TicketsSept. 28, 2006
Throughout the 2006-07 school year, select UC student-athletes will share their experiences on and off the field with Bearcat fans through CATSblogs. These student-athletes will take you in to the life of a Bearcat and share their struggles and triumphs. Fans can email their favorite CATSblogger here! Be sure to include your name and hometown.
Kevin Lovell is a senior placekicker for the UC football team. He is majoring in criminal justice and hails from Hawthorne, Calif.
Nov. 26
This past weekend the Bearcats went to in hopes of securing a bowl bid. The Bearcats would win the game 26-23, but not before some amazing events would occur. Dustin Grutza started the game but was injured and Nick Davila would come in to give another amazing performance in the come from behind win against the Huskies. Early in the game, it was all , soon though the Bearcats would wear down the Huskies and start to take control. The triple threat run game of Moore, Glathaar, and Benton wore down the Huskies and opened the passing game for Davila, who connected with numerous receivers on the day including 170 yards to Derrick Stewart, who showed why he is a playmaker. The leadership of the offense really pulled together for the win and were not to be denied.
The Bearcat defense had another great day on the field limiting the Huskies to minimal yards and pulling out the win. The Huskies ran for a little over 100 yards on the day and UC didn't let Bonislawski throw the ball for the yards that they needed to. At the end of the game is where the defense would set up the offense to get back into the game. With the Bearcats trailing by seven with little time left, the defense came up big and forced a punt deep in territory which let to the tying touchdown in the game. The Bearcat defense would come up huge again and force another punt with a minute left in the game to get the offense to set up a winning field goal after a 50 yard pass to Stewart.
The Special Teams unit, I would have to say, had its best performance of the season with Conner Barwin blocking a punt early in the game, Brian Steel punting for a 42 yard average, and converting 4-4 field goals by the field goal unit. I would have to say this was a total team effort. The team played great on the road and exhibited mental toughness to be able to come from behind and win the game.
Kevin Lovell #15
Nov. 20
The game was possibly the best atmosphere that i have ever experienced while playing for the Bearcats, it was unbelievable, especially with it being Senior night. We played a great game and the fan support was amazing! The game started off great when Rutgers missed a short field goal off a turnover that gave the Bearcats the momentum and from then on, could do nothing to stop the Bearcat offense. Nick Davila had an unbelievable performance while connecting with receivers at will, and this opened up the run game and could not stop either the run or pass attack. The Bearcat offense scored at will and with the help of the defense racked up 30 points on the night which would secure the win for UC
The Bearcat defense played better than they had all season for senior night and limited Heisman candidate Ray Rice to 50 yards on the night and made quarterback Mike Teel throw the ball which turned out to be a bad thing because he was intercepted four times on the night, one being an 85 yard interception return for a touchdown and possibly the play that broke the backs of the Scarlet Knights and gave what little momentum Rutgers had all over to the Bearcats.
As the game ended, the party started with all 28,000 fans storming the field in support of the biggest upset in UC history. It was the best thing I have ever been a part of and the feeling I can't describe. Thank you all for the support on senior night and helping to get the win and make the Bearcats bowl eligible.
Kevin Lovell #15
Nov. 15
Last weekend, the Bearcats went down to Morgantown and took on another top 10 oponent at West Virginia and played them tough. UC went into the second quarter leading 3-0 and were playing great football. In the second quarter, the Mountaineers got on the scoreboard and took a 21-3 lead into halftime. When the Bearcats came out for the second half, they showed why they play the best teams in the nation and play great. Dustin Grutza found Derrick Stewart in the endzone on a long pass play and cut the score to 21-10. West Virginia then opened the game up with three touchdowns in the third quarter and thought they had the game wrapped up until the Bearcats' offense stepped up and made a surging comeback with two fourth-quarter touchdowns from Nick Davila to Connor Barwin.
The game ended 42-24 with the Mountaineers on top in a game that featured a rain-soaked field and two great teams. The Bearcats lost the game, but turned focus to senior night this Saturday against Rutgers who is currently ranked #6 in the nation. With the Scarlet Knights coming to town, the Bearcats will play the hard-nosed football that they usually do. We all encourage everyone to come out to the game as it is nationally televised on ESPN at 7:45. Come support your Bearcats as they look to become bowl eligible.
Kevin Lovell #15
Nov. 7
Everyone that turned out for Homecoming saw a game that was dominated by the Bearcats from the start. Syracuse was a great team, but the defense took it to a new level last Saturday and did not let up in the attack. UC's offense proved they can move the ball with the best of them as well and silenced the Syracuse hopes when Dustin Grutza found Derrick Stewart in the endzone for the touchdown that ultimately put the game out of reach.
