TicketsOct. 2, 2006
The University of Cincinnati will be out to even its record at 3-3 and create its first winning streak since the 2004 season when the Bearcats host the University of Akron on Saturday, Oct. 7 at Nippert Stadium. The 3:30 p.m. contest will be shown nationally on ESPN360, the sports network's broadband distributor of sports programming.
Cincinnati carries a 2-3 record into the game after reclaiming the Victory Bell with a 24-10 triumph over Miami University. Akron also enters the matchup at 2-3. The Zips are coming off of a 37-15 setback at the hands of Kent State.
Akron holds a 2-1 lead in the series against Cincinnati. The Zips won the last meeting, 24-22 on Nov. 21, 1992 at Nippert Stadium.
Cincinnati continues to emphasize its newfound running game. One week after rushing for 121 yards against Virginia Tech, UC carded 253 rushing yards against Miami University. The Bearcats have averaged 187 yards on the ground over their last two games after managing just 31 yards rushing in their previous two.
The Bearcats' defense is ranked No. 33 nationally in stopping the run. UC is yielding 102.0 yards per game on the ground. The Bearcats will be challenged by an Akron attack that is ranked No. 23 nationally in passing offense (253.6 yards per game).
The game will be Band Day, with eight local high school bands performing, and Donor Appreciation Day. Skyline Chili is offering coupons allowing the purchase of two game tickets for the price of one at participating locations.
Countdown to Kickoff
10 Ten of UC's projected starters for this week's game call Greater Cincinnati home.
9 Haruki Nakamura totaled a team-high nine stops vs. Miami.
8 Senior tight end Brent Celek is eight catches away from Kris Bjorson's UC record of 71 receptions by a tight end.
7 After his 58-yard kickoff return against Miami, Dominick Goodman is seventh in the NCAA with 32.9 yards per kick return.
6 Trevor Anderson shares sixth place in the BIG EAST with seven tackles for loss.
5 Quarterback Dustin Grutza is fifth in the BIG EAST in passing efficiency with a rating of 125.8.
4 Kevin Lovell split the uprights on a 47-yard field goal against Miami. He is a perfect 4-for-4 on placements this season.
3 Three Bearcat defenders (Haruki Nakamura, Kevin McCullough and Corey Smith) are all averaging better than five tackles per game.
2 Dominic Ross picked off his third pass of the season against Miami. He is tied for second in the BIG EAST in thefts with three.
1 Against Miami, Tony Carvitti rumbled 15 yards with the first fumble recovery of his collegiate career.
A Quick Look at the Bearcats
The Bearcats continue to establish their identity with toughness, both by running the ball and on defense in last week's 24-10 victory over Miami University. UC totaled a season-high 253 yards rushing, including a 55-yard run by Greg Moore and a 37-yard run for a touchdown by Butler Benton vs. Miami. The running back stable of Moore (119 yards), Benton (68 yards) and Bradley Glatthaar (43 yards) keyed the Bearcats' win.
Against Miami, quarterback Dustin Grutza did not attempt a pass until UC's first play of the second quarter. Grutza has completed 37-of-53 passes (69.8 percent) over his last three games and has a 127.43 passing efficiency rating. Tight end Brent Celek leads UC with 17 receptions for 206 yards. Wide receiver Dominick Goodman has caught 15 passes for 148 yards and two scores. Eight different Bearcats have five or more receptions.
The offense has developed a penchant for the big play, with Moore's 55-yard run and Benton's 37-yard dash off tackle against Miami.
Defensively, Haruki Nakamura leads the Bearcats with 29 tackles. Kevin McCullough leads the linebackers with 27 stops. Trevor Anderson continues to shine on the defensive interior, leading the team in tackles for loss (5.5) and quarterback sacks (2.5). Safety Dominic Ross snagged his third interception of the season against the RedHawks to seal the victory and take the team lead.
Pass-rush specialist Angelo Craig has five tackles for loss, while defensive end Anthony Hoke trails close behind (4.5) in tackles for loss.
What a Difference a Year Makes
A season ago, Cincinnati ranked as one of the nation's youngest Division I-A football teams. The Bearcats had just eight returning starters and 30 of the 44 players on last year's depth chart had one season or less playing experience. The Bearcats boast more experience this season. Though still a young team in terms of playing experience, UC has starters returning at 17 positions. The defense, which a season ago started as many as six first-year freshmen, has 10 returning starters.
On This Date...
Cincinnati is 5-6 in games played on Oct. 7. The Bearcats have won their last two games played on this date. In 1978, UC led for much of the game, before falling at No. 18 Florida State.
Honorary Captain
Latish Kinsler, who served as captain of the 1993 Bearcats, will be the honorary captain for the Miami game. Head coach Mark Dantonio recognizes former UC players and coaches by naming them honorary game captains. The honorary captains participate with the elected captains in the pregame coin toss.
