Defending Against The Triple Option – How To Sink Navy’s Ship

September 20, 2017

The triple option is equal parts fun to watch on TV (if ran successfully) and an absolute pain to play against with just one week of preparation.  The scheme consists of just a handful of plays, but each play contains multiple options: a pitch to the half back, the full back up the gut, the fake for a deep pass – to name a few.  At any given moment, the quarterback can burn you, even more so than a traditional run and gun offense. Three yards, 2 yards, 5 yards, first down, 1 yard, touchdown.  The triple option can put you to sleep and catch you like a deer in the headlights on any possession.  

For as far back as I can remember, UC has never played a triple option team.  The Bearcats are 0-2 all-time against Navy, including losses in 1940 and 1956.  Despite joining the AAC in 2015, Saturday marks the first conference matchup between the two schools and the first game in 61 years.

It’s Not Just Navy

The military academies all run the triple option to the best of their abilities.  Year after year the intricacies of the scheme are practiced, repeated, and honed. Army put up a fight against Ohio State last week.  Navy occasionally beats Notre Dame.  Air Force took Michigan down to the fourth quarter.  

A few select programs have followed triple option suit. Georgia Tech recently played in the Orange Bowl and should have beat Tennessee in week one this year.  Nevada, New Mexico, and even Auburn run variations of the same – flexbone, wishbone, and read option. 

The Man Behind The Success

Kenneth Va’a Niumatalolo (pronounced nee-uh-mah-tuh-lohl-loh) coaches the Midshipmen and has done so since 2007.  The 52-year-old has 10 years in the program and many more to come. A hot commodity with a proven track record (79–42), Niumatalolo is firmly anchored in Annapolis, Maryland.  A quarterback at the University of Hawaii, he is a very well-rounded head coach and loves the underdog role.  If you haven’t watched the weekly documentary series, A Season with Navy Football, download the Showtime Anytime app and call off work tomorrow.  The Hard Knocks style show tracks each game this season, and goes behind the scenes of the Naval Academy and Coach Ken.  I cannot wait to watch the Bearcats episode next Tuesday at 10 p.m.

The man wakes up every day at 3:14 a.m. Why? Because to win the national championship a team must win 14 games.  And, like B. Fox craves donuts, he craves being the first car in the parking lot at the athletic complex.  If someone beats him, he wakes up earlier the next day.  Like any successful college head coach, Niumatalolo is insanely driven to do one thing – win.

Hard work and early mornings pay off.  The Midshipmen won the American West Division in 2015 and 2016.  Coach Ken has won the AAC Coach of the Year Award both years as well.  

Navy is 2-0 on the season with a W over Lane Kiffin (aka Florida Atlantic for at least another week) and a narrow victory over Tulane.  The small margin of victory over a subpar Green Wave squad gives UC hope, despite the experts in Vegas giving the Midshipmen an 11-point edge this Saturday. 

“This offense is tried and tested, because it’s not a gimmick offense,” Niumatalolo has stated. “People think it’s a gimmick offense, but it’s based on numbers. It’s based on angles. It’s really what a lot of people now are doing out of the spread. They’re just doing it out of the gun. But people are running stuff; it’s all numbers-based. When they spread out, if you don’t pick up the right numbers, they’re gonna run the bubble, or you take guys out to take away this, they’ll run the ball inside.”

So How Do You Beat Navy?

Coach Fickell stressed sound assignment football during his weekly press conference – much easier said than done.  All 11 players must do exactly what they are told and each player most perform his assignment.  This is not a game for hero plays and statistics. According to Fickell, “you have to practice without the ball so you’re assignment-sound.” Execution is key.  You must be gap-disciplined.  

The linebackers will be rotated in and out frequently because the ground and pound and pace of the triple option could wear down UC’s defense.  This game sets up as a Coach Brady Collins special. Collins is UC’s strength and fitness coach, and this summer’s fitness regimen could be the cardiovascular difference. If our defense gets gassed early, the Bearcats could be in trouble.

Perry Young will have to sit the first half since he was penalized for targeting towards the end of the Miami game.  This will be a huge hit – no pun intended.  Side Note: Imagine having to watch that epic comeback on a crappy, little TV in the musty locker room by yourself surrounded by jockstraps and compression shorts?  We’ll have to ask him about that when we interview him next week. Side Side Note: It’s high time Miami University fix the air conditioning in the press box.

Preparation. Defending any unique offense requires lots of preparation. Whether the triple option or Chip Kelly’s highspeed Oregon offense – beating these teams require much more than five to six days of film watching and practice. You don’t want to focus all of the limited time at summer camp and fall practice on the unique offenses, but you also don’t want to ignore the schemes until game week. Coach Fickell and his scouts must navigate that difficult balance.  

A number of UC players, including Jaylyin Minor, have played triple option teams in high school. Bryan Wright even played Navy’s JV team in prep school. This helps, but certainly not enough to guarantee a Saturday win.  

