Back in the midwest under similar circumstances as last week at Iowa State, the Cincinnati Bearcats make their fourth attempt at bowl eligibility when they face Kansas State in football for the first time as members of the Big 12. The teams last played 28 years ago.
Like Iowa State, Coach Chris Klieman’s Kansas State squad is coming off a two-game losing streak. Both recent losses came to teams Scott Satterfield’s team defeated soundly, Houston and Arizona State.
But the Big 12 takes a twist and turn each week. To win, UC will have to succeed under the lights, something they’ve failed to do in three Big 12 attempts, at Texas Tech, Colorado and Iowa State. The Bearcats have been close, but that’s all.
Bearcats go three-and-out on first possession | Cincinnati 0, Kansas State 0
Cincinnati’s first possession netted just three yards, forcing a punt. Mason Fletcher’s punt traveled 37 yards to the Kansas State 35-yard line.
Kansas State wins toss, kicks to Cincinnati
Kansas State won the coin toss, but deferred to the second half. The Cincinnati Bearcats will begin the game with possession.
Watch Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Kansas State Wildcats live on espn.com/watch
Corey Kiner nears second-straight 1,000-yard rushing season
Running back Corey Kiner enters Saturday’s contest at Kansas State sitting at 903 rushing yards, needing just 97 yards to reach the 1,000-yard mark again. Kiner finished last season with 1,047 yards in 12 games played.
Cincinnati and Kansas State meet for first time since 1996
Cincinnati and Kansas State did not meet in last year’s Big 12 debut for the Bearcats, making Saturday’s meeting with the Wildcats the first meeting between the programs since 1996.
On Sept. 14 of that season, the Bearcats visited No. 17 Kansas State, falling in a 35-0 shutout. Kansas State finished the 1996 season 9-3, losing in the Cotton Bowl 19-15 to BYU. Cincinnati finished that year with a 6-5 record in head Coach Rick Minter’s third season.
Cincinnati Bearcats still a win away from bowl eligibility
On Oct. 19, the Cincinnati Bearcats picked up a 24-14 Homecoming victory against Arizona State to improve to 5-2 and just a win away from bowl eligibility. Over a month later, the Bearcats are still searching for that victory.
Here are the three keys the Bearcats need at Kansas State to pick the season’s sixth victory.
1 2 3 4 F
CINCINNATI X
X
X
X
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KANSAS STATE X
X
X
X
—
Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Kansas State injury updates
Cincinnati Bearcats nose tackle Dontay Corleone, who left the Iowa State game with a knee bruise was trending toward playing after a week of treatment. Punter Mason Fletcher has played with bruised ribs since making a tackle against West Virginia. If he’s not able to go, his brother, Max Fletcher, is the backup. Max Fletcher was punter and holder for Arkansas last season and averaged over 46 yards per punt.
From Kansas State’s press conferences and other sources, the Wildcats receiving crew has some injuries, along with the running backs. Receiver Keagan Johnson who also returns kicks is doubtful, while the status of receiver Jadon Jackson is up in the air. Running back/kick returner/punt returner Dylan Edwards is questionable with starting running back D.J. Giddens also not 100%. Kansas State is already minus linebackers Ara Newsom and Beau Palmer from injuries last month and another, Alec Marenco, was in a head-on collision last week.
Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Kansas State Wildcats time today
Date: Saturday, Nov. 23
Time: 8 p.m. (Eastern)Location: Bill Snyder Family Stadium (50,000)
What channel is Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Kansas State Wildcats on today?
TV channel: ESPN2
Streaming: Watch ESPNRadio: 700WLWCincinnati Bearcats vs. Kansas State will be broadcast nationally on ESPN2, Brian Custer and Rod Gilmore will call the game from the booth at Bill Snyder Family Stadium, with Kauren Sisler reporting from the sidelines. 700WLW’s radio call features James P, Kelly UC Athletic Hall of Famers Dan Hoard and Jim Kelly with former UC quarterback Tony Pike on the sideline .
Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Kansas State history
Series record: Cincinnati leads 4-2Cincinnati’s last win : 28-14 Oct. 22, 1966 at Nippert StadiumKansas State’s last win : 35-0 in Manhattan Sept. 14, 1996
Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Kansas State predictions
This is another difficult road scenario for the Bearcats. They’ve been in each road loss but found ways to allow the home teams to flip momentum. It’s another game I had pegged as a loss in my preseason picks. In the unpredictable Big 12, anything is possible and a UC victory would be a huge morale boost. Unfortunately, if there is a bowl in this Bearcats team’s picture it may have to be earned with a win in the final game of the season at home against TCU.
Prediction: Kansas State 30, Cincinnati 20
Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Kansas State betting odds
Game lines and odds from BetMGM as of Saturday morning:
Spread: -9 Kansas StateOver/under : 54Moneyline: Cincinnati +255, Kansas State -324
Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Kansas State weather update
From The Weather Channel, Saturday in Manhattan the high will be 63 degrees with a low of 41 and partly cloudy skies. Chance of rain is 6%. The temperature at kickoff should be 50 degrees with winds out of the south-southeast at 6 miles per hour.
Cincinnati Bearcats 2024 schedule
Aug. 31, Towson (W 38-20)
Sept. 7, Pitt (L 28-27)
Sept. 14, at Miami University (W 27-16)
Sept. 21, Houston (W 34-0)
Sept. 28, at Texas Tech (L 44-41)
Oct. 12, at UCF (W 19-13)
Oct. 19, Arizona State (W 24-14)
Oct. 26, at Colorado (L 34-23)
Nov. 9, West Virginia (L 31-24)
Nov. 16, at Iowa State (L 34-17)
Nov. 23, at Kansas State
Nov. 30, TCU
Get your Cincinnati Bearcats football tickets at GoBearcats.com
Kansas State football 2024 schedule
Aug. 31, Tennessee-Martin (W 41-6)
Sept. 7 at Tulane (W 34-27)
Sept. 13, Arizona (W 31-7)
Sept. 21 at BYU (L 38-9)
Sept. 28, Oklahoma State (W 42-20)
Oct. 12 at Colorado (W 31-28)
Oct. 19 at West Virginia (W 45-18)
Oct. 26, Kansas (W 29-27)
Nov. 2 at Houston, (L 24-19)
Nov. 16, Arizona State (L, 24-14)
Nov. 23, Cincinnati
Nov. 30 at Iowa State
Cincinnati Bearcats football news
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