How UC Bearcats Week 8 matchup with Brendan Sorsby fell apart
As Texas Tech travels to face Cincinnati, here's a look back at why Brendan Sorbsy won't face his former program after his split with the Red Raiders.
The University of Cincinnati Bearcats football rivalry with Texas Tech faced an unexpected twist before the 2026 season. Brendan Sorsby, a former Bearcats quarterback who transferred to Texas Tech, is no longer part of the team due to his gambling-related issues. Sorsby, a highly sought-after prospect, left Cincinnati in 2022 after two seasons.
He and Texas Tech mutually agreed to part ways on June 15 following an NCAA gambling investigation involving Sorsby. The Big 12 Conference filed a federal lawsuit against Texas Tech if Sorsby played for them, after a Texas judge granted Sorsby a temporary injunction restoring his eligibility while under NCAA investigation. Despite Sorsby's acknowledgment of his gambling issue and completion of rehab, the NCAA denied his reinstatement for the 2026 season.
This led to Sorsby filing an injunction against the NCAA and the Big 12 Conference filing a complaint in federal court, resulting in Cincinnati suing Texas Tech in a Dallas court. Ultimately, Sorsby and Texas Tech mutually agreed to part ways, and the NFL announced it would not hold a supplemental draft in 2026, blocking Sorsby's path to the league in 2026.
Cincinnati was not under investigation by the NCAA for Sorsby's gambling activities, as the inquiry concluded without punishments on September 2.
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