Before that, the defense was relentless allowing just 39 total yards of offense at halftime for the Orange and not over 100 total yards until seven minutes left in the game. The defense dominated in every way and did not let up. The defense this season shows why our offense can be so good, with the defense always playing the way that they play, it gives the offense numerous opportunities to make plays and start the drive with great field position. Wish the Bearcats luck as we travel to West Virginia this weekend and bring home the win.
Kevin Lovell #15
Oct. 26
Those who turned out to see the Bearcats play against in the frigid weather at Nippert Stadium this past Sunday night, saw a total domination of the game in which UC wouldn't let USF do anything the whole game.
The defense was relentless in pressuring quarterback Matt Grothe and, at one point, knocking him out of the game, causing the Bulls to send in their backup. The defense came up with big turnovers in the red zone and put points on the board for the offense to come in and land the knockout punch.
The offense ran the ball just as well as they have been in the past weeks and dominated play as usual. The passing game opened up because of the rushing and with the two-dimensional attack, we were able to shut down all together. The offense put the dagger to USF by going up 23-0 and giving no hope of a comeback.
UC recorded its fourth win of the year. Now, we are looking for two more W's to become bowl eligible and it starts with the Homecoming game this weekend against .
Look to see you there.
Oct. 11
For all who came to the UC vs. game, you got your share of excitement. The game this last weekend was a true test of how to overcome adversities that happen in a game. UC had many turnovers in the game but it's how we responded as a team that makes us a great team. After spotting their only points of the game, we rattled off 20 points to get our third win and move to 3-3. After a slow start to the game, we really found our form and dominated the game from the mid-first quarter through the end of the game.
The defense dominated the game only giving up 34 yards from the second quarter on and gave the offense the opportunities they needed to win. The defense came with the toughness that they are known for and it showed at the end of the game. The defense wore down and by the end of the game, the defense was controlling everything. It seemed as though UC had pulled away in the third quarter when Derrick Stewart returned a punt 78 yards for a touchdown, but that was called back due to a penalty. The offense then came on the field and took over. Dustin Grutza had one of his best games and played a key role in the UC win.
Despite our shaky start, the team put together a complete game with a multiple rushing attack of Greg Moore, Butler Benton, and Bradley Glathaar. Grutza also added a number of yards on the ground and had a stellar passing attack, while Brent Celek showed his bruising ability and fight to get into the endzone. The defense played amazing after the team's slow start and punished the quarterback with multiple sacks and hits by Trevor Anderson, Terrill Byrd, Anthony Hoke, Angelo Craig, and linebackers and defense backs Kevin McCullough, Ryan Manalac, Leo Morgan, Corey Smith, Mike Mickens, Antoine Horton, John Bowie, DeAngelo Smith, Dominic Ross, and Haruki Nakamura. Special teams put together a complete game as well but not without the help of the offense and defense. A huge win before going down to to get the Keg of Nails back.
Oct. 3
Last weekend the football team played rival Miami of Ohio and for all those that were not in attendance, you missed a great game. The Bearcats came out on top and took back the Victory Bell. The game was a thriller with Miami hanging around all game long until Dustin Grutza found Derrick Stewart in the fourth quarter for the touchdown that closed the deal on the game. The week leading up to the game was crazy, guys were ready to play all week and ready to avenge what happened last year and to prove that was a fluke...and that we did. I can say that as a senior, there is nothing like running across the field and taking the bell back. It gave everyone associated with the team the biggest rush that anyone could experience, and for my teammates, i know what they were feeling and you cannot put that into words.
We played a complete game and this win only builds the confidence that we already have this season. The defense played amazing and other than the punt that was returned for a touchdown, only gave up three points on the day. The defense played relentless throughout the whole game. The offense played just as well in marching the ball right down the field the whole game and running over Miami. This was a total team effort and will take us into the Akron game this weekend.
Kevin Lovell #15
Sept. 28
Last weekend the football team played Virginia Tech down in one of the most hostile environments in the nation. The seven-hour bus ride was not an easy task but when we arrived Friday afternoon, it was well worth it. The Hokies were ranked No. 10 in the nation coming into the game and as everyone knows, the last couple games have not gone well for the team and the teams we have played have been some of the best in the nation. The Bearcats football team stuck with the best teams in the land and though coming up short, we have really gotten so much better. We should have beaten Virginia Tech but came up short and that happens, its how you bounce back from the losses that makes you a championship caliber team and this week with Miami of Ohio we plan to do that...oh yeah, and also get our bell back. Look to see everyone at the game Saturday when we reclaim the Victory Bell!
Kevin Lovell #15