Drake Brackney ran for two touchdowns and threw for another in a 20-7 win over Charleston Thursday night that wrapped up the 2025 season.
The Bearcats forced a Charleston punt to start the game but after a false start backed them up inside their 5, a fumble would give Charleston an opportunity to strike first.
The Tigers took advantage with a 5-yard scoring run with 2:16 to go in the opening quarter and, with an extra point kick, led 7-0.
The Bearcats responded with Brackney running 33 yards for a touchdown 6:30 before halftime. Brackney finished with 69 yards on 12 carries.
That play came on fourth down, which was the second time the Bearcats faced a fourth down on the drive. The first time Charleston was induced to jump offside to move the chains to the Charleston 42.
Ayden Rhinehart ran for a 2-point conversion and an 8-7 led.
Cooper Smithson picked off a pass to give the Bearcats the ball back with 4:52 left in the half.
Eight plays later Brackney ran 6 yards for a touchdown to cap a 72-yard drive and it was 14-0.
A punt exchange started the second half with Charleston managing just a 12-yard effort to give the ball to the Bearcats at the Tiger 46 with 3:34 left in the third quarter.
The Bearcats had reached the 20 at the end of the quarter but a fumbled pitch, and a holding penalty had them in a third-and-24 at the Tiger 35.
Brackney first hit Edwin Garcia for 9 yards to the 26 and then connected with Rhinehart for a touchdown to make it 20-7 with 5:58 to play. It was Brackeny’s sixth touchdown pass of the season.
The consecutive completions were the only passes completed, and thrown by Brackney.
Charleston responded by driving to the Bearcat 35 but a sack by Chase Posey, his fifth of the year, would lead to a turnover on downs and the Bearcats ran out the close the season.
BRACKENY RUNS FOR TWO TDS, THROWS FOR A THIRD IN WIN OVER CHARLESTON
