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The Bearcat Beat


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Yes because Leavitt threw 4 picks, and fumbles 4 times in the cincinnati game.

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Yes because Leavitt threw 4 picks, and fumbles 4 times in the cincinnati game.

He should have had the offense ready for Cincy's D.

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Not news but still interesting...

GoBEARCATS.com has this picture up as the football front page banner.  It rotates with 2 other pics so you may not see it when you visit the site the first time.  If you go back and try it again you should see after no more than 3-4 tries.

Can anyone name the guy getting crunched without looking at the roster?

cinn-06-m-footbl-2.jpg

http://gobearcats.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/cinn-m-footbl-body.html

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Bearcats riding wave of success into '08

Cincinnati is coming off its first 10-win season since 1951 and finished with a rare spot in the final Top 25, but don't count on the program getting fat, dumb and happy anytime soon.

The job of keeping the Bearcats from becoming content belongs to Brian Kelly, the second-year head coach who believes this program is destined for bigger and better things in the Big East and has the potential to break out and become a national player, much like Louisville was able to do in the Bobby Petrino days.

Kelly arrived last year armed with a positive attitude and an offense that was the antithesis of Mark Dantonio's conservative approach. The "Cat Attack" immediately cranked out 472 points, but the triggerman from that offense, QB Ben Mauk, lost his battle with the NCAA to get another year of eligibility, leaving a gaping hole behind center ... for now.

Adequately replacing Mauk out of a group that includes redshirt freshman Chazz Anderson, senior Dustin Grutza and Notre Dame transfer Demetrius Jones will dictate whether or not there's a detour in UC's path to Big East contention. But overall, there's not too much to worry about; Kelly is a tremendous developer of quarterback talent, and while there are several other areas in need of beefing up after last year's breakthrough season, there's nothing this coaching staff can't handle. Cincinnati is quickly doing for Cincinnati's offense what he did for Central Michigan.

While the offense has question marks just about everywhere, the defense will once again be rock solid. Back from a group that led the nation in takeaways are DT Terrill Byrd, CB Mike Mickens and CB DeAngelo Smith, each a member of last year's All-Big East team. The Bearcats have the athletes to bring pressure from every level and a set of defensive backs with ball skills as good as the wide receivers. Especially in the early going, Cincinnati will need this group of defenders to carry the team while the offense adjusts to a number of new starters.

Although Kelly clearly has Cincinnati headed in a northerly direction, he'll have a hard time matching last year's success unless one of the holdovers can do a fair impression of Mauk. Then again, little was expected last year from Mauk, who delivered 31 touchdown passes and more than 3,500 yards of total offense. Cincinnati will put up big numbers and be dangerous once again. Now watch as everyone fails to take the team seriously again.

What to watch for on offense: Was it the system or the quarterback which was responsible for Mauk, a journeyman before 2007, delivering one of the best seasons in school history. Each of the three contenders at quarterback has a steep hurdle to clear before approaching Mauk's 31 touchdown passes and sterling passer efficiency rating. Grutza has underwhelmed in past opportunities. Jones is coming off shoulder surgery. Anderson is a freshman but impressed enough this spring to be the likely starter if he comes up with a big fall. Cincy fans better hope it's the system because the program is a little light on proven talent heading into the season.

What to watch for on defense: More blitzes from the linebackers and safeties. What happens when your strength is at cornerback and your weakness is a lack of proven pass rushers? You take more chances in order to get in the face of the quarterback. Cincinnati already likes playing an aggressive brand of defense that flies all over the field and causes turnovers. This season, it might become a necessity if adequate replacements for ends Anthony Hoke and Angelo Craig can't be found. As long as Mike Mickens and DeAngelo Smith are the corners, the Bearcats will be able to leave them on an island and turn a linebacker or safety loose on a blitz.

