Tailgate! Cincinnati

June 10, 2014
James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

It was the year 2001, I was a young college lad and Outkast had recently released their record Ms. Jackson to little fanfare.  Unranked Auburn University, far removed from the days of Bo Jackson, was playing the 2nd ranked Florida Gators.  A young Tommy Tuberville was coaching the Tigers, and I was in attendance at Jordan-Hare Stadium.  I woke up Saturday morning in the Farmhouse Fraternity House and made my way to the stadium.

I used to enjoy college football, but from that point forward, I was hooked.  My walk to the stadium was accompanied by a sea of tailgaters, as far as the eye could see.  RV’s parked for days.  The best contraptions money could buy to cook a steak…a porkchop…a hotdog.  Kids being taught how to throw a football by their dad and their dad’s tipsy friends.  It wasn’t just a game; it was a community, a culture.  The result of that game wasn’t half bad either, more on that here.

I’m not accustomed to begging, but I’ll do it here.  As most of you are aware, Nippert is under renovations and all home games will be played at Paul Brown Stadium this year.  Here’s the ask – show up.  Do your level-best to put on a decent tailgate for your friends, for your community.  If you need friends, I can lend you some.

The home schedule includes the following games: Toledo on Friday, September 12; Miami on Saturday, September 20; Memphis on Saturday, October 4; USF on Friday, October 24; East Carolina on Thursday, November 13; and Houston on Saturday, December 6.

Then, there’s a game up North (411 Woody Hayes Drive, Columbus, Ohio – more details soon) on Saturday, September 27.

Circle that date.  Draw a line through it.  Do whatever is necessary to make that road trip happen.  Kick-off is at 6 P.M.  That leaves you all afternoon to set up shop, drink some ice cold ones, pitch some cornhole, and experience the inevitable harassment likely to be inflicted by the worst fan base in the history of sports (Go Bucks?  Cannot. Handle. Them.).

Bottom line is, you need to be there for this squad.  It’s Tuberville’s second season.  He continues to score good recruits.  Gunner will be Gunner.  Let’s create a community, a culture.

Great Recruiting Haul for the Bearcats – LB Quintin Hampton

June 9, 2014
Courtesy of Rivals.com

Courtesy of Rivals.com

Good news Bearcats fans, another athletic linebacker has been added to the 2015 recruiting class.  Quintin Hampton, a 5’11” 225 lb. linebacker from Colquitt County High School in Georgia, has committed to the Bearcats.  He was listed by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution as one of the 10 best linebackers in the state of Georgia. Though he attracted interest from some SEC schools, he has decided to call Cincinnati home.  Kudos to the recruiting team for scoring an excellent student athlete (he maintains a 3.7 GPA) to the 2015 class.

Star PG Justin Jenifer to Bearcats!

June 9, 2014

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Earlier today, I reported that Justin Jenifer was going to make his decision in a matter of days.  Well, he decided.  Jenifer has chosen to play for Mick Cronin’s Bearcats.  Jenifer is one of the premier point guards in the country and a top 100 recruit.  He’s quick with the ball, decisive, and has great instincts.  He received offers from Georgetown, Memphis, and Miami.  He visited Cincinnati on June 5th and has made public his decision to play for UC.  

DB Antonio Howard Stays #BearcatBound

June 9, 2014
Courtesy of Rivals.com

Courtesy of Rivals.com

It was a simple message, but one that should be received with much pleasure by Bearcats fans all over.  Antonio Howard, a Rivals 3-Star DB commit to the class of 2015, has confirmed that he is still #BearcatBound.  Howard has picked up offers from Miami, Penn State, WVU, Pitt, USF, and Syracuse.  Most recently, Howard was offered by Mississippi State yesterday on June 8th.  

Nevertheless, the 5’9.5″, 160 lb. speedster is still committed to the Cincinnati Bearcats, according to his twitter account @speedyhoward.  When asked whether he was still coming to Cincinnati, Mr. Howard replied “#BearcatBound.”   

I’m looking forward to watching this young man play.  He joins a long list of Bearcats from the Sunshine State, Miami FLA pipeline.  Let’s hope other recruits make “#BearcatBound” trend.  

All Eyes on Gunner

June 8, 2014
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Matt Cashore – USA Today Sports

I cannot emphasize enough that the national media will be paying close attention to Gunner Kiel and the Cincinnati Bearcats this year.  Even though the Bearcats are not coming off a BCS-Bowl-Game-caliber last season, there are high expectations in Clifton and around the country for the highly-touted Kiel.  

