Final at Nippert Stadium, CincinnatiTV: FS1Attendance 38,007
At kickoff
84°F, partly cloudy, wind 3 mph from the southeastWeather: NOAA NCEI Integrated Surface Database; Cina Municipal Apt/Lukn Fd Airport (KLUK), 9 km from the stadium, seven minutes before kickoff
From CollegeFootballData’s box score. Names lead to each player’s page. ★ a career high on file.
Team stats
Houston
Cincinnati
233
Total yards
362
92
Passing yards
213
141
Rushing yards
149
4.4
Yards per pass
11.2
4.3
Yards per rush
3.9
12
First downs
22
4–14
Third downs
4–10
1–3
Fourth downs
1–1
3
Turnovers
0
7–68
Penalties
5–35
26:26
Possession
33:34
2
Sacks (by defense)
1
Efficiency
Houston
Cincinnati
37%
Success rate
47%
−0.24
EPA per play
0.30
0.65
Explosiveness
1.28
−0.11
Rushing EPA
0.07
−0.43
Passing EPA
0.71
16%
Passing-down success
53%
0.14
First-down EPA
0.05
−0.44
Second-down EPA
0.65
−0.31
Third-down EPA
0.13
19%
Havoc by its defense
26%
From CollegeFootballData.com: each offense’s efficiency, and the havoc each defense caused. The better side of each line is bold.
Before kickoff
Our ratings and the line, going in
Our ratings (scores only)
Cincinnati 66% to win. Elo’s favorite won.
The line
Cincinnati −4, over/under 47.5.
The last line on file before kickoff: the consensus line when the books publish one, otherwise a single major sportsbook’s.
Before kickoff, the win chances were Cincinnati 60%, Houston 40%. CollegeFootballData.com’s estimate from the point spread.
Every drive
Solid bars scored; an outline in the other team’s color marks points the defense scored. Cincinnati drives left to right, Houston right to left.
Q1 CincinnatiPunt, 3 plays, 7 yards
Q1 HoustonInterception, 3 plays, 0 yards
Q1 CincinnatiTouchdown, 3 plays, 45 yards
Q1 HoustonPunt, 9 plays, 13 yards
Q1 CincinnatiTouchdown, 4 plays, 80 yards
Q1 HoustonMissed FG, 10 plays, 77 yards
Q2 CincinnatiTouchdown, 12 plays, 80 yards
Q2 HoustonPunt, 3 plays, −2 yards
Q2 CincinnatiField goal, 6 plays, 25 yards
Q2 HoustonPunt, 6 plays, 21 yards
Q2 CincinnatiEnd of half, 1 play, 0 yards
Q3 HoustonFumble, 5 plays, 64 yards
Q3 CincinnatiTouchdown, 8 plays, 89 yards
Q3 HoustonTurnover on downs, 10 plays, 30 yards
Q3 CincinnatiPunt, 3 plays, −3 yards
Q3 HoustonTurnover on downs, 6 plays, 45 yards
Q4 CincinnatiField goal, 15 plays, 52 yards
Q4 HoustonPunt, 3 plays, 0 yards
Q4 CincinnatiEnd of game, 4 plays, 11 yards
Play by play
1st quarter6 drives, then Cincinnati 14, Houston 0
Cincinnati Punt, 3 plays
15:00
Jack Martin kickoff for 64 yds , Logan Wilson return for 25 yds to the CIN 26
14:52
1st & 10 at own 26
Corey Kiner run for a loss of 3 yards to the CIN 23
14:19
2nd & 13 at own 23
Brendan Sorsby pass incomplete
14:12
3rd & 13 at own 23
Corey Kiner run for 10 yds to the CIN 33
13:29
4th & 3 at own 33
Mason Fletcher punt for 49 yds , Mekhi Mews returns for 10 yds to the HOU 28
Houston Interception, 3 plays
13:18
1st & 10 at own 28
Stacy Sneed run for a loss of 3 yards to the HOU 25
12:48
2nd & 13 at own 25
Stacy Sneed run for 3 yds to the HOU 28
12:10
1st & 10 at opp 45
Timeout Cincinnati, clock 12:10
12:09
3rd & 10 at own 28
Donovan Smith pass intercepted Josh Minkins return for 1 yd to the HOU 45
