The West Virginia University football team is gearing up for its week 11 matchup against the University of Cincinnati Bearcats at noon Saturday at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
The Mountaineers enter the matchup fresh off a bye week with a 4-4 overall record. The last time the Mountaineers took the field they picked up their fourth win of the season against the Arizona Wildcats bouncing back from taking two straight losses.
The Bearcats currently sit at a 5-3 record, coming into the game after suffering their second Big 12 Conference loss of the season.
Cincinnati's strength comes in its passing game, as quarterback Brendan Sorsby has thrown for 2,133 yards and 15 passing touchdowns this season. He has thrown for over 200 yards in five games and ranks third in the Big 12 in passing yards per game, averaging 263.
His accuracy is aided by the team's depth at the wide receiver position. The Bearcats have six different wideouts with over 100 receiving yards and at least one touchdown reception this season.
Xzavier Henderson and Tony Johnson are two standout receivers for the Bearcats.
Henderson was quiet last Saturday against the University of Colorado, but the 6-foot-3-inch wide receiver tallied 127 yards and a touchdown against Texas Tech University earlier this season. He leads the Bearcats in reception yards at 552 and averages 69 yards per game.
In Cincinnati's last four games, Johnson found the endzone three times, most recently against the University of Colorado on (insert date).
Johnson has put up 292 receiving yards so far this season, with his best performance coming against the University of Central Florida, where he had 76 yards on eight receptions and one touchdown.
The Bearcat offense also has strong help at the tight end position with Joe Royer, who ranks second in reception yards for the Bearcats with 438.
On the defensive side of things, the Bearcats struggle, ranking 11th in the Big 12 in passing defense and allowing 240 passing yards per game. Cincinnati ranks 12th in the Big 12 in rushing defense, allowing 162 yards on the ground per game.
The Bearcats rank last in interceptions in the Big 12, with only three this season, but rank first in fumbles forced and recovered.
Bearcat linebacker Antwan Peek Jr. has forced four fumbles during a three-game span. Against UCF, he recorded nine total tackles and forced two fumbles in the win.
The Mountaineers will travel to Cincinnati, Ohio, to take on the Cincinnati Bearcats at noon Saturday at Nippert Stadium. The game will be televised on FOX Sports 1.