2008 Cincinnati
Bearcats
Jan. 1
2009 Orange Bowl
Virginia Tech 20 … Cincinnati 7
Cincinnati marched 72 yards on its first drive finishing with a brilliant
15-yard touchdown catch from Mardy Gilyard for a 7-0 Bearcat lead less than two
minutes into the game. And then it was all Darren Evans and all Tech defense.
Evans finished with 153 yards and a six-yard touchdown, putting the game out of
reach in the fourth quarter, but it was Tyrod Taylor who sparked the run of 20
unanswered points with a 17-yard scoring dash in the second quarter. Dustin Keys
added field goals from 43 and 35 yards when long Tech drives stalled for all the
points the team would need to stay ahead, as the defense came up with four
interceptions, including one in the end zone, and a goal line stand stuffing UC
QB Tony Pike on a fourth and one in the fourth quarter.
Player of the Game:
Virginia Tech RB Darren Evans ran 28 times for 153
yards and a touchdown.
Stat Leaders: Cincinnati - Passing: Tyrod Taylor, 13-22,
140 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Darren Evans, 28-153, 1 TD. Receiving: Danny Coale, 3-52
Virginia Tech - Passing: Tony Pike, 16-33, 239 yds, 1 TD, 4
INT
Rushing: Jacob Ramsey, 4-34.
Receiving: Mardy Gilyard, 7-158, 1 TD
Inside The Box Score ...
5 Thoughts on the Orange Bowl …Turnovers: UC 4 – VT 1 … Rushing yards: VT
258 – UC 71 … Time of possession: VT 39: 39 – UC 20:21 … Sacks: VT 3 – UC 1 … UC
DE Terrill Byrd made 11 tackles, a sack and four tackles for loss … Four
different Hokies came up with interceptions.
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2008 UC Preview
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2007 UC
Season
2008 Schedule
CFN Prediction:
9-4
2008 Record: 11-3
Aug. 28
E.
Kentucky W 40-7
Sept. 6 at Oklahoma L 52-26
Sept. 13 OPEN DATE
Sept. 20 Miami Univ. W
45-20
Sept. 27 at Akron W 17-15
Oct. 3 at Marshall W
33-10
Oct. 11 Rutgers W 13-10
Oct. 18 OPEN DATE
Oct. 25 at Connecticut L 40-16
Oct. 30 South Florida W
24-10
Nov. 1 OPEN DATE
Nov. 8 at W Virginia W 36-23 OT
Nov. 14 at Louisville W 28-20
Nov. 22 Pitt W 28-21
Nov. 29 Syracuse W 30-10
Dec. 6 at Hawaii W 29-24
Orange Bowl
Jan. 1 Virginia Tech L 20-6 |
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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 |
Nov. 29
Cincinnati 30
… Syracuse 10
Cincinnati tore through Syracuse to clinch the Big East title and a BCS
berth with Tony Pike throwing two touchdown passes and Jake Rogers
hitting three field goals. Syracuse only managed a 33-yard Patrick
Shadle field goal until late in the fourth with a six-yard Dan Sheeran
touchdown catch. The Bearcats gained 412 yards and held SU to 211.
Player of the game:
Cincinnati WR Marshwan Gilyard caught 11
passes for 114 yards
Stat Leaders: Syracuse - Passing: Cameron Dantley,
6-23, 59 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Curtis Brinkley, 16-60. Receiving: Marcus Sales,
2-16
Cincinnati - Passing: Tony Pike, 28-44, 272 yds, 2
TD, 1 INT
Rushing: John Goebel, 10-67, 1 TD. Receiving: Marshwan
Gilyard, 11-114
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Cincinnati
has not only proved that last year’s breakout year wasn’t a fluke, but
it also showed that it could overcome quarterback issues, a midseason
blowout loss to Connecticut, and a shaky running game to get to the BCS.
Syracuse never had a chance. Tony Pike was sharp early on and the
defense didn’t led the Orange breathe, especially in comeback mode.
There were 10 penalties, but whatever; Cincinnati is off to the Hawaii
on a five-game winning streak. This will be a
fun month for the program.
