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Northwestern State at Cincinnati

Saturday, September 13, 2025

Cincinnati beat Northwestern State 70–⁠0. It was their third meeting; Cincinnati leads the series 3–⁠0.

AwayNorthwestern State1–⁠11 in 2025
0
HomeCincinnati7–⁠6 in 2025
70

Final at Nippert Stadium, CincinnatiTV: ESPN+Attendance 30,014

At kickoff
86°F, wind 7 mph from the southWeather: NOAA NCEI Global Historical Climatology Network hourly; Cincinnati Municipal Airport Lunken Field, 9 km from the stadium, 23 minutes after kickoff
Official
Henry JohnsGame officials: stats.ncaa.org box scores, via SportsDataverse

Scoring by quarter

TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Northwestern State00000
Cincinnati35217770

Standouts

  • PassingBrendan Sorsby15 of 15, 253 yards, 5 TDCincinnati
  • ReceivingCaleb Goodie3 catches, 106 yards, 1 TDCincinnati
  • DefenseKolbe Cage9 tacklesNorthwestern State

Player stats

Northwestern State

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Abram Johnston7/113100
Eli Anderson3/5200
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Kolbe Burrell123108
Myion Hicks82007
Jeremiah James31508
Eli Anderson4904
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Luke Carter111011
Camryn Davis1909
Ben Buisson1808
Amaaz Eugene1505
DefenseTklTFLSacksInt
Kolbe Cage9000
Fernando Washington6000
Ja’Marion Bonner4000
Preston Hickey3000

Cincinnati

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Brendan Sorsby15/1525350
Brady Lichtenberg4/65610
Samaj Jones2/25310
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Tawee Walker666122
Manny Covey443024
Brendan Sorsby239123
Evan Pryor638020
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Caleb Goodie3106155
Cyrus Allen459129
Jeff Caldwell358028
Isaiah Johnson250242
DefenseTklTFLSacksInt
Kamron Neal5000
Ben Blevins4000
Robert Jackson31.510
Mikah Coleman3000

From CollegeFootballData’s box score. Names lead to each player’s page. ★ a career high on file.

Team stats

Northwestern StateCincinnati
102Total yards605
33Passing yards362
69Rushing yards243
2.1Yards per pass15.7
2.0Yards per rush9.3
6First downs26
0–⁠12Third downs2–⁠4
1–⁠2Fourth downs0–⁠0
1Turnovers0
5–⁠42Penalties6–⁠65
39:15Possession20:45
0Sacks (by defense)1

Efficiency

Northwestern StateCincinnati
20%Success rate76%
−0.35EPA per play0.91
0.78Explosiveness1.43
−0.30Rushing EPA0.46
−0.46Passing EPA1.41
19%Passing-down success25%
−0.32First-down EPA0.97
−0.01Second-down EPA0.73
−0.86Third-down EPA0.96
8%Havoc by its defense18%

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 92% to win. Elo’s favorite won.

The line

Cincinnati −48.5, over/under 55.5.

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 >99%, Northwestern State <1%. CollegeFootballData.com’s estimate from the point spread.

