The 100th Homecoming had the Cincinnati Bearcats in red, the sold-out crowd in Nippert Stadium in red, and the Red Raiders of Texas Tech in the red as the Bearcats pulled off a 37-24 upset.
It's the first loss of the season for the No. 8 Red Raiders who came in favored by double digits and left losing by 13 points. UC's 37 was the most points Tech had allowed all season, and the 24 was a season-low in scoring.
It was UC's first Nippert win over a ranked team since they took down No. 14 Iowa State last season. The game was sold-out at 38,088 and many of them rushed the field at the end.
"Pretty crazy, honestly," UC quarterback JC French IV said. "It's everything you dream of as a kid. The fans are unbelievable. So thankful for them showing out today.
That student section was unbelievable. I really think they helped us get this huge win."
French mentioned that, with Texas Tech trying to drive into the noisy section, "it would suck" (for an away offense) if it were a road game."
Where UC's upset of No. 8 Texas Tech ranks with Scott Satterfield
The game is easily Satterfield's signature win, in a season where three more ranked teams are left over the next five games. When asked about the upcoming game on Oct. 31 against No. 10 Utah, Satterfield was still basking in the glory of a Red Raider rout.
"Come on man! Don't be asking about next week!" Satterfield said. "We just beat the No. 8 team in the country out here. Let's talk about that all night long. That's what we're going to do."
Satterfield deflected the Brendan Sorsby aspect of the game, last year's quarterback who ended up playing for neither team on this day. Instead, he appreciated a hard-fought win over a team the Bearcats had never beaten. 24.
"That team played in the playoffs last year," Satterfield said. "They're projected to play again this year in the playoffs. Our guys worked their butts off and nobody gives them a chance a lot of times when you're playing a team like this. To come out and dominate the game in all three phases, like we did, with a ton of resources, this is probably one of the greatest wins I've been a part of."
Keep in mind, Satterfield was Appalachian State's quarterback coach when they upset Michigan in Ann Arbor 19 years ago.
UC Bearcats previous Top 10 wins
Oct. 2, 2021 – The No. 7 Bearcats take down No. 9 Notre Dame in South Bend, 24-13 on their way to an unbeaten regular season and a spot in the College Football Playoff.
Nov. 18, 2006 – Mark Dantonio's Bearcats knock off a No. 7 Rutgers team that had NFL running backs Ray Rice and Brian Leonard. The Bearcats won 30-11 with Nick Davila at quarterback and La Salle High and former NFL tight end Brent Celek making a memorable catch-and-run.
Sept. 18, 1999 – After losing to Troy State the week before, UC takes down No. 9 Wisconsin featuring eventual Heisman winner Ron Dayne at Nippert Stadium, 17-12. The goalposts came down, and some fans have part of it at home as souvenirs.
Another chance for another Top 10 win for UC on Halloween
Utah came in this week ranked No. 10. A win over No. 14 Houston in Salt Lake City late on Oct. 24, would give the Bearcats another opportunity as the Utes are here Oct. 31 for a 3:45 kickoff. The following week the Bearcats are in Houston.
Opportunities abound.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Bearcats add another Top 10 football win to their history