The team will be far better if: The offense gets more production from the running backs. The ground game disappeared late last year, a big concern considering the uncertainty behind center. The best friend of the new quarterback will be a back or two who can keep defenses honest, while providing an element of balance to the Cincy attack. Both the pressure and the opportunity rest with junior Jacob Ramsey, the veteran in a backfield that lost three seniors to graduation. He showed flashes in 2007, rushing for 362 yards and three scores on 96 carries, and is coming off a solid offseason.

The Schedule: There's an almost certain loss at Oklahoma in early September, but that's it as far as the first part of the non-conference schedule getting Eastern Kentucky, Miami University, at Akron and at Marshall before league play kicks in. The Bearcats will be good enough to go bowling, but getting to go to Hawaii in early December will still be a nice perk. The Big East schedule is more than manageable outside of a six-day early November test against West Virginia and Louisville, but there's an off-week before the key dates. South Florida and Rutgers have to come to Cincy.

Brian Kelly had considerable success in his first season. (Al Messerschmidt / Getty Images)

Best offensive player: WR Marcus Barnett. Along with Mauk, the biggest beneficiary from the arrival of Kelly, Barnett exploded as a freshman for 62 catches for 862 yards and 13 touchdowns. A bona fide homerun hitter on the outside, he got better in his debut season before breaking his leg in the PapaJohns.com Bowl. His ability to stretch a defense helps loosen things up underneath for TE Kazeem Alli and receivers Charley Howard and Dominick Goodman.

Best defensive player: DT Terrill Byrd. Byrd gets the nod for his ability to blow up opposing running games, although CB Mike Mickens could easily be here as well. Byrd has been named First Team All-Big East in back-to-back years, using his leverage and quickness off the snap to dominate centers and command double teams. One of those linemen who makes everyone around him better, he's the biggest reason Cincinnati was No. 19 nationally in run defense.

Key player to a successful season: Whomever wins the quarterback job (if Mauk is still ineligible). Whether it's Jones, Grutza or Anderson, it's imperative that the Bearcats develop a quarterback who can run Kelly's system and get the ball in the hands of the playmakers. Physically and emotionally, Mauk was a monumental part of last year's 10-win season. Adequately replacing him will be the key to success in 2008.

The season will be a success if: The Bearcats win nine games and find their quarterback of the future. This year is all about building on Kelly's debut and bringing Cincinnati closer to being a perennial contender for a Big East championship. If it's Grutza, a senior, who helps keep the momentum going, that's fine. If it's Jones or Anderson, however, who have a few years of eligibility left, that's even better in the grand scheme of things.

OFFENSE

Without Mauk, who was denied a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA, Kelly is set to move forward with a "Cat Attack" offense that was wildly successful in its debut. While five hurlers will technically be in the hunt, the competition has boiled down to senior Grutza, Notre Dame transfer Demterius Jones and redshirt freshman Chazz Anderson. Whomever gets the nod will operate behind a shaky line replacing a couple of starters and bank on the healthy return of star WR Marcus Barnett from a broken fibula. The running backs will be serviceable, but no one stands out.

Terrill Byrd headlines what should be a stingy defense. (Andy Lyons / Getty Images)

Quarterbacks: When last year's starter Ben Mauk was denied a sixth year of eligibility, there was a jail break to become Brian Kelly's next triggerman. At the head of the line is senior Dustin Grutza, but there's plenty of company lining up behind him. By far the most experienced of the contenders, he doesn't do any one thing great and at 6-foot-2 and 203 pounds, only has average arm strength. Demetrius Jones has become the trendy choice to lead the offense, but is he ready? Yes, the highly-touted transfer from Notre Dame has the mobility and 6-foot-4, 204-pound frame to conceivably be a hand-in-glove fit for Kelly's version of the spread. But it didn't look that way in the spring. Creating the biggest commotion in April was redshirt freshman Chazz Anderson, who jumped a couple of veterans and moved into the discussion at quarterback. An athletic and elusive player at 6-foot and 205 pounds, he impressed throughout spring with his accuracy and comfort moving the offense in the spread.

