While the Nebraska football team held a private scrimmage as it continues to ramp up its spring practices, its season opening opponent held its final scrimmate of the spring in front of of a spattering of onlookers at Al Nippert Stadium.
The Cincinnati Bearcats will clash with the Nebraska Cornhuskers to open the 2025 season. The two teams have agreed to debut their new look squads at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.
While it’s unlikely the Bearcats showed off anything that the Nebraska football team can use to scout whatever the squad will use come the end of August, it was still interesting to see where the Big 12 squad is at this time of the year. Specifically, UC’s defense appeared to be a few steps ahead of its offense.
Cincinnati Bearcats’ defense already looking sharp for Nebraska football opener
"We were right where we wanted to be today, short and sweet," Cincy head coach Scott Satterfield said after the session. "A lot of young guys got reps today, and some newcomers made some plays as well.
The Bearcats’ defense stopped expected starting quarterback Brendan Sorsby and the first-team unit from scoring any touchdowns on their three drives. Backup Brady Lichtenberg hit wide receiver Jeff Caldwell in the left corner of the north end zone for the day's first TD. Potential starting running back Chance Williams showed the most flash for the Bearcats taking a 45-yard run to the house.
The only quarterback to be "live" in a white jersey was true freshman Zebulin Kinsey who redshirt junior Drew Logan immediately sacked. The UC defense smelled blood as Antwan Peek Jr. intercepted Kinsey a few plays later.
Satterfield made it clear he knew his defense was ahead of the offense at this point in the spring. However, he didn’t seem all that perturbed by it considering that several playmakers were held out of the scrimmage including the team’s top receiver, Tony Johnson.
Cincinnati has three spring practices in this session to go and will then look toward August 28 when they meet a Nebraska football team eager to get the campaign off to a good start over a Power conference opponent.