2008 Cincinnati Bearcats - Recruiting Class

Cincinnati Bearcats 2008 Head Coach: Brian Kelly

Cincinnati Bearcats

2008 Recruiting Class

Star of the Class

Brendon Kay QB 6-4 220 Ira, MI / Marine City
A three-year team captain ... shined as a quarterback, kicker, and punter ... posted a 34-2 record in three years as the starting signalcaller ... Macomb Area Conference Gold Division MVP in 2006 and 2007 ... directed the Mariners to the 2007 Michigan Division 4 State Championship ... completed 133-of-202 passes for 2,083 yards, with 27 touchdowns and also rushed for 561 yards and 15 scores on his way to being named to the Detroit Free Press Dream Team and the Lansing State Journal Catch 22 as a senior ... totaled 1,182 yards and 18 touchdowns through the air and 340 yards on the ground and seven rushing scores a junior ... twice recognized as a Detroit News All-Metro East honoree ... invited to play in the 2008 Michigan East-West All-Star Game

Potential Instant Impact Players

Darrin Williams RB 5-7 175 Detroit, MI / Martin Luther King
Four-year letterwinner at running back ... posted the third-highest rushing total in Michigan prep history books with 2,837 yards to lead the Crusaders to the 2007 Detroit Public School League and Michigan Division 2 State title ... his 350 carries as a senior are the fourth-most in Michigan high school single-season records ... recognized on the Detroit Free Press Dream Team ... a two-time all-state selection ... prep career totals include 714 carries for 5,955 rushing yards, with an 8.3 yards per carry average, and 56 touchdowns

D.J. Woods WR 6-0 170 Strongsville, OH / Strongsville
Three-year letterwinner at wide receiver and defensive back ... recognized on the 2007 Associate Press Division I All-Ohio second team after catching 38 passes before missing his final five games due to injury ... collected 35 receptions for 750 yards (21.4 yards per catch) and eight touchdowns as a junior ...named to the all-Pioneer Conference first team as a junior and again as a senior ... twice recognized with all-Northeast District first team honors ... amassed 153 receptions for 1,797 yards and 18 touchdown grabs for his career ... also scored on five kickoff returns and three punt returns

Rest of the Class
Dominique Battle DB 6-0 175 Boca Raton, FL / American Heritage
Camerron Cheatham DB 5-8 165 Kalamazoo, MI / Central
Evan Davis OL 6-4 250 Cincinnati, OH / Colerain
Dan Giordano DL 6-4 240 Frankford, IL / Lincoln-Way East
Sean Hooey OL 6-8 260 Litchfield, MI / Hillsdale
Bruce Horner DB 6-1 175 Farmington Hills, MI / Harrison
Ike Iloegbu DB 6-1 185 Cincinnati, OH / Harmony (OH)
Travis Kelce QB 6-5 235 Cleveland Heights, OH / Cleveland Heights
Patrick Lambert DB 6-1 190 St. Cloud, FL / Osceola
Danny Milligan WR 5-9 170 Cincinnati, OH / St. Xavier
Brandon Mills DL 5-11 255 Cincinnati, OH / Colerain
Mark Nelson LB 6-2 225 Westerville, OH / Big Walnut
Lynell Payne WR 6-3 205 Marlton, NJ / Cherokee
Isaiah Pead RB 5-11 185 Columbus, OH / Eastmoor Academy
Quincy Quetant DB 6-0 190 Orlando, FL / Timber Creek
Jared Rains DB 5-10 180 Aliquippa, PA / Hopewell
J.K. Schaffer LB 6-1 210 Cincinnati, OH / La Salle
Walter Stewart DL 6-5 220 Ashville, OH / Teays Valley
Nick Truesdell WR 6-7 215 Cincinnati, OH / Anderson
George Winn RB 5-10 175 Southfi eld, MI / U. of Detroit Jesuit
Derek Wolfe DL 6-5 270 Lisbon, OH / Beaver Local