Captains
Seniors, tight end Brent Celek and strong safety Dominic Ross, will lead Cincinnati onto the field as teams captains throughout the 2006 campaign. Both are entering their third year as starters.
UC vs. Akron
Saturday's game will be the fourth meeting between Cincinnati and Akron. The two teams first met in 1984, when UC came back from a 27-10 deficit late in the third quarter to win on its home turf, 28-27. Deno Foster and Malcolm Darden each caught two TD passes and Troy Bodine threw for 373 yards in the comeback win.
It took five years before the two sides faced off again during the 1989 campaign. This time, the host Zips held a 24-0 halftime lead and cruised to a 31-0 win at the Rubber Bowl.
In their last meeting, Akron invaded Nippert Stadium and went away with a 24-22 triumph in the 1992 season finale for both teams. Petu Ieli rushed for 119 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Zips.
About the Zips
Akron is 2-3 on the young season, after suffering a 37-15 setback in the Wagon Wheel game last week at rival Kent State. Winners of the 2005 MAC championship, the Zips bounced back from a 34-16 loss in the season opener at Penn State to claim a 20-17 win at N.C. State.
Their last win was a 33-13 triumph over North Texas. They are 0-2 in the MAC after losses at Central Michigan (24-21) and Kent State.
UC vs. Akron: Last Time in Cincinnati
Brian Whitlow converted three of four field goal attempts and Lance Harp connected on 24-of-36 pass attempts for 258, including 10 passes to Marlon Pearce, but Akron went away with the win, 24-22.
Homecoming for Two Akron Players
Two Akron players hail from Cincinnati. Junior WR Johnny Long (Princeton) and redshirt freshman RB Bryant McMillon (Hughes) are Zips from the Queen City.
UC vs. the MAC
Saturday's game is the second of two for Cincinnati vs. Mid-American Conference foes this season. UC, which topped Miami University last week, is 87-94-12 vs. teams that currently comprise the MAC.
Bearcats Establish the Run
Cincinnati has put increased emphasis on its rushing attack over the last two games, and is attaining results. After rushing for 121 yards vs. Virginia Tech's respected defense on Sept. 23, UC piled up 253 yards on the ground in last week's win over Miami University. Not only has the running game become more consistent, it has also produced big plays. Greg Moore broke free for a 55-yard run and Butler Benton scampered for a 37-yard touchdown vs. Miami. Benton had a 40 yard gain vs. Virginia Tech. UC has averaged 187 yards rushing over its last two games and a healthy 4.7 yards-per-carry.
More from Moore
Greg Moore has been a major factor in Cincinnati's improved running game. The junior from Dayton, Ohio keyed last week's win over Miami University by gaining 119 yards on 20 carries, both career highs. Moore, who had 48 yards in 15 tries vs. Virginia Tech on Sept. 23, has scored TDs in each of his last two games while averaging 83.5 yards per outing and 4.8 yards per carry.
Smith is Back
Hampered throughout preseason practice by injury that sidelined him for the first two games, Corey Smith has returned to the starting lineup at outside linebacker and has returned to the form he showed in 2005 when he earned Freshman All-American honors. The sophomore recorded a team-high nine tackles, five of them solos, vs. No. 1 Ohio State in his first game back and has made 17 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss in his last three games. He returned to action in the Sept. 8 game vs. Pittsburgh and recorded five tackles in a limited appearance. Smith has averaged 5.7 tackles over his last three games since returning to the starting lineup.
Celek Streak Continues
Brent Celek has extended his streak of consecutive games with at least one reception to 17. Celek, who leads UC in receiving yards (206) and receptions (17), has caught at least one pass in 25 of his last 26 contests. He opened the season with a career-high 81 yards on six catches in the win over Eastern Kentucky.
Celek Reaching TE Marks
Brent Celek has topped one career record for a tight end and is approaching another. The senior has 860 career receiving yards, topping the mark of 791 set by Kris Bjorson in 1989-92. Celek is only eight catches away from Bjorson's career mark of 81. He has already established a new mark for touchdown catches by a TE with 11.
Bowie a Comeback Candidate
John Bowie could be one of college football's comeback player of the year stories. Last season, Bowie was sidelined by an arm injury suffered in Cincinnati's second game of the season. In making his return this fall, Bowie has not just picked up where he left off but is playing the best football of his college career. The senior cornerback is fourth on the team in tackles (23) and he has one fumble recovery and an interception . He had a career-high 10 tackles vs. Pittsburgh. Bowie had entered the 2006 campaign with 18 career tackles.
BIG EAST Champion
John Bowie already has a pair of BIG EAST Conference championships. The senior cornerback won the 100 meters and anchored UC's winning 4x100 relay at the league championship meet in June. He also placed third in the 200 meters. It was the first season in which he had competed in track since high school.