Running Backs: The Cincinnati offense can thrive without any elite backs on the roster. Witness last season when the Bearcats averaged 36 points a game, yet didn't have a 500-yard rusher. Jacob Ramsey and John Goebel will share the workload, pounding away at defenses but rarely shaking loose for long gainers. Other than Ramsey and Goebel, none of the redshirt freshmen distinguished himself in the spring, creating an opportunity for true freshmen Isaiah Pead, Darrin Williams and George Winn to move up to No. 3 and earn a few carries a game.

Receivers: Kelly & Co. made the receivers a position of priority when they arrived from Central Michigan, and it shows. Cincinnati's top three receivers are back in the Queen City. Dominick Goodman had a team-high 68 catches for 869 yards and eight touchdowns. Now that Marcus Barnett is almost back to 100 percent after breaking his leg, the Bearcats boast an improving blend of speed and size that'll haunt the Big East, provided the new quarterback cooperates. Sure, they sometimes lack consistency, but this group has grown up exponentially over the course of one year. Goodman and Barnett are all-league contenders and the second team continues to get stronger.

Offensive Line: With a full season adapting to a zone blocking scheme and trimming some fat, the Bearcats will be better equipped to work within the offense this season. That said, it's a pedestrian group that won't dominate Big East opponents and has pressing concerns at center and on the second team. Trevor Canfield and Khalil El-Amin are the two most accomplished and dependable of the Bearcat blockers, meaning the majority of this year's plays will be executed to the left of Jurek.

DEFENSE

The Bearcats retain many of the key parts from last season's stingy, ball-hawking defense, including three All-Big East performers. With DT Terrill Byrd back to clog the middle of the line and CB Mike Mickens cutting off half the field for opposing quarterbacks, Cincinnati will again be one of the toughest defenses to navigate in the league. If there's a pressing concern for defensive coordinator Joe Tresey, it's at safety, where Haruki Nakamura and Anthony Williams must be replaced. A lot will be expected from senior Cedric Tolbert, the most experienced of the holdover safeties.

Defensive Line: Byrd will occupy more than one blocker, while making sure that Cincinnati is back among the Big East's better run defenses. The pass rush, however, is a work-in-progress that'll adapt very slowly to losing last season's two best edge rushers. It'll be tough to run the ball on the Bearcats once again against the tandem of Byrd and Adam Hoppel. Neither is a classic space-eater, but both are capable of knifing through blockers and disrupting the flow of a play before it can develop.

Linebackers: A green group last summer, the linebackers return three players who started the majority of games last season. Even two of the top backups are seniors. While the Bearcats have a good group of linebackers, they lack that one great player capable of taking over a game. Ryan Manalac should lead the team in tackles, and Corey Smith and Andre Revels will do some things on the outside, but Cincinnati needs its linebackers to make a few more momentum-building plays this season. Although the opportunities to excel will be there, whether or not they deliver remains in question.

Secondary: Cincinnati is on course to have one of the stingiest secondaries in the country this season. With Mickens and Smith patrolling the secondary, the Bearcats will once again finish the season with more interceptions than touchdown passes allowed. It wasn't an accident that this group led the country with 26 picks a year ago. The Bearcats are well-coached at breaking on the ball, getting their mitts on it and doing damage once they pick it off. It's not as if the safeties are ineffective, but the drop-off, especially after the Haruki Nakamura era, will be noticeable.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Punter Kevin Huber is the crown jewel of a unit that needs more consistency out of the kicking game. Huber has emerged as a secret weapon for the Cincinnati defense and one of the favorites for the Ray Guy Award. Sophomore Jacob Rogers returns, but after going just 11-of-19 on field goals and missing three extra points, he's vulnerable to senior Brandon Yingling and the newcomers on campus. The departure of Haruki Nakamura and increased role of Jacob Ramsey at running back means senior DeAngelo Smith could be handling double-duty as the team's punt and kick returner. A shifty runner in the open field, he had 12 kickoff returns a year ago for 296 yards, including a 52-yarder against South Florida.

http://msn.foxsports.com/cfb/story/8202412/Bearcats-riding-wave-of-success-into-'08

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Not news but still interesting...