Coach Fickell mentioned the Bearcats began to practice against the triple option during Camp Higher Ground sessions at night.  The practices then continued during fall camp before the season started. Now it’s Navy week. During Tuesday’s press conference I looked to my right and the digital “beat Navy” countdown clock read “4 days, 3 hours, 57 minutes, and 3 seconds.” Tick. Tock.

A strong week of preparation is required for this one. All of the Attention Training and offseason preparation must bear fruit. Saturday is a mental game, more so than nearly any other game on the schedule.  Each defensive player must stay in their box and focus only on their individual assignments for four 15-minute quarters.

The Prediction

The UC defense has not let us down this season. That same defense won the Victory Bell for the 12th year in a row in Oxford last week.  Navy’s #9 junior QB Zach Abey isn’t running the option attack nearly as well as Keenan Reynolds. He’s thrown for 242 yards and just 7 completions, with 2 TDs and 2 picks on the year. More importantly, he’s rushed the ball for 343 yards and 2 TDs. Navy will only go as far as Abey. He is their leading rusher by far – 61 carries through 2 games already.  

The Midshipmen also have the 26th best total defense in the country, giving up just 294 yards per game. You know what helps their defense? Ball control and time of possession.

Look for the new-found freshman running backs tandem of Gerrid Doaks and Michael Warren to pick up where they left off in Oxford. Hopefully they continue their growth trend by improving their offensive pocket protection, insulating against defensive pressure on QB1 Hayden Moore.  The receivers must pick up their play this game, having let down Hayden and their teammates the first few games with major drops. We expect the coaching staff to set up a scheme to give Hayden some easy completions early in the game, rotating the running backs frequently. UC has struggled on offense and with field goal kicking this season. However, following the momentum of the Miami win, we expect Fickell to make great strides this week preparing for conference game #1.

The game at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium will air at 3:30 p.m. Saturday on CBS Sports Network.  We are taking the Cats in another heart-wrenching squeaker, 24-21.

By Andy Smith

95 Bryan Wright – QB From Delaware, Now Clifton’s Edge Rush

September 19, 2017

At 6’3” and 254 lbs., redshirt sophomore defensive end Bryan Wright stands in the lower levels of the Lindner Center reminiscing about how far he’s come.  A troubled past led him to the football field, where he played to escape the perilous circumstances of his hometown.  A former quarterback, punter, and kicker – a jack of all trades between the yard markers.

New Jersey born and raised, he grew up in Wilmington, Delaware, a state we don’t normally associate with football or sports, in general.  Of course, there are always exceptions – Joe Flacco, Mike Adams, Ben Patrick, Gino Gradkowski, and Devon Still, to name a few. Bryan was led to Howard High School, where he played football and basketball.  As a QB, he threw for 1,619 yards and 16 touchdowns.  He ran for 541 yards and 13 touchdowns.  He caught 13 passes for 161 yards and two touchdowns.  He averaged 34.4 yards per punt. Just a hunch, but my money is on Wright to win a punt, pass, and kick competition at Camp Higher Ground next summer.

Bryan was a three-year varsity basketball player, as well, averaging 11.3 points and 8.4 boards. He even played on Howard’s State Championship team his senior year.

Clearly athletic, on the field Bryan had his act together.  Off the field, he struggled in the classroom.  As a result, he was not heavily recruited by colleges.  Many folks in his position would have waived the white flag and turned to the streets or crime.  

Bryan didn’t give up.  Instead, he moved himself to Matthews, North Carolina to attend Jireh Preparatory Academy.  The goal? According to Wright, “to do it on his own.”  To hone his football skills and learn to be a student in the classroom.  The result? Out of Jireh Prep, he was ranked the #9 player in the prep school rankings and a 3-star prospect.  A city guy, he fell in love with UC when he visited. He claims “it just feels like home to me.”  The following year Wright enrolled at the University of Cincinnati to play defensive end and earn a four-year college degree.  

Wright has thoroughly enjoyed his time in Clifton.  He is fitting in perfectly under Coach Fickel’s defense.  During the season opener, Austin Peay was threatening to tie the score at the end of the first half.  On 3rd and goal, the QB dropped back.  With Bryan beginning to rush, he saw the QB’s eyes, stopped, jumped, and intercepted the ball.  A huge momentum swing to close out the first half, leading to a Bearcat victory.

He continued to impress against Michigan and Miami off the edge. Bryan mentioned “the Michigan game was the best experience he’s ever been a part of.”  With the optimism surrounding the UC defense this year, Bryan Wright will be an important part of the success up front along the line.

In the classroom, Wright’s journey also paid off.  With a 3.0 GPA, Wright will soon earn his bachelor’s degree in health education, with a criminal justice minor.  After he hangs up his cleats, he wants to become a physical trainer.   He enjoys spending time with him teammates and listening to music.  Bryan also claims to be the best Madden Football player now that Alex Pace graduated.  