Every drive

Cincinnati end zoneNorthwestern State end zoneQ1 CincinnatiTouchdown, 4 playsQ1 Northwestern StatePunt, 3 playsQ1 CincinnatiTouchdown, 1 playQ1 Northwestern StatePunt, 3 playsQ1 CincinnatiTouchdown, 4 playsQ1 Northwestern StatePunt, 3 playsQ1 CincinnatiTouchdown, 3 playsQ1 Northwestern StateFumble, 2 playsQ1 CincinnatiTouchdown, 2 playsQ1 Northwestern StatePunt, 9 playsQ2 CincinnatiTouchdown, 8 playsQ2 Northwestern StatePunt, 3 playsQ2 CincinnatiTouchdown, 6 playsQ2 Northwestern StatePunt, 3 playsQ2 CincinnatiPunt, 3 playsQ2 Northwestern StatePunt, 3 playsQ2 CincinnatiTouchdown, 3 playsQ2 Northwestern StateEnd of half, 1 playQ3 Northwestern StatePunt, 3 playsQ3 CincinnatiTouchdown, 7 playsQ3 Northwestern StateTurnover on downs, 11 playsQ4 CincinnatiTouchdown, 5 playsQ4 Northwestern StatePunt, 3 playsQ4 CincinnatiPunt, 3 playsQ4 Northwestern StateEnd of game, 4 plays
Solid bars scored; an outline in the other team’s color marks points the defense scored. Cincinnati drives left to right, Northwestern State right to left.
  1. Q1 CincinnatiTouchdown, 4 plays, 65 yards
  2. Q1 Northwestern StatePunt, 3 plays, 8 yards
  3. Q1 CincinnatiTouchdown, 1 play, 55 yards
  4. Q1 Northwestern StatePunt, 3 plays, −3 yards
  5. Q1 CincinnatiTouchdown, 4 plays, 42 yards
  6. Q1 Northwestern StatePunt, 3 plays, −12 yards
  7. Q1 CincinnatiTouchdown, 3 plays, 45 yards
  8. Q1 Northwestern StateFumble, 2 plays, 8 yards
  9. Q1 CincinnatiTouchdown, 2 plays, 30 yards
  10. Q1 Northwestern StatePunt, 9 plays, 38 yards
  11. Q2 CincinnatiTouchdown, 8 plays, 80 yards
  12. Q2 Northwestern StatePunt, 3 plays, −7 yards
  13. Q2 CincinnatiTouchdown, 6 plays, 67 yards
  14. Q2 Northwestern StatePunt, 3 plays, 4 yards
  15. Q2 CincinnatiPunt, 3 plays, 2 yards
  16. Q2 Northwestern StatePunt, 3 plays, 7 yards
  17. Q2 CincinnatiTouchdown, 3 plays, 53 yards
  18. Q2 Northwestern StateEnd of half, 1 play, −3 yards
  19. Q3 Northwestern StatePunt, 3 plays, 5 yards
  20. Q3 CincinnatiTouchdown, 7 plays, 70 yards
  21. Q3 Northwestern StateTurnover on downs, 11 plays, 44 yards
  22. Q4 CincinnatiTouchdown, 5 plays, 69 yards
  23. Q4 Northwestern StatePunt, 3 plays, 8 yards
  24. Q4 CincinnatiPunt, 3 plays, 7 yards
  25. Q4 Northwestern StateEnd of game, 4 plays, 30 yards

