This was largely a losing weekend for Cincinnati’s professional sports teams. However, there were also reasons for fans to feel optimistic. Plus, recapping a tough weekend for the Cincinnati Bearcats in this week’s review.

Cincinnati Bengals show visible improvements despite loss

The Cincinnati Bengals gave some decent first impressions Sunday afternoon. Despite losing their opening game 21-20 to the Seattle Seahawks. Starting with a strong showing from the Bengals defense. The Bengals defense matched the Seahawks with four sacks each. Sam Hubbard led the way for the Bengals with six total tackles and two sacks.

On offense, John Ross III made the most visible improvements. Having a good 2019 debut in the state where he played college football. Ross led the game with 158 receiving yards and caught both Bengal touchdowns. His seven receptions were the second most in the game; only trailing teammate Tyler Boyd’s eight. This was the kind of performance Ross and Bengals fans have long awaited.

Next up for the Bengals, their home opener against the San Fransisco 49ers. Kickoff for that game is set for 1 PM Eastern time next Sunday on FOX. The Bengals might go into that game without running back Joe Mixon. He left the game with an ankle injury and is currently considered day-to-day. According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Media, Mixon’s MRI’s results came back “all good.”

Cincinnati Reds: the multi-faceted Michael Lorenzen strikes again

Michael Lorenzen helped the Reds wrap up an otherwise lousy weekend on a winning note. Through the first walk-off hit of his major league career. Giving the Reds a 4-3 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks in Cincinnati on Sunday. Helping the Reds avoid a series sweep in the process. This also wrapped up a week of significant achievements for Lorenzen.

Lorenzen has emerged as an often dependable pitcher and hitter. Such an effective two-way player is a rare sight in Major League Baseball. He’s doing things not seen in the major leagues since Babe Ruth was playing. Lorenzen is the first player since Ruth to be the winning pitcher, hit a home run and play in the field in one game. That happened last Wednesday in an 8-5 Reds win over the Philadelphia Phillies.

Now the Reds are heading west for a nine game road trip. Featuring stops in three cities with no off days during the trip. Starting Tuesday against the Seattle Mariners, in the last interleague series for the Reds this season. This series is the latest trip for a Cincinnati team to Seattle. After the Bengals and FC Cincinnati began their seasons in Seattle.

College Football: Cincinnati Bearcats get shutout in Columbus

Saturday’s meeting in Columbus was as rough as many likely expected for the Cincinnati Bearcats. The Bearcats were shutout 42-0 by the Ohio State Buckeyes. Cincinnati’s defense could not contain Ohio State’s rushing game. Ohio State’s J.K. Dobbins led the game with 141 rushing yards. The Buckeyes defense also came to play, snagging the lone interception of the game.

A serious moment during Saturday’s game was Cincinnati’s Kyriq McDonald being carted off the field. The redshirt sophomore safety collapsed during the game. McDonald reportedly has a history of seizures, though it’s unclear whether that caused him to collapsed. According to The Cincinnati Enquirer, McDonald was later cleared by doctors to rejoin the team. It’s unclear whether he will play this upcoming Saturday against the Miami Redhawks. In the 2019 edition of the Victory Bell game; one of college football’s longest running rivalries. Saturday’s game will take place at Noon at Cincinnati’s Nippert Stadium on ESPNU.