Nov. 22
Cincinnati
28 … Pitt 21
Pitt RB LeSean McCoy started off the scoring with a six-yard run just
over five minutes in, and then Tony Pike took over. Continuing to play
with a broken arm, the UC QB was sharp hitting on 26-of-32 passes with
three scores on the way to a 28-point run. Pike connected with Marcus
Barnett from 20 yards out, Dominick Goodman from four yards away, and
Marshwan Gilyard from 39 yards out. Jacob Ramsey added what would be the
winning score with a two-yard run early in the fourth, and then Pitt
mounted a comeback attempt. McCoy ran for a 16-yard score on the ensuing
drive, and Dorin Dickerson scored on a 41-yard pass play with 1:22 to
play, but that would be as close as the Panthers would come.
Player of the game:
Cincinnati QB Tony Pike completed 26-of-32
passes for 309 yards and three touchdowns, and he ran nine times for 33
yards
Stat Leaders: Cincinnati - Passing: Tony Pike,
26-32, 309 yds, 3 TD
Rushing: Tony Pike, 9-33. Receiving: Marshwan Gilyard,
8-110, 1 TD
Pitt - Passing: Bill Stull, 18-28, 229 yds, 1 TD, 1
INT
Rushing: LeSean McCoy, 17-82, 2 TD. Receiving: LeSean
McCoy, 6-45
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Cincinnati
is now a win away from going to the show. All
the Bearcats need to do is beat lowly Syracuse and they’re playing in
the BCS after winning four straight and eight of their last nine. Tony
Pike was magnificent making big throw after big throw, hitting his
receivers on short to midrange passes in places where they could do
something with it. The defensive line was fantastic at getting into the
backfield, and while it couldn’t stop star RB LeSean McCoy, it made the
plays needed to get the huge, program-changing win.
Nov. 14
Cincinnati 28 …
Louisville 20
Dominick Goodman caught a 23-yard touchdown pass late in the third quarter and
John Goebel ran for a six-yard score in the fourth as Cincinnati came back to
beat the Cardinals. Louisville got a three-yard touchdown run from Victor
Anderson in the second and a two-yard James Bryant catch in the first, but the
offense was stuffed late on a last-gasp drive and only managed a 23-yard Ryan
Payne field goal in the second half. Mardy Gilyard started out the scoring for
the Bearcats with a 48-yard catch on the opening drive.
Player of the game:
Cincinnati WR Dominick Goodman made nine catches for
134 yards and a touchdown
Stat Leaders: Louisville - Passing: Hunter Cantwell, 19-35,
204 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Victor Anderson, 13-60, 1 TD. Receiving: Doug Beaumont,
4-61
Cicninnati - Passing: Tony Pike, 19-33, 250 yds, 2 TD, 1
INT
Rushing: John Goebel, 10-77, 1 TD. Receiving: Dominick Goodman,
9-134, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... After getting
beaten up over the last few years in the rivalry game against the Cardinals, UC
came through with a big win to establish itself as the leader in the Big East
pack. The BCS spot is there for the taking by winning out, and if it get the
steady production from Tony Pike and the passing game, and the defense can hold
up like it did in the second half against the Cardinals, the chances are good
for the big game. It would be nice to start generating more of a pass rush, but
that’s nitpicking after a good win like this.
Nov. 8
Cincinnati 26 … West
Virginia 23
Tony Pike found Kazeem Alli for a two-yard touchdown in overtime to give
Cincinnati a tough, thrilling win. West Virginia got 13 points in the final 1:11
of regulation with a safety, a Dorell Jalloh touchdown catch with 19 seconds to
play, and after recovering the onside kick, a 52-yard field goal from Pat McAfee
to force overtime. McAfee hit a 27-yard field goal in OT before the Bearcats
answered. Cincinnati started off the scoring with Marshwan Gilyard taking the
opening kickoff for a touchdown. Jake Rogers added two field goals, and Pike ran
for a four-yard score for a 20-7 halftime lead, but the Bearcat offense died in
the second half. The two teams combined to convert just six of 33 third down
chances.
Player of the game:
Cincinnati QB Tony Pike completed 16-of-30 passes for
178 yards and a touchdown, and he ran for a score.