 This week, Wright’s whole family will make the short trip a few hours away to watch UC play Navy in Annapolis, Maryland.  And strange enough, he played defense against Navy’s JV football team while in prep school.  Wright knows what’s coming – “it’s all about assignment football, 11 on 11.”  Maybe #95 will be the key to a Bearcats victory come Saturday at 3:30 pm.

By Andy Smith

Ding Dong – Why The Miami Game Matters

September 17, 2017

Mike Boone with a boot on his left ankle. Greased goalposts ready to celebrate a win. A 4-point favorite in Vegas.  Special grey Adidas uniforms. Popped collars. Hairspray. Hair gel. Range Rovers.  Below average beer pong skills. J Crew’d students in attendance, for probably just this game. Love and Honor.

An angry Redhawk squad ready to snap the 11-game UC win streak.  Gus Ragland at QB – a competitive, savvy player passed over by everyone, including Cincinnati, out of our own backyard, Moeller High School.  A Bearcat hangover after playing their hearts out at Michigan.  And last, but not least, a wide receiver group who struggled to hang on to even the easiest of catches.  

The stage was set for a sad ending in Oxford. 

Recap Of A Crazy UC Win.

UC was dead in the water.  Down 17-6 with 4 minutes and 45 seconds left – you’re not supposed to win.  Outscoring Miami 18-3 in the 4th quarter, the Cats somehow scratched and clawed their way to a win.  A complete team win.  It took offense, a pick-6, and special teams to escape Miami. Here is the video Brian posted on Twitter of Malik Clements’ pick-6…

Miami with unbelievably poor clock management in the final two minutes.  Quite frankly, I don’t know what was worse – the television announcers or Chuck Martin’s game plan in the final minutes.  A flag for blatant pass interference by Coleman in the end zone was picked up and withdrawn, which would have given the Redhawks the ball on UC’s 2-yard line.  Maybe a make up call for the earlier targeting call, UC got away with highway robbery toward the end of the game in Oxford. Someone call the Butler County Sheriff.  Make it 12 in a row for UC.  The Bearcats secure the Victory Bell in the 122nd rendition of this rivalry.  TWELVE in a row.

The Glass Is More Than Half Full.

Hayden Moore threw a couple picks, including a costly one in the end zone.  Gray with an awful drop on a go-ahead touchdown.  Lewis with more drops following the Michigan game. The offense is far from where it needs to be. But this team does not quit.  At no point did UC throw in the towel.  Tuberville would have all but packed up and got on the bus after halftime last year.  

The Fighting Fickells are different, way different.  Fight to the finish.  Never give in. Words of the UC fight song are taken to heart this year by each and every player wearing the red and black.

While the UC offensive woes continue, the Bearcats defense is a sight to watch.  Sound tackling.  Aggressive pass rush.  Stepping up when needed the most.  Coach Fickell’s defensive prowess is shining through already.  

Even if Boone is out for the year, true freshman Michael Warren, II and redshirt freshman Gerrid Doaks will supply a young and fun to watch ground game.  Yes, they are freshman and pass protection will need to improve, but these guys can run.  And they can do so for the next four seasons starting now. 

Defining College Football.

I could go the rest of my life without ever watching another NFL game, let alone a Bengals game.  Yet when it comes to college football, I can’t imagine going one magnificent Saturday without it.  I plan my year around it, my work calendar, my vacations schedule – my life.  I have missed weddings, skipped birthdays, cancelled dates, called in sick, and played hooky.  Whatever it takes.  An American love affair.  My mistress.  She gets me.

College football is tradition + pageantry + magic.  A spectacle on every level.  The fans. Tailgating. The architectural wonders of stadiums.  The bands.  The trophies.  The cheerleaders.  The list goes on.  It makes your heart race, can cause euphoria or equally force you into tears at any given moment like your girlfriend who dumped you in 8th grade.  It’s the closest thing we have to recreating the ancient events transpiring in the Roman Colosseum.  

It’s last Saturday in the Big House.  It is face paint, pompoms, cheering, dancing, making your own sign, and traveling across the country.  It is Appalachian State.  It is UC coming back in unheard of fashion in a blizzard to beat Pitt in 2009.  It is Reggie Bush. It is Mardy Gilyard.  Comebacks, letdowns, upsets – it is unpredictable, yet perfect.  It is whatever you want it to be. I could go on and on, but if you’re reading this article, you get it. 

This Series Matters People.

The first Battle for the Victory Bell was played in 1888 in Oxford.  No that is not a typo – we are talking about the first college football game played in the State of Ohio.  This game has more history than “the game” played between Ohio State and Michigan.  Think about that. No, really take a minute and soak it in.

The Miami UC series ranks 2nd on the list of most-played rivalries in college football and is the oldest Division I rivalry west of the Allegheny Mountains. It is the oldest non-conference rivalry in college football. The schools have met every year since 1945.  This game is tradition – history before our eyes.