- 2007 UC Season
- 2007 UC Preview
- 2006 UC Season

2007 Schedule
CFN Prediction: 6-6
2007 Record: 10-3

Aug. 30 SE Missouri St W 59-3
Sept. 6 Oregon State W 34-3
Sept. 15 at Miami Univ. W 47-10
Sept. 22 Marshall W 40-14
Sept. 29 at S Diego St W 52-23
Oct. 6 at Rutgers W 28-23
Oct. 13 Louisville L 28-24
Oct. 20 at Pitt L 24-17
Nov. 3 at So Florida W 38-33
Nov. 10 Connecticut W 27-3
Nov. 17 West Virginia L 28-23
Nov. 24 at Syracuse W 52-31
PapaJohns.com Bowl
Dec. 22 Southern Miss W 31-21

2008 Early Lookahead
Why to get excited: Brian Kelly came over from Central Michigan and took what Mark Dantonio started and improved it. There wasn't a big weak link on the rock-solid team that won ten games, and now the wheels are in motion to keep things going. This might not be as good a squad as last year's, but if QB Ben Mauk is granted another year of eligibility, the offense should be fine while Kelly's defense, while worse, won't be a liability.
Why to be grouchy: CB Mike Mickens returned for his senior year, but there are some huge gaping holes to fill at safety and defensive end. The offense has skill players, as long as Mauk is back, but the line loses three starters. This is a good team, but it'll be worse and will need a few mega-breaks to be a Big East title contender.
The number one thing to work on is: Getting a bit more from the defense. That might be a lot to ask for considering five starters are gone, and with the offense likely to take a wee step back, coming up with more key stops will be a must. The secondary made big plays last year with safeties Haruki Nakamura and Anthony Williams doing a little of everything, but it still gave up 254 yards per game.
Biggest offensive loss: WR/TE Earnest Jackson
Biggest defensive loss: FS Haruki Nakamura
Best returning offensive player: QB Ben Mauk, Sr. (if he's not able to return), OG Trevor Canfield, Sr.
Best returning defensive player: DE Terrill Byrd, Sr.

2007 Recap
Recap: In his first year at the helm, Bearcat head coach left no doubts that he was the right man to replace Mark Dantonio, leading Cincinnati to a bowl victory and its first 10-win season since 1951.  Kelly’s spread offense, a stark contrast to Dantonio’s conservative running game, was a smashing success, cranking out 36 points and 434 yards a game.  Cincy’s three losses came by a total of 16 points, a testament to how much the program grew in such a short period of time, and how close it was to really doing something special.             

Offensive Player of the Year: QB Ben Mauk

Defensive Player of the Year: DT Terrill Byrd

Biggest Surprise: Waxing Oregon State, 34-3, on Sept. 6.  Still a mystery outside the Queen City, the Bearcats gave a glimpse of its potential in front a national TV audience, blocking a punt for a touchdown and picking off six passes, a degree of thievery that would become their trademark in 2007.  

Biggest Disappointment: Unbeaten and ranked in the Top 25 on Oct. 13, Cincinnati allowed struggling Louisville to temporarily find its footing in a sloppy 28-24 loss.  The Bearcats moved the ball well, but committed four turnovers and 11 penalties in a heartbreaking home defeat. 

Looking Ahead: The foundation is in place for Cincinnati to build on last season, and contend for a Big East championship.  The Bearcats are clinging to the hope that Mauk, the heart and soul of the offense, will be granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA.       