Stat Leaders: West Virginia - Passing: Pat White, 20-38,
219 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Noel Devine, 19-58. Receiving: Dorrell Jalloh, 4-54, 1 TD
Cincinnati - Passing: Tony Pike, 16-30, 178 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Jacob Ramsey, 18-83. Receiving: Dominick Goodman, 6-81
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Cincinnati might
not always be pretty, but it’s finding ways to win games. It had every right to
go into the tank after the way West Virginia came back to force overtime, but
instead the defense allowed a field goal and the offense came through after
doing nothing in the second half. Tony Pike is gutting it out with his broken
arm, but going forward, the running game has to start doing more, and there will
need to be even more yards after the catch. Now
assured of going bowling, the showdowns will come with a trip to Louisville
before facing Pitt.
Oct. 30
Cincinnati 24 ... South
Florida 10
Cincinnati got two touchdown passes from Tony Pike, including a 26-yarder to
Mardy Gilyard, John Goebel ran for a two-yard score, and DE Connor Barwin made a
one-yard scoring grab as the offense took advantage of several mistakes. South
Florida turned it over three times, all interceptions, and saw two deep drives
go for naught. The Bulls tied it at seven in the first quarter on a Moise
Plancher touchdown run and managed a 49-yard field goal in the third quarter.
Player of the game: Cincinnati QB Tony Pike completed 20-of-28 passes for
281 yards and two touchdowns with an interception.
Stat Leaders: South Florida - Passing: Matt Grothe, 13-31,
174 yds, 3 INT
Rushing: Benjamin Williams, 17-79. Receiving: Carlton Mitchell,
4-77
Cincinnati - Passing: Tony Pike, 20-28, 281 yds, 3 TD, 1
INT
Rushing: John Goebel, 17-78, 1 TD. Receiving: Dominick Goodman,
5-57
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ...
For having a broken arm, Tony
Pike was more than solid against South Florida. He wasn't able to take snaps
from under center and he had to limit his mobility so he didn't take too many
shots, but he got the ball out of his hands quickly and the receiving corps did
its part with some fantastic catches. The team just needs to get through the
quarterback injury issues to get Dustin Grutza back while hoping for Pike to
heal up. Still in the Big East title chase, now comes the big test at West
Virginia. If the defense plays like it did against the Bulls, a nice winning
streak could start up.
Oct. 25
Connecticut 40 …
Cincinnati 16
Cincinnati pulled within one, 17-16, on a 22-yard Jake Rogers field goal late in
the third quarter. And then Connecticut went ballistic, helped by a slew of
takeaways, getting three of Dave Teggart’s four field goals, a five-yard Donald
Brown touchdown run, and a 28-yard interception return for a score by Robert
McClain as part of a run of 23 unanswered points. Brown set the school-record
for most rushing yards in a season, now with 1,324 yards, with two scores
against the Bearcats. UC got a 27-yard Mardy Gilyard touchdown catch and Jake
Rogers field goals from 29, 54 and 22 yards out, but six turnovers proved
costly.
Player of the game:
Connecticut RB Donald Brown ran 29 times for 150 yards
and two touchdowns, and led the team with four catches for 58 yards
Stat Leaders: Cincinnati - Passing: Tony Pike, 10-27, 136
yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Jacob Ramsey, 5-38. Receiving: Mardy Gilyard, 7-87, 1 TD
Connecticut - Passing: Cody Endres, 18-42, 196 yds
Rushing: Donald Brown, 29-150, 2 TD. Receiving: Donald Brown, 4-58
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... UC played way too
sloppy a game against Connecticut. It was extremely un-Bearcat with six fumbles,
losing three, three interceptions, no accuracy in the passing game, nothing from
the ground game, and a ridiculous 0-of-14 on third down chances. The return of
Tony Pike didn’t matter much for the passing game, but it wasn’t his fault; the
O line didn’t play well. This was a total team meltdown coming at the wrong time
with South Florida up next.
Oct.
11
Cincinnati 13 ... Rutgers 10
In an ugly game with a combined 19 punts and 20 penalties,
Cincinnati got an eight-yard touchdown run from Chazz Anderson in
the second quarter and field goals from 19 and 50 yards from Jake
Rogers to hang on. Rutgers got a 17-yard touchdown catch from Jack
Corcoran in the third quarter along with a 50-yard bomb of a field
goal from San San Te. Cincinnati only gained 97 rushing yards and
Rutgers gained 62.
