Grades, overreactions from UC Bearcats late loss at West Virginia

The Cincinnati Bearcats faced the West Virginia Mountaineers in a tight game on October 17 at Milan Puskar Stadium. Despite outgaining their opponents in total yards and passing yards, UC suffered a heartbreaking 45-42 loss. The Mountaineers held the Bearcats to a season-low in rushing yardage, but quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. had a breakout performance with 464 yards passing, including a 41-yard touchdown to Prince Strachan.

UC's defense struggled against the Mountaineers' powerful rushing attack, allowing 134 yards while only containing 134 total rushing yards themselves. The Bearcats' pass defense, in particular, let the Mountaineers down when it mattered most. The game was won by West Virginia through a late field goal, despite the Bearcats having multiple leads throughout the contest.