Dec. 22
2007 PapaJohns.com Bowl
Cincinnati 31 ... Southern Miss 21
Cincinnati QB Ben Mauk overcame a rough start to throw four touchdown passes including two to Dominick Goodman in the second quarter, and put the game away late in the third quarter with a ten-yard scoring pass to Antwuan Giddens. Bearcat corner DeAngelo Smith came up with three interceptions, including one to stop the final USM drive, but the Golden Eagles had their moments with Jeremy Young throwing two short touchdown passes and running for a one-yard score. The two teams combined for seven sacks, 17 penalties and seven turnovers.
Offensive Player of the Game: Cincinnati QB Ben Mauk completed 30 of 52 passes for 334 yards, and four touchdowns with three interceptions
Defensive Player of the Game: Cincinnati CB DeAngelo Smith made five tackles, broke up a pass and picked off three passes
Stat Leaders: Cincinnati - Passing: Ben Mauk, 30-52, 334 yds, 4 TD, 3 INT
Rushing: Ben Mauk, 12-41. Receiving: Dominick Goodman, 7-95, 2 TD
Southern Miss - Passing: Jeremy Young, 18-32, 122 yds, 2 TD, 3 INT
Rushing: Damion Fletcher, 29-155. Receiving: Damion Fletcher, 7-50
Thoughts and Notes ... Southern Miss played hard in head coach Jeff Bower's final game. The defense was flying around against the run, and QB Jeremy Young tried to do his best to keep the team in the game, but Cincinnati was simply the better team. QB Ben Mauk overcame his rough patches, settled down, and showed why he took the team from good to great this year. ... A ten-win season in Brian Kelly's first season has set the bar high. Now Cincinnati has to use a win like this, a relatively easy one over an overmatched team, to go into next year with even more of an attitude. This team should win games. This program should be able to beat average ones when it's not playing its sharpest or its best. ... Southern Miss RB Damion Fletcher will be overshadowed next year if UCF RB Kevin Smith returns as expected, but he's every bit as good. He got a bit banged up early against the Bearcats, but he was able to still carry the offense as both a runner and a receiver. He gained 155 rushing yards, and led the Eagles with seven catches for 50 yards, while UC only gained 71 net yards rushing.

Nov. 24
Cincinnati 52 ... Syracuse 31
Cincinnati cranked out 544 yards of total offense and sacked Syracuse quarterback Andrew Robinson 11 times, but needed a 16-yard fumble recovery for a score as part of a 17-0 run to put the Orange away. Ben Mauk had a career day with 431 yards and four touchdown passes including three to Marcus Barnett from 33, eight and 18 yards out. SU kept up the pace for three quarters with Robinson bombing away for 419 yards including a 78-yard play to Taj Smith on the first play of the second half. The two teams combined for 859 passing yards and 21 penalties.
Player of the game: Cincinnati QB Ben Mauk completed 29 of 42 passes for 431 yards and four touchdowns, and ran for a score.
Stat Leaders: Cincinnati - Passing: Ben Mauk, 29-42, 431 yds, 4 TD
Rushing: Butler Benton, 9-63. Receiving: Marcus Barnett, 11-127, 3 TD
Syracuse - Passing: Andrew Robinson, 29-47, 419 yds, 3 TD
Rushing: Doug Hogue, 8-30. Receiving: Mike Williams, 9-160, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... After getting run over by West Virginia, the Bearcats got thrown on by Syracuse in a crazier shootout than head coach Brian Kelly might've liked. The defense did a great job of consistently getting into the backfield with 11 sacks and 13 tackles for loss, but the Orange kept on throwing. Ben Mauk had a phenomenal day throwing the ball yet again as he has gotten better and better as the season has gone on. For the bowl game, the key will be to establish more of a running game and get a big day out of the defense. Mauk might be the team's star, but improve play from the defense will be what gets UC a tenth win.

Nov. 17
West Virginia 28 ... Cincinnati 23
West Virginia ran for 295 yards and got out to a 28-10 lead in the fourth quarter on two short touchdown runs from Pat White, a one-yard Steve Slaton run, and a four-yard Owen Schmitt touchdown, but the secondary struggled with Marcus Barnett, who finished with 210 yards and touchdown catches from 70 and 13 yards out. Bradley Glatthaar pulled the Bearcats within five on a one-yard run with 2:26 to play, the two point conversion failed, but the Mountaineers were able to run out the clock. WVU hung on to the ball for 36:21.
Player of the game: West Virginia QB Pat White completed 13 of 19 passes for 140 yards and an interception, and ran 27 times for 155 yards and two scores.
Stat Leaders: West Virginia - Passing: Pat White, 13-19, 140 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Pat White, 27-155, 2 TD. Receiving: Darius Reynaud, 6-29
Cincinnati - Passing: Ben Mauk, 19-34, 323 yds, 2 TD
Rushing: Ben Mauk, 15-52. Receiving: Marcus Barnett, 10-210, 2 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... The Bearcats did a good job of taking advantage of West Virginia mistakes to get back in the game late, but it didn't do enough early to take control of the game. WR Marcus Barnett was terrific, and Ben Mauk had a nice all-around game, but there wasn't enough help from the running backs and there weren't enough defensive stops on third downs. In the end, UC was beaten by a possible national title team. This wasn't a loss to hang heads over. A ten-win season is still possible.

