Oklahoma Sooners Football defeats Cincinnati Bearcats, 20-6, with defense

The Oklahoma Sooners kicked off their last Big 12 campaign against the Cincinnati Bearcats, who were hosting their first Big 12 game inside Nippert Stadium. With the Big 12 commissioner in attendance, the Bearcats offense stalled and the Sooners stole the show, led by their defense. In the end, OU came out on top by a score of 20-6.

It was another solid performance from Dillon Gabriel, throwing for 322 yards and totaling two touchdowns on the day. Gabriel’s go-to target continues to be Andrel Anthony, as he had another big day receiving, finishing with seven receptions and 117 total yards. With the run game lacking at times through the first four games, the passing game has really carried this offense thus far with other big contributions coming from Nic Anderson and Drake Stoops.

The OU defense continues to be the big story. The Bearcats could not get anything going today against the Sooner defense led by Danny Stutsman. Stutsman finished the day with 13 tackles, one sack, 3.5 TFLs, and was a major part of why Cincy was limited to only six points. The last time Cincinnati did not score a touchdown was in the 2021 College Football Playoff vs. Alabama. The closest the Bearcats came to scoring a touchdown was halted by a great interception made by Key Lawerence in the endzone. To this point, Oklahoma has now held all of their opponents to 17 points or fewer.

Overall OU took care of business and came away with a win on the road. The Sooners move to 1-0 in conference play, and will continue their chase for Big 12 title No. 15 next week, as they welcome in the Cyclones of Iowa State to Owen Field.