I’ve heard the arguments on both sides.  Some are of the opinion the Bearcats are “better than” or have “moved past” the Redhawks.  It’s a trap game with no benefit.  The game does not benefit UC.  Why are we playing a MAC team every year? Blah. Blah. Blah.  Conferences re-align.  Schools change coaches, logos, jerseys, stadiums, and sponsorships.  What matters is colleges keep traditions going strong. Players change, but the Battle for the Victory Bell offers fans consistency – something to expect year after year.  Campuses separated by just 30 miles with both fanbases decked out in red – the Battle for the Victory Bell is important, dammit.

The Keg of Nails (birth: 1929; death: 2013).  The Paddlewheel Trophy (birth: 2005; death: 2012). I don’t know about you, but I really, really miss these rivalry games.  A hole in my heart that will never be filled.  Looking at my replica Keg of Nails given away to fans during the last matchup in Nippert when the fighting Teddy Bridgewaters broke our hearts in OT brings a tear to me eyes.  

We only look at half of the rivalry.  Think of how important it is for the Redhawks to test themselves and fight UC every season.  Just as the Bearcats team and fans look forward to playing the OSU’s of the world, Miami looks forward to playing Clifton’s finest.  The Redhawks’ roster is filled with walk-ons and players overlooked by the Power 5 and the AAC.  The Battle for the Victory Bell is a stage, an annual opportunity – a chance to prove Miami can compete regardless of recruit rankings and scholarship offers.  

Let’s not lose another one folks.  Miami is the only rivalry game UC has left on the schedule in the new-found hodgepodge known as the AAC.  

Rivalries bring the best out of players, coaches, and fans.  Throw the records out.  The number of stars Scout gives the players do not matter. Rivalries are college football.  The storylines. The history.  The tradition.  Luke Fickell knows a thing or two about rivalry games and rivalry week, as he discussed during his weekly press conference.  Rivalries matter.  The Redhawks matter. The Bell matters.  Let it ring. 

That Trophy Though.

The original Victory Bell disappeared in the 1930s.  How cool is that?  The original bell then magically resurfaced in 1946 and is now on display in the lobby of Miami’s Murstein Alumni Center – call it a participation trophy if you will.  

The current Bell is a replica, which is quickly running out of room to paint and denote future game-winners, and will likely remain in the Richard E. Lindner for eternity.

Stats Baby.

All-time series

Miami leads, 59-56-7

Largest victory

Cincinnati, 46-0 (1904)

Longest win streak

Cincinnati, 12 (2006-2017) 

Contract Extension.

Mike Bohn and Co. met in a room somewhere over steaks and whiskey with the Miami administration and negotiated the newest contract extension for the series.  At least that’s how I imagine this happening.  The result?  The rivalry continues and UC used its clout to get a few more “home” games at Paul Brown Stadium – a 2 for 1 special, if you will.  While I quite frankly hate watching games played off campus, maybe this will bring a spark to increase fan participation in this historic rivalry.  

 Sept. 16, 2017 at Miami

 Sept. 8, 2018 at Paul Brown Stadium

 Sept. 14, 2019 at Cincinnati

 Sept. 19, 2020 at Miami

 Sept. 4, 2021 at Cincinnati

 Sept. 17, 2022 at Paul Brown Stadium

 Sept. 16, 2023 at Cincinnati

 Sept. 14, 2024 at Miami

 Sept. 6, 2025 at Cincinnati

 Sept. 19, 2026 at Paul Brown Stadium

 Sept. 11, 2027 at Miami  

 Sept. 9, 2028 at Cincinnati

 Sept. 8, 2029 at Miami

Mike Bohn has now kept Mike Cronin in Clifton, hired Luke Fickell, overseen renovations at both Nipprt Stadium and Fifth Third Arena, and extended the Battle for the Victory Bell for 12 more years on UC turf.  The dude gets it, and I hope you do as well. Ding ding dong.

By Andy Smith

Bearcats Jump Michigan

September 16, 2017

Sometimes the body has to jump. Bound. Leap.

Toward the pale blue heavens, feet press against the Earth beneath searching for sky. Arms cajole the head and torso upward, arrows firing toward the sun.

Micro-Communities.

Standing just outside the tunnel, I watch the University of Cincinnati players sprint, skip, and jump their way onto the turf at the University of Michigan’s “Big House.” Fighting back tears, the moment has me. Grown kids unconsciously springing into the air as their eyes meet 111,000 football fans is too much for this grown man to bear. I wipe tears from behind Waferers, hat pulled low. This is a football game, after all.

No doubt, many saw players running onto a field; I saw more. Maybe fatherhood transformed me into this sorry sentimental excuse of a man. Raising three sons prevents me from ignoring the micro-communities that also bound onto the field of play.

Each player is accompanied onto the Big House turf by the invisible sacrifices of their moms and dads, brothers and sisters, grandparents. Look closely enough, just past the C-paw on the gleaming, black helmet, and you’ll see the micro-community is larger than family. High school and little league coaches, teachers, whole neighborhoods and apartment buildings, they’re all in Ann Arbor waiting on the whistle to screech and cleats to kick leather.

Clay, Alabama hops with Hayden. Sandy Creek stands with Jaelen and JaQuay. LaSalle leaps with Jarell.