Nov. 10
Cincinnati 27 ... Connecticut 3
Cincinnati stuffed Connecticut, holding the vaunted ground game to 22 yards, while Ben Mauk scored on an 11-yard run and threw two short first quarter touchdown passes on the was to the win. Mauk closed out the scoring with a 37-yard touchdown pass to Dominick Goodman early in the fourth quarter, and the UConn offense couldn't respond. The Huskies could only manage a 22-yard Tony Ciravino field goal.
Player of the game: Cincinnati QB Ben Mauk completed 21 of 33 passes for 276 yards and three touchdowns, and ran nine times for 12 yards and a score
Stat Leaders: Cincinnati - Passing: Ben Mauk, 21-33, 276 yds, 3 TD
Rushing: Jacob Ramsey, 17-66. Receiving: Dominick Goodman, 8-127, 1 TD
Connecticut - Passing: Tyler Lorenzen, 18-37, 182 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Andre Dixon, 12-35. Receiving: Andre Dixon, 6-51
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Cincinnati is back in control of its Big East title destiny with a dominant win over Connecticut. Considering the season finale is against Syracuse, next week's battle with West Virginia should be for the title and a spot in the BCS. To get it done, the defense has to hit like it did against the Huskies, while QB Ben Mauk will have to continue to hold up under intense pressure. He was beaten up this week, but he hung in there and had a great game.

Nov. 3
Cincinnati 38 ... South Florida 33
South Florida kicked off the scoring with a 73-yard interception return for a touchdown from Trae Williams, and then it decided to return the turnover favor. Eight times. Cincinnati went on a 31-7 first quarter run with a 63-yard Antwuan Giddens touchdown catch, answered by a Mike Jenkins kickoff return for a score, a blocked punt for a score, a 79-yard Mike Mickens interception return for a touchdown, and a 16-yard Dominick Goodman catch. And then the Bearcats had to hang on for dear life. South Florida got a nine-yard Jessie Hester touchdown grab with just over two minutes to play to pull within five, and after getting the ball back with 25 seconds to play, it got to the UC 18, but a last gasp pass was incomplete. USF outgained the Bearcats 481 yards to 375.
Player of the game: Cincinnati LB Ryan Manalac made 11 tackles, all solo stops, with two tackles for loss, one broken up pass, and recovered a fumble.
Stat Leaders: Cincinnati - Passing: Ben Mauk, 13-31, 162 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Ben Mauk, 7-75. Receiving: Dominick Goodman, 4-36, 1 TD
South Florida - Passing: Matt Grothe, 31-54, 382 yds, 1 TD, 4 INT
Rushing: Matt Grothe, 22-75, 1 TD. Receiving: Benjamin Williams, 8-63
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... In one of the more bizarre games in UC's history, the defense came up with turnover after turnover, but South Florida kept battling back and the Bearcats had to hang on. Even with all the breaks and the 31-point first quarter, UC had a hard time putting the Bulls away. It doesn't matter. Now, with this win, the Big East title is still within reach. Beat Connecticut, beat West Virginia, beat Syracuse, and hope for one other Husky loss, and UC will go into the big money games.