Cincinnati Touchdown, 3 plays
12:04
1st & 10 at opp 45
Brendan Sorsby pass complete to Jamoi Mayes for 20 yds to the HOU 25 for a 1ST down
11:42
1st & 10 at opp 12
Cincinnati Penalty, False Start (Phillip Wilder) to the HOU 17
11:29
1st & 15 at opp 17
Corey Kiner run for a loss of 2 yards to the HOU 19
10:46
2nd & 17 at opp 19
Brendan Sorsby pass complete to Xzavier Henderson for 19 yds for a TD (Nathan Hawks KICK)Cincinnati 7, Houston 0
Houston Punt, 9 plays
10:46
Nathan Hawks kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
10:46
1st & 10 at own 25
Re’Shaun Sanford II run for 3 yds to the HOU 28
10:14
2nd & 7 at own 28
Donovan Smith run for 3 yds to the HOU 31
9:47
3rd & 4 at own 31
Donovan Smith run for 4 yds to the HOU 35 for a 1ST down
9:12
1st & 10 at own 35
Donovan Smith run for 7 yds to the HOU 42
8:39
2nd & 3 at own 42
Donovan Smith pass complete to Parker Jenkins for a loss of 1 yard to the HOU 41
7:58
3rd & 4 at own 41
Donovan Smith pass complete to Stacy Sneed for 6 yds to the HOU 47 for a 1ST down
7:23
1st & 10 at own 47
Parker Jenkins run for a loss of 2 yards to the HOU 45
6:47
2nd & 12 at own 45
Donovan Smith run for no gain to the HOU 45
6:07
3rd & 12 at own 45
Donovan Smith run for a loss of 7 yards to the HOU 38 Donovan Smith fumbled, recovered by HOU Donovan Smith D. Smith return for 0 yds
5:18
4th & 19 at own 38
Liam Dougherty punt for 42 yds, fair catch by Donovan Smith at the CIN 20
Cincinnati Touchdown, 4 plays
5:14
1st & 10 at own 20
Corey Kiner run for 9 yds to the CIN 29
4:36
2nd & 1 at own 29
Corey Kiner run for a loss of 1 yard to the CIN 28
3:51
3rd & 2 at own 28
(03:51) SORSBY, Brendan pass to the left incomplete intended for GROVER, Gavin thrown to the CIN35, clock 03:45. PENALTY HOU Pass Interference on MCLAURIN, Hershey enforced at the spot of the foul for 6 yards to the CIN34 and results in automatic 1ST DOWN [SG]. NO PLAY (replay the down).
3:44
1st & 10 at own 34
Brendan Sorsby pass complete to Joe Royer for 22 yds to the HOU 44 for a 1ST down
2:57
1st & 10 at opp 44
Corey Kiner run for 44 yds for a TD (Nathan Hawks KICK)Cincinnati 14, Houston 0
Houston Missed FG, 10 plays
2:56
Nathan Hawks kickoff for 65 yds , Bryan Massey return for 18 yds to the HOU 9
2:52
1st & 10 at own 9
Stacy Sneed run for 9 yds to the HOU 18
2:16
2nd & 1 at own 18
Donovan Smith pass complete to Stephon Johnson for a loss of 4 yards to the HOU 14
1:36
3rd & 5 at own 14
Donovan Smith run for 9 yds to the HOU 23 for a 1ST down
1:01
1st & 10 at own 23
Donovan Smith pass complete to Joseph Manjack IV for 52 yds to the CIN 25 for a 1ST down
0:23
1st & 10 at opp 25
Stacy Sneed run for 9 yds to the CIN 16
Q2 14:59
2nd & 1 at opp 16
Donovan Smith run for 1 yd to the CIN 15 for a 1ST down
Q2 14:25
1st & 10 at opp 15
Stacy Sneed run for 1 yd to the CIN 14
Q2 13:49
2nd & 9 at opp 14
Donovan Smith pass incomplete
Q2 13:46
3rd & 9 at opp 14
Donovan Smith pass incomplete
Q2 13:41
4th & 9 at opp 14
Joseph Kim 32 yd FG MISSED
2nd quarter5 drives, then Cincinnati 24, Houston 0
Cincinnati Touchdown, 12 plays
13:36
1st & 10 at own 20
Evan Pryor run for no gain to the CIN 20
13:05
2nd & 10 at own 20