Mind Over Matter.

There is a strange connection between the mind and body. Sometimes the mind leads the body; other times, the opposite is true. “It can be difficult to distinguish real confidence from confidence that comes from just standing up straight,” so says Ohio State psychology professor Richard Petty. He continues, “Happiness leads to smiling, but also smiling leads to happiness.”

Toward the end of last season, the Bearcats looked defeated before they ever walked onto the field. Or as my old man used to say, “Them boys looked whooped before the punchin’ started.” Shoulders slumped and solemn faces, the 2016 UC team slowly approached the gridiron most games, a funeral procession’s pace.

One of the first things first year Coach Luke Fickell focused on this offseason was body language. Players must stand, stay engaged, and be prepared to give their undivided effort. Nobody gets a pass, not even media. After a spring practice, Coach Fickell joked that I’d yawned one too many times during practice.

Science supports Coach Fickell’s philosophy. “Embodied cognition” is a phrase used to describe the mind-body connection, and scientists have discovered that the posture of the body triggers the mind. Good posture doesn’t just display confidence, it transforms the chemical composition of the brain. Presumably wearing lab coats and holding beakers, scientists collected saliva samples of people displaying different postures. The beaker spit showed that upright postures increase testosterone while decreasing cortisol levels, the stress hormone in the brain.

Getting to Ann Arbor.

Ann Arbor is a hop, skip and a jump from Cincinnati. In the 60s and 70s, many influential rock bands called Ann Arbor home, including Iggy Pop, Bob Seger, and George Clinton. Bearing the hallmarks of a musical past, Ann Arbor has plenty of great bars, breweries, coffee shops, and even a Himalayan Bizarre. The city is a weird blend of the eclectic bohemia that surrounds most Midwestern universities combined with a rabid maize-and-blue-clad fan base, many of whom never bothered to enroll in classes.

In the 1800s, the Ann Arbor general store was painted bright red at the intersection of Huron and Main, and became known as “Bloody Corners.” If you followed my Twitter account (@BearcatsRadio), you’d understand my desire not to go near Bloody Corners. We published an article last week that went viral within the Wolverine online community. Not only did some folks take to the internet to make comments, but some stopped just short of threatening my life. While I appeared on the Oh Varsity! podcast to discuss it and an article was written describing the verbal jousting, for your convenience I share a small sample of some of my favorite comments…

As you can gather, the thesis of the article inciting digital violence from the Michigan faithful – UC would win the game. Why was that so offensive? Why did I believe the Bearcats could compete? Coaching and talent.

The Game.

Prior to Saturday’s game, Luke Fickell had jogged onto the Big House turf ten times. At Ohio State, Fickell was 5-5 in the Big House (0-2 as a player; 5-3 as a coach). Having observed a fair number of good coaches in my life, I think Luke Fickell could end up being a great coach. He’s as concerned with the body language and culture of the team as he is the Xs and Os of schemes.

Football is a violent game, a fight. Players collide, sometimes at high speeds. Football’s violence is the great equalizer, providing any athletic team with a puncher’s chance to win. Early in the game, it appeared as though Michigan was going to cruise to an early TKO. Michigan’s two quick scores felt like a punch in Cincinnati’s gut. Though hobbled, the Bearcats climbed up from the ground, and scrapped their way back into the game. UC opportunistically recovered fumbles and entered halftime down ten points (7-17), set to receive the third quarter kickoff. As the players made their way into the locker room, their posture advised how the second half would go – this Bearcats team was far from whooped.

At the end of the third quarter, the margin was ten points (14-24), as well. But late game mistakes ultimately cost us the win. I say “us” for a reason.

Us.

The University of Cincinnati players and coaches lost the football game to the University of Michigan players and coaches, 14-36. But we, the community (and micro-communities) of supporters saw something we haven’t seen in a while. Fight. Confidence. Heads held high to the finish.

After the game, Michigan fans took note. I walked in front of the band as they marched down Hoover Avenue, the street still lined with Wolverines faithful. They clapped. They shouted encouraging remarks about how UC played. They applauded the band as though they went wire to wire with Harbaugh’s 8th ranked squad. In some ways, they did. We all did.

For me, more emotion. Touching the corner of my eyes, I acted like the Ann Arbor mold count was high. Allergies, I explained to my friend.

The Big House is a whole body experience. One hundred and eleven thousand human beings on this somewhat shared journey, each wanting our community to prevail. Though each of us is focused on our team, the same things are unfolding in our presence. And it’s beautiful.

By Brian Fox

B. Fox’s Plans for Tackling Ann Arbor, Michigan (Complete with Helpful Maps and Weather Forecasts)

September 7, 2017

Okay friends and Bearcats Faithful, this weekend is going to be a blast. If you’re on the fence about whether to go, please click this link and heed its advice.