Oct. 20
Pitt 24 ... Cincinnati 17
Pitt ran for 260 yards, with LeSean McCoy and LaRod Stephens each going over 100 yards, with Stephens running for a one-yard touchdown with just over five minutes to play to take the lead for good. Conor Lee added field goals from 41, 25 and 27 yards out. Cincy appeared on the way to an easy win early on with a quick 10-0 lead helped by a Ben Mauk one-yard touchdown run and a field goal off a missed fourth and one call deep in Pitt territory. But the Panthers would bounce back, tying it up with a four-yard Darrell Strong touchdown catch, and dominating in the second half. Scott McKillop made 16 tackles for the Panthers.
Player of the game: Pitt RBs LeSean McCoy and LaRod Stephens combined for 237 yards and a touchdown on 38 carries
Stat Leaders: Cincinnati - Passing: Ben Mauk, 21-32, 237 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Ben Mauk, 10-94, 1 TD. Receiving: Marshawn Gilyard, 5-45
Pitt - Passing: Pat Bostick, 18-29, 167 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: LeSean McCoy, 25-137. Receiving: T.J. Porter, 7-85
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... In two weeks, Cincinnati went from being a hot Big East player to last in the league, but it shouldn't require too much tweaking to get back on track after losing to Pitt and Louisville. First of all, the running backs have to get going again. Ben Mauk might be playing extremely well, but when he's taking care of all the rushing duties, the offense isn't nearly as effective. The defense had better figure out how do toughen up against the run in a big hurry with South Florida, Connecticut and West Virginia up next.

Oct. 13
Louisville 28 ... Cincinnati 24
A 51-yard completion to Harry Douglas set up a three-yard Anthony Allen touchdown run for what would turn out to be Louisville's game-winning score. Along with that big throw, Brian Brohm threw three touchdowns passes with two to Patrick Carter, while Cincinnati came up with three Ben Mauk touchdown passes, with two to Marcus Barnett. The Bearcats were able to pull within four on a 23-yard Jake Rogers field goal, but didn't get any closer, punting on one late possession and throwing an interception on the other.  The two teams combined for 674 passing yards and 22 penalties.
Player of the game: Louisville QB Brian Brohm completed 28 of 38 passes for 350 yards and three touchdowns
Stat Leaders: Cincinnati - Passing: Ben Mauk, 26-45, 324 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Butler Benton, 10-56. Receiving: Dominick Goodman, 11-141, 1 TD
Louisville - Passing: Brian Brohm, 28-38, 350 yds, 3 TD
Rushing: Trent Guy, 3-45. Receiving: Harry Douglas, 7-118
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... All year long, Cincinnati has fed off of turnovers. It didn't get any against Louisville, lost four turnovers, and it never was able to seize the momentum. Brian Brohm just so happens to be a superstar a superstar, and he played like it this week. As depressing as the first loss of the year is, UC has to gear it back up in a big hurry for a winnable road game at Pitt before the showdown at South Florida. The Big East title is still there for the taking, and the offense did a great job of moving the ball this week. There just can't be so many mistakes (with 11 penalties to go along with all the turnovers).

Oct. 6
Cincinnati 28 ... Rutgers 23
Cincinnati came up with three interceptions, with a pick by Ryan Manalac snuffing out a final Rutgers drive to seal the win. The Bearcat offense got three Ben Mauk touchdown passes, including a 27-yarder to Marshawn Gilyard late in the third quarter to pull ahead for good. Rutgers got a one-yard Ray Rice touchdown run, three Jeremy Ito field goals, and started off the scoring with a 36-yard interception return for a score, but couldn't get the running game, and was hurt by all four turnovers.
Player of the game: Cincinnati LB Ryan Manalac made 11 tackles and sealed the win with an interception
Stat Leaders: Cincinnati - Passing: Ben Mauk, 20-37, 257 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Greg Moore, 14-60. Receiving: Marcus Barnett, 6-74, 1 TD
Rutgers - Passing: Mike Teel, 22-38, 334 yds, 3 INT
Rushing: Ray Rice, 34-94, 1 TD. Receiving: Tim Brown, 7-127
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Now Cincinnati is a true player, but beating Rutgers is just step one. With the way the defense made the big plays needed to pick off Mike Teel passes, and with the way it shut down Ray Rice and the running game, allowing him to average just 2.8 yards per carry, the Bearcats can't just be satisfied with being 6-0 and bowl eligible. They have to beat Louisville at home. They have to beat West Virginia at home. They have to go on the road and beat South Florida. Getting more from the running game is a must, but as long as the O keeps the turnovers to a minimum, and as long as the defense continues to swarm, this will be a dangerous team.

