Key Takeaways: Cincinnati 19 Central Florida 13

Cincinnati improved to 4-2 (2-1) on Saturday with a 19-13 win over the Central Florida Knights. 

(Photo: Cincinnati Athletics)

The Bearcats jumped out to a 10-3 halftime lead and held a 19-10 lead with 6:32 remaining in the game following a Sorsby to Tony Johnson touchdown. 

UCF kicker Grant Reddick connected from 29 yards out with 2:59 left in the fourth quarter cut the UC lead to 19-13 , but Cincinnati's defense was able to get one final stop to secure the win. 

Key Takeaways:

1. Brendan Sorsby finished the game completing 25-of-38 passes for 241 yards and a touchdown. After throwing two interceptions in the first half, Sorsby responded by completing 12-of-13 passes for 120 yards and a touchdown in the second half. Sorsby's three yard touchdown run with 14:56 remaining in the second quarter gave Cincinnati a 10-3 lead. 
2. With the UCF secondary making wide receiver Xzavier Henderson their top priority, tight end Joe Royer and wide receiver Tony Johnson both shined in the passing game. Royer hauled in 8 catches on 10 targets for 84 yards, while Johnson went for 76 yards and a touchdown on 8 catches. The duo combined for 72 yards after the catch to continually keep the Bearcats ahead of the chains. Johnson's four yard touchdown with 6:36 remaining in the fourth quarter ended up being the game-deciding score. 
3.  After sitting out against Texas Tech with an injury, running back Corey Kiner returned to the lineup against UCF. The Cincinnati native rushed for 83 yards on 17 carries, with 46 of those yards coming on his first carry of the game. That drive would end with a Sorsby interception but helped set the tone early.
4. The Bearcats offense did a good job converting on third down.  During Cincinnati's first touchdown drive, the Bearcats converted three third down opportunities to keep the drive alive. The big play was a 16-yard completion from Sorsby to Royer. Tony Johnson's eight-yard reception on 3^rd and 4 with 7:30 remaining in the fourth quarter helped set up his four-yard touchdown three plays later. For the game, UC finished 9-of-16 on third down opportunities.
5. Defensively, linebacker Jared Bartlett was everywhere. The senior finished tied for tackles with seven but also had two tackles for loss, as well as two sacks. Bartlett's sack on UCF quarterback Jacurri Brown on 2^nd and 10 with :03 seconds remaining ended the game and secured the Bearcats fourth victory of the season. Redshirt sophomore safety Antwan Peek Jr, a former walk-on, also had seven tackles to help lead the Bearcat defense.