GoBEARCATS.com has this picture up as the football front page banner.  It rotates with 2 other pics so you may not see it when you visit the site the first time.  If you go back and try it again you should see after no more than 3-4 tries.

Can anyone name the guy getting crunched without looking at the roster?

cinn-06-m-footbl-2.jpg

http://gobearcats.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/cinn-m-footbl-body.html

This was from two years ago because we had black pants on last year

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That is a pic from 05.

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UC Football Season Ticket Sales Pass 10,000 Mark

Bearcat Lair and Family Plan Packages Going Fast

June 17, 2008

CINCINNATI – The University of Cincinnati Department of Athletics announced today its football season ticket sales eclipsed the 10,000 mark for the first time in program history, finishing the week at 10,191.

“To have broken the season ticket record last month, and now pass the 10,000-ticket plateau two and a half months before the start of the season is unbelievable and exciting,†said head coach Brian Kelly. “This is a great day for our program, the University, and the City of Cincinnati. All of the support we continue to receive from everyone is inspirational and keeps our players and coaches energized as we prepare to compete for a BIG EAST Conference Championship this fall.â€Â

Just last month, UC passed the school record of 9,155 set in 2002 when fans were required to purchase football season ticket packages to receive UC basketball season tickets. In the 19 months since the department removed the requirement, season ticket sales have climbed 57 percent from 6,495 in 2006 to its current level.

“Our ticket sales are going at a  record  pace for a  second straight year and  will only continue to be strong as we head  into the 2008 season†says Director of Athletics Mike Thomas. “Our football program is coming off a great season with a school-record 10 wins and No. 17 national ranking, and we are looking forward to seeing the new season start on August 28 when Eastern Kentucky comes to town and experiences our Nippert Stadium environment.â€Â

Two of the most popular season ticket packages, the Bearcat Lair ($90 per seat) and Family Plan ($199 for four seats), are going rapidly and could be sold out by the end of the month. Fans are encouraged to act now before they are gone. Once the two packages are sold out, fans will be able to purchase UCATS Reserved or Non-UCATS Reserved plans.                                               

Season tickets can be purchased by calling 1-877-CATS-TIX or going online to www.CATSTIX.com.

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Not news but still interesting...

GoBEARCATS.com has this picture up as the football front page banner.  It rotates with 2 other pics so you may not see it when you visit the site the first time.  If you go back and try it again you should see after no more than 3-4 tries.

Can anyone name the guy getting crunched without looking at the roster?

cinn-06-m-footbl-2.jpg

http://gobearcats.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/cinn-m-footbl-body.html

This was from two years ago because we had black pants on last year

That is probably Carlton Hill getting crunched.

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Bearcats Season Ticket Sales Cross 11,000 Mark

July 25, 2008

CINCINNATI -- With a little more than one month left until the start of the 2008 University of Cincinnati football season, season ticket sales have reached the 11,000 mark - the highest in UC history.

Last week, the popular Bearcats Lair section sold out for the second consecutive season. This week, season ticket sales crossed the 11,000 plateau, which betters the 2007 season-ticket total of 8,186.

UC still offers several season ticket packages at affordable prices, proving that there is no better entertainment value in Cincinnati than UC football season tickets.

The Bearcats Family Plan features four reserved tickets to each home game and two Cincinnati Kid's Club memberships for $199, a savings of $98 per game off regularly-priced tickets. There are less than 200 seats available in the Family Plan, so order now!

Starting July 15 for UCATS/Season Ticket Holders and Aug. 1 for the general public, the University of Cincinnati Athletics Ticket Office began taking orders for one of the hottest mini-packs in college athletics ... The "Pick Three" Mini-Plan. It is your chance to be a part of the exciting six-game home football schedule as reigning BIG EAST Conference Coach of the Year Brian Kelly leads the Bearcats in search of their first league title. The unique ticket plan allows fans who cannot make it to all six home games to customize their own mini-season ticket package. Fans can select the three games (one non-conference game, two conference games) in the package for $90 per seat.

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