In this review, Cincinnati and the U.S. shine on an international soccer stage. Desmond Ridder sets a program record in Cincinnati Football’s win against South Florida. While the 2021-22 College Basketball season tips-off.

USMNT wins shutout in World Cup Qualifier against Mexico

Cincinnati shined on an international stage last Friday night. Through hosting the Queen City’s first FIFA World Cup qualifying match. Hosting the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team and Mexico at TQL Stadium. The U.S. won 2-0 through goals from Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie. Pulisic made the most of the 25 minutes he was on the pitch. He entered in the second half and scored in the 74^th minute. Pulisic, the team’s most prominent player, missed the last three qualifying matches due to an injury.

In a city that’s known for one of College Basketball’s best rivalries. This match between neighboring rivals evoked on-pitch passion akin to the Crosstown Shootout. During his goal celebration, Pulisic revealed a shirt with the phrase “man in the mirror.” A reference to a quote from Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa. He told TUDN last week that “Mexico is the mirror in which the [U.S] wants to see itself and wants to copy.”

Meanwhile, five players between both teams were handed yellow cards. Weston McKennie was one of the three USMNT players to get a yellow card. He scored the second goal of the match in the 85^th minute. McKennie’s yellow card was prompted by a skirmish in the 67^th minute. He, U.S. goalkeeper Zach Steffen and Mexican player Chaka Rodriguez all received yellow cards.

The skirmish between the three came immediately after Rodriguez appeared to grab Brenden Aaronson’s face and eyes. This marks McKennie’s second yellow card in World Cup Qualifying play. As a result, he will not play in America’s upcoming WCQ match against Jamaica. U.S. defender Miles Robinson will miss that match too; due to getting the matches lone red card. The shutout win moves the U.S. ahead of Mexico in their world cup qualifying group. Both teams have four wins, two draws and one loss so far.

Cincinnati Football QB Ridder sets record in win against South Florida Football

No.5 (CFP) Cincinnati Football got the “style points” the national media keeps talking about. Beating South Florida Football 45-28 last Friday in Tampa, FL. Moving to a 10-0 overall record and 6-0 in American Athletic Conference play. This marks the first time since 2009 that Cincinnati began a season 10-0. Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Desmond Ridder set a school record in this game. Ridder threw his school record 79^th touchdown pass to Josh Whyle in the third quarter. Surpassing his quarterbacks coach Gino Guidugli for the record.

Ridder needed two touchdowns going into the game to set the record. He threw a touchdown pass to Tre Tucker in the second quarter. Ridder also scored a rushing touchdown in that quarter. Ryan Montgomery had a big night with two rushing touchdowns. Stepping up as fellow running back Jerome Ford recuperates from a leg injury.

Ford suffered his injury in the Bearcats’ November 6^th win against Tulsa Football. Montgomery’s second touchdown came a play after Deshawn Pace caught an interception. Effectively stopping an attempted comeback by South Florida. Who went into that drive down 38-28. Ridder’s third quarter touchdown and the extra point gave Cincinnati their biggest lead 31-7.

South Florida chipped that lead down primarily through two big play-makers. Running Back Jaren Mangham and freshman quarterback Timmy McClain. Mangham scored his second rushing touchdown of the day. While McClain connected with Jimmy Horn Jr. for an 80 yard touchdown. After those two plays in the third, McClain scored a 2 yard rushing touchdown in the fourth. Wrapping up a drive that effectively began through a Cincinnati fourth and goal fumble.

While Cincinnati struggled deep in the second half. The Bearcats closed out the game by a relatively comfortable margin. Only trailing for a few minutes in the first quarter. The Bearcats go into this week ranked No.3 in the AP Top 25 and AFCA Coaches Poll. Cincinnati dropped from No.2 to No.3 in the AP and held even in the Coaches Poll. Cincinnati might stay at No.5 in this Tuesday’s College Football Playoff rankings. None of the top six teams in the CFP rankings lost last week.

Next up for Cincinnati, their senior day game against SMU Football this Saturday. SMU faded out of the national rankings after back-to-back losses to Houston Football and Memphis. Houston already clinched a spot in the AAC Championship Game. Cincinnati will clinch a title game berth with a win on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 3:30 PM Eastern on ESPN.

Rivals win-less in bye week for the Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals enjoyed their bye week last week. Resting after back-to-back losses and being treated with a chaotic week for their divisional rivals. None of their AFC North rivals won their Week 10 games. The Baltimore Ravens lost 22-10 in prime time last Thursday at the Miami Dolphins. On Sunday, the depleted Pittsburgh Steelers snapped the Detroit Lions’ 12 game losing streak. Through a 16 all tie on a grey and rainy day in Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger missed the game; after being placed on the COVID-19 list. While Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool was sidelined by a recent toe injury. Elsewhere, after blowing out the Bengals in Week 9. The Cleveland Browns were blown out on the road 45-7 by the New England Patriots last Sunday. The Bengals will travel to take on the Las Vegas Raiders this week. The Raiders were walloped at home 41-14 by the Kansas City Chiefs last night. This Sunday’s game is set to kick off at 4:05 PM Eastern on CBS.

College Basketball opening week in review

Wes Miller’s tenure as Cincinnati Men’s Basketball’s head coach is off to a winning start. The Cincinnati Bearcats opened the season with two home wins. Beating Evansville Basketball 65-43 last Tuesday and Georgia Basketball 73-68 last Saturday. This week, Cincinnati will host Alabama A&M on Tuesday and Presbyterian on Thursday. Both games are set to tip-off at 7 PM Eastern and can be seen on ESPN+.

Xavier Basketball had two rather different home games last week. Opening the season with a three-point win against Niagara Basketball last Tuesday. Then winning 73-59 against Kent State; through a second half surge last Friday. Xavier will host Ohio State this Thursday as part of the Gavitt Tip-Off Games. Tip-off is set for 6:30 PM Eastern on FS1. Xavier will also host Norfolk State Basketball this week. That game will take place Sunday at Noon Eastern on FS1.

Meanwhile, Northern Kentucky Basketball had a mixed week at home. Winning their season opener against Wheeling Jesuit 82-54 last Tuesday. Then losing to UNC Greensboro 70-69 last Friday. UNC Greensboro is the team Wes Miller coached before being hired by Cincinnati. Northern Kentucky will host Eastern Michigan Basketball this Thursday at 7 PM Eastern on ESPN+. In NKU’s opening game in the Blue Demon Classic.

Castellanos wins first Silver Slugger of career

Major League Baseball’s awards season is upon us. Cincinnati Reds free agent outfielder Nick Castellanos won his first Silver Slugger Award last week. While first baseman Joey Votto lost out on a Silver Slugger. To World Series champion Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman. Later today, the National and American League Rookie of the Year award winners will be announced. Reds infielder Jonathan India is one of the NL finalists. The winners will be announced tonight at 6 PM Eastern on MLB Network.