Cincinnati Bearcats cruise to 63-10 win over Kennesaw State in home opener

Ben Bryant knows there's still a lot of room for improvement. He also knows Saturday was a step in the right direction.

The University of Cincinnati senior quarterback completed 17 of 20 passes for 201 yards and three touchdowns and the Bearcats cruised to a 63-10 win over FCS foe Kennesaw State Saturday at Nippert Stadium.

"It felt good," Bryant said of his performance. "I really was just getting the ball to our playmakers, and then them go to work. But there's still so much more that we can do. We've got to get better at penalties, just staying on the chains. So we've just got to keep getting better."

Bryant and the Bearcats' offense racked up 524 yards, while the defense scored two touchdowns and held the Owls to just 253 total yards in the first-ever meeting between the two programs.

After making several mistakes in Week 1, Cincinnati (1-1) committed 10 penalties for 90 yards against zero penalties for Kennesaw State (0-2).

"The penalties are still one of those things," Bearcats coach Luke Fickell said. "I know you get later in the game, and you get some guys who aren't in the same rhythm, but those are the kinds of things that we've got to continue to focus on. That maturity of our team is really a big deal, and as we grow, we've got to grow in some other areas. It's not just playing ball, but it's the ability to play clean ball."

Despite the mistakes, Cincinnati extended its home winning streak to 28 games in front of a sold-out crowd of 39,014 fans. It was the sixth-largest crowd in Nippert history. The Bearcats haven't lost inside their home stadium since Nov. 10, 2017 (35-24 to Temple).

Saturday was Cincinnati's first game at Nippert in 280 days. For Bryant, who started last season at Eastern Michigan after transferring from UC, it was much longer than that.

"It was so nice to be back here in the Nipp," he said. "Obviously, it's been a while for me. But it's definitely nice having those fans and students. They really showed out today, and we appreciate that."

Rebounding from last week's season-opening loss at Arkansas, Cincinnati jumped on the board first after Deshawn Pace blocked a 49-yard Kennesaw State field-goal attempt in the first quarter. Fellow Colerain High School product Eric Phillips recovered the loose ball, and Bryant and the Bearcats offense took over at the Kennesaw State 41-yard line.

Bryant led a five-play scoring drive after the blocked kick and capped it with a 17-yard scoring strike to Josh Whyle with 5:45 to play in the opening frame. The senior tight end now has a touchdown in each of the Bearcats' last three home-openers.

The Bearcats extended their lead to 14-0 when Bryant found his other tight end, Leonard Taylor, on a crossing route for a 9-yard score at the beginning of the second quarter.

"We try to find ways to get everyone the ball," Bryant said. "Whether it's Josh and Lenny or the receivers. They did a really good job today."

Bryant tossed his third touchdown of the half to wide receiver Tyler Scott. That score came with 10 minutes to play before halftime.

Cincinnati committed six penalties for 70 yards before intermission. Kennesaw State's only points of the first half – a 30-yard field goal – came off a fumble by running back Myles Montgomery.

The Bearcats' defense joined the scoring party at the start of the second half. Miami University transfer Ivan Pace Jr. forced Kennesaw State running back Jonathan Murphy to fumble, defensive lineman Jabari Taylor collected the loose ball and raced 23 yards for a touchdown to make it 28-3. It was the first fumble return score for the Bearcats since 2018 (Kimoni Fitz).

"It's a great feeling being able to play complementary ball," Taylor said. "If we can continue to that the rest of the season, it's nothing but up from there."

After Charles McClelland made it a 35-3 game on a 5-yard touchdown run, Ja'Von Hicks posted another defensive score, returning an interception 45 yards to the end zone with 4:34 left in the third. It was the graduate safety's first career touchdown for the Bearcats.

"It felt extremely good," Hicks said. "Out of eight (career interceptions), I finally get one. But the main thing is the main thing, and that's coming out victorious and being able to have a good team win."

Evan Prater took over for Bryant at quarterback just before the start of the fourth. While Prater (Wyoming High School) holds the 2019 Ohio Mr. Football crown, Corey Kiner (Roger Bacon High School) is the 2020 title-holder. Prater led a six-play, 77-yard scoring drive that ended with Kiner crossing the goal line on a 12-yard run. Kiner's second touchdown in as many weeks gave the Bearcats a 49-3 lead with 14:11 to play.

After a Kennesaw State touchdown, Prater ran 44 yards for his first score of the season to make it 56-10. Prater finished with 92 yards on 4-of-5 passing and the rushing touchdown.

"It was great to get him in there to let him do what it is that he can do, show all the different things that he can do, and build some confidence in himself as well," Fickell said. "We've seen it, we know it, but to actually go out there and do it and have the opportunity to do it is sometimes what's most difficult.

"I tell you what, he played really well. He was sharp, and it wasn't just running the football. It was his ability to throw the football down the field. I'm really proud of him. I'm proud of not just the way he played, but the way he's handled this whole thing. His ability to be prepared when that opportunity comes. It's going to be a great thing for us."

Montgomery capped Cincinnati's day with a late 74-yard touchdown run.

Cincinnati will face in-state rival Miami next Saturday at the Bengals' Paycor Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for noon.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati cruises to 63-10 win over Kennesaw State in home opener