Short-yardage / goal-line · enumeration
Who gets the tough yard
2/20Inside-5 share
2 of the team's 20 inside-the-5 carries (10.0%).
Gi'Bran Payne
Rushing yards48572nd of 278 running backsLast gameL 25–49vs Utah · Oct 31
Nextat HoustonSat Nov 7 · 3:30 pm ET
- touchdown
Texas Tech · W 37-24
No carries.
Payne has carries in 7 of Cincinnati’s 8 games: none against Texas Tech.
Dashed line: 100 yards.
This week
- RecordCincinnati is 5-3.
- Next gameat Houston · Sat Nov 7
Worth knowing
- Gi'Bran Payne spent four seasons at Notre Dame before this one.
26% of the carries, 26% of the yards, 9% of the touchdowns
- Carries26%78 of 300
- Yards26%485 of 1,842
- Touchdowns9%2 of 23
Share of the team's rushing yards, game by game
No bar in a game where the team had under 100 rushing yards: a share of that little says nothing.
Who carried it
- Cole Tabb752 yards, 79 carries, 10 touchdowns
- Gi'Bran Payne485 yards, 78 carries, 2 touchdowns
- JC French289 yards, 82 carries, 7 touchdowns
- Zylan Perry168 yards, 26 carries, 1 touchdown
- Samaj Jones60 yards, 10 carries, 1 touchdown
- 5 others88 yards
Share of the team's total this season.
Most of his carries go up the middle
10203040505340
leftmiddleright
a carry, up for a gain and down for a lossa touchdown
Each line is one carry: taller means more yards, and a line pointing down lost yards. Black lines are touchdowns. The play text only says left, middle or right, so inside each lane the carries are lined up shortest to longest, not placed. Of his carries with a spot in the play text: left 19, middle 44, right 14. His longest went for 53 yards.
Gi'Bran Payne
Hits the crease and outruns the angle. The four seasons span two programs and two head coaches: Marcus Freeman and Scott Satterfield. A game that shows it: 126 rushing yards and 1 reception against Kansas State — Week 4, 2026.
485 rushing yards · 2 rushing TD · 78 carries
Style of play
Style of play
Play style
Cuts upfield fast. Designed to find the crease, not run through the line.
Similar players
Closest statistical matches, adjusted for opponent strength.
Career stats
Swipe the table sideways for more columns.
| Season | Team | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Cincinnati | 78 | 485 | 6.2 | 2 | 53 |
| 2025 | Notre Dame | 9 | 53 | 5.9 | 0 | 24 |
| 2023 | Notre Dame | 45 | 168 | 3.7 | 2 | 12 |
| 2022 | Notre Dame | 2 | 5 | 2.5 | 0 | 3 |
| Career | 134 | 711 | 5.3 | 4 | 53 |
| Season | Team | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Cincinnati | 7 | 58 | 8.3 | 0 | 34 |
| 2025 | Notre Dame | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 2023 | Notre Dame | 9 | 58 | 6.4 | 2 | 42 |
| 2022 | Notre Dame | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| Career | 16 | 116 | 7.2 | 2 | 42 |
Last game (Wk 9): 67 rushing yards, 2 catches.
Game log
Game log · Week-by-week
2026 season · 7 games
Swipe the table sideways for more columns.
| Wk | Opp | CAR | YDS | AVG | TD | LONG | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wk 1 | W 34-15vs Boston College | 14 | 108 | 7.7 | 0 | 31 | |
| Wk 2 | W 62-10vs Western Carolina | 12 | 102 | 8.5 | 2 | 40 | |
| Wk 3 | W 35-31vs Miami (OH) | 9 | 32 | 3.6 | 0 | 11 | |
| Wk 4 | W 31-26vs Kansas State | 16 | 126 | 7.9 | 0 | 53 | Season-high 126 yds |
| Wk 5 | L 7-34@ Arizona | 11 | 24 | 2.2 | 0 | 8 | |
| Wk 7 | L 42-45@ West Virginia | 7 | 26 | 3.7 | 0 | 9 | |
| Wk 9 | L 25-49vs No. 6 Utah | 9 | 67 | 7.4 | 0 | 30 | |
| Total | 78 | 485 | 6.2 | 2 | 53 |
The latest game
Oct. 31 · L 25-49 vs Utah, play by play
9 carries for 67 yards.