As promised, I am now sharing our itinerary for the #BeatMichigan weekend experience. If you’re so inclined, I would love to share a pint, picture, “Down the Drive” chant, or smile with you in Ann Arbor. To that end, here is my best guess of where I am headed with my squad…

Friday – September 8

Noon – Depart for Ann Arbor, Michigan

4pm – Check in at hotel

6pm – Happy Hour at Dominick’s, 812 Monroe Street

8pm – Bearcats Night Before event at Conor O’Neills, 318 S. Main Street

10pm – Root Beer Float and Pesto Fries at Ashley’s, 338 S. State Street

Midnight – Nightcap(s) at Jolly Pumpkin because Fall, 311 S. Main Street

For your viewing pleasure, here are some shabbily drawn notations on a map which provides approximate locations for the fine taverns listed above and restaurants below…

Geriatric Disclaimer: I grow older and more weary by the day. There’s a chance, a strong chance, that I will end up asleep by 11pm (read: 10:30pm), but you never know.

Saturday – September 9 – Game Day

8am – Short Stack/Hippie Hash at Fleetwood Diner, 300 S. Ashley Street

9:30am – Park in Triangle Lot for Media, just SE of Crisler Center and Stadium

For those of you still seeking parking information, this link might be helpful.

9:45am – Walk to UC Alumni and Republic of Cincy Tailgate, around Hole #6 on University of Michigan golf course

10:30am – Michigan Drum Line Step Show at Revelli Hall, 350 E. Hoover Avenue (Wolverines Band then marches down Hoover Avenue, turning left on Greene, and into the Big House)

11:15am – Arrive at Photo/Video Entrance adjacent to Gate 1

Noon – Kickoff

5pm – Victory Steaks at The Chop House Ann Arbor, 322 S. Main Street

6:30pm – Depart for Cincinnati

The weather for Friday and Saturday looks perfect for football.

If it’s not apparent, I couldn’t possibly be more excited for this game. Go Bearcats!

By Brian Fox

Against the Michigan Wolverines, Bearcats Look to Regain National Prominence

September 6, 2017

The Michigan Wolverines, led by head coach and former Indianapolis Colt Jim Harbaugh, are ranked 8th in the Associated Press and Amway Coaches polls following their win last week against the Florida Gators. Luke Fickell takes his unranked, upstart Cincinnati Bearcats to Ann Arbor this Saturday in a game that has Bearcats fans excited but that Las Vegas predicts will be a 34.5 point lopsided victory for the Wolverines.

Michigan “got by” Florida.

In the Wolverines’ season opener against the Gators on Saturday in Arlington, Texas, Michigan prevailed 33-17 and handed Florida its first season opening loss since 1989. It was quite a run for the Gators, but thanks to Harbaugh’s petty gamesmanship and McElwain’s suspension of ten players for allegedly participating in some kind of debit card scam, among them tailback Jordan Scarlett and receiver Antonio Callaway, Michigan got by Florida. 

Yeah, I said it – Michigan got by Florida.

Once you comb through the hype, it wasn’t a blow-out win or even that impressive of a win over Florida. Think about it. The Gators were actually up at the half 17-13, and only trailed Michigan by nine with under two to play in the fourth quarter.  With 1:37 left in the fourth, Florida QB Malik Zaire failed to secure the ball dropping back out of the shotgun into his own end zone. Michigan’s defense caused Zaire to fumble and recovered it for a touchdown bringing the score to 33-17. It was a close game, despite that Florida failed to score an offensive touchdown, suspended ten of its best players, and Florida was prevented from fully preparing because of Jim Harbaugh’s late-roster-release-weak-sauce-move. 

That said, there was one exceptionally bright spot for the Wolverines, their defense. In case you missed it, THE MICHIGAN DEFENSE DID NOT ALLOW A SINGLE FLORIDA OFFENSIVE TOUCHDOWN. After the game, some commentators attributed this to the ineptness of the Florida offense rather than the strength of the Michigan defense. There is some statistical support for that argument but Michigan Defensive Coordinator, Don Brown, may have one of the best if not the best defense in college football. Michigan held Florida to 11 total rushing yards on 27 total attempts. That’s a rush defense that only allowed an average of 0.4 yards per carry, which is quite impressive against Florida’s SEC speed, to say the least. 

The Bearcats “got by” Austin Peay.

In the Bearcats’ season opener at Nippert Stadium last Thursday night, Cincinnati defeated the Austin Peay Governors 26-14. Overall, it was a pedestrian first outing that should have resulted in a more lopsided victory.

While Michigan got by Florida, UC just got by Austin Peay.

By way of contrast, UC’s slim victory was more cagey, closer to the vest. It’s not clear whether Coach Fickell fully opened the playbook, whereas Michigan had no incentive to hold back against Florida. The Bearcats’ outing provides little help forecasting just how good this team can be, especially against a team like Michigan on a stage as big as The Big House. 

Bearcats’ tailback Mike Boone rushed for 100 yards against the Governors on 19 attempts and his longest carry was a 26 yard gain. In order for Cincinnati to be offensively successful against the Wolverines, Boone has to have a huge day.

