Grabbing the Bulls by the Horns: USF Preview

November 10, 2018

The Bearcats are 8-1, looking to get to 9-1 after tonight’s very important game against the University of South Florida Bulls. As the Bulls shiver their way into Nippert Stadium this evening, the central question will be which Charlie Strong-coached team arrives. For South Florida, it appears to be a tale of two seasons, but appearances can be misleading.

Before the Bulls were beaten by the Houston Cougars on October 27th, they were riding an unbeaten record and receiving national attention from the sports media. USF featured wins over Georgia Tech and Illinois, after all, and the mouth-breathing sports media simpletons were dazzled by their victories over P5 teams. They quickly vaulted up the rankings. Then they played Houston…

Whatever belief or momentum the Bulls had vanished after losing to Houston. Last week, the Bulls were destroyed by Tulane in Tampa, 41-15. But was USF ever that good? Georgia Tech is now a middling ACC team, and Illinois is 2-5 in the butter-soft Big 10. It’s equally possible USF was a good team that completely lost heart after the Houston game and now they’re in a free fall after letting Tulane hang 41 on the scoreboard. I guess we’ll find out tonight.

USF has won the last three meetings between the schools, but this one feels different. USF has been giving up over 30 points a game this season, allowing opponents to rush for 248.6 yards a game. With UC’s Mike Warren II just 69 yards away from a 1,000 yard rushing season, I expect the Bearcats to run the ball a lot. With near freezing temps and the game being played at 7 PM (Nippert Stadium at night!), this game sets up nicely for a Bearcats victory.

Prediction: UC – 37 // USF – 17

By Brian Fox

Takeaways from the Bearcats Loss to Ohio State in the Opener

November 7, 2018

Before a capacity crowd (12,012) in the newly-renovated Fifth Third Arena, the Bearcats struggled to score. In the first half, UC shot 14% from the floor and the second half wasn’t much better.

On the game, the Bearcats hoisted 62 shots and made a miserly 17 of those (27%). From three, the Bearcats were 6 of 26 for a less-than-pedestrian 23 percent.

The Buckeyes weren’t exactly prolific on the offensive end and only shot 43% on the game, but they were in the driver’s seat the whole game and hit 55% of their shots in the second half.

UC’s Jarron Cumberland led all scorers, netting 22 points. Cumberland’s point production all arrived in the second half as he picked up a couple of early fouls in the first half.

Statistically, the teams were similar with the exception of taken and made field goals (OSU-20/47; UC-17/62). On the court, though, the teams couldn’t have looked more different. The Bearcats offense sputtered 75% of the game whereas Ohio State knocked down critical shots and flowed better.

His custom in most postgame press conferences, Coach Mick Cronin focused on UC’s defensive deficiencies on the night: “Math quiz – if Ohio State scores 27 points in the second half, too, we win by two…We had one guy who played twenty minutes without a single deflection.”

Taking a realistic look at this team, even if very early in this season, three storylines emerge:

  • Can the young and inexperienced front court mature quickly enough?
  • Can Jarron Cumberland stay out of foul trouble and routinely shoulder the scoring load for this team?
  • Can Coach Cronin find points on this roster from the younger guys because clearly the Bearcats need a second option?

The Bearcats play next on Tuesday, November 13th against North Carolina Central at home. That game will tip at 7:00 PM.

By Brian Fox

An Interview with Cincinnati’s Own, Sophomore LB Jarell White

October 30, 2018

Yesterday, Andy Smith spent some time with former LaSalle standout, LB Jarell White. In the first part of his interview, White discusses bonding with his teammates, wing nights, and his huge defensive stop against Ohio. In the second part, White discusses the classroom, his Skyline order, and other important aspects of life in the Queen City.

Interview with Jarell White: Part One

Interview with Jarell White: Part Two

Go Bearcats!

Coming Home

October 10, 2018

A “home” is more than a house, yard, or structure; it’s a feeling. And your experience of “coming home” is indelibly shaped by the other people who share that common address.

If you had a good childhood, arriving home was probably an experience. The smell of food simmering on the stove. The sound of a yappy dog. The mess of your bedroom. Depending on the number of siblings, your arrival home was either calm or chaotic.