Goodman Provides Good Target
Touted by the coaching staff throughout preseason camp, Dominick Goodman has become the Bearcats' top receiving target. The Cincinnati product has caught 15 passes for 148 yards, including two for touchdowns, in five games this year. He has already surpassed last season's totals of 12 catches for 163 yards and two touchdowns in nine games in 2005.
Goodman, who was MVP of the Ohio Division I high school championship game in 2004 as a quarterback, recorded the first multiple receiving TD game since Hannibal Thomas' UC record-tying three TD catches vs. Southern Miss. on Nov. 6, 2004. Also a threat as a kickoff returner, he leads the Bearcats in all-purpose yardage (80.6 yards per game).
Many Happy Returns for Goodman
Dominick Goodman is averaging 32.9 yards per kickoff return to rank seventh nationally and second in the BIG EAST. Goodman broke free for a career-long 58-yard return vs. Miami and had a 53-yard return vs. Ohio State. His efforts have helped Cincinnati achieve a No. 9 ranking nationally in team kickoff return average.
Grutza Claims the Starting QB Duties
After sharing the spotlight with Nick Davila for the first two games, Dustin Grutza became the Bearcats' full-time No. 1 quarterback for the contest vs. No. 1 Ohio State. The sophomore responded by completing 18 of 22 passes for 202 yards and the Bearcats' lone TD. Grutza has completed 65.0 percent of his passes (67-of-103) this season. He has an efficiency rating of 125.8.
Stewart Continues to Shine
Derrick Stewart enjoyed the top performance of his young Bearcat career in UC's loss to No. 1 Ohio State. The sophomore wide receiver recorded career highs with five catches for 64 yards, breaking free on one of his receptions for a 28-yard gain.
Stewart showed his big-play potential by hauling in a 51-yard pass from Dustin Grutza in UC's opener vs. Eastern Kentucky. He teamed with Grutza for another 51-yard pass and catch at Virginia Tech. He hauled in his first touchdown, a 20-yarder, against Miami.
Hoke, Craig Filling Big Shoes
The 2006 Bearcats had one vacancy to fill on their starting defense--the end position occupied by Adam Roberts. Roberts was a big play performer for UC last season, leading the team in tackles for loss and sacks. Juniors Anthony Hoke and Angelo Craig are filling that position as well as the role. The duo has combined for 8.0 tackles for loss. Hoke, the starter, has 3.5 TFLs while Craig, who plays primarily as a pass rush specialist, leads the team with 4.5 TFLs.
Defense Provides Rude Welcomes
Cincinnati has served as an unfriendly host. The Bearcats have not allowed an opposing team to rush for over 100 yards in any of their three home games and have surrendered an average of 66.3 yards rushing and 277.7 yards total offense as the home team.
UC opened the 2006 season with a 31-0 shutout win over Eastern Kentucky, the school's first blanking in 123 games. The Bearcats went 28:57 into their second game before yielding a score in the loss to Pittsburgh. UC gave up a mere 36 yards on the ground and 226 yards of total offense against rival Miami University.
Continuing to Create Takeaways
After registering three takeaways in each of its first two games, Cincinnati's defense has totaled 11 turnovers (6 interceptions, 5 fumbles) this season. Senior Dominic Ross has carded three interceptions to lead UC in takeaways.
Young Bearcats See First Action
A total of 13 Bearcats saw their first action in a college game in Cincinnati's season-opening victory over Eastern Kentucky. Four were first-year freshmen and seven were redshirt freshmen.
Two of the rookies were starters. Jeffrey Linkenbach and Marcus Waugh, both redshirt freshmen, started at left tackle and fullback.
First-year freshman Ricardo Mathews saw his first college action in last Saturday's game vs. Virginia Tech.
Leg of Steel
Replacing Chet Ervin, who rewrote the UC record book for career punts and punting yardage over his four seasons was a heady task for Brian Steel. The junior has made good thus far. Steel has pinned the opposition inside the 20 yard line on 13 punts and is averaging 37.5 yards per punt.
Steel averaged 44.2 yards per try against Pittsburgh. His 64-yard punt set a new career long. Against Eastern Kentucky, Steel boomed three punts inside the EKU 20. Five of his six punts required fair catches. The Colonels were unable to return a punt.
Quartet with Starting Strings
Four Bearcats own starting streaks of 16 games or more. Terrill Byrd, Brent Celek, Dustin Grutza and Haruki Nakamura started all 11 games in 2005.
Celek owns the longest streak of consecutive starts, having made 25 starts in-a-row. The tight end has not missed a start since the 24-19 win at East Carolina on Sept. 25, 2004.
