CINCINNATI — College football is back — and the Bearcats looked hot in their season opener.
The Bearcats have started the season off with a 66-13 victory against the Eastern Kentucky Colonels.
From the opening drive of the game, Cincinnati came out swinging.
Quarterback Emory Jones threw 19 of 23 with 345 yards and five passing touchdowns. He also rushed for 26 yards and two touchdowns.
All five of UC's passing touchdowns were to different receivers, with Xzavier Henderson, Braden Smith, Daquris Wiggins, Aaron Turner and Payten Singletary all racking in points.
Brady Lichtenberg and Barry Jackson Jr. also rushed for a touchdown each.
Kicker Carter Brown also brought home a field goal.
The Colonels were able to squeak out a touchdown before halftime when quarterback Parker McKinney passed to Hunter Brown. Kicker Patrick Nations was also able to secure two field goals in the second half.
Ultimately, EKU's defense couldn't hold UC's offense, and EKU's offense couldn't break UC's defense.
This was the first time EKU had faced Cincinnati since 2008 — then, the Bearcats crushed the Colonels 40-7.
Saturday's win, which marked head coach Scott Satterfield's first time leading the Bearcats in Nippert Stadium, also marked Cincinnati's 22nd consecutive season-opening win.
Cincinnati is on the road next week to face off with Pittsburgh. The Bearcats and Panthers kickoff at 6:30 p.m. at Acrisure Stadium.