- of the 8 carries drawn:
- 3 went 10+ yards
- 1 stopped at or behind the line
- 3 moved the chains
- 2 catches for 42 yds
- Second quarterbegan down 14-3
- 2 for 33, 1 rec1
- Third quarterbegan down 42-6
- 2 for 3
- Fourth quarterbegan down 49-19
- 4 for 38, 1 rec
- FinalL 25-49
a carry, by its yardsa loss, below the linea catcha touchdown
The per-play feed is missing 1 of his carries (-7 yards), which the play text shows; the chart draws the 8 carries it has.
- 1
34-yard catch. Second quarter, down 42-6.
The season, game by game
L 42-45 at West VirginiaOct. 1726 yds7 carries
7 carries for 26 yards.
- 0 went 10+ yards
- 2 stopped at or behind the line
- 2 moved the chains
- First quarterbegan tied 0-0
- 6 for 26123
- Second quarterbegan up 7-0
- 1 for 0
- FinalL 42-45
a carry, by its yardsa loss, below the linea catcha touchdown
- 1
9-yard run. First quarter, tied 0-0.
- 2
3-yard run on 3rd and 1. First quarter, tied 0-0. Converted.
- 3
6-yard run on 3rd and 5. First quarter, tied 0-0. Converted.
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leftmiddleright
a carry, up for a gain and down for a lossa touchdown
Each carry is a stem from the line, in the lane the play text names, sorted shortest to longest. The play text only says left, middle or right, so inside a lane marks are sorted, not placed.
5 more games, with the play by play
L 7-34 at ArizonaOct. 324 yds11 carries
11 carries for 24 yards.
- 0 went 10+ yards
- 3 stopped at or behind the line
- 0 moved the chains
- First quarterbegan tied 0-0
- 3 for 5
- Second quarterbegan down 7-0
- 4 for 7
- Third quarterbegan down 10-0
- 2 for 5
- Fourth quarterbegan down 24-0
- 2 for 71
- FinalL 7-34
a carry, by its yardsa loss, below the linea catcha touchdown
- 1
8-yard run. Fourth quarter, down 27-0.
1020304050
leftmiddleright
a carry, up for a gain and down for a lossa touchdown
Each carry is a stem from the line, in the lane the play text names, sorted shortest to longest. The play text only says left, middle or right, so inside a lane marks are sorted, not placed.
W 31-26 vs Kansas StateSept. 26126 yds16 carries
16 carries for 126 yards, his most this season. In the fourth quarter, with Cincinnati ahead by one score, he carried 6 times for 23 yards.
- 4 went 10+ yards
- 4 stopped at or behind the line
- 4 moved the chains
- 1 catch for -5 yds
- First quarterbegan tied 0-0
- 3 for 321
- Second quarterbegan down 3-0
- 3 for 61, 1 rec23
- Third quarterbegan down 17-10
- 4 for 10
- Fourth quarterbegan up 24-17
- 6 for 23
- FinalW 31-26
a carry, by its yardsa loss, below the linea catcha touchdown
- 1
Incomplete on 3rd and 17. First quarter, tied 0-0.
- 2
5-yard catch on 3rd and 10. Second quarter, down 3-0.
- 3
53-yard run. Second quarter, down 10-7.
10203040502253
leftmiddleright
a carry, up for a gain and down for a lossa touchdown
Each carry is a stem from the line, in the lane the play text names, sorted shortest to longest. The play text only says left, middle or right, so inside a lane marks are sorted, not placed.
W 35-31 vs Miami (OH)Sept. 1932 yds9 carries
9 carries for 32 yards.
- 1 went 10+ yards
- 2 stopped at or behind the line
- 2 moved the chains
- 2 catches for 7 yds
- First quarterbegan tied 0-0
- 3 for 6, 1 rec1
- Second quarterbegan down 14-7
- 0 for 0
- Third quarterbegan down 28-7
- 4 for 152
- Fourth quarterbegan down 28-21
- 2 for 11, 1 rec3
- FinalW 35-31
a carry, by its yardsa loss, below the linea catcha touchdown
- 1
3-yard catch on 3rd and 5. First quarter, down 7-0.
