The Bearcats suffered their second loss of the season on Saturday after falling to Texas Tech 44-41 in heartbreaking fashion.

A game that has simply made its case for game of the season this far, which displayed 1,037 total yards of offense between both respected programs. Despite trailing by 14 with nearly 12 minutes to go, Cincinnati found a way to turn it up a notch down the final stretch, despite not having their top two running backs in Corey Kiner and Evan Pryor, who both left with injuries.

The Bearcats flashed on the offensive side of things and that was a sign of relief despite being banged up. Worth Noting Cincinnati was also without slot receivers Tyrin Smith and Aaron Turner tonight due to injuries. However, to see the offense come alive over the final 12 minutes in a situation where last year, things may have gone a different route. Brendan Sorsby continued to show that not one moment is too big for him, especially with how he settled in and responded after throwing his first interception of the season, which resulted in seven for the Red Raiders.

Sorsby finished the game 31-of-45 with 425 and four touchdowns, which are all career highs for the redshirt sophomore quarterback. Sorsby settled in despite being banged up as he led the team in passing as well as rushing and did a great job using his legs to extend drives for Cincinnati, especially on the 3rd and short situations.

However, it was the Tahj Brooks show on Saturday. The senior running back had run for 95 or more yards in 14 straight games entering Saturday night. However, following his dynamic performance vs Cincinnati, Brooks was able to extend that streak to 15 games in the first half of this one.

Brooks, continued to showcase why he is one of the best running backs within all of college football and really decimated the Bearcats defense this afternoon. There's a reason that Brooks has been getting a lot of NFL Draft love heading into his senior season and it was on full display tonight.

The Bearcats defense simply had no answer to say the least. Especially after the Bearcats got tested early after Cam Roetherford exited the game in the first quarter with injury. A position that was already thing became thinner on Saturday, especially as Kamari Burns was unable to go for the second straight game, which Cincinnati was hopeful he'd be able to but wasn't able to be following warmups. Brooks finished the game with 173 yards and two touchdowns on a season high 32 carries, averaging nearly 5.5 yards a carry.

However, the Bearcats defense knew the high-powered Red Raider offense was going to find a way to run the clock, as they entered the night averaging nearly 81 plays per game. Cincinnati held them to just 65 total plays on Saturday, but the defense just couldn't find a way to get off the field until the final two minutes of the game, where they forced the Red Raiders to punt for the first time of the game.

The Bearcats fell short and left some points on the board on Saturday as missed opportunities came back to hurt Cincinnati. Two key drives that hurt Cincinnati was right before the Half where Nathan Hawks missed a 42-yard field goal with a chance to take a three-point lead into the half, with the opportunity to get the ball back right away.

Then the final drive of the game, which was a wonky drive in itself that consisted of nearly 20 seconds of time run off the clock due to an injury, and a targeting call that was overturned, which would have set the Bearcats up in Red Raider territory if the flag stood. However, the refs picked up the flag and Hawks then had to settle for a 51-yard field goal with five seconds left, which was missed wide right.

Now, in a game like tonight, Cincinnati just couldn't afford to miss the opportunities especially in a game where both teams are playing lights out on the offensive side of the ball and not turning the ball over.

Now, to see Cincinnati put up 41 points on the road in their first road test of the season, was a great sight to see especially heading into the bye week. The offense has continued to put up great numbers and will rank within the top three of the Big 12 still following the fifth week of the season.

There is a lot of ball to be played this season, but there is a lot of upside to take away following the Bearcats showing on Saturday night. A showing that should have the fans glued to their seat for the near future as something special seems to be brewing in Clifton. As many people know, anytime you can put up 35 or more points in consecutive weeks during conference play, especially the Big 12, then you know that something is quickly playing to your favor.

Now, the Bearcats will have nearly two weeks to prepare for rival Central Florida, which is a great sign especially with how many Bearcats left this contest banged up.

We are still waiting for more official confirmation on the injuries surrounding Kiner, Pryor and Roetherford and should know more over the next 10 days or so.