some rust on his first drive, Lichtenberg delivered a perfect pass to Allen in the front corner of the end zone. The backup quarterback’s first touchdown of the game ended a three-play, 53-yard drive.
Northwestern State stuck in shadow of own endzone | 49-0 Bearcats 2:00 second quarter
Spectacular punt coverage by the Bearcats pinned the Demons down inside the 5 yard line. When play resumes after the two-minute timeout, it will be Northwestern State with 3rd and 8 from the 4.
QB switch prompts Cincinnati punt | 49-0 Bearcats 3:22 second quarter
Coach Satterfield finally made the substitution at quarterback, sending in Brady Lichtenberg. The offense could not adjust and went three and out, the first drive of the game where the Bearcats did not score.
Tawee Walker powers through two Demons on way to TD | 49-0 Bearcats 5:39 second quarter
Walker found the end zone on a 15-yard rush up the left side, barrelling through two Northwestern State defenders to score.
Sorsby 23-yard TD run stretches lead | 42-0 Bearcats 9:41 second quarter
By this game’s standards, the Bearcats organized a marathon drive. After eight plays, 80 yards, and 3:41 Brendan Sorsby found a hole in the defense and broke free for a scrambling score.
Marquaze Parker sack gives Bearcats ball at own 20 | 35-0 Bearcats 13:21 second quarter
Parker brought down Demons QB Abrams for a loss on third down, forcing a punt. Bearcats take over, and it is Sorsby and the first-team offense trotting out onto the field.
Cincinnati jumps all over Northwestern State in first quarter, leads 35-0
The Bearcats wasted no time in this one. Brendan Sorsby’s five passing touchdowns are not only a Cincinnati record for most in a quarter, but also most in a half. We’ll have to wait and see if Coach Scott Satterfield wants to send out the first-team offense in the second quarter. Northwestern State will resume their drive from the NSU 43 when we come back.
Sorsby sets personal TD record, Cincinnati scores quickly after NSU fumble | 35-0 Bearcats 2:46 first quarter
Following a Demons fumble on the NSU 30, it took just two plays and 30 seconds for a Sorsby shovel pass to Isaiah Johnson to find paydirt. Sorsby’s five passing touchdowns are the most in a game in his career, and he is closing in on the most passing touchdowns in a game by any Bearcats quarterback.
Sorsby drops 44-yard dime, ties career single-game pass TD record | 28-0 Bearcats 4:52 first quarter
On the first play of the drive, Sorsby launched a high-arcing pass to Caleb Goodie who was tackled at the 1 yard line. After a loss of one, Sorsby found Royer again for the 2-yard touchdown. That toss ties Sorsby’s career record for touhdown passes in a game.
Rob Jackson sack shuts down third Demon’s drive | 21-0 Bearcats 5:35 first quarter
Jackson broke through the Demons’ line and ripped down Abram Johnston for a 12-yard loss. After a near-interception hit the ground, the Demons punted to the NSU 45.
Brendan Sorsby tosses third score of the first quarter | 21-0 Bearcats 7:07 first quarter
Sorsby found running back Tawee Walker in the flat and Walker followed a convoy of blockers for a ten-yard touchdown. Sorsby is currently a perfect 5-5 for 115 yards.
Cincinnati defense stifling Northwestern State | 14-0 Bearcats 8:55 first quarter
Through two drives, the Demons have only mustered ten total yards of offense. Cincinnati set to take over at the Northwestern State 42.
Sorsby connects with Cyrus Allen for 55-yard score | 14-0 Bearcats 11:18 first quarter
On the first play of the drive, Allen came wide open and Sorsby delivered a perfect pass which allowed Allen to stroll into the end zone. The Bearcats are not playing with their food early.
Quick three and out leads to Northwestern State punt| 7-0 Bearcats 11:27 first quarter
After a penalty on the kickoff pinned the Demons at their own 11 yard line, the Demons fell two yards shy of a first down and were forced to punt.
Bearcats draw first blood | 7-0 Bearcats 13:24 first quarter
A 21-yard touchdown pass from Brendan Sorsby to Joe Royer capped a four-play, 60-yard scoring drive that took just 1:36. The Northwestern State Demons had no way of slowing down the Bearcats offense.
Bearcats win coin toss
After winning the coin toss, Cincinnati elected to receive. The Bearcats offense will take the field first.
Bearcats injury updates
Star nose tackle Dontay Corleone is out against Northwestern State. Coach Scott Satterfield indicated that the earliest Corleone might return would be Sept. 27 against Kansas. The exact nature of the injury is unknown, with Satterfield simply calling it a “lower half injury.”
What conferences are Cincinnati, Northwestern State in?