As some of you may be aware, there is a supposed hierarchy of college football based largely upon tradition.  Because of that supposed hierarchy, the nation is shocked when coaches like Tommy Tuberville and quarterbacks like Gunner Kiel choose Cincinnati.  Well, what Cincinnati lacks in college football tradition, it makes up for in potential.  Cincinnati is a hotbed of high school football, and home to a lot of Bengals fans.  In other words, the city of Cincinnati knows football.  And I suspect this city is hungry for a team with a winning attitude to take the field at Paul Brown Stadium this fall.   

During the spring game, Kiel looked sharp, poised, and mature in the pocket.  With all of the attention, will he be able to carry this team into national contention?

CBS Sports Predicts Bearcats to Peach Bowl

June 8, 2014

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It’s not really worth much at this point, but the Bearcats are getting some best-of-the-not-power-conference treatment over at CBS.  Jerry Palm (I promise no palm reading puns), who is a CBS-described “bowls expert” predicted that the Bearcats will play South Carolina in the Peach Bowl.  

To evaluate whether you trust the data, please also consider that he is predicting that Arkansas State will play Wyoming in the New Orleans bowl.  I doubt he knows the Sun Belt Conference like the palm (woops) of his hand…  

According to ESPN, Mick Cronin Outpaces Huggins

June 7, 2014
Image courtesy of USA Today.

Image courtesy of USA Today.

Nearly 100 writers, editors, broadcasters, and researchers at ESPN have undertaken the herculean task of ranking the top 100 college basketball coaches right now.  Guess what?  UC’s Mick Cronin was ranked as the 27th best coach.  Not too bad.

Former UC coach, Bob Huggins, was ranked 30th.  Notably, our crosstown rival’s head coach, Chris Mack, was ranked 43rd.  More here.

14 Bearcats Get AAC Preseason Honors

June 7, 2014

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 Before you read on, let me offer a huge caveat – I do not put much stock into preseason accolades.  Based on promise and potential alone, I was a preseason member of the national honor society in high school.  Turns out, I skipped a lot of classes and didn’t put in much effort.  Make sense?

Nevertheless,14 Bearcats were listed in Phil Steele’s publication of note as players deserving attention this fall.  I love lists, and so does America!  So, here goes something…

First Team PRESEASON AAC Honorees include: 

OT Eric Lefeld (Coldwater, Ohio/Coldwater)

DE Silverberry Mouhon (Norcross, Ga./Norcross)

RB Hosey Williams (Miami, Fla./Southridge/ASA College)

Second Team PRESEASON AAC Honorees include:

C Deyshawn Bond (Indianapolis, Ind./Warren Central)

OL Parker Ehinger (Rockford, Mich./Rockford)

LB Jeff Luc (Port St. Lucie, Fla./Treasure Coast/Florida State)

LB Nick Temple (Indianapolis, Ind./Warren Central)

Third and Fourth Team PRESEASON AAC Honorees include:

DB Zach Edwards (Middletown, Ohio/Middletown)

DE Terrell Hartsfield (Raleigh, N.C./Rolesville/Copiah-Lincoln CC)

WR/PR Shaq Washington (Maple Hts., Ohio/Maple Hts.)

RB Ralph David Abernathy IV (Atlanta, Ga./Westminster School)

QB Gunner Kiel (Columbus, Ind./East/Notre Dame)

WR Mekale McKay (Louisville, Ky./Moore/Arkansas)

WR Chris Moore (Tampa, Fla./Thomas Jefferson)

Again, I’m not sure preseason lists mean much.  Each of these young men is going to have to put in the time and effort, and show up on Saturdays.  I suspect some of the preseason 3rd and 4th-teamers  may just end up carrying the Bearcats this fall.

Mardy Gilyard to the Montreal Alouettes

June 7, 2014

There’s not a thing I don’t appreciate about Mardy Gilyard. In college, he lived out of his car while he was getting back on his feet. He helped take the Bearcats to their first BCS Bowl game with his electric kick returns. Now, he is trying to make the Montreal Alouettes. Like you, I’m really pulling for him. He’s made a living off of overcoming adversity and finding his way. More from the local Canadian press here, eh.

Another Top Ten List for Gunner Kiel – This Time, Most Under Pressure

June 7, 2014

Our man, Gunner, was recently listed as one of the top 10 players under the most pressure for the 2014 season.  As a recruit, he was rated as either the best, or second best, quarterback in his recruiting class.  Do you know who was also considered the best quarterback of his class?  You guessed it – Jameis Winston.  Winston already has a Heisman and a National Championship.  So, the eyes of the national media will undoubtedly be on Kiel as he attempts to make good on his promising talent.  More here.