If you had a bad childhood, arriving home was an altogether different experience. Maybe your arrival was marked by the sounds of argument, stomach knots from anxiety and tension, or worse yet – the haunting sounds of silence and isolation. If that was your experience with “home,” I offer my sincerest apologies and wishes for a more functional future.

As you know, Saturday’s matchup against Tulane was this season’s Homecoming game. UC alums from across the nation traveled back to their Clifton roots, recalling what “coming home” meant at 18 years of age. The not-so-hypnotic lava lamp on a card table. Animal House poster above the decaying fireplace. Stale beer and dirty dishes marinating in the kitchen. No doubt folks reminisced about old dorms, old bars, and old friends.

You see, home looks different in Clifton than it did 30, 20, 10, or even one year ago. And the mood on UC’s 199 year old campus feels different than last season. Way different.

To appreciate how different, I offer up a dysfunctional recollection. On October 1, 2016, the Bearcats faced USF under Nippert’s lights as the fan base was tiring of the revolving door of quarterbacks. Ross Trail, a 2015 quarterback recruit who chose UC over Louisville, Memphis, and Ohio State, threw three interceptions that night. After the young QB tossed his third, he was showered in boos, mercilessly. Some defended themselves and said they were merely booing the coaches. Regardless, so much for “home” field advantage…

Candidly I think the fan base is still recovering from 2016 Nippert lows, exercising a measure of restraint even still. Again, home is less about facts and more about feels. Sometimes even after a house has been made over, woes outpace wins…memories overpower merriment. This is especially so in a history-rich city like Cincinnati. “I hope Coach Fickell can get them turned around, but that last coach….”

Well, the turnaround appears self-evidently underway. Compared to the on-field dysfunction of 2016, Fickell’s team of coaches seems squared away. Compared to last year’s 4-8 team, this 2018 team is a revelation. UC is 6-0 headed into the bye week this week, and a cadre of young players lead the way.

RS Freshman QB Desmond Ridder has already thrown for over 1,000 yards (82 of 125 for 1,062 yards), 10 touchdowns, and only 2 interceptions. Ridder has also rushed for 315 yards, adding 4 more touchdowns with his legs.

Speaking of running the ball, Sophomore RB Michael Warren II has 124 carries for 664 yards and 11 touchdowns. He’s the first running back since Isaiah Pead to rush for over a 100 yards in three consecutive games.

More than wins and statistics, though, football is fun again. The positivity and support for the Bearcats on Saturday, inside Nippert Stadium and out, is returning. The momentum (and joy) I observed in 2009 hasn’t returned just yet, but the energy is finally building around a UC team once again ranked in the Top 25 in both the Associated Press and Coaches Poll.

For those of you who made it back to Nippert Stadium for Homecoming on Saturday, I hope it felt like you were “coming home.” I hope you relived past stories and connected with old friends. But way more than that, I hope you caught a glimpse of what might be returning to the University of Cincinnati – a football program inching its way back to national prominence, a football program that desperately needs your positive energy going forward.

So go ahead and mark your calendars for the Navy game (November 3rd), #23 ranked USF (November 10th), and the home finale against ECU (November 23rd). Come home; let’s make Nippert the best place for our guys to play and the worst place for opponents.

By Brian Fox

Dancing in the Rain – Taylor Reflects on This Year’s Battle for the Bell

September 26, 2018

First game of the season, on a professional football field, in the pouring rain…this year’s UC/Miami dance performance is one I won’t soon forget.

September 8th, 2018, I took my first-last steps onto the field of my final season on the University of Cincinnati Dance Team. So many memories of my first game as a freshman in 2015 flooded back to me. It’s crazy to think about how fast these last four years have flown by. Reflecting back, I am proud of the dancer and teammate I have become, and I am grateful for the journey I have taken with my second family.

Not many people can say they were given the chance to dance on the field at Paul Brown Stadium. I was very appreciative for the opportunity to perform, once more, in the Bengals’ very-open-air-stadium, rain or shine.

For the game against Miami, the rain seemed like it was coming from all directions. My shoes were squeaky-soaked, puddles formed inside the sleeves of my warm-up jacket, and my hair looked like I just emerged from the shower. Despite reaching my pruny-fingers saturation point, cheering on the Bearcats with 26 girls by my side almost made me forget about the rain. Almost.