Sept. 29
Cincinnati 52 ... San Diego State 23
Cincinnati rolled up 547 yards of total offense, and held on to the ball for almost 35 minutes, in the blowout win. Marcus Barnett and Dominick Goodman each caught two of Ben Mauk's four first half touchdown passes, and Brad Glatthaar ran for a one-yard score on the way to a 35-10 first half lead. A Greg Moore 21-yard touchdown run made it 42-10 before the Aztecs finally got back on the board with a 35-yard Vonnie Holmes interception return for a score. The Bearcats got a pick six of its own late in the fourth on a 58-yard Aaron Webster interception.
Player of the game: Cincinnati QB Ben Mauk completed 17 of 23 passes for 257 yards and four touchdowns, and ran three times for 36 yards.
Stat Leaders: Cincinnati - Passing: Ben Mauk, 17-23, 257 yds, 4 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Greg Moore, 12-84, 1 TD. Receiving: Dominick Goodman, 7-101, 2 TD
San Diego State - Passing: Kevin O’Connell, 20-27, 253 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Atiyyah Henderson, 3-23. Receiving: Darren Mougey, 8-90
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Cincinnati was really looking ahead to Rutgers ... yikes. The offense dominated San Diego State from the start, and despite three interceptions and ten penalties, this was as easy a win as it's had all season long. The team is simply blasting everyone, and hasn't been close to threatened so far. Is this the best team in the Big East right now? It's certainly playing like it, with Ben Mauk playing extremely well leading the attack. Everything's working just at the right time.

Sept. 22
Cincinnati 40 ... Marshall 14
In an ugly game, Cincinnati overcame an intentional grounding call in the end zone for a safety with 26 straight first half points on two Marcus Barnett touchdown catches, a 17-yard Greg Moore scoring run, and a safety of its own off a fumble. Marshall tried to get back on the game with two Bernard Morris touchdowns passes, highlighted by a 33-yard throw to Darius Passmore, but the Bearcats scored the final 14 points wit a seven-yard Connor Barwin catch and a 42-yard Jacob Ramsey run. The two teams combined for 23 penalties for 186 yards.
Player of the game: Cincinnati QB Dustin Grutza completed 14 of 20 passes for 142 yards and two touchdowns and ran six times for 28 yards.
Stat Leaders: Cincinnati - Passing: Dustin Grutza, 14-20, 142 yds, 2 TD
Rushing: Greg Moore, 6-70, 1 TD. Receiving: Marcus Barnett, 6-77, 2 TD
Marshall - Passing: Bernard Morris, 20-30, 252 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Darius Marshall, 7-63. Receiving: Darius Passmore, 7-106, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... The Bearcats didn't exactly look like world-beaters in the win over Marshall, but it's nice when you don't play well and still win in a walk. Dustin Grutza struggled early in place of a dinged up Ben Mauk, but he eventually found a good groove and got the offense going. However, the attack works far better when Mauk is in. The hope has to be to tighten things up against San Diego State before having to travel to Rutgers. Fewer penalties, better play on third downs, and more consistency for four quarter are all vital.

