CINCINNATI — It's bye week time for Cincinnati Bearcats football, and basketball is off to a winning start in the 2025-26 season. It's the perfect time to do a Recruiting Roundup check-in with both programs.

Defensively, Cincinnati is anchored by linebacker Jake Golday, who has recorded 67 tackles and 3.5 sacks this season.

The Bearcats have won seven games in a row following a season-opening three-point loss to Nebraska. Cincinnati’s offense, led by QB Brendan Sorsby, has been what has powered this team, but its pass defense has definitely been a little suspect.

CINCINNATI — The Bearcats football squad is in a bye week after losing to the Utah Utes 45-14 and nearly dropping out of the AP top 25. The result was enough to keep them out of the initial College Football Playoff rankings and dropped them down the national analytic metrics for the first time in nearly two months.

Cincinnati Bearcats defensive back Kye Stokes (3) attempts to knock the ball away from Utah Utes wide receiver Mana Carvalho (28) as he looks to his right during a punt return for a touchdown as Utah and Cincinnati play at Rice Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Our crews were at Mason vs. Fairfield, La Salle vs. Turpin, Wyoming vs. Roger Bacon, Withrow vs. Piqua, Lakota East vs. Oak Hills, Lakota West vs. Hamilton and more.

During the evening games, No. 8 Georgia Tech suffered a surprise loss to NC State and No. 18 Oklahoma overwhelmed No. 14 Tennessee in a solid road win. And in the nightcap, No. 24 Utah bludgeoned No. 17 Cincinnati 45-14 to cap Saturday's action.

Devon Dampier has been Utah's guy all season and the 5-foot-11, 204-pound junior has thrown for 1,375 yards and 13 touchdowns in seven games, with 442 rushing yards and five more scores. He sat out the Colorado game and watched freshman Byrd Ficklin throw for 140 yards and two touchdowns and run for 151.

The UA’s game at Cincinnati on Nov. 15 has been scheduled for a 10 a.m. MT kickoff, with Fox Sports 1 airing the contest.

The Bearcats have won seven games in a row following a season-opening three-point loss to Nebraska. Cincinnati’s offense, led by QB Brendan Sorsby, has been what has powered this team, but its pass defense has definitely been a little suspect.

CINCINNATI — The Bearcats have another player in the mix for a major national award on the football field. Linebacker Jake Golday is a semifinalist for the Butkus Award, annually earned by the nation's top linebacker. The award started in 1985 and is named for legendary linebacker Dick Butkus. Cincinnati's top tackler is one of 12 semifinalists.