The Bearcats are in their third season in the Big 12. Their previous conference was the American Athletic Conference (AAC), and before that, they were in the Big East and Conference USA for football. Northwestern State is an FSC Division I team in the Southland Conference.
How much is Northwestern State being paid to play UC Bearcats?
Northwestern State’s guarantee for the non-conference game with the Bearcats is $425,000, along with 400 complimentary tickets, as per the contract acquired through the University of Cincinnati.
Big 12 college football scores
Friday, Sept. 12
Houston 36, Colorado 20 – FINAL
Arizona 23, Kansas State 17 – FINAL
Saturday, Sept. 13
Samford 7, Baylor 42 – FINAL
Pitt 3, West Virginia 7 – HALF
Oregon State 0, Texas Tech 0 – DELAY
Iowa State 17, Arkansas State 10 – Q2
Utah at Wyoming (8:00 p.m.)
Abilene Christian at TCU (8:00 p.m.)
Texas State at Arizona State (10:30 p.m.)
Big 12 NCAA football schedule Sept. 13
On Sept. 13, Baylor hosts Samford, Texas Tech hosts Oregon State, West Virginia hosts Pitt, No. 14 Iowa State is at Arkansas State, No. 20 Utah is at Wyoming, TCU hosts Abilene Christian and Arizona State hosts Texas State.
US LBM Coaches poll features 5 Big 12 teams
In the latest USA Today coaches poll, Iowa State is the highest-ranked Big 12 team at No. 14. Texas Tech is at No. 20, Utah is No. 21, Arizona State No. 24 and BYU at No. 25. TCU, Baylor and Kansas also received votes as did Week 1 UC opponent Nebraska.
The Bearcats face Iowa State at Nippert Oct. 4, are at Utah Nov. 1 and host BYU Nov. 22.
Cincinnati Bearcats coaching staff
Head coach: Scott Satterfield; Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers: Tyson Veidt; Co-Defensive Coordinator/Inside Linebackers: Cort Braswell; Offensive Coordinator/Wide Receivers: Brad Glenn; Assistant Coach/Defensive Line: Walter Stewart; Special Teams Coordinator: Luke Paschall; Assistant Coach/Running Backs: Sean Dawkins; Assistant Coach/Cornerbacks: Eddie Hicks; Assistant Coach/Tight Ends: Josh Stepp; Assistant Coach/Offensive Line: Nic Cardwell; Assistant Coach/Quarterbacks: Pete Thomas; Assistant Coach/Safeties: Adam Braithwaite; General Manager: Zach Grant.
Cincinnati Bearcats football uniforms
The Bearcats will be wearing all-black uniforms and fans are encouraged to wear black for the afternoon kickoff with the Demons. UC will again wear white helmets.
Buy Cincinnati Bearcats tickets
Watch Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Northwestern State Demons
Northwestern State vs. Cincinnati prediction
Scott Springer predicts the Cincinnati Bearcats will defeat Northwestern State 50-7 to advance their record to 2-1. Minnesota scored 66 points on the Demons last week and last year South Alabama hung 87 on them in Mobile.
Cincinnati Bearcats honor former offensive lineman
UC’s uniforms will feature a “JK 58” emblem. Early enrollee freshman offensive lineman Jeremiah Kelly passed away April 22 from an undiagnosed heart ailment. He had played on Avon High School’s 16-0 state championship team in 2024.
Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Northwestern State Demons
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What TV channel is Cincinnati vs. Northwestern State on today?
Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Northwestern State odds, weather
Spread: Cincinnati -45.5 (Action Network/Fan Duel)
Moneyline: Cincinnati (N/A), Northwestern State (N/A)
Over/under: 52.5
Weather: A high of 85 degrees is predicted for kickoff, with sunny skies and a few afternoon clouds. Winds are expected to be from the west-southwest at 6 mph according to The Weather Channel. The rain chance is 15%, with a stray shower or thunderstorm possible.
Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Northwestern State predictions
Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Northwestern State injury updates
The Bearcats will be without nose tackle Dontay Corleone, who injured an ankle in the Bowling Green game and was limited to 10 snaps. He didn’t appear after halftime. Corleone is expected to miss two weeks with head coach Scott Satterfield hoping to have him back for the Sept. 27 Big 12 opener at Kansas.
Cornerback Logan Wilson, who missed the Bowling Green game, is slated to return. Defensive lineman Drew Logan suffered an ACL injury vs. Bowling Green and is out for the season.
Cincinnati Bearcats schedule 2025
Here is Cincinnati’s schedule and results.
Cincinnati Bearcats football information
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This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Replay: Cincinnati Bearcats demolish the Northwestern State Demons
Reporting by Scott Springer and Chase Souder, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
