The University of Cincinnati Bearcats take the field before a football game against the Arizona Wildcats on Nov. 15, 2025 at Nippert Stadium.
College football season has officially arrived, and the Boston College (BC) Eagles are headed to Cincinnati to take on the University of Cincinnati Bearcats this weekend.
Boston College enters Nippert Stadium for its first matchup against the Bearcats since the 2019 season, when the two squads met in the Birmingham Bowl. UC won 38-6.
The Eagles are coming off a 2025 season marred by struggle, having finished the season with a 2-10 record and coming in second to last in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Under center for BC is redshirt junior quarterback Mason McKenzie, making his debut in the road matchup against the Bearcats.
McKenzie entered the NCAA transfer portal and joined the Eagles squad in January. Coach Bill O’Brien announced on July 17 that McKenzie would be their starting QB.
In his career, McKenzie has thrown for more than 4,300 yards and 31 touchdowns, adding 1,600 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns in 25 games at Saginaw Valley State.
McKenzie will have several offensive weapons to work with this season. Redshirt junior wide receiver Jaedn Skeete and redshirt sophomore wide receiver Javarius Green are two of his strongest options. Skeete played in four games with three starts last year for BC, totaling 13 catches for 140 yards and three touchdowns. Green joins the squad after transferring from the University of North Carolina, where he played in 16 career games and totaled 14 catches for 162 yards.
On the defensive side, senior safety KP Price is a name to watch. Price was named captain as a junior in 2025, starting all 12 games that season. He led the team with 94 tackles, three quarterback hits, two interceptions and a fumble recovery. Price was placed on the All-ACC Second Team and the Senior Bowl Top 300 watch list.
Another defensive back on the Eagles, senior Max Tucker, is also a player to watch. Tucker played in all 12 games and started five times at cornerback. He totaled 25 tackles, two pass breakups and one interception. Tucker is a lockdown corner who also made the Senior Bowl Top 300 watch list.
For two squads hungry for a victory after disappointing seasons last year, the game should shape up to be an exciting matchup.
The home opener for the Bearcats will kick off in front of a national audience at Nippert Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 5, at 3:30 p.m. on Fox.