The third quarter finally arrived and it was time for our performance. This routine was by far my favorite and I was excited to show our fans what we’ve spent countless hours perfecting. Waiting for our opportunity, huddled and shivering, one student from the student section yelled down to us “Come on girls, you’re better than that!” which provided some much-needed motivation and comic relief during the rain showers.

Once the routine began, it was time to execute. The crowd cheered wildly the entire time, maybe because all of us bonded in the downpour together! When the routine ended, I heard the students scream — in fact, I don’t think I have ever heard our students scream and cheer for us as loud as they did that night. I actually had tears form in my eyes as I held my final pose because I was so excited and grateful for the moment. Tears mixed with raindrops.

As you know, the Bearcats won and reclaimed the Victory Bell for the thirteenth year in a row, which made dancing in a monsoon totally worth it. My mom, dad, brother, and sister all sat in the front row, supporting me, as well. I couldn’t have been happier.

Looking ahead, I am incredibly hopeful and optimistic about our team’s success this year, my final year on the UC Dance Team. I cannot wait to see what lies ahead for me, the six other seniors, and the rest of this incredible team. Go Bearcats!

By Taylor D’Ambrosia

Bearcats Dance Team Members Seniors Spotlight

September 20, 2018

One of the most storied collegiate dance teams in the nation, the UC Dance Team has won seven national titles and ten world titles to date. And if this year’s class of seniors has it their way, they’ll add even more accomplishments to the program’s growing resume this year.

Given their competitive success and role in Bearcats game day culture, we thought it might be helpful to hear from the senior dancers about what they look forward to this season…

Erika Cane: “With this being my fourth year on the team, I’m looking forward to the new challenges and opportunities this season has to offer. My previous three years have been so different and so rewarding in their own ways. I’m most excited to get on that nationals mat one last time and close the chapter on my college dance career. That feeling of exhaustion and satisfaction all at once comes at the end of a nationals routine when I’m standing next to my best friends, knowing we gave every last ounce of energy and soul into what we have worked on all season. It gives me chills just thinking about it and I cannot wait, go Cats!”

Courtney Willman: “My name is Courtney Willman. I am a fourth year on the team. Outside of dance, I’m a marketing major, business analytics and psychology minor. I am very excited for fall sports mostly because it’s my last year, and I just really want to be able to soak in everything. Everyone always says that it goes by so fast, which is cliché, but also so true. Never again will I have the chance to dance in Nippert or in Fifth Third after this year, so I just want to enjoy every second. We have a really awesome vibe and connection on the team this year, along with some crazy talented dancers. That makes me really excited to see what we can do this year. Everything we do is for nationals, so I’m looking forward to the journey to get there and to see what we put on the floor the in January.”

Amber Roberts: “I’m a fourth year here at UC in the heath sciences department pursuing my dream of becoming a physical therapist! Fall sports are my absolute favorite because I feel like the entire campus has this charge surrounding it! Everyone just got back and everyone is reminded of how amazing it is to be a Bearcat!! I am so excited for the upcoming dance season because it’s officially my last go around! I can tell that there is something very special about his group of ladies that I am surrounded with this year and I can’t wait to see what crazy heights we achieve!”

Caroline Kelley: “Being on the University of Cincinnati dance team required a lot of dedication and hard work. This year, it is easier to do those things because of the special group of girls that we have. Each girl has truly embraced our goal of positivity and taken it to a new level. We are constantly pushing each other to be better dancers inside and outside of the gym. I am personally excited about cheering at football games this year because of the bond that we already have. The bond between each class and girl normally does not come until the end of basketball season. The fact that it is already here means that this season is off to a great start and we only want to continue to grow.”

Demi Peterson: “Hi, I’m Demi Peterson. I’m a fifth year from Seattle, Washington studying health education with a focus in Exercise & Fitness. I am currently a personal trainer and work at our campus recreation center! I have been on the team for four years coming up on my fifth and football season is my favorite part of Dance! I love being able to stand out on Nippert and cheering in front of thousands of fans! The atmosphere is so intense and getting to see our Cats score a touchdown right in front of me is always the best. I’m super excited for everything about this season as it is my last year, I hope to take in as much as I can and enjoy dancing for one last time with my best friends.”

