The University of Cincinnati Bearcats host Kansas State for the season's Big 12 opener Sept. 26 at Nippert Stadium and it'll be the last of four September games played at or near campus to start the season.
It's also the second "Nipp at Night" in the three games played at the historic venue,with last weekend's Victory Bell win over the Miami RedHawks coming at TQL Stadium
, a little over two miles from the UC campus.Both teams enter the game 3-0, with the Bearcats recording wins over Boston College, Western Carolina and Miami University. Kansas State has had three straight wins at Bill Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan, Kansas, over Nicholls, Washington State and Tulane.
UC leads the all-time series 4-3, but hasn't won since 1966. Kansas State
last played at Nippert over 31 years ago and spoiled an upset win by Rick Minter's crew with a last-second touchdown pass. The last two games have been in Manhattan, with the Wildcats winning handily in 2024, 41-15.
Current dual-threat quarterback Avery Johnson passed for two touchdowns and ran for another in that game. In his most recent game vs. Tulane, he threw for 227 yards and ran for 152 with two scores.
"Once he hits the sideline, he is fast-fast," UC Bearcats coach Scott Satterfield said. "He's a different speed. Even like a quarterback that can move and run, he's a little bit better. We have to do a really good job to contain the perimeter runs. They hurt us with that in '24 and he's still doing that now, getting outside and making some big-time runs."
It should be another interesting duel for UC quarterback JC French IV, who threw for 309 yards and two touchdowns vs. Miami's RedHawks and ran for another score. Johnson has six touchdown passes to five for French, but has thrown two interceptions while French has been clean. Johnson has more rushing yards, but French leads in rushing touchdowns 4-3.
"They have a lot of talent on that (Kansas State) defense," French said. "Their stats speak for themselves. They're really good and we're going to have to be on-point with our preparation and obviously go execute this Saturday."
Said Satterfield, "From this point forward, you can't start like that (down 28-7 vs. Miami U.), or it will not end good for us. We've got to come out and play much better early in the game and at the same time finishing in the second half."
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Cincinnati Bearcats national recognition
The Bearcats had two players on the Pro Football Focus Big 12 Team of the Week with left guard Evan Tengesdahl and linebacker Jonathan Thompson getting the honors.
On Pro Football Network, right guard Judea Milon has graded out at No. 1through three weeks at his position at 95.5, with center Taran Tyo No. 4 at 94.9. Right tackle Xavier Lozowicki comes in at No. 6 at 90.7.
However, Kansas State's offensive line also has high marks as the top group through three weeks at 98.9, while UC's pancake men are No. 16 overall in FBS. Kansas State quarterback Johnson had the sixth-best ranking from Week 3 games with his performance in their win over Tulane. Johnson had 152 of the team's 201 rushing yards.
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Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Kansas State Wildcats scouting report
The Big 12 hasn't done an official media poll the last two seasons, but in an unofficial tally organized by beat writers around the league, Kansas State was picked eighth and UC 11th.
The Wildcats went from 9-4 in 2024 to 6-6 last season. In December, Collin Klein was hired from Texas A&M, where he was offensive coordinator. Klein is also a former Heisman finalist quarterback at Kansas State.
Why UC has an advantage: There's no place like home, and the Bearcats have won 40 of 56 night home games since 2006. The weather has cooled some and the crowd should be excited to see a team that's averaging nearly 44 points per game. UC's averaging almost 270 yards rushing and 222 yards through the air.
French has taken what he's been given; JV Gibson has a touchdown reception in each game, and running backs Cole Tabb and Gi'Bran Payne have had electric runs.
"Cole's had a huge impact on our team the first three weeks," Satterfield said. "He caught some great throws (vs. Miami). He's a big play threat. If he gets the ball in his hands, he can make people miss, but he also runs through tackles. He's low to the ground and has a really good skill set. Each and every week he just warrants more touches."
Why Kansas State has an advantage: Avery Johnson is the toughest dual-threat the Bearcats have faced thus far and now he's being coached by a former quarterback (Klein). At 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, he's bigger than the scramblers UC saw vs. Boston College and Western Carolina. Over the past two seasons, he's thrown 47 touchdowns with 16 interceptions, while French had 37 touchdowns with 18 interceptions.
"I'm going to attempt to go get him," UC nose tackle Josh Hough said of Johnson. "I hear he's really fast, but that's not going to stop me from chasing the ball."
Jaron Tibbs and Josh Manning are both 6-foot-3 and have 28 receptions between them. It could be a scorefest as Kansas State averages over 45 points, but Big 12 competition should take the offensive numbers down a peg on both sides.
"This will be a great matchup to watch," Satterfield said. "Normal fans like to watch all the skill guys, but this game, watch the D-linemen vs. the O-line. It's going to be incredible to see. If we can live up to what we're supposed to do up front, that can have a huge impact on this game."
Local connections: Kamari Burns was on UC's defensive line before going to Kansas State in the portal. He has five tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss for the Wildcats. Koy Beasley, from La Salle High School, is second on the team in tackles with 12 at safety. Beasley has also played at Purdue and Miami University.
Cincinnati Bearcats, Kansas State injury updates
Now that Big 12 play has arrived, both schools will have their initial player availability reports out by Wednesday evening, Sept. 23.
Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Kansas State Wildcats odds, moneyline
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Network
- Moneyline: +525 Miami, -700 UC
- Spread: -6.5 Kansas State
- Over/under: 55.5
Numbers for Cincinnati Bearcats night games at Nippert Stadium
Since 2006, the Bearcats are 40-16 under the lights at home.
"I like 'Nipp at Night'," UC cornerback Kenny Worthy said. "The energy is unmatched, like nothing I've ever been in before. The fans show up every time, they come with full force every time."
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Containing Avery Johnson is top priority for Bearcats vs. Kansas State
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