- 2
11-yard run. Third quarter, down 28-7.
- 3
4-yard catch on 3rd and 6. Fourth quarter, down 31-28.
1020304050
leftmiddleright
a carry, up for a gain and down for a lossa touchdown
Each carry is a stem from the line, in the lane the play text names, sorted shortest to longest. The play text only says left, middle or right, so inside a lane marks are sorted, not placed.
W 62-10 vs Western CarolinaSept. 12102 yds12 carries, 2 TD
12 carries for 102 yards and 2 touchdowns.
- of the 11 carries drawn:
- 2 went 10+ yards
- 1 stopped at or behind the line
- 5 moved the chains
- 2 catches for 14 yds
- First quarterbegan tied 0-0
- 5 for 311
- Second quarterbegan up 7-3
- 2 for 2, 1 rec
- Third quarterbegan up 28-10
- 4 for 68, 1 rec, 2 TD2
- FinalW 62-10
a carry, by its yardsa loss, below the linea catcha touchdown
The per-play feed is missing a 1-yard run in the third quarter (the play drew a penalty), which the play text shows; the chart draws the 11 carries it has.
- 1
5-yard run on 3rd and 1. First quarter, down 3-0. Converted.
- 2
40-yard touchdown run. Third quarter, made it 35-10.
102030405040
leftmiddleright
a carry, up for a gain and down for a lossa touchdown
Each carry is a stem from the line, in the lane the play text names, sorted shortest to longest. The play text only says left, middle or right, so inside a lane marks are sorted, not placed.
W 34-15 vs Boston CollegeSept. 5108 yds14 carries
14 carries for 108 yards.
- of the 13 carries drawn:
- 3 went 10+ yards
- 1 stopped at or behind the line
- 4 moved the chains
- First quarterbegan tied 0-0
- 3 for 351
- Second quarterbegan up 3-0
- 3 for 10
- Third quarterbegan up 10-0
- 4 for 22
- Fourth quarterbegan up 24-8
- 3 for 37
- FinalW 34-15
a carry, by its yardsa loss, below the linea catcha touchdown
The per-play feed is missing a 4-yard run in the third quarter (the play drew a penalty), which the play text shows; the chart draws the 13 carries it has.
- 1
31-yard run. First quarter, tied 0-0.
10203040502431
leftmiddleright
a carry, up for a gain and down for a lossa touchdown
Each carry is a stem from the line, in the lane the play text names, sorted shortest to longest. The play text only says left, middle or right, so inside a lane marks are sorted, not placed.
Signature game
Week 2 · 2026
W 62-10
Signature plays
The plays that mattered most
- Week 4 · Kansas State · 1st and 10 · Q2 · EPA +3.67G.Payne rush left for 53 yards gain (K.Beasley)
- Week 1 · Boston College · 2nd and 9 · Q1 · EPA +3.08G.Payne rush middle for 31 yards gain (K.Price), out of bounds
- Week 9 · Utah · 3rd and 12 · Q2 · EPA +2.93G.Payne rush left for 30 yards gain (E.Elliss; J.Bennee)
- Week 2 · Western Carolina · 2nd and 10 · Q3 · EPA +2.92G.Payne rush right for 17 yards gain for a touchdown
- Week 9 · Utah · 2nd and 10 · Q2 · EPA +2.88French IV to Payne: a 34-yard pass.