Marissa Stone: “Hello, I’m Marissa Stone and I am a fifth year senior here at UC. I am from Pasco, Washington studying Health Education with a focus in Public and Community Health. I am going into my fourth year on the UC Dance Team and I am very excited about cheering at our first home game at Paul Brown! Football season is one of my favorite things about being on the UC Dance Team. Having the opportunity to cheer in Nippert for all of our students and fans is very fulfilling. I cannot believe this will be my last season! I can’t wait to see where this season takes us and I am cheering for many more Bearcat wins!”

Jaime Kruzel: “I’m excited for fall sports because it’s the beginning of a new year and everyone is excited for what’s going to come out of the year. I also love football games and seeing all the fans come out and filling up the stadium. I’m looking forward to being in the new arena!”

Taylor D’Ambrosia: “I’m a senior on the University of Cincinnati dance team, majoring in Communications with a certificate in journalism and sport media. I am very excited for fall sports because it is my last year of college and I can’t wait to be a part of the atmosphere and represent the C-paw on the Nippert turf. Being with my friends and family on game days makes it even more worthwhile. With the new basketball arena being built and ready to go in a few months I am ready to get the chance to dance in Fifth Third for my last season. Our team is one of the tightest and supportive group of girls I know. We always have each other’s backs inside an outside of practice. We have a huge amount of talent this year which makes me super pumped for nationals. We already started off this year on the right foot so there is only moving up from here. My heart and soul is embedded into this program and will stay with me forever.”

By Taylor D’Ambrosia

Unleashing The Freak – #32 James Wiggins

September 19, 2018

Listed at 6-foot and 200 lbs. on the depth chart, this simply does not do safety James Wiggins justice.  Originally committed to the University of Miami, James Wiggins, a.k.a. Wig, a.k.a. the Freak wanted to escape Florida, having been there his entire life.  Thankfully for us UC fans, he wound up far, far way here in Clifton.

Coach Steve Clinkscale was responsible for recruiting Wiggins to UC. Coming out of high school in Homestead, Florida, Wig was listed as the #13 cornerback in Florida.  He turned down offers from Miami (FL), Louisville, and UCF, among others, to join the Bearcats.

Wiggins wears #32. Although his number is #6, Perry Young will not be giving up his jersey anytime soon.

The Freak is just built different.  You can see it on gamedays.  You can see it almost anywhere.  Standing on the sidelines at practice on this humid Tuesday afternoon in September, James looks as if the Greek Gods themselves chiseled his body out of stone.  No, Brady Collins does not force 12 protein shakes down his throat every day, Wiggins simply has always been this way.  A winner of some mighty fine genetics, both of his parents were successful athletes.  His dad, a football player, and his mother, a track star, both in the talent-rich Miami area.

So how did Wiggins earn the nickname Freak?  Well, Coach Collins witnessed in awe as James squatted 455 pounds (13 times, mind you) during an early squat day.  The rest is history, so they say.  Just a small glimpse of his raw talent and power, during the Miami (OH) game this year, Wiggins crushed a ballcarrier.  Not targeting.  Not unsportsmanlike conduct.  Just a grown a$$ man play.  And it was fun to watch as a fan.

The Freak had a pivotal pick against UCLA.  He has 14 tackles, two pass breakups, two tackles for loss, and a few special teams returns on the season through three games.  The UC secondary is fun to watch again, and the Freak is a big reason why.

A fan of cheeseburgers, Chinese food, and everything in between, Wiggins loves to eat.  A criminal justice major, James is enjoying school.  All smiles all the time – he doesn’t have any fears.  I guess I wouldn’t either if I could bench 405 lbs. and crush human skulls.

By Andy Smith

The Punter From Down Under – #37 James Smith

September 19, 2018

A First-Team All-ACC selection as a true freshman, left-footed sophomore James Smith is no stranger to success.

Prior to his arrival in Clifton, Smith played professional Australian football – and played it quite well.  A member of the Wangaratta Rovers since 2013, James eventually trained for 16 months at Prokick Australia to earn a scholarship to play NCAA Division 1 football.  He would travel over three hours four times a week to train and learn the American game.  A small indicator of James’ work-ethic, the training paid off, earning him a spot on the Bearcats in 2017 as a 23-year-old freshman.