Player of the game: Cincinnati QB Chazz Anderson completed 21-of-29
passes for 239 yards, and he ran for a score
Stat Leaders: Rutgers - Passing: Mike Teel, 19-35, 175 yds
Rushing: Kordell Young, 22-78. Receiving: Kevin Brock, 7-51
Cincinnati - Passing: Chazz Anderson, 21-29, 239
yds
Rushing: Jacob Ramsey, 14-85. Receiving: Marcus Barnett, 5-79
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... 12 penalties, nine punts
and 0-for-11 on third downs ... and a win?! Cincinnati is going to
struggle with its consistency for the rest of the year, but as the
Rutgers game showed, the defense can help pick up the slack when the
offense is struggling to get going. The offensive line had its
toughest game since the Oklahoma loss, struggling in pass and
getting nothing for the running game. Even so, QB Chazz Anderson had
a solid, efficient game. There's no beefing with a 5-1 start going
into an off-week.
Oct.
3
Cincinnati 33 ...
Marshall 10
It took a little while, but the Cincinnati offense finally started
to move under new starting quarterback Chazz Anderson. The
Bearcats started off the scoring on a blocked punt for a safety, and
then the offense kicked in with a 21-yard John Goebel scoring run
and a 14-yard touchdown catch from Dominick Goodman. Marshall
managed a 50-yard field goal from Craig Ratanamorn and a 57-yard
touchdown catch from Cody Slate to pull within six, and then
Anderson took over throwing a seven-yard scoring pass to Goodman and
running for a one-yard score as the Bearcats scored the final 17
points. Marshall turned it over three times and was held to 90 yards
on the ground.
Player of the game: Cincinnati QB Chazz Anderson completed 16-of-26
passes for 158 yards and two touchdowns, and he ran for a score
Stat Leaders: Cincinnati - Passing: Chazz Anderson, 16-26, 158
yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Jacob Ramsey, 17-99. Receiving: Dominick Goodman,
6-51, 2 TD
Marshall - Passing: Mark Cann, 17-36, 178 yds, 1
TD, 3 INT
Rushing: Chubb Small, 7-62. Receiving: Cody Slate, 7-95, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ...
Find a quarterback,
plug him in, win. Cincinnati seems to get production no matter who
the quarterback is. The coaching staff does a great job of putting
its passers in the position to make plays, and against Marshall,
Chazz Anderson was able to get the offense moving after a mediocre
first half by hitting on the short to midrange passes. He didn't
show off much in the way of mobility, and he ate the ball instead of
forcing the pass, but it was a good game. It also helped that the
rest of the skill players came through with nice games. Jacob Ramsey
is a reliable runner, while Dominick Goodman came up big in the red
zone.
Sept. 27
Cincinnati 17 … Akron 15
Cincinnati got two Tony Pike touchdown passes to Marshwan Gilyard,
but Pike broke his arm. Akron hung tough with a seven-yard Deryn
Bowser touchdown catch, but the extra point was blocked. A one-yard
Dennis Kennedy touchdown run in the fourth gave the Zips a one-point
lead, but the two-point conversion attempt failed when QB Chris
Jacquemain came up short on a run. The Bearcats rallied with a
48-yard Jake Rogers field goal, and the defense held on.
Player of the game: Cincinnati WR Marshwan Gilyard had seven
receptions for 146 yards and two touchdowns.
Stat Leaders: Cincinnati - Passing: Tony Pike,
23-34, 320 yds, 2 TDs
Rushing: Jacob Ramsey, 13-54. Receiving: Marshwan
Gilyard, 7-146, 2 TDs
Akron - Passing: Chris Jacquemain, 26-40, 254 yds,
1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Dennis Kennedy, 11-41, 1 TD. Receiving:
Deryn Bowser, 10-72, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ...
Now the
Cincinnati offensive system and head coach Brian Kelly will be put
to the test. With Dustin Grutza already out with a broken leg, and
Tony Pike suffering a broken arm, it’ll now be up to freshman Zach
Collaros to run the offense. He only completed 1-of-4 passes for two
yards, but he ran four times for 18 yards. The running backs are
going to have to do more, and the defense is going to have to be
even stouter after a great start to the year.
Sept. 20
Cincinnati 45 … Miami University 20
Tony Pike was nearly perfect as the new Cincinnati quarterback
throwing three touchdown passes, while John Goebel ran for scores
from five and 20 yards out. Miami stayed alive with two Daniel
Raudabaugh touchdown passes including a 34-yarder to Chris Givens to
pull within four in the third quarter, but Cincinnati scored 21
unanswered points sparked by a 72-yard Mike Mickens interception
return for a touchdown.