This, in turn, could open up the passing game for Cincinnati’s receivers (Devin Gray #21, Sr.; Jerron Rollins #26, So.; Thomas Geddis #85, So.; Kahlil Lewis #1, Jr.; TE Tyler Cogswell #18, Sr.). Last Thursday night, Junior QB Hayden Moore completed 17 of 28 passes for 151 yards with 3 touchdowns against Austin Peay, the best of which came on a nicely executed out-and-up pattern down the middle on a short yardage goal line play to TE Tyler Cogswell. Cogswell is a beast (6-5, 248) and it would tremendously benefit the Bearcats offense to utilize the Moore-Cogswell connection against Michigan, particularly in 2nd and 3rd down sets.

Moore’s ability to connect with his leanest WR, Thomas Geddis (6-5, 185), and junior speedster and 2016 most valuable receiver, Kahlil Lewis, will prove equally critical if the Bearcats are going to put offensive points on the board in Ann Arbor.

UC’s receiving corps can be a talented bunch, with an exciting mishmash of size and speed, if their maturity and decision making can outpace their experience.

Florida showed that big receivers can take advantage of the Michigan secondary. 

Two Keys – Rush D and Down 3.

The Bearcats have to improve their third down efficiency. The Bearcats only converted 3 of 11 third downs against Austin Peay, and must do better on Saturday against the Wolverines. 

The Bearcats’ D is key. The Bearcats’ defense must put some pass pressure, with varying blitz packages, on mistake-prone Michigan QB Wilton Speight.

Michigan has an outstanding offensive line and Speight had all day to stand in the pocket and find open receivers against Florida. Michigan had 218 passing yards and averaged 8.4 yards per pass against Florida but Speight did throw back-to-back pick sixes. If the Bearcats’ safeties and corners can keep Michigan’s receivers in front of them and cause a few turnovers with interceptions or fumbles, the Bearcats will have a shot at the upset.

Cincinnati’s defensive line will play a pivotal role in deciding the outcome of this game. Sophomore DE for the Bearcats, Bryan White, made a key interception on 3rd & Goal against the Governors at the end of the first half to save an Austin Peay touchdown or field goal. It was a great play by the big fella. White and the rest of the D-Line will need to dig in and get their hands up to knock down, tip, and block Speight’s passes and passing lanes. Remember, the Gators had two back-to-back pick sixes thanks to sloppy Speight passes.

The Bearcats D has to keep Speight in Slopsburg Saturday. 

Finally, a few matters of concern…

First, the Bearcats gave up 224 rushing yards to Austin Peay. Against Florida, Michigan, led by Ty Isaac, had 215 total rushing yards and averaged 4.4 yards per rush. As Coach Fickell observed, the Wolverines’ backfield is deep and of a higher quality than the Governors’ backfield. The Bearcats have to stop the Michigan run game. It’s that simple.

Second, Austin Peay’s time of possession was almost double that of Cincinnati. The Governors had 313 total yards versus the Bearcats with a 37:41 time of possession. Michigan had 433 total yards versus Florida with a time of possession of 34:13. With The Big House crowd and all of their offensive weapons (Speight, Isaac, Tarik Black), Michigan is not a team that the Bearcats can allow to win the time of possession battle. But again, one of the major keys is for Cincinnati to improve its third down efficiency to keep its offense on the field while the clock ticks. Assuming the Bearcats do so, this game has all the makings to be a major upset and put the Bearcats back in the national college football spotlight. 

Well, that’s GQ’s preview for the Bearcats- Week Two. Thanks for reading. 

Final Prediction: Bearcats 34, Wolverines 31. GO BEARCATS!

By Gabe Quearry

Questions for the Austin Peay Home Opener – Christmas is Here!

August 31, 2017

Let’s face it, Austin Peay is not very good. There’s not much to break down as far as an opponent preview this week.  The FCS’s Governors, out of Clarksville, Tennessee, have lost 27 consecutive games and are a combined 1-45 in the last four years.  We won’t waste your time with that nonsense.

However, there are a number of questions this game will help us begin to answer. As Coach Fickell said during the weekly press conference this week, Thursday’s game is going to feel like Christmas as he unwraps presents in the form of game time reps.  Coach Fickell said he’s very excited to see what gifts he may find during his first game. And quite frankly, we are just as excited to see what kind of presents the Fickell Era brings to Nippert under the lights. Here are some questions that will begin to be answered as the game unfolds:

  1. How many touches will Mike Boone receive and in what roles?
  2. How will running back phenom Gerrid Doaks look during a live game?
  3. How much playing time will the freshman all-stars receive, including Michael Warren, II, Jarell White, and R.J. Potts?
  4. How will Landon Brazile and Cortez Broughton play after their respective injuries?
  5. Who will step up beyond Devin Gray and Kahlil Lewis at receiver?
  6. How will Andrew Gantz look kicking field goals after his frustrating season-long injury in ’16?
  7. How will our special teams look, including the new Aussie punter?
  8. What will the new defense look like? Conversely, what will the new offense look like?
  9. Missed tackles have plagued the Bearcats last season.  How fundamentally sound will the defense play?
  10. What sort of energized crowd will show up in Nippert Stadium after a 4-8 season?
  11. And what about the quarterback position? Moore? Trail? A combination of the two? Ridder? Sopko?

