Sorsby has hand in 4 TDs in No. 24 Cincinnati's 49-17 victory over Oklahoma State

Matthew McDoom returned an interception 100 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter — the longest interception return in school history — to help the Bearcats become bowl eligible for the first time in coach Scott Satterfield's three years at Cincinnati.

“Congratulations men,” Satterfield told the team in the locker room. “We're going bowling, baby!”

The Bearcats are positioned to do much more than merely go to a bowl game. Cincinnati and BYU are the only remaining unbeaten teams in league play after Arizona State's win over previously unbeaten Texas Tech on Saturday.

“But we want to go to one of them good bowls, so we've got to keep winning, right?" Satterfield said to the team. “We've got to keep this thing going.”

Rodney Fields Jr. ran for a career-high 163 yards and caught three passes for 27 yards for the Cowboys (1-6, 0-4).

An energetic crowd that showed up despite the team's struggles couldn't save Oklahoma State from its sixth straight defeat. It was the Cowboys' fourth straight loss since firing coach Mike Gundy, and all have been by double digits.

“Just some little minor miscues that turned catastrophic, you know what I mean," Oklahoma State interim coach Doug Meacham said. “It’s like a little bitty thing that just completely implodes on us.”

Sorsby threw all three of his touchdown passes in the first half to help Cincinnati take a 28-10 lead. The Bearcats scored four touchdowns on four possessions in the first half.

Fields broke loose for a 20-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter to cut the deficit to 28-17 before Cincinnati took charge.

Loyal and true

The Cowboys again had a large group of fans that took off their shirts and waved them in the air, bringing energy to Boone Pickens Stadium long after the game was decided. Another group of fans took off their banana costumes and joined in the shirtless fun in section 231.

“You’d have thought we were up 21," Meacham said. "Whatever you call the shirtless people, that’s pretty awesome. It got a little nippy out there. I’m looking out there like I’d probably put my shirt back on or go sit down somewhere. But they did a phenomenal job.”

Win for Jim

Former Cincinnati player and longtime radio color commentator Jim Kelly Jr. died this month. Kelly was the Bearcats’ leading receiver from 1973 to 1975 and served as a color analyst for 35 years. The team wore a patch in his honor that had the No. 7 and a microphone.

“It hurt for his family, but also at the same time, I know he's proud of us and what we've been able to accomplish,” Satterfield said.

Deja vu

The previous Cincinnati record for longest interception return was a 96-yard runback by Bob Del Rosa in 1958 against, of all teams, Oklahoma State.

The takeawa

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Cincinnati: The Bearcats gave up 377 yards to an Oklahoma State offense that has mostly struggled all season. They made up for it by forcing three turnovers, but they'll still need to tighten up a bit with Baylor, Utah, Arizona, BYU and TCU ahead on the schedule.

Oklahoma State: The Cowboys ran for 228 yards on 48 carries after averaging 124.5 yards rushing in their first six games. They seem to find success in one area or another each week, but can't put the elements together.

“There’s a feeling at times that, hey, we’re about to turn the corner, and then things just didn’t work out," Meacham said.

Up next

Cincinnati: Hosts Baylor next Saturday.

Oklahoma State: At Texas Tech next Saturday.

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