TicketsApril 22, 2006
CINCINNATI, Ohio - After watching the offense control tempo earlier this week, the University of Cincinnati defense came to play with fire and passion as it dominated the Bearcat offense for most of the day during the annual Black-White Spring Football Game on a sunny Saturday afternoon at Nippert Stadium.
The game was scored on a defensive scoring system, which allowed the defense to compile points for stops, turnovers, and other factors and the end result on Saturday was a 76-39 win for the defense over the offense.
UC's defense, which was one of the youngest in the nation during the 2005 season as it started as many as five freshmen most of the year, is clearly more experienced and quicker this season.
"When the ball got out in space, they got out quick and shut things down," said Bearcat head coach Mark Dantonio. "We have got to be able to run the ball better an protect the quarterback. The defense had a lot to do with the offense's struggles."
The Bearcat defense held the offense to just 245 yards in the game, including just 53 yards on 48 plays in the first half. For the game, UC compiled seven sacks, had three fumble recoveries and three interceptions.
Several defenders led the Bearcat defense, and none more than freshman reserve middle linebacker Ryan Manalac (Pickerington, Ohio), who had an interception, a sack and a forced fumble. "We were flying around out there and having a lot of fun. I think we just took it to them and everyone played off of each other when guys were making plays," he said.
Sophomore defensive tackle Adam Hoppel (Lisbon, Ohio) was also a dominant force, setting the tone early with a couple of quarterback sacks. He has had a good spring and looks forward to the 2006 season.
"I always knew I could play at this level," said Hoppel. "I have worked hard over the winter and had myself ready to play this spring. We (the defense) really wanted to play well today and I thought we did."
The offense struggled most of the day as Bearcat quarterbacks completed just 12 of 42 passes for 142 yards with three interceptions. Sophomore-to-be QB Dustin Grutza (Maysville, Ky.), the leading candidate to start in the fall, was hounded all day and forced into two interceptions while being sacked three times. He knows his offensive unit can do a lot better and must step it up this fall.
"The defense stepped up today and really played well," Grutza admitted. "We (the offense) did not execute like we should. We need to do better and I think we will this season."
Pacing the offense on Saturday was junior running back Greg Moore (Dayton, Ohio), who rushed for a game-high 54 yards on 11 carries, including a 21-yard touchdown run with 9:09 remaining in the fourth quarter for the offense's first touchdown.
The offense also had a shining moment when backup quarterback Nick Davila (Alto Loma, Calif.) hit converted wide receiver DeAngelo Smith (Columbus, Ohio) in stride with 3:11 left on a 66-yard bomb for the offense's second and final TD of the game.
"We need playmakers at all positions on offense," Dantonio said. "Dustin is still the starting quarterback but the gap is closing. Nick Davila has played well and Tony Pike (Cincinnati, Ohio) is really making positive progress. We need to look at a lot of positions."
The special teams were solid for the Bearcats as punters Kevin Huber (Cincinnati, Ohio) and Brian Steel (Payson, Ariz.) kicked the ball well. Huber averaged 48.3 yards on six punts and knocked two inside the 20, while Steel averaged 47.3 on nine punts with two inside the 20. Both punters booted a 59-yarder as their best effort of the day.
Senior kicker Kevin Lovell (Hawthorne, Calif.) was 2 of 3 on field goals attempts, converting from 38 and 32 yards, while missing wide left from 47 yards.
Back to the defense, the Bearcats held the Black squad to just 103 yards rushing on 48 attempts. Freshman defensive tackle Terrill Byrd (Cincinnati, Ohio) had two tackles for loss, including a sack, while fellow freshman defensive end Trevor Anderson (Detroit, Mich.) totaled five tackles, including a sack, a forced fumble and a pass breakup.
Senior-to-be Dominic Ross (Marion, Ohio), a two-year starter at strong safety, also had a big game with an interception and a sack to go along with four tackles, while cornerback Mike Mickens (Huber Heights, Ohio), a freshman All-American last year, had a fumble recovery, four tackles and had a tackle for loss, as well.
UC had a lot of key players out of the lineup with injuries, most notably offensive performers who will be counted on like RB Bradley Glatthaar (Cincinnati, Ohio), WR's Bill Poland (Cincinnati, Ohio) and Jared Martin (Green Springs, Ohio), FB Doug Jones (Erlanger, Ky.), and TE Kazeem Alli (St. Louis, Mo.).
"We are pretty banged up in some areas on our team, but our attitude was outstanding this spring, and we look forward to the 2006 season," said Dantonio.
The Bearcats are expected to return 44 lettermen for the 2006 season, including starters at 17 positions. UC opens its campaign against Eastern Kentucky on Saturday, Sept. 2 at Nippert Stadium.
Tickets are available for all seven UC home games by calling the UC Athletic Ticket Office at 513/556-CATS or fans can order online at www.ucbearcats.com.