The bottom line is there’s much to look forward to this season and the Governors will show up Thursday night hoping to shock Clifton. Here’s to hoping that doesn’t happen.

By Andy Smith

Getting to Know OSU O-Line Transfer #56 Kyle Trout

August 29, 2017

Prior to arriving in Clifton, junior offensive guard Kyle Trout earned his bachelor’s degree in finance in just three years at Ohio State University.  A four-star prospect out of Lancaster High School, Trout was regarded as a top-25 offensive lineman prospect, nationally. A jack of all trades, he also played basketball and participated in track and field.  

You can easily see why coach Fickell recruited him in Columbus out of high school.  The two developed a connection – both being local guys that played for OSU.  Trout’s high school team even played coach Fickell’s alma mater, DeSales High School.  Coach Fickell could easily talk to Trout, and he immediately recognized the most important factor in Fickell’s eyes – Kyle’s work ethic. 

When Coach accepted the UC job, Trout spoke to him about transferring to play at UC and earn a master’s degree.  Everything worked out perfectly and Kyle is fully committed to being a Bearcat.  Trout’s wife attends medical school at Wright State University in Dayton, and plans to practice emergency medicine.  They live in West Chester and both commute in opposite directions to their respective campuses, 45 minutes or more on a daily basis. 

Standing at 6’6” and 300 lbs., Trout is a force to be reckoned with on the o-line.  However, he played mainly on the scout team at OSU. He played in a handful of games, but was never able to break through to the first team.  Kyle was simply “lost in the shuffle” of the crowd of blue-chippers in Columbus.  After a few seasons, it was simply too late to make up ground and get on the field.  

He hopes to use his experience and size to contribute immediately as a Bearcat.  He just wants to touch the field and provide as much value as he can on Saturdays this season as tackle or guard on the line.  Kyle immediately noticed the attention he was given by coaches and staff during his first practices as a Bearcat. He looks forward to starting anew and helping Coach Fickell’s new team as much as possible.

By Andy Smith

Catching Up With QB1 – #8 Hayden Moore

August 29, 2017

In a tightly contested quarterback battle between junior Hayden Moore and sophomore Ross Trail, Coach Fickell dubbed Hayden the UC starting quarterback for week one against Austin Peay.

Growing up in small-town Clay, Alabama, Moore was used to a one traffic light type of environment before arriving in Clifton. In Clay, everyone knows everyone and Hayden stayed close to Clay-Chalkville High School his entire life, playing baseball or football just about every single day, and golf for fun as time allowed.  During the last football camp he attended in high school, he met Tubs’ staff and decided to play for the Bearcats.  

Moore’s parents drive eight hours up to Cincinnati for every game and they do their best to attend the away games, as well.  Even when Hayden was hurt last year, his parents drove up to watch the games and cheer on the Cats.  

Hayden graduates this semester with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He then plans to earn his MBA at UC before his playing years conclude after next season.  

Despite the competition, Hayden remains close friends with Ross Trial and still talks to Gunner Kiel from time to time.  Ross and Hayden even roomed together at Camp Higher Ground, ignoring the drama and trying to bring out the best in the other player.  The fight to earn the title of QB1 was (and may remain) a neck-and-neck battle this season.  We look forward to seeing how Hayden and the new-look offense play Thursday night in Nippert Stadium.  

By Andy Smith

Converted Wide Out, Model, Future Movie Star – #14 J.J. Pinckney

August 15, 2017

UC redshirt junior J.J. Pinckney was raised in Sylvania, Ohio.  He attended Southview High School, where he played wide receiver. A three-star recruit, he chose UC over Michigan State, Minnesota, Kentucky, and Boston College. During the recruiting process, the former UC defensive backs coach David Clinkscale actually recruited J.J.’s brother.  This relationship led Pinckney to UC.
 
After making his way down I-75 South to Cincinnati, J.J. began his career under Coach Tuberville as a cornerback.  When coach Fickell came in, he immediately switched Pinckney back to his natural position at wide out.  According to J.J., “not too many opportunities have come his way.”  However, the coaching change and position switch offers him a fresh start, and J.J. is excited to see what the final two years of his career offer on the offensive side of the ball.
 
His mother and stepfather actually surprised him and drove down to watch him play during the closed scrimmage inside Nippert Stadium Saturday night.  J.J. is likely the only person on the team who knows where Genoa, Ohio, is located, near Sylvania (where I grew up).
 
J.J. has a creative side and is very interested in art.  He is a psychology major, but spends plenty of time at DAAP – UC’s world-renowned College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning.   His hobbies include modeling and exploring Cincinnati.  After football is finished, he plans to move to Hollywood and pursue modeling, acting, and writing.

By Andy Smith