Brendan Sorsby pass complete to Barry Jackson Jr. for 5 yds to the CIN 25
12:25
3rd & 5 at own 25
Brendan Sorsby pass complete to Joe Royer for 9 yds to the CIN 34 for a 1ST down
11:46
1st & 10 at own 34
Evan Pryor run for 7 yds to the CIN 41
11:10
2nd & 3 at own 41
Cincinnati Penalty, False Start (-5 Yards) to the CIN 36
10:46
2nd & 8 at own 36
Brendan Sorsby pass complete to Tyrin Smith for 10 yds to the CIN 46 for a 1ST down
10:09
1st & 10 at own 46
Corey Kiner run for 2 yds to the CIN 48
9:30
2nd & 8 at own 48
Brendan Sorsby pass complete to Kalen Carroll for 6 yds to the HOU 46
8:50
3rd & 2 at opp 46
Corey Kiner run for 2 yds to the HOU 44 for a 1ST down
8:18
1st & 10 at opp 44
(08:18) SORSBY, Brendan pass deep to the right incomplete intended for HENDERSON, Xzavier thrown to the HOU10, clock 08:14. PENALTY HOU Holding on DAVIS, Kriston enforced 10 yards from the HOU44 to the HOU34 and results in automatic 1ST DOWN [NHSG]. NO PLAY (replay the down).
8:13
1st & 10 at opp 34
Evan Pryor run for 1 yd to the HOU 33
7:38
2nd & 9 at opp 33
(07:38) SORSBY, Brendan pass to the right incomplete intended for TURNER, Aaron broken up by WILK, Teagan at the HOU23, clock 07:35. PENALTY HOU Holding on WILK, Teagan enforced 10 yards from the HOU33 to the HOU23 and results in automatic 1ST DOWN [SG]. NO PLAY (replay the down).
7:33
1st & 10 at opp 23
Brendan Sorsby pass complete to Corey Kiner for 13 yds to the HOU 10 for a 1ST down
7:07
1st & goal at opp 10
Brendan Sorsby sacked by Xavier Stillman for a loss of 5 yards to the HOU 15
6:27
2nd & goal at opp 15
Brendan Sorsby pass complete to Xzavier Henderson for 15 yds for a TD (Nathan Hawks KICK)Cincinnati 21, Houston 0
Houston Punt, 3 plays
6:27
Nathan Hawks kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
6:26
1st & 10 at own 25
Donovan Smith pass complete to Maliq Carr for a loss of 3 yards to the HOU 22
5:50
2nd & 13 at own 22
Donovan Smith pass complete to Joseph Manjack IV for a loss of 1 yard to the HOU 21
5:09
3rd & 14 at own 21
Donovan Smith run for 2 yds to the HOU 23
4:30
4th & 12 at own 23
Liam Dougherty punt for 45 yds, fair catch by Tyrin Smith at the CIN 47
Cincinnati Field goal, 6 plays
4:22
1st & 10 at own 47
Corey Kiner run for 2 yds to the CIN 49
3:46
2nd & 8 at own 49
Brendan Sorsby pass complete to Tony Johnson for 17 yds to the HOU 34 for a 1ST down
Nathan Hawks kickoff for 64 yds , Bryan Massey return for 20 yds to the HOU 21
1:45
1st & 10 at own 21
Donovan Smith pass complete to Stephon Johnson for 3 yds to the HOU 24
1:40
2nd & 7 at own 24
Donovan Smith pass complete to Stacy Sneed for 6 yds to the HOU 30
1:22
3rd & 1 at own 30
Donovan Smith run for 4 yds to the HOU 34 for a 1ST down
1:16
1st & 10 at own 34
Donovan Smith pass incomplete
1:07
2nd & 10 at own 34
Donovan Smith pass complete to Jonah Wilson for no gain to the HOU 34
0:36
3rd & 10 at own 34
Donovan Smith pass complete to Maliq Carr for 8 yds to the HOU 42
0:23
4th & 2 at own 42
Timeout Houston, clock 00:23
0:21
4th & 2 at own 42
Liam Dougherty punt for 52 yds, downed at the CIN 6
Cincinnati End of half, 1 play
0:12
1st & 10 at own 6
(00:12) [NHSG] Kneel down by SORSBY, Brendan at CIN6 (team loss of 0), clock 00:06.