Player of the game: Cincinnati QB Tony Pike completed
20-of-24 passes for 241 yards and three touchdowns, and ran five
times for 33 yards
Stat Leaders: Cincinnati - Passing: Tony Pike,
20-24, 241 yds, 3 TD
Rushing: John Goebel, 13-63, 2 TD. Receiving:
Dominick Goodman, 6-94
Miami Univ. - Passing: Daniel Raudabaugh, 28-42.
235 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Thomas Merriweather, 17-50. Receiving:
Andre Bratton, 9-54
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... The system works.
Whether it’s Ben Mauk, Dustin Grutza or Tony Pike, the Cincinnati
offense is fantastic at producing efficient passers. John Goebel had
a great day running the ball against Miami University, but this game
was all about Tony Pike, who was nearly flawless. He doesn’t have to
be spectacular, but he needs to be solid. With tune-ups against
Akron and Marshall before Big East play kicks in, he’ll have time to
get even better.
Sept. 6
Oklahoma 52
... Cincinnati 26
Oklahoma rolled up 592 yards of total offense with Sam Bradford
throwing five touchdown passes in a game that was close for the
first 40 minutes, but got out of hand. The Sooners ripped off 24
straight points on an 11-yard DeMarco Murray run and two Bradford
scoring passes to put the game away. Cincinnati hung around with a
one-yard Dustin Grutza touchdown run and a 14-yard Dominick Goodman
scoring grab, but the big highlight was a 97-yard kickoff return for
a score from Mardy Gilyard. Travis Lewis came up with 12 tackles and
two sacks for the Sooners.
Player of the game:
Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford completed 29-of-38 passes for 395 yards and
five touchdowns and two interceptions
Stat Leaders: Oklahoma - Passing: Sam Bradford, 29-38, 395
yds, 5 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: DeMarco Murray, 15-88, 1 TD. Receiving: Ryan Broyle,s,
7-141, 1 TD
Cincinnati - Passing: Dustin Grutza, 19-29, 218 yds, 1 TD,
1 INT
Rushing: Jacob Ramsey, 8-27 & John Goebel, 8-27. Receiving:
Mardy Gilyard, 7-119
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Cincinnati played
well enough to hang around with Oklahoma for almost three quarters,
and then the Sooner offensive machine got rolling and the Bearcat
attack couldn't keep up. Worst of all, QB Dustin Grutza got knocked
out with a broken leg and will be gone for the next several weeks
meaning the running game will have to start doing more after rushing
for just 87 yards. Backup QB Tony Pike only completed 3-of-11 passes
for 21 yards and an interception ... uh oh.
Aug. 30
Cincinnati
40 ... Eastern Kentucky 7
Cincinnati dominated from the start
getting out to a 40-0 lead helped by three Dustin Grutza touchdown
passes along with a two-yard scoring run. Dominick Goodson had a
great night catching ten passes for 144 yards with touchdown grabs
from 21 and 15 yards out. EKU was held to eight first downs and was
outgained 557 yards to 195 with 61 of them coming on a Cody Watts
scoring grab in the third quarter.
Player of the game: Cincinnati QB Dustin Grutza completed 21 of
28 passes for 296 yards and three touchdowns, and ran ten times for
33 yards and a score.
Stat Leaders: Eastern Kentucky - Passing: Allan
Holland, 12-17, 141 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: C.J. Walker, 9-39. Receiving: S. Sizemore,
6-38
Cincinnati - Passing: Dustin Grutza, 21-28, 296
yds, 3 TD
Rushing: Donnell McKenzie, 9-79. Receiving: Dominick
Goodman, 10-144, 2 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... It's
not like the Bearcats were relying on Ben Mauk to win his appeal
with the NCAA, but it was still important for veteran Dustin Grutza
to come through with a big opening day against Eastern Kentucky
before facing Oklahoma. The run defense was stifling against the EKU
attack while the defense was a brick wall overall outside of the one
touchdown allowed. Overall, the team pitched as perfect a game as it
could've wanted, and it showed that things might just pick up where
they left off after a strong 2007.
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
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.