I think it’s best to simply ignore what happened Saturday night and move on. Suffice it to say, UC has been exposed in every facet of the game. Indeed, the Bearcats are now singing the Memphis Blues.
This Saturday UC gets a chance to play another big dog in that of the Miami Hurricanes. I urge you – no, I beg you – to check out the ESPN 30 for 30 on the program if you have not already. While not the powerhouse of the 1980s, Miami is still capable of recruiting top-notch talent, and it is only a matter of time before Al Golden gets the ball rolling again in Coral Gables.
This game presents a bit of a coming home party, and I am sure the below players are anxious to potentially play former teammates and past and current friends.
- #27 freshman running back Mike Boone – Macclenny, FL
- #7 red shirt freshman cornerback Aaron Brown – Miami, FL and the perineal powerhouse Northwestern High School
- #6 senior linebacker Clemente Casseus – Miami, FL
- #18 freshman tight end Tyler Cogswell – Coral Springs, FL
- #10 senior safety Darren Doston – Daytona Beach, FL
- #7 junior running back Tion Green – Sanford, FL
- #3 junior college transfer receiver Johnny Holton Miami, FL
- #20 freshman safety Carter Jacobs – Fort Lauderdale, FL
- #20 freshman receiver Tshumbi Johnson – Immokalee, FL
- #1 senior standout Florida State transfer linebacker Jeff Luc – Port St. Lucie, FL
- #15 junior standout receiver Chris Moore – Tampa, FL
- #25 freshman cornerback Alex Thomas – Hollywood, FL
- #8 senior cornerback Adrian Witty – Deerfield Beach, FL
Indeed, 13 players on the active roster hail from the Orange State. It is my hope the talented receivers Chris Moore and Johnny Holton, as well as Jeff Luc on the other side of the ball, can have a breakout game this weekend. It will take a fantastic effort to beat the Hurricanes. This is especially true if Gunner Kiel’s bruised ribs keep him sidelined, and it is the Munchie Legaux show. Unfortunately, Tion Green will also be sidelined after hernia surgery.
Miami is currently 3 – 3 boasting wins over Florida A&M, Arkansas State, and Duke, and losses against Louisville, Nebraska, and Georgia Tech. Miami thus far has not played up to expectations in the slightest. Miami has a middle-of-the-pack defense, ranked 50th against the pass and 99th against the run.
KEYS TO THE GAME
- Shut down the man-beast in the backfield, Duke Johnson. Given UC’s historically terrible start to the season defensing against the rush, this will be a very uphill battle. If this game is left to the arm of first-year starter Brad Kaaya, UC has a chance, even with the explosive weapons around him, such as the speedster Phillip Dorsett.
- Get Johnny Holton involved in the bubble screen, reverse, and hand-off game to earn some easy yards. He is by far the fastest player on the UC roster, and we need to start using him as such.
- This could even be a good time to return the ghost of RDA IV to the field in the screen and pitch game.
- A wrinkle or two with Jarred Evans similar to the OSU game may also be warranted.
- Whatever UC does, the team cannot afford to turn the ball over or give up an easy score on special teams.
Guest Contributor: Andy Smith