Sept. 15
Cincinnati 47 ... Miami University 10
Cincinnati won a laugher as Marshawn Gilyard blocked a punt for a safety and caught a six-yard touchdown pass on the way to a 16-0 first quarter lead, and Dustin Gruza finished with two touchdown passes. The RedHawks turned it over four times, with DeAngelo Smith returning an interception 54 yards for a score. MU's touchdown came on a 16-yard Armand Robinson catch early in the second half, but the Bearcats scored 21 unanswered points helped by five-yard touchdown run from Doug Jones and Bradley Glatthaar.
Player of the game: Cincinnati QB Dustin Grutza went 25-of-35 for 290 yards and two touchdown passes, while rushing five times for 16 yards.
Stat Leaders: Cincinnati - Passing: Dustin Grutza, 25-35, 290 yds, 2 TDs
Rushing: Bradley Glatthaar, 11-43, 1 TD. Receiving: Connor Barwin, 6-109
Miami Univ. - Passing: Daniel Raudabaugh, 24-45, 240 yds, 1 TD, 2 INTs
Rushing: Austin Sykes, 13-76. Receiving: Eugene Harris, 6-47
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Lose the quarterback, roll by 37. Dustin Grutza filled in nicely for an injured Ben Mauk and the offense still had few problems against Miami University. The run defense was stifling yet again, coming up with the mistakes and turnovers needed to not force the offense to take too many chances. If the Bearcats can keep the formula working, and can remain nearly mistake-free, a 5-0 record is a must before playing Rutgers.

Sept. 6
Cincinnati 34 ... Oregon State 3
Cincinnati stunned a surging Oregon State team by holding it to 310 yards of total offense and three points. The UC offense only managed 229 yards, but thanks to a defense that forced seven turnovers, it got the big plays when it had to with Ben Mauk hitting Marcus Barnett for a five-yard touchdown pass late in the first half to break a 3-3 tie, and getting the ball to Greg Moore, who took it 50 yards for a score late in the third. Barnett also recovered a blocked punt for a score, while Jake Rogers connected on field goals from 39 and 55 yards out. OSU's only points came on a 31-yard Alexis Serna field goal.
Player of the game: Cincinnati SS Haruki Nakamura made six tackles and intercepted two passes
Stat Leaders: Oregon State - Passing: Lyle Moevao, 14-23, 143 yds, 3 INT
Rushing: Yvenson Bernard, 16-30. Receiving: Yvenson Bernard, 7-17
Cincinnati - Passing: Ben Mauk, 15-23, 199 yds, 2 TD
Rushing: Butler Benton, 11-47. Receiving: Marcus Barnett, 5-61, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... All of a sudden, Cincinnati has throw its hat into the ring as a bone fide player in the Big East race. Oregon State is a much, much better team than it showed on Thursday night, and the UC defense dominated it like it was SE Missouri State. Offensively, there are major issues in the running game, but again, Oregon State is really good. The UC defense was simply better. The key will be keeping focus and momentum over a relatively easy three game stretch (at Miami University, Marshall and at San Diego State) before dealing with Rutgers and Louisville.

Aug. 30
Cincinnati 59 ... SE Missouri State 3
Cincinnati cranked out 615 yards of total offense with new quarterback Ben Mauk throwing a 56-yard touchdown pass to Marshawn Gilyard and a 13-yarder to Butler Benton in the first half. Benton added a seven-yard scoring run in the third quarter, while Bradley Glatthaar ran for two short scoring runs. The defense got into the act with a 45-yard interception return for a score from Mike Mickens. SE Missouri State's only points came on a 25-yard Doug Spada field goal in the second quarter.
Player of the game: Cincinnati QB Ben Mauk completed 18 of 27 passes for 244 yards and two touchdowns with an interception
Stat Leaders: SE Missouri State - Passing: Victor Anderson, 8-16, 58 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Victor Anderson, 13-118. Receiving: Vince Anderson, 3-22
Cincinnati - Passing: Ben Mauk, 18-27, 244, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Butler Benton, 12-101, 1 TD. Receiving: Marshawn Gilyard, 8-134, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Lighting up SE Missouri State is one thing. Now Brian Kelly's UC offense has to show it can produce against a speedy, talented defense like Oregon State's next week. At the very least, Ben Mauk was effective leading the attack, spreading the ball around well to several receivers, while the running game was dominant. 314 yards and five touchdowns is a successful day no matter who it's against.