- Week 2 · Western Carolina · 2nd and 1 · Q3 · EPA +2.70G.Payne rush middle for 40 yards gain for a touchdown
4 more plays
- Week 7 · West Virginia · 3rd and 5 · Q1 · EPA +2.05G.Payne rush right for 6 yards gain (D.Afogho; A.Woods)
- Week 4 · Kansas State · 1st and 10 · Q1 · EPA +1.98G.Payne rush left for 22 yards gain (L.Bartley), out of bounds
- Week 4 · Kansas State · 2nd and 13 · Q1 · EPA −1.77G.Payne rush left for 4 yards loss (W.Gregory)
- Week 1 · Boston College · 2nd and 6 · Q4 · EPA +1.63G.Payne rush right for 9 yards gain (D.Green; C.Davis)
Where he ranks
Rush yards485tied for 72ndAmong 278 backs with 40 or more carries
Yards / carry6.2tied for 40thAmong 278 backs with 40 or more carries
Rush TDs2tied for 174thAmong 278 backs with 40 or more carries
Long run53tied for 93rdAmong 278 backs with 40 or more carries
Carries78tied for 120thAmong 278 backs with 40 or more carries
Rec yards58tied for 144thAmong 273 backs with 40 or more carries
Receptions7tied for 157thAmong 273 backs with 40 or more carries
Fumbles lost1tied for 43rdAmong 141 backs with 40 or more carries
84th in rushing yards, among all 1,551 FBS players with a rushing row this season, any position
Opponents faced, by strength
Ratings of the games shown run from -4 to +18 points against an average team (SP+ rating of each opponent).
Rushing profile
Rush profile · Shape, efficiency, and ball security
How he gets his yards, and how often it works
75 of 78 carries matched to play-by-play
Success rate
40%75 carriesFumble rate
1.3%1 of 78 carries · 1 lostStuffed
0 or fewer yds19%of carries
14 carries
Grind
1–3 yds31%of carries
23 carries
Chunk
4–9 yds33%of carries
25 carries
Explosive
10+ yds17%of carries
13 carries
6.2 yds/carry on 78 carries · 17% explosive (10+ yds) · 40% success rate.
Teams and coaches
2022Notre Dame9-4HC: Marcus Freeman · Run-heavy
2023Notre Dame10-3HC: Marcus Freeman · Run-leaning, slow tempo
2025Notre Dame10-2HC: Marcus Freeman · Run-leaning, slow tempo
2026Cincinnati5-3HC: Scott Satterfield · Run-leaning
Our ratings
Splits
Home and road splits, scheme and staff
Splits · Per-game
2026 season · 7 games
Home vs Road
| YDS/g | YPC | TD/g | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home5g | 87.0 | 7.0 | 0.4 |
| Road2g | 25.0 | 3.0 | 0.0 |
First half vs Second half
| YDS/g | YPC | TD/g | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1-76g | 69.7 | 5.6 | 0.3 |
| Weeks 8+1g | 67.0 | 7.4 | 0.0 |
Supporting cast · Scheme
Staff and system around the player
Head Coach
Scott Satterfield
Pass share
42.4%
221 pass / 300 run
Plays / game
65.1
8 games
Team sack rate
6.5%
247 dropbacks · PBP
Scheme: Run-leaning.
Awards
Player standing · 2026
Starter
78 carries and 7 catches in 7 games, about as many touches a game as a typical FBS running back who plays every week.
Recognition
Roster2-deepStarterRecognizedEliteApex
Production · CFB Zeitgeist Score
57 · #84 of 330 RBs · through 7 games
Former four-star. Now #84 at the position.
Five seasons, two schools
2026 is in progress.
- 2026 Cincinnati SatterfieldYear 5 · 7 games
- Jan 2026 Entered the transfer portalNotre Dame to Cincinnati
- 2025 Notre Dame FreemanYear 4 · 2 games
- 2024 Notre Dame FreemanYear 3 · on the roster, no stat line
- 2023 Notre Dame FreemanYear 2 · 13 games
- 2022 Notre Dame FreemanYear 1 · 1 game
- High school LaSalleCincinnati, OH · Class of 2022Four-star, No. 285 in the 2022 class. Signed with Notre Dame.Also from LaSalle: Koy Beasley (Kansas State), Iesa Jarmon (Akron), Jahmir Davis (Southern Miss) and 2 more.
Moves
- Transferred from Notre Dame to Cincinnati, Jan 5, 2026.
A stat line in 23 games over four seasons.
2022
- Signed with Notre DameFour-star, out of LaSalle
2026 7 games
- Transferred to Cincinnatifrom Notre Dame
Coaching lineage · 2022–2026
2 coaches2022–2025
Notre Dame
Played for 2 head coaches at 2 schools: Marcus Freeman and Scott Satterfield.
Next stop · Transfer
Transferred to Cincinnati
2022–25Notre Dame
2026Cincinnati