Play by play

1st quarter10 drives, then Cincinnati 35, Northwestern State 0
Cincinnati Touchdown, 4 plays
15:001st & 10 at own 35Cooper Evans kickoff
14:541st & 10 at own 35Evan Pryor run for 20 yds to the NWST 45 for a 1ST down
14:311st & 10 at opp 45Brendan Sorsby run for 16 yds to the NWST 29 for a 1ST down
14:081st & 10 at opp 29PENALTY NSU Delay Of Game (Hickey,Preston) 5 yards from NSU29 to NSU24. NO PLAY.
13:541st & 5 at opp 24Evan Pryor run for 3 yds to the NWST 21
13:242nd & 2 at opp 21Brendan Sorsby pass complete to Joe Royer for 21 yds for a TD (Stephen Rusnak KICK)Cincinnati 7, Northwestern State 0
13:181st & 10 at own 35Stephen Rusnak kickoff for 60 yds , Zay Davis return for 6 yds to the NWST 41 Northwestern State Penalty, Personal Foul (15 Yards) to the NWST 11
Northwestern State Punt, 3 plays
13:081st & 10 at own 11Kolbe Burrell run for 2 yds to the NWST 13
12:292nd & 8 at own 13Abram Johnston run for 1 yd to the NWST 14
11:473rd & 7 at own 14Northwestern State Penalty, Offensive Pass Interference (Yards) declined
11:274th & 2 at own 19Cooper Evans punt for 43 yds , Manny Covey returns for 7 yds to the CIN 45
Cincinnati Touchdown, 1 play
11:181st & 10 at own 45Brendan Sorsby pass complete to Caleb Goodie for 55 yds for a TD (Stephen Rusnak KICK)Cincinnati 14, Northwestern State 0
Northwestern State Punt, 3 plays
11:141st & 10 at own 35Stephen Rusnak kickoff for 59 yds , Zay Davis return for 10 yds to the NWST 16
11:131st & 10 at own 16PENALTY NSU False Start (Morphis,Garrett) 5 yards from NSU16 to NSU11. NO PLAY.
11:061st & 15 at own 11Myion Hicks run for 3 yds to the NWST 14
10:162nd & 12 at own 14Abram Johnston run for no gain to the NWST 14
9:293rd & 12 at own 14Abram Johnston pass complete to Myion Hicks for a loss of 1 yard to the NWST 13
8:504th & 13 at own 13Cooper Evans punt for 31 yds , Manny Covey returns for 2 yds to the NWST 42 Manny Covey fumbled, recovered by CIN Manny Covey
8:504th & 13 at own 13Cooper Evans punt for 31 yds , Manny Covey returns for 2 yds to the NWST 42 Manny Covey fumbled, recovered by CIN Manny Covey
Cincinnati Touchdown, 4 plays
8:441st & 10 at opp 42Brendan Sorsby pass complete to Cyrus Allen for 13 yds to the NWST 29 for a 1ST down
8:321st & 10 at opp 29(08:41) No Huddle-Shotgun Walker,Tawee rush right for 29 yards gain to the NSU00 TOUCHDOWN nullified by penalty, clock 08:32 PENALTY CIN Holding offsetting NSU Face Mask offsetting. NO PLAY.
8:211st & 10 at opp 29Brendan Sorsby pass complete to Jeff Caldwell for 16 yds to the NWST 13 for a 1ST down
7:471st & 10 at opp 13Tawee Walker run for 3 yds to the NWST 10
7:072nd & 7 at opp 10Brendan Sorsby pass complete to Tawee Walker for 10 yds for a TD (Stephen Rusnak KICK)Cincinnati 21, Northwestern State 0
Northwestern State Punt, 3 plays
7:071st & 10 at own 35Stephen Rusnak kickoff for 60 yds
6:591st & 10 at own 25Abram Johnston sacked by Rob Jackson for a loss of 12 yards to the NWST 13
6:162nd & 22 at own 13Myion Hicks run for no gain to the NWST 13
5:353rd & 22 at own 13Abram Johnston pass intercepted Tayden Barnes return for no gain to the NWST 12
5:254th & 22 at own 13Cooper Evans punt for 38 yds , Manny Covey returns for 6 yds to the NWST 45
Cincinnati Touchdown, 3 plays
5:151st & 10 at opp 45Brendan Sorsby pass complete to Caleb Goodie for 44 yds to the NWST 1 for a 1ST down