3rd quarter5 drives, then Cincinnati 31, Houston 0
Houston Fumble, 5 plays
15:00
Nathan Hawks kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
14:59
1st & 10 at own 25
Re’Shaun Sanford II run for 18 yds to the HOU 43 for a 1ST down
14:27
1st & 10 at own 43
Donovan Smith pass complete to Re’Shaun Sanford II for 7 yds to the 50 yard line
13:43
2nd & 3 at the 50
(13:43) SMITH, Donovan pass deep to the left incomplete intended for JOHNSON, Stephon thrown to the CIN33, clock 13:40. PENALTY CIN Pass Interference on YOUNG, Jordan enforced 15 yards to the CIN35 and results in automatic 1ST DOWN [NHSG]. NO PLAY (replay the down).
13:18
1st & 10 at opp 35
Donovan Smith run for 4 yds to the CIN 31
13:18
2nd & 6 at opp 31
Donovan Smith pass incomplete
13:17
3rd & 6 at opp 31
Re’Shaun Sanford II run for 20 yds to the CIN 11 fumbled, recovered by CIN Trevon Gola-Callard T. Gola-Callard return for 0 yds
Cincinnati Touchdown, 8 plays
13:07
1st & 10 at own 11
Corey Kiner run for 4 yds to the CIN 15
12:25
2nd & 6 at own 15
Brendan Sorsby pass complete to Sterling Berkhalter for 5 yds to the CIN 20
11:57
3rd & 1 at own 20
Corey Kiner run for 5 yds to the CIN 25 for a 1ST down
11:34
1st & 10 at own 25
Chance Williams run for 4 yds to the CIN 29
10:51
2nd & 6 at own 29
Chance Williams run for 16 yds to the CIN 45 for a 1ST down
10:07
1st & 10 at own 45
Brendan Sorsby pass complete to Sterling Berkhalter for 47 yds to the HOU 8 for a 1ST down
9:21
1st & goal at opp 8
Timeout Cincinnati, clock 09:21
9:19
1st & goal at opp 8
Brendan Sorsby pass incomplete
9:09
2nd & goal at opp 8
Brendan Sorsby run for 8 yds for a TD (Nathan Hawks KICK)Cincinnati 31, Houston 0
Houston Turnover on downs, 10 plays
9:09
Nathan Hawks kickoff for 56 yds , Bryan Massey return for no gain to the HOU 25 , return for 16 yds to the HOU 25
9:00
1st & 10 at own 25
Zeon Chriss run for 8 yds to the HOU 33
8:21
2nd & 2 at own 33
Zeon Chriss run for 11 yds to the HOU 44 for a 1ST down
7:44
1st & 10 at own 44
Stacy Sneed run for 1 yd to the HOU 45
7:09
2nd & 9 at own 45
Zeon Chriss run for 7 yds to the CIN 48
6:33
3rd & 2 at opp 48
Zeon Chriss run for no gain to the CIN 48
5:53
4th & 2 at opp 48
Zeon Chriss run for 3 yds to the CIN 45 for a 1ST down
5:13
1st & 10 at opp 45
Parker Jenkins run for 2 yds to the CIN 43
4:35
2nd & 8 at opp 43
Zeon Chriss sacked by Kameron Wilson for a loss of 7 yards to the 50 yard line
3:52
3rd & 15 at the 50
Parker Jenkins run for 5 yds to the CIN 45
3:09
4th & 10 at opp 45
Zeon Chriss pass incomplete
Cincinnati Punt, 3 plays
3:03
1st & 10 at own 45
Brendan Sorsby pass incomplete
2:56
2nd & 10 at own 45
Corey Kiner run for a loss of 2 yards to the CIN 43
2:18
3rd & 12 at own 43
Corey Kiner run for 4 yds to the CIN 47
1:40
4th & 8 at own 47
Cincinnati Penalty, False Start (-5 Yards) to the CIN 42
1:26
4th & 13 at own 42
Mason Fletcher punt for 37 yds , Mekhi Mews returns for 2 yds to the HOU 23
Houston Turnover on downs, 6 plays
1:17
1st & 10 at own 23
