PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – A good start, scoring 55 points in the season opener. But to put it in context, Kent State was the worst team in the Mid-American Conference in 2023 and still rebuilding. This week a step up even if it’s again another team looking to build back.
In its second year under head coach Scott Satterfield, Cincinnati continues to reshape its roster. Last year bringing in 26 new players with the new coach. On their roster, 47 players who have played at another college. Like Pitt, the Bearcats won three games in 2023, but lost by 14 to Oklahoma, by single scores at BYU, Baylor and at home to UCF.
“We've faced him when he was at Louisville, and he's a heck of a coach,” Narduzzi said of Satterfield. “He's probably the play caller on offense. I think he does an outstanding job, as good as anybody is going to do, of mixing up personnel in different formations and motions. Heavy, heavy motion team, as well, so we'll work again a lot on motions and what we're going to see there.”
In Cincinnati’s first chance to prove they are better in 2024, they also did well, especially offensively. The Bearcats put up 658 yards, 383 passing, 275 rushing, played a near perfect game with only three penalties, were 50% on third down in winning 38-20 against Towson.
Transfer impact
· QB Brendan Sorsby (Indiana) 22-31, 383 yards, two touchdowns, rushed for two more scores. Narduzzi said his mobility will be an issue in this game.
· RB Evan Pryor (Ohio State) 4 carries for 105 yards and a touchdown
· RB Victor Dawson (Merrimack) 2 carries for 54 yards
· WR Xzavier Henderson (Florida) 7 receptions, 101 yards, touchdown
· TE Joe Royer (Ohio State) 5 receptions, 89 yards
· WR Sterling Berkhalter (North Carolina A&T) 2 receptions, 70 yards, TD
· WR Aaron Turner (UConn) 2 receptions for 68 yards
· DB Josh Minkins (Louisville) 6 tackles, 3 pass breakups
· LB Jared Bartlett (West Virginia) 6 tackles, 2 TFL, sack
Much like critics of Pitt this year, it’s about providing it for both teams. Cincinnati was picked 14th in the revamped Big 12. Of course, there are the thoughts about last year, when Cincinnati ran for 216 yards, including a 17-play drive in the second half at Acrisure Stadium in a 27-21 Bearcats win. Narduzzi said there is a reason they were a top-five rushing offense in the country in 2023. His plan is to stay aggressive against a one-time rival when the schools were in the Big East together.
“They've got skill guys everywhere,” Narduzzi said. “They're talented. They're like an ACC football team playing in the Big 12. So, it's ACC versus Big 12. That's the challenge this week, so I like that.”
Pitt coverage begins with the Panthers Insider Show with Pat Bostick at 8a on Saturday. Then pregame starts at 9a before the game with the Voice of the Panthers Bill Hillgrove, Pat Bostick, Dorin Dickerson and Larry Richert on the call at noon on 93.7 The Fan.