Traveling 9,683 miles across the world from Wangaratta, Australia, to start a new life is no small task.  James is handling the transition with ease.  Having earned a 4.0 last semester, Smith is an all-star on the field and in the classroom.  Smith would love to get into the digital media world, and he looks up to Dan Hoard and Tony Pike.

His family attended the UCLA game in Pasadena, California, and stuck around for the last two weeks to watch the Bearcats earn wins against Miami (OH) and Alabama A&M as well.  While Mike Warren was the popular vote for MVP of the Miami game, behind Smith’s steady leg, the Redhawks were always pinned back deep in their own territory.  Smith averaged 46 yards on eight punts in a torrential downpour, resulting in Miami being unable to put any points on the board.  Indeed, three of his punts landed inside the 20-yard-line.

The sure-footed and reliable punter earned a spot on the Ray Guy Award Watch List.  This season, the 6’ 5” and 225 lb. Smith is averaging 45 yards a punt, with nine of his 18 punts landing inside the 20.  He is no longer sporting the long hair either.

A huge fan of water sports, James enjoys wakeboarding.  He is also a huge fan of our very own Skyline Chili and the homey atmosphere surrounding Cincinnati.

Lastly, Smith recommends everyone visit the East Coast of Australia, including the barrier reefs.

By Andy Smith

#14 Cameron Jefferies – A Prodigy at Corner and in the Classroom

September 6, 2018

A new name to the football squad this year is Cameron Jefferies.  He spent his first two seasons up north at Bowling Green State University, where he was coached by Mike Mickens.  In only two years at BGSU, Cam earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing and supply chain management while also starting at corner for the Falcons on an opportunistic secondary.  In his words, “he learned a lot” and “enjoyed the experience at Bowling Green.”

Last year Mike Mickens left BG to take the same coaching position here in Clifton at his alma mater, and Jefferies followed suit.  As a grad transfer student, he decided to transfer to UC and play immediately this season and next year.  With a need for cornerbacks, the three-and-a-half-hour drive down I-75 South was a perfect fit for #14.

Like Cameron, I also graduated from BGSU in two years.  We reminisced about the BG campus located in the middle of a cornfield. Only a Walmart, a Meijer’s, and a handful of restaurants in sight.  If you want a new pair of pants, enjoy driving 30 minutes away to the closest mall in Toledo.  Needless to say, the change from rural BGSU to a vibrant, bustling UC campus was much-needed for both of us.  I enrolled at UC Law School.  Cam enrolled in a master’s program to earn another marketing degree.

You may be wondering how Cam was able to graduate college so quickly.  Any high school student in Ohio, including those at the Cleveland area school Riverside High School where Cam attended, can enroll in post-secondary.  This means Cam was able to attend college classes at a local college and earn college credit free of charge.  Jefferies enrolled part-time his junior year and transitioned to full-time his senior year.

He ended up accumulating over 30 hours of college credit before graduating high school. All of this on top of lettering in football, basketball, and track.  Cam played numerous positions on offense and defense and earned a three-star recruit ranking.

While other kids were busy playing Candy Crush and liking pictures on Instagram, Cam had a full plate of academics and athletics. Naturally, he continued working tremendously hard in college.  Playing D1 football in and of itself is a full-time job.  But Cam also took over 18 credit hours of classes, including a final 21-credit hour summer session to quickly exit BGSU and earn his degree.

Cam is not wasting any time.  He may potentially earn three degrees before his college eligibility ends.  He still finds time to hangout with his teammates and play Madden and watch movies somehow.  Jefferies really hasn’t had a chance to experience all of the restaurants around town, having just finished three weeks of Camp Higher Ground after arriving to Clifton.

Cam played in the UCLA season opener and racked up three tackles.  His first time in California, he relished the experience of a lifetime playing in the Rose Bowl.  “We want rings,” he said in response when asked about season goals.

We are still waiting on his opinion of Skyline. However, suffice it to say, Jefferies is and will continue to be a highly successful person both in the classroom and on the football field.