Smith Named to Butkus List
Cincinnati sophomore Corey Smith has been named to the watch list for the 2006 Butkus Award. The award, initiated in 1985 by the Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando, Fla., annually honors the nation's top linebacker. Smith, a 6-1, 220-pound native of Salem, N.J., was the Bearcats' third-leading tackler from his outside linebacker position as a first-year freshman in 2005. He recorded 64 stops before suffering an injury which sidelined him for the final two games.
Other Bearcat Honors
Eight Bearcats were cited by various preseason football publications. Trevor Anderson, Mike Mickens (first team), Earnest Jackson, Haruki Nakamura (second team) and Freddie Lenix (third team) were named to the preseason All-BIG EAST team by Phil Steele's College Football. Brent Celek, Terrill Byrd, Lenix and Mickens were nationally ranked at their respective positions.
Cincinnati Team Awards
Trevor Anderson, who tallied four tackles, 2.5 for loss, and a sack from his defensive tackle position, was named UC's the Defensive Player of the Week. DeAngelo Smith was the Specialist of the Week. The offensive line group was honored with UC's Offensive Player of the Week for the Miami game, highlighted by Jeff Reinstatler, who received the Offensive Lineman of the Week award.
Academic Honors
Cincinnati placed nine players on the BIG EAST All-Academic team last season. Holdovers from those selections are seniors Tony Carvitti, Brent Celek, Bill Poland and Dominic Ross; juniors Digger Boujnoch and Jon Carpenter and redshirt freshman Ryan Manalac.
UC Football Captures Academic Honors
The UC football program earned honorable mention status in the American Football Coaches Association's Academic Achievement Award recognition. UC was one of 28 schools to achieve a graduation rate of 70 percent or better for the entering freshmen class of 2000-01. It marked the second time in the past four years that the Bearcats have been honored.
Ohio Bearcats
There is a definite home grown flavor to the Cincinnati football team. Sixty-two of the 102 players on the roster are from the Buckeye state. During Mark Dantonio's tenure as head coach, 34 of the 64 players signed were from Ohio.
There's No Place Like Home
Head Coach, Mark Dantonio's squads are 9-4 (.692) when playing at Nippert Stadium. After playing the first three games of the 2006 campaign at home, the Bearcats are 2-1 at Nippert this season. In 2004, Dantonio's club went 4-1 at home.
Lucky Seven Home Dates
Off to a 2-1 start (.667) at home, Cincinnati is hoping that playing seven home games is its lucky number. No strangers to playing seven home dates, UC has played seven or more home games 24 times in program history. In 1953, Sid Gillman's squad notched the only 7-0 home mark in UC history on its way to a 9-1 record. Most recently, in 2002 Cincinnati hosted seven games.
For Fans' Sake
Cattitude, the popular pregame party before every home football game on the UC campus, moves to the Sheakley Lawn just east of Nippert Stadium in front of the new Lindner Center. Renamed Cattitude at Varsity Village, the event features food, drinks, music, promotions, tented seating and visits by the UC Band, Cheerleaders and Dance Team. The party starts two and a half hours before kickoff.
Also back this year is the Bearcats Kids Zone. Located in the Marge Schott Baseball Stadium, next to Cattitude at Varsity Village, the Kids Zone features inflatable games, music, giveaways and visits from the UC Bearcat. The Kids Zone opens two and a half hours before kickoff.
Historical Nippert Stadium
Nippert Stadium is the fifth-oldest NCAA Division I-A or I-AA stadium still in use. Opened in 1916, Nippert Stadium is preceded in history by Harvard Stadium (1903), Georgia Tech's Bobby Dodd/Grant Field (1914), the Yale Bowl (1914) and Cornell's Schoellkopf Stadium (1915). Though the permanent stadium first came into use in 1916, UC has been playing on the site since 1902.
Richard E. Lindner Center and Varsity Village
The future arrived for the University of Cincinnati athletics program in May with the completion of the Richard E. Lindner Varsity Village. The term "village" aptly applies because the close location and interconnection of the facilities provides ease of use and access to services for all of the sports teams and their student-athletes, similar to that of a small town. There was nothing small about the vision for Varsity Village, a $105 million project.
The focal point of Varsity Village is the Richard E. Lindner Center. Located between Nippert Stadium and Fifth Third Arena, the new futuristic eight-story structure houses offices, locker rooms, meeting and support space for each of UC's teams. The emphasis of the Lindner Center programming is on the student-athlete. One entire floor of the building is devoted to the Nancy Hamant Academics Center, which contains study facilities for UC's 530 student-athletes, including over 80 computer stations.
Other features include Marge Schott Stadium for baseball, Ben and Dee Gettler Stadium for soccer and track, a new tennis center, and the Keating Aquatics Center. Nippert Stadium also benefitted with new seating, video boards and the FieldTurf playing surface.