Get involved: Mountaineers start distance running competition in Cincinnati

CINCINNATI – West Virginia’s first trip to Cincinnati in 13 years and first matchup with the Bearcats at Nippert Stadium since 2009 takes place at noon Saturday in a major Big 12 affair that will air on FS1.

The Mountaineers (4-4, 3-2) and Bearcats (5-3, 3-2) both enter their second and final bye week of the regular season and the winner remains in the hunt for one of two Big 12 regular-season berths title game, while the loser is virtually out of contention.

WVU has had the upper hand in this series by a 17-3-1 margin, including last year’s 42-21 win at Morgantown when the Mountaineers rushed for 424 yards in a emphatic win.

The Mountaineers are 11-6-1 all-time as of Nov. 9, which includes a 6-3 mark on the road. However, WVU’s final contest of the day was a 38-17 loss to Texas Tech.

12:40 p.m. – RESULT: The Bearcats elect to play on fourth-and-1 at the WVU 20, and Tarnue’s pressure on UC quarterback Brendan Sorsby results in Sorsby throwing an ill-advised pass to avoid a sack. It is intercepted by safety Anthony Wilson, who returns the pick 79 yards for a game-winning touchdown. West Virginia 7, Cincinnati 7, 12:31 2nd quarter

GO TO HOOOUUUUUSSSEE! 🏡

What a pick six @WVUfootball pic.twitter.com/M1aT3EZkiO

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 9, 2024

12:26 p.m. — WVU goes out with a three-pointer and doesn’t give up its second series. Still no sign of Clement. UC starts on the 24th

12:20 p.m. – RESULT: The Bearcats march 68 yards and score the game’s first touchdown on Corey Kiner’s 2-yard run. TJ Jackson was flagged for offside before UC was called for offside on fourth-and-1 after their own 41 points. Defensive back KK Tarnue was shaken late in the drive and left the game one play short of the touchdown. Cincinnati 7, West Virginia 0, 5:17 1st quarter

Touchdown Cincy! 🙌

Corey Kiner begins scoring @GoBearcatsFB 💪 pic.twitter.com/jHqWAPnjxe

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 9, 2024

12:10 p.m. — The Mountaineers cross midfield and reach the UC 32, but Marchiol’s fourth-and-4 pass to Rodney Gallagher goes incomplete. Notably, wideout Hudson Clement did not play in the opening series. The Bearcats take over the matchup after 3:39 minutes.

12:01 p.m. — Cincinnati wins the toss and moves to the second half. The Mountaineers get the opening kickoff for the ninth time in as many games this season.

The Mountaineers arrived at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati: pic.twitter.com/X6kpvzrHKa

— MetroNews (@WVMetroNews) November 9, 2024

Greg Carey and Joe Brocato set the stage for WVU-Cincinnati at Nippert Stadium: pic.twitter.com/WEUVAWVGuS

— MetroNews (@WVMetroNews) November 9, 2024

Notes before the game: While quarterback Nicco Marchiol is expected to make his second start of the season, Garrett Greene is dressed for today’s contest. Greene was injured on Oct. 19 against Kansas State, missing the second half of that game and then the next game at Arizona, which he did not travel to.

Left tackle Wyatt Milum is back in the lineup after missing the matchup with the Wildcats.

WVU is hiring a new defensive coordinator today in Jeff Koonz, who transitions from his role as special teams coordinator/inside linebackers coach. Koonz replaces Jordan Lesley, who was fired 11 days ago and arrested this morning for assault.

Your most important links before the game:

West Virginia is aiming for a strong start to November against Cincinnati

Notebook: Mountaineers will travel to Cincinnati by bus, splitting the trip into two parts

3 Guys Pre-Game Preview of UMass Basketball and Cincinnati Football

Koonz hopes to bring more consistency from the WVU defense

Marchiol is about to make his second straight start in Cincinnati