4:521st & goal at opp 1Timeout Cincinnati, clock 04:52
4:461st & goal at opp 1Evan Pryor run for a loss of 1 yard to the NWST 2
4:112nd & goal at opp 2Brendan Sorsby pass complete to Joe Royer for 2 yds for a TD (Stephen Rusnak KICK)Cincinnati 28, Northwestern State 0
Northwestern State Fumble, 2 plays
4:051st & 10 at own 35Stephen Rusnak kickoff for 58 yds , Zay Davis return for 15 yds to the NWST 22
3:571st & 10 at own 22Kolbe Burrell run for no gain to the NWST 22
3:162nd & 10 at own 22Abram Johnston pass complete to Ben Buisson for 8 yds Ben Buisson fumbled, recovered by CIN Jonathan Thompson
3:162nd & 10 at own 22Abram Johnston pass complete to Ben Buisson for 8 yds Ben Buisson fumbled, recovered by CIN Jonathan Thompson
Cincinnati Touchdown, 2 plays
3:081st & 10 at opp 30Tawee Walker run for 22 yds to the NWST 8 for a 1ST down
2:461st & goal at opp 8Brendan Sorsby pass complete to Isaiah Johnson for 8 yds for a TD (Stephen Rusnak KICK)Cincinnati 35, Northwestern State 0
Northwestern State Punt, 9 plays
2:461st & 10 at own 35Stephen Rusnak kickoff for 61 yds
2:411st & 10 at own 25Abram Johnston pass complete to Camryn Davis for 9 yds to the NWST 34
2:032nd & 1 at own 34Abram Johnston run for 7 yds to the NWST 41 for a 1ST down
1:191st & 10 at own 41Myion Hicks run for no gain to the NWST 41
0:312nd & 10 at own 41Abram Johnston pass complete to Luke Carter for 11 yds to the CIN 48 for a 1ST down
0:001st & 10 at opp 48Abram Johnston pass complete to Amaaz Eugene for 5 yds to the CIN 43
Q2 14:522nd & 5 at opp 43Kolbe Burrell run for 8 yds to the CIN 35 for a 1ST down
Q2 14:141st & 10 at opp 35Abram Johnston pass incomplete to Ty Moore
Q2 14:102nd & 10 at opp 35Abram Johnston pass incomplete to Ty Moore
Q2 14:043rd & 10 at opp 35Abram Johnston run for a loss of 2 yards to the CIN 37
Q2 13:214th & 12 at opp 37Cooper Evans punt for 17 yds, punt out-of-bounds at the CIN 20
2nd quarter10 drives, then Cincinnati 56, Northwestern State 0
Cincinnati Touchdown, 8 plays
13:121st & 10 at own 20Brendan Sorsby pass complete to Cyrus Allen for 12 yds to the CIN 32 for a 1ST down
12:391st & 10 at own 32Brendan Sorsby pass complete to Jeff Caldwell for 14 yds to the CIN 46 for a 1ST down
12:141st & 10 at own 46Brendan Sorsby pass complete to Cyrus Allen for 5 yds to the NWST 49
11:372nd & 5 at opp 49Brendan Sorsby pass complete to Noah Jennings for 12 yds to the NWST 37 for a 1ST down
11:141st & 10 at opp 37Evan Pryor run for 8 yds to the NWST 29
10:402nd & 2 at opp 29Brendan Sorsby pass complete to Joe Royer for no gain to the NWST 29
10:113rd & 2 at opp 29Evan Pryor run for 6 yds to the NWST 23 for a 1ST down
9:411st & 10 at own 35Stephen Rusnak kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
Cincinnati Touchdown, 8 plays
9:401st & 10 at opp 23Brendan Sorsby run for 23 yds for a TD (Stephen Rusnak KICK)Cincinnati 42, Northwestern State 0
Northwestern State Punt, 3 plays
9:341st & 10 at own 25Abram Johnston run for a loss of 1 yard to the NWST 24
8:542nd & 11 at own 24Abram Johnston pass incomplete to Luke Carter
8:393rd & 11 at own 24Abram Johnston pass complete to Kolbe Burrell for 6 yds to the NWST 18
8:044th & 17 at own 18Cooper Evans punt for 49 yds, punt out-of-bounds at the CIN 33
Cincinnati Touchdown, 6 plays
7:571st & 10 at own 33Tawee Walker run for 2 yds to the CIN 35