By Andy Smith

On Pasadena

September 2, 2018

The road to the Rose Bowl Stadium twists through the suburban Pasadena corridor. Small Rose Bowl signs dot the roads leading to the historic structure. The main road east of the stadium winds around a sweeping turn and then [pause] the view opens up. Tucked in a valley surrounded by the San Gabriel Mountains, the iconic football temple sits, reverently. It is striking against the mountain canvas.

I’ve been a college football fan my entire life. I prefer it to any other sport, college or professional. I love the sound and colors, the pageantry of it all. The sound of rhythmic percussion layered beneath screaming fans, chanting cheerleaders, whistle stops, and pad pops is my favorite fall album. I listen on repeat.

Saturday, the Rose Bowl dazzled — the colors were a feast for the eyes. The blue sky and yellow sun mirrored UCLA’s blues and yellows, which combined with red roses, red-faced spectators, of course, the glints of red on UC’s mostly-white uniforms. Like curtains, mountains draped the perimeter of the stadium as far as the eye can see.

Walking on the field, I felt small. I recalled mornings in my childhood basement, sun peaking through the blinds as the Tournament of Roses parade occupied my television. I thought of iconic games played on that grass, Keith Jackson’s effusive — “the granddaddy of them all” — ringing in my ears.

The Forecast

Heading into Saturday, I heard all the cynics, too. Outmatched. Outclassed. Too young. Stage was bigger than this team. Chip Kelly’s football IQ. UC’s program in decline. Yup, got it.

While I listened to certain doubters, I wasn’t buying their certainty. Don’t get me wrong, I had my doubts. As I watched the team practice at Camp Higher Ground this August, I was mostly perplexed. I’m not someone taken by slogans or football aphorisms. Discipline? Organization? Methodical preparation? Intensity? I am taken by those.

At times, I heard Luke Fickell’s voice boom as he chastised the team (and coaches) during transitions in practices. Gathering on the 10 yard line, I heard him undiplomatically cross examine whether the team wanted to compete…during every drill and every practice period. If they weren’t interested, he had some ideas. Fickell then laid into the other coaches for dragging around the field with no energy. But I heard Fickell boom last season. Why would this season be different?

At practices, I did observe a lot of young talent — the newest class of recruits is big. And last year’s recruits were a talented bunch. Some skilled veterans remained, especially on the defensive front. Still, I couldn’t tell how they were blending or whether Fickell’s attention to energy, body language, and effort were making a difference.

Entering Saturday, the so-called experts at ESPN were not high on the Bearcats’ chance of beating UCLA. To cover Vegas’ spread, UC just needed to lose by less than 15 points. Body language and energy notwithstanding, no one was bullish on the Bearcats. Even among the fan base, few thought a victory possible, let alone likely.

Given the precipitous rise and decline in UC’s success over the last decade, many suffer from whiplash. Or maybe it’s PTSD. Like kids raised during the Great Depression, we cling to low expectations to avoid traumatic disappointment.

As for me, I thought we could win if we didn’t bury ourselves with mistakes in the first quarter, and we fed Michael Warren II the ball. I thought it equally possible we’d get boat-raced in primetime on ESPN.

The Game

The first quarter picked up right where last season left off. A fumble in our own red zone led to UCLA jumping to an early ten point lead. Rinse. Repeat. My internal dialogue when peering up at the 10-0 scoreboard: Brian, you have to stop getting your hopes up; at this point you’re breaking your own heart. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice…

Then, the damndest thing happened. We fought back, all the way back. We didn’t quit. Anchored by the defensive front (and Cortez Broughton’s 2.5 sacks), Michael Warren II’s herculean effort (35 carries for 142 yards), and RS Freshman QB Desmond Ridder’s game management, the Bearcats stunned a national audience. And me. And probably you.

I Cried A Little

I’m not sure exactly when or why I teared up, but watching everyone celebrate hit me right in the chest. Chin quivering. Look, I understand it’s only the first game of the season. Don’t get carried away, Brian, you think.

But there we were, on a patch of Pasadena grass, encircled by mountains and decades of college football tradition. Regardless of age, all of us — “thy loyal children” of the University of Cincinnati — celebrating what felt like a program tipping point. I was undone. What a great day to be a Bearcat!

Next up, the Miami RedHawks. The Victory Bell. More tradition.

By Brian Fox