Re’Shaun Sanford II run for 13 yds to the HOU 36 for a 1ST down
0:37
1st & 10 at own 36
Zeon Chriss pass complete to Re’Shaun Sanford II for 16 yds to the CIN 48 for a 1ST down
0:16
1st & 10 at opp 48
Re’Shaun Sanford II run for 1 yd to the CIN 47
Q4 14:59
2nd & 9 at opp 47
Zeon Chriss run for 5 yds to the CIN 42
Q4 14:22
3rd & 4 at opp 42
Zeon Chriss pass complete to Mekhi Mews for 3 yds to the CIN 39
Q4 13:43
4th & 1 at opp 39
Re’Shaun Sanford II run for 7 yds to the CIN 32 fumbled, recovered by CIN Jordan Robinson J. Robinson return for 0 yds
4th quarter3 drives, then Cincinnati 34, Houston 0
Cincinnati Field goal, 15 plays
13:11
1st & 10 at own 32
Corey Kiner run for a loss of 1 yard to the CIN 31
12:32
2nd & 11 at own 31
Brady Lichtenberg pass complete to Joe Royer for 10 yds to the CIN 41
11:45
3rd & 1 at own 41
Brady Lichtenberg pass incomplete
11:37
4th & 1 at own 41
Manny Covey run for 5 yds to the CIN 46 for a 1ST down
10:57
1st & 10 at own 46
Manny Covey run for 9 yds to the HOU 45
10:17
2nd & 1 at opp 45
Manny Covey run for 3 yds to the HOU 42 for a 1ST down
9:40
1st & 10 at opp 42
Brady Lichtenberg run for 2 yds to the HOU 40
9:00
2nd & 8 at opp 40
Brady Lichtenberg pass complete to Devyn Zahursky for 7 yds to the HOU 33
8:18
3rd & 1 at opp 33
Chance Williams run for 15 yds to the HOU 18 for a 1ST down
7:32
1st & 10 at opp 18
Chance Williams run for 3 yds to the HOU 15
6:48
2nd & 7 at opp 15
Brady Lichtenberg pass complete to Sterling Berkhalter for 8 yds to the HOU 7 for a 1ST down
6:05
1st & goal at opp 7
Brady Lichtenberg run for 5 yds to the HOU 2
5:20
3rd & goal at opp 7
Timeout Cincinnati, clock 05:20
5:18
2nd & goal at opp 2
Brady Lichtenberg run for a loss of 5 yards to the HOU 7 Brady Lichtenberg fumbled, recovered by CIN Brady Lichtenberg B. Lichtenberg return for 0 yds
4:36
3rd & goal at opp 7
Brady Lichtenberg sacked by Anthony Holmes Jr. and Quindario Lee for a loss of 4 yards to the HOU 11
3:49
4th & goal at opp 11
Cincinnati Penalty, Delay Of Game (-5 Yards) to the HOU 16
Nathan Hawks kickoff for 59 yds , Bryan Massey return for 14 yds to the HOU 20
3:39
1st & 10 at own 20
Zeon Chriss pass incomplete
3:35
2nd & 10 at own 20
Zeon Chriss pass incomplete
3:31
3rd & 10 at own 20
Zeon Chriss run for no gain to the HOU 20
2:52
4th & 10 at own 20
Liam Dougherty punt for 37 yds, downed at the CIN 43
Cincinnati End of game, 4 plays
2:42
1st & 10 at own 43
Victor Dawson run for 2 yds to the CIN 45
1:58
2nd & 8 at own 45
Victor Dawson run for 4 yds to the CIN 49
1:15
3rd & 4 at own 49
Victor Dawson run for 2 yds to the HOU 49
0:40
4th & 2 at opp 49
Houston Penalty, Offsides (Xavier Stillman) to the HOU 44 for a 1ST down
0:14
1st & 10 at opp 44
(00:14) [SG] Kneel down by LICHTENBERG, Brady at HOU46 (team loss of 2), clock 00:09.
Play-by-play from CollegeFootballData.com, as its scorers wrote it. The clock is the time left in the quarter; the spot is from the side of the team with the ball.
Houston
Cincinnati