Cincinnati Bearcats roll to 66-13 win over Eastern Kentucky in season-opener (2024)

Those concerned about the passing ability of new University of Cincinnati quarterback Emory Jones left Nippert Stadium Saturday afternoon satisfied as the two-time transfer started his sixth season with a quintet of scoring passes and a 66-13 victory over Eastern Kentucky.

In less than three full quarters, Jones hit five different receivers going 19-for-23 for 345 yards. For kicks, he ran a pair of touchdowns in, accounting for seven overall on the day, tying his personal best.

The Arizona State transfer connected with Xzavier Henderson first, something the two had done before when both were Florida Gators. Dee Wiggins, Payten Singletary, Braden Smith and Aaron Turner were also on the receiving end of scoring passes from Jones.

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Corey Kiner also went over 100 yards for the second time in his career with 105. The announced attendance was 38,193 at Nippert Stadium.

The Bearcats have won 22 consecutive home openers. Three of those opening victories have been against EKU's Colonels.

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Follow along below for live updates and analysis

FINAL: UC 66, EKU 13

4:37, fourth quarter, UC 66, EKU 13

Brady Lichtenberg a 65-yard touchdown pass to Barry Jackson Jr. First touchdown pass for Lichtenberg, first TD reception for Jackson on his first-ever catch.

6:30, fourth quarter, UC 59, EKU 13

Nations adds a 43-yard field goal.

13:39, fourth quarter, UC 59, EKU 10

It's Brady Lichtenberg's first touchdown run as he reaches the black turf from the 4-yard line. The drive set up by an interception from Justin Harris. Today's attendance was announced at 38, 193.

2:42, third quarter, UC 52, EKU 10

Aaron Turner's third catch as a Bearcat is a 6-yard touchdown as UC takes a 52-10 lead. Emory Jones now 19-for-23 for 345 yards and five touchdowns, plus he has two rushing scores to account for seven, a career high. Corey Kiner also now has 105-yards, his second career 100-yard game.

8:12, third quarter, UC 45, EKU 10

After an Eric Phillips sack of Parker McKinney, EKU settles for a 42-yard field goal by Patrick Nations. UC leads by 35 but in this half, it's 3-3 if the Colonels want to look on the bright side.

13:31, third quarter, UC 45, EKU 7

Carter Brown's first field goal as a Bearcat is good from 46 yards. In the interest of special teams love, the snapper was Cayson Pfeiffer and the holder Bryce Burton. Brown is a transfer of Arizona State. A sack and fumble recovery by Utah Stae transfer Daniel Grzesiak set up the scoring drive.

HALFTIME: UC 42, EKU 7

Emory Jones has thrown for 326 yards with touchdowns to Xzavier Henderson, Dee Wiggins, Payten Singletary and Braden Smith. Corey Kiner leads with 69 yards rushing, Jones has 34. Henderson has seven catches for a career-high 149 yards, Smith three for 59 yards. Deshawn Pace leads with six tackles and he and Taj Ward shared a sack (of the quarterback, not chips).

EKU's Parker McKinney is 8-for-13 for 114 yards for one touchdown and has been sacked once and picked off once.

:49, second quarter, UC 42, EKU 7

Braden Smith's first UC touchdown reception comes before the half. Emory Jones now has four touchdown passes, this one coming from 48 yards. Jones is 17-for-21 for 326 yards. Early Big 12 Player of the Week candidate. This is his second career 300-yard passing game and it comes in less than a half.

5:08, second quarter, UC 35, EKU 7

The Colonels get on the board as Parker McKinney drives them downfield and hits Hunter Brown on a 17-yard pass to spoil UC's shutout attempt. The extra point is good.

7:17, second quarter, UC 35, EKU 0

The second career rushing touchdown for Emory Jones comes from 12 yards away and featured him eluding a tackle on a called pass play and finding his way to the end zone. He has 36 yards on the ground and is 13-for-16 passing for 245 yards with 136 of those going to Xzavier Henderson. The former Gator Henderson already has set a personal record for receiving yards.

11:47, second quarter, UC 28, EKU 0

Emory Jones with a third touchdown pass, this one is for a yard to tight end Payten Singletary. Corey Kiner got the Bearcats in position with a 54-yard run, then another gallop to the 1-yard line. Jones 11-for-12 for 207 yards and three scores.

END FIRST QUARTER, UC 21, EKU 0

UC has outgained EKU 251-57. They've outpassed the Colonels 206-53 and outrushed them 45-4.

:12, first quarter, Sammy Anderson Jr. injured

The redshirt junior was briefly down but walked off the field on his own. Head athletic trainer Aaron Himmel took his helmet, so we'll see if he gets it back.

1:41, first quarter, UC 21, EKU 0

The 16th career rushing touchdown for Emory Jones is his first at Cincinnati. On 4th and 1, Jones was pushed in from the 1-yard line. He now leads UC in rushing with 19 yards and is 10-of-11 passing for 206 yards and two touchdowns.

6:52 first quarter, UC 14, EKU 0

Emory Jones is still perfect for the season, 7 for-7 for 143 after a 39-yard strike to Dee Wiggins. Wiggins is a Louisville transfer and the previous score was from Florida transfer Xzavier Henderson who already has 98 yards in receptions. The playing of "Pump It Up" commences.

11:45 first quarter UC, 7, EKU 0

On 4th and 5, UC goes for it from midfield and Emory Jones connects with Xzavier Henderson for a 49-yard touchdown. Jones 4-for-4 for 71 yards on the drive through the air.

3:00 p.m.: I went to the field for a bit. UC basketball had practice today at noon. I can confirm that four-star 2024 point guard Labaron Philon was present and is here at the football game.

Viking sighting: Also here is Ivan Pace Jr. who recently made the Minnesota Vikings. They open up Saturday, Sept. 10 vs. Tampa Bay.

2:30 p.m.: What are the odds you ask? Depending on which site you look at UC is anywhere from -21.5 to -24 vs. EKU. In their last meeting in 2008, Tony Pike was 6-for-7 passing with a touchdown to Dominick Goodman. Pike is back on the sidelines for UC home games for the Bearcats Sports Network which today is 102.7 WEBN.

Local Colonels: EKU has a handful on Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky on their roster. Among them are former Kentucky Mr. Football Cameron Hergott, a redshirt freshman quarterback out of Beechwood High School. Also from the area are redshirt senior linebacker Kyle Kelly from Newport, junior linebacker Elijah Ford from Colerain, redshirt junior linebacker Cam Junior from Middletown (formerly a UC Bearcat), junior offensive lineman Vincent Munlin Jr. from Princeton, junior receiver Bryant Johnson Jr. from Winton Woods and freshman tight end Ashton Olberding from Little Miami.