7:222nd & 8 at own 35Brendan Sorsby pass complete to Tawee Walker for 13 yds to the CIN 48 for a 1ST down
6:581st & 10 at own 48Tawee Walker run for 5 yds to the NWST 47 Cincinnati Penalty, Offensive Holding (Ethan Green) to the CIN 43
6:401st & 15 at own 43PENALTY CIN False Start (Tyo,Taran) 5 yards from CIN43 to CIN38. NO PLAY.
6:201st & 20 at own 38Brendan Sorsby pass complete to Jeff Caldwell for 28 yds to the NWST 34 for a 1ST down
6:021st & 10 at opp 34Tawee Walker run for 19 yds to the NWST 15 for a 1ST down
5:391st & 10 at own 35Stephen Rusnak kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
Cincinnati Touchdown, 6 plays
5:381st & 10 at opp 15Tawee Walker run for 15 yds for a TD (Stephen Rusnak KICK)Cincinnati 49, Northwestern State 0
Northwestern State Punt, 3 plays
5:321st & 10 at own 25Myion Hicks run for 3 yds to the NWST 28
4:392nd & 7 at own 28Eli Anderson pass complete to Joseph Moreland for 1 yd to the NWST 29
4:103rd & 6 at own 29Eli Anderson pass incomplete to Amaaz Eugene
3:554th & 6 at own 29Cooper Evans punt for 40 yds for a 1ST down
Cincinnati Punt, 3 plays
3:471st & 10 at own 46Evan Pryor run for 2 yds to the CIN 48
3:262nd & 8 at own 48Brady Lichtenberg pass incomplete to Barry Jackson Jr.
3:223rd & 8 at own 48Brady Lichtenberg pass incomplete to Isaiah Johnson
3:124th & 8 at own 48Max Fletcher punt for 48 yds
3:124th & 8 at own 48Max Fletcher punt for 48 yds
Northwestern State Punt, 3 plays
3:061st & 10 at own 2Kolbe Burrell run for 2 yds to the NWST 4
2:252nd & 8 at own 4Kolbe Burrell run for no gain to the NWST 4
2:003rd & 8 at own 4Timeout Cincinnati, clock 02:00
1:533rd & 8 at own 4Kolbe Burrell run for 5 yds to the NWST 9
0:594th & 3 at own 9Cooper Evans punt for 34 yds , Manny Covey returns for 7 yds to the NWST 36
0:594th & 3 at own 9Cooper Evans punt for 34 yds , Manny Covey returns for 7 yds to the CIN 47
Cincinnati Touchdown, 3 plays
0:461st & 10 at own 47Brady Lichtenberg pass complete to Noah Jennings for 3 yds to the 50 yard line
0:232nd & 7 at the 50Brady Lichtenberg run for 21 yds to the NWST 29 for a 1ST down
0:231st & 10 at opp 29Timeout Cincinnati, clock 00:23
0:161st & 10 at opp 29Brady Lichtenberg pass complete to Cyrus Allen for 29 yds for a TD (Stephen Rusnak KICK)Cincinnati 56, Northwestern State 0
Northwestern State End of half, 1 play
0:161st & 10 at own 35Stephen Rusnak kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
0:001st & 10 at own 25E. Anderson takes a knee
3rd quarter3 drives, then Cincinnati 63, Northwestern State 0
Northwestern State Punt, 3 plays
10:001st & 10 at own 35Stephen Rusnak kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
9:531st & 10 at own 25Eli Anderson run for 2 yds to the NWST 27
9:142nd & 8 at own 27Myion Hicks run for 4 yds to the NWST 31
8:323rd & 4 at own 31Eli Anderson run for a loss of 1 yard to the NWST 30
7:464th & 5 at own 30Cooper Evans punt for 40 yds
Cincinnati Touchdown, 7 plays
7:381st & 10 at own 30Manny Covey run for 24 yds to the NWST 46 for a 1ST down
7:131st & 10 at opp 46Manny Covey run for 7 yds to the NWST 39
6:372nd & 3 at opp 39Brady Lichtenberg pass complete to Caleb Goodie for 7 yds to the NWST 32 for a 1ST down
6:051st & 10 at opp 32Manny Covey run for 9 yds to the NWST 23
5:302nd & 1 at opp 23Manny Covey run for 3 yds to the NWST 20 for a 1ST down
