Cincinnati stunned No. 8 Texas Tech 37-24 on Saturday, ending the Red Raiders’ undefeated season and securing their first home victory over a top-10 team since 2006. The win occurred during off-field drama involving quarterback Brendan Sorsby, who transferred to Texas Tech and is facing a $1 million lawsuit from Cincinnati.
Cincinnati’s 37-24 upset over No. 8 Texas Tech on October 24 marked the Bearcats’ first home win against a top-10 opponent since 2006, ending the Red Raiders’ undefeated season and shaking the Big 12 race. The victory, fueled by quarterback JC French IV’s four touchdown passes and running back Cole Tabb’s 173-yard rushing performance, sent shockwaves through college football, particularly after Texas Tech’s defense, ranked fifth nationally against the run, surrendered 252 rushing yards.
FOUR PASSING TD's for JC French IVThe last QB to do the same vs. Texas Tech was Brendan Sorsby in 2024#GoBearcats pic.twitter.com/KR71rsQd8h
A Game of Contrast: Cincinnati’s Domination and Texas Tech’s Collapse
Texas Tech entered the game as the Big 12’s only remaining unbeaten team, but Cincinnati’s defense stifled quarterback Will Hammond, who finished with 227 passing yards, an interception, and a fumble. The Red Raiders, who had averaged 3.9 yards per play against Tech in 2025, managed just 5.1 yards per play through seven games in 2026, a stat that foreshadowed their struggles. Cincinnati’s 21-point second-quarter surge, highlighted by Tabb’s 51-yard run, sealed the outcome, with the Bearcats outgaining Texas Tech 412-284 in total yards.
Texas Tech’s head coach, Joey McGuire, urged his team to concentrate on securing a College Football Playoff berth this week rather than dwelling on tensions stemming from quarterback Brendan Sorsby’s move from Cincinnati, aligning with the stance of Texas Tech Board of Regents chairman and Protect College Sports Act advocate Cody Campbell, who expressed frustration on social media after the loss. The Red Raiders, who hadn’t allowed more than 175 rushing yards in any game under defensive coordinator Shiel Wood entering Saturday, were dismantled by Cincinnati’s ground game, which included Tabb’s 58-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
First trip to Cincinnati 🔜Game Notes & More: https://t.co/Bs8pBOawdI#WreckEm | @tootntotum pic.twitter.com/kLCJOMk69u
Sorsby’s Shadow: A Contract Dispute That Defined the Rivalry
The game was overshadowed by the off-field feud between Cincinnati and Texas Tech over quarterback Brendan Sorsby, who transferred from Cincinnati to Texas Tech following a breakout season in 2025. Cincinnati sued Sorsby in federal court in February, seeking $1 million for breaching his contract, while Sorsby was ESPN’s No. 1-ranked quarterback in the transfer portal and was projected to earn over $5 million this season. A Texas judge issued a preliminary injunction in June, permitting Sorsby to participate for the Red Raiders this season following a two-game suspension, but Texas Tech and Sorsby parted ways a week later when the Big 12 initiated a federal lawsuit to confirm its authority to penalize Texas Tech if Sorsby played, with the Big 12 retracting the lawsuit in September.
Cincinnati head coach Scott Satterfield acknowledged the tension, claiming at Big 12 media days in July that Texas Tech tampered with Sorsby last season before he entered the transfer portal, though Texas Tech and Sorsby’s agent, Ron Slavin, both denied the allegations. Following the victory, Satterfield praised his team’s defensive effort and the significance of the win.
Implications for the Big 12 and College Football Playoff
The defeat left Texas Tech with a 6-1 record and a precarious position in the Big 12 standings, as BYU and Utah now sit above them. Cincinnati, meanwhile, moves to 5-2, with its next test against No. 10 Utah on October 31. The win also casts doubt on Texas Tech’s College Football Playoff aspirations, as the Red Raiders now face Arizona on Oct. 31.
Cincinnati owns an all-time record of 63-32-4 on Homecoming and is 5-1 in the last six such contests.📰 Game Preview: https://t.co/PzVAxU83L7 pic.twitter.com/jx1cLUe9ZL
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To cap off an 85-yard drive for @GoBearcatsFB 💪Cincinnati leads 10-6 in the 2nd quarter📺 @CFBONFOX pic.twitter.com/FPYRMr8kHH