5 Cincinnati Bearcats instant takeaways from Boston College win

In a game not necessarily full of Labor Day weekend fireworks, the Cincinnati Bearcats of the Big 12 defeated Boston College of the Atlantic Coast Conference 34-15 Saturday, Sept. 5.

Nonetheless, fireworks exploded over Nippert Stadium afterward to celebrate a season-opening win in front of 37,097 fans. Though maybe not as explosive as some would like, UC's ground-and-pound offense was effective, picking up 254 of their 339 yards.

Playcalling was mostly conservative on the day, outside of a fake punt play that saw punter Max Fletcher pull in his first college reception.

Georgia Southern transfer quarterback JC French ran for three touchdowns and threw for another to Oklahoma transfer JV Gibson. It was the 27th career college start for French and his first with the Bearcats.

"I had some butterflies," French said. "I've been playing a while, and I'm kind of used to that first game but there was definitely some butterflies playing in Nippert for the first time. It was unbelievable! It wasn't anything I'd ever played in before. Fans are going to be a huge key to our success this year."

La Salle High School grad and Notre Dame transfer Gi'Bran Payne had his best collegiate day, running over the century mark for the first time since his school days. Payne finished with 108 yards on 14 carries.

It’s the third season-opening win for UC head coach Scott Satterfield, and the Bearcats have now won 19 of their last 22 opening games. It was their 25th straight home opening win.

UC now takes the lead in the series vs. Boston College 5-4, having won the last three contests. Boston College received $300,000 for the game, which had ACC officials. The Bearcats return the game next season on Sept. 18, 2027, in Chestnut Hill, which will have Big 12 officials.

Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Boston College takeaways

The Saturday, Sept. 5 victory by the Bearcats was UC's first over an ACC team since their 27-21 win over Pitt on the road in Coach Satterfield's opening season with UC. In the Boston College game, temperatures reached 89 degrees and a "feels like" mark of 96. Fifth Third Arena was opened during the game with air conditioning and the game on the scoreboard, with some fans taking advantage of the option.

1. UC Bearcats QB JC French IV

French threw just one pass in the opening quarter, a four-yard completion to Larenzo Fenner. In the second quarter, he threw his first touchdown to JV Gibson, also from four yards away for a 10-0 UC lead. French finished with three visits to the end zone with his legs. It was the first time in French's college career that he had three rushing scores.

"I think that may be an (all-time) career-high," French said. "I was pumped running into the student section (end zone)."

French ran 10 times for 52 yards and three scores and was 10-for-14 passing for 77 yards with the one scoring toss to Gibson.

2. New UC defensive coordinator Nate Woody successful vs. Boston College

UC was looking at its first defensive shutout since 2024 vs. Houston until the Eagles scored with 2:05 remaining in the third quarter.

Multiple players got into the game given the hot day. Cornerback Kenny Worthy was denied UC's first interception when linebacker Damaine Wilson was charged with roughing the passer.

Bowling Green transfer MJ Cannon caused a fumble which was recovered by Northern Illinois transfer Jacob Finley. With 3:51 left, Cannon picked off McKenzie. Newcomers Filip Maciorwoski (Northern Illinois) and Josh Hough (California, PA) also combined on a key sack late in the game, keeping the Eagles out of the end zone on fourth down.

The Bearcats finished with four sacks, plus Cannon's pick and forced fumble.

"It was great to be out there with my teammates having fun," Cannon said. "I'm trying to separate the ball from the guy every time I hit him."

3. La Salle High grad/Notre Dame transfer Gi'Bran Payne started at running back

Payne had 33 yards on UC's opening drive, with his 31-yard run setting up the game's first points. It was his first 100-yard game since he was a La Salle Lancer. That run was his longest of the day.

All four running backs played, with Cole Tabb not entering the game until the third quarter. In addition to Payne's 108 yards, Tabb ran for 37 yards, Zion Johnson 31 and Zylan Perry 21.

4. UC Bearcats kicker Stephen Rusnak highlights special teams with long FG

The Bearcats stopped Boston College on their opening series, then went 41 yards in eight plays for their first points of the season. Unfortunately, after some key runs by Payne, they had to settle for a Stephen Rusnak field goal.

With the snap from Eli Stein and the hold from Max Fletcher, Rusnak split the uprights from 54 yards, tying his career-high. While playing for Charlotte, Rusnak also hit a 54-yarder against Gardner-Webb Sept, 14, 2024. The UC school record is 58 yards by Jon Bacon in a 17-17 tie vs. Miami University in 1994. Rusnak added a 44-yarder in the fourth quarter.

Fletcher also had an offensive highlight catching an 8-yard pass from receiver Malachi Henry on a fake punt. As UC went into formation, there was a smattering of boos.

"Same ones that were booing were cheering when we got the first down," Satterfield said. "That's the way fans are. I heard the boos, but I had already told Luke (special teams coach Paschall), 'run the fake!' Those boos went right to cheers."

Fletcher's longest punt of the day was a 70-yarder late in the third quarter.

5. Cincinnati Bearcats greats take in Boston College opener

Future James P. Kelly UC Athletic Hall of Famers Jason Kelce and Connor Barwin attended the game along with former tight end Brent Celek. All had tremendous UC careers and were important players for the Philadelphia Eagles at one time. Barwin remains with the team as Head of Player Development, and Celek is on the personnel staff.

The trio of Bearcats led UC out of the tunnel to start the game. Later, Kelce and Barwin did the "Down the Drive" cheer in front of the student section after UC's first score.

Jason Kelce and Barwin will be inducted into UC's Athletic Hall of Fame Friday, Oct. 23, the night before UC's Homecoming football game with Texas Tech at Nippert Stadium. On the day UC Bearcats basketball picked up transfer Javontae Campbell from Bowling Green, basketball commit Kameron Mercer from Princeton High was also in attendance.

Father of former UC Bearcats Gino, Ben Guidugli dies

James P. Kelly UC Athletic Hall of Famer Gino Guidugli posted on X Sept. 5, that his father, Dave, had died. Dave Guidugli was a long-time local strength and conditioning coach who trained many Bearcats, including sons Gino and Ben, who played for UC.

Gino Guidugli is UC's all-time leader in passing attempts and completions and passing yards (11,453). He led the Bearcats to a Fort Worth Bowl victory in his final game in 2004. He later coached for the Bearcats under Luke Fickell. He is currently the quarterbacks coach at Notre Dame.

Ben Guidugli played between 2007 and 2010 at UC, catching 71 passes at tight end for 810 yards and seven touchdowns.

Next week's Cincinnati Bearcats game is under lights

UC's first "Nipp at Night" game is Saturday, Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. when the Bearcats host the Western Carolina Catamounts. Western Carolina beat Eastern Kentucky 45-21 on Aug. 29 and play at Campbell Sept. 6. The UC/Western Carolina game, not surprisingly, is a blackout with fans encouraged to wear black.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: 5 Cincinnati Bearcats instant takeaways from Boston College win