4:521st & 10 at opp 20Brady Lichtenberg pass complete to Patrick Gurd for 17 yds to the NWST 3 for a 1ST down
4:141st & goal at opp 3Chance Williams run for 3 yds for a TD (Dino Beslagic KICK)Cincinnati 63, Northwestern State 0
Northwestern State Turnover on downs, 11 plays
4:141st & 10 at own 35Stephen Rusnak kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
4:081st & 10 at own 25Kolbe Burrell run for 4 yds to the NWST 29
3:262nd & 6 at own 29Eli Anderson run for 4 yds to the NWST 33
2:423rd & 2 at own 33Cincinnati Penalty, Face Mask (15 yards) (15 Yards) to the NWST 49 for a 1ST down
2:161st & 10 at own 49Kolbe Burrell run for 4 yds to the CIN 47
1:542nd & 6 at opp 47Kolbe Burrell run for 4 yds to the CIN 43
1:093rd & 2 at opp 43Kolbe Burrell run for 1 yd to the CIN 42
0:004th & 1 at opp 42Myion Hicks run for 2 yds to the CIN 40 for a 1ST down
Q4 9:541st & 10 at opp 40Myion Hicks run for 7 yds to the CIN 33
Q4 9:072nd & 3 at opp 33Eli Anderson pass complete to Matt Gower for 1 yd to the CIN 32
Q4 8:273rd & 2 at opp 32Myion Hicks run for 1 yd to the CIN 31
Q4 7:454th & 1 at opp 31Kolbe Burrell run for no gain to the CIN 31
4th quarter5 drives, then Cincinnati 70, Northwestern State 0
Cincinnati Touchdown, 5 plays
7:341st & 10 at own 31Samaj Jones run for 9 yds to the CIN 40
7:052nd & 1 at own 40Samaj Jones run for 12 yds to the NWST 48 for a 1ST down
6:311st & 10 at opp 48(06:38) Shotgun Williams,Chance rush left for 21 yards gain to the NSU27 (Rinkin,Rahmaan; Natali,Joe) PENALTY CIN Holding (Lozowicki,Xavier) 10 yards from NSU48 to CIN42. NO PLAY.
6:011st & 20 at own 42Samaj Jones pass complete to Elijah Jones for 11 yds to the NWST 47
5:382nd & 9 at opp 47Samaj Jones run for 5 yds to the NWST 42
5:011st & 10 at own 35Stephen Rusnak kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
Cincinnati Touchdown, 5 plays
5:003rd & 4 at opp 42Samaj Jones pass complete to Isaiah Johnson for 42 yds for a TD (Dino Beslagic KICK)Cincinnati 70, Northwestern State 0
Northwestern State Punt, 3 plays
4:521st & 10 at own 25Eli Anderson run for 4 yds to the NWST 29
4:292nd & 6 at own 29Zay Davis run for 4 yds to the NWST 33
3:413rd & 2 at own 33Eli Anderson pass incomplete to Dane Wallace
3:344th & 2 at own 33Cooper Evans punt for 39 yds, fair catch by Logan Wilson at the CIN 28
Cincinnati Punt, 3 plays
3:251st & 10 at own 28Zion Johnson run for 5 yds to the CIN 33
2:522nd & 5 at own 33Zion Johnson run for 1 yd to the CIN 34
2:053rd & 4 at own 34Jakorion Caffey run for 1 yd to the CIN 35
2:004th & 3 at own 35Timeout Cincinnati, clock 02:00
1:514th & 3 at own 35Max Fletcher punt for 27 yds
Northwestern State End of game, 4 plays
1:401st & 10 at own 38Eli Anderson pass complete to Dane Wallace for no gain to the NWST 38
1:002nd & 10 at own 38Cincinnati Penalty, Face Mask (15 yards) (CJ Crite) to the CIN 39 for a 1ST down
0:351st & 10 at opp 39Jeremiah James run for 6 yds to the CIN 33
0:002nd & 4 at opp 33Jeremiah James run for 1 yd to the CIN 32

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.

The series

Every Northwestern State–Cincinnati game

Cincinnati leads 3–⁠0 in three meetings.

Recent meetings
2025Cincinnati 70, Northwestern State 0
2013Cincinnati 66, Northwestern State 9
1977Cincinnati 41, Northwestern State 0

Around this game

Northwestern State

Cincinnati

Ranked games that day

Every game of Week 3