TicketsOct. 23, 2006
Game Notes
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The University of Cincinnati will try to reach .500 in BIG EAST Conference play and take another step towards a postseason bowl when hosting Syracuse on Saturday (Oct. 28). The 12 noon contest will be televised regionally as the BIG EAST Conference Game of the Week.
The game will culminate a weekend of Homecoming activities on the UC campus.
Cincinnati climbed to 4-4 overall and collected its first BIG EAST win of the season with a 23-6 victory over USF on Sunday. The Bearcat defense stymied the Bulls, who had entered the game ranked 35th nationally in total offense, for much of the night--allowing a season-low 219 yards in total offense, and carried a shutout until the final 50 seconds.
Syracuse brings a 3-5 record into Saturday with all three wins coming outside of the league.
The Bearcats rushing prowess continues. UC has averaged 194.2 yards per game on the ground over its last five games. Ranked No. 20 in the nation in rushing, UC faces a Syracuse defense that is 113th in the nation against the run.
Cincinnati ranks among the top teams in the nation at stopping the run. UC, which has held five of its eight foes under the 100-yard mark in rushing, is 18th in rushing defense.
Kevin McCullough continues to be one of the leaders of UC's defense. The senior middle linebacker earned BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week honors after sharing a TFL for a safety and returning a fumble for a touchdown in the win over USF. The score was McCullough's second TD--he returned a fumble for the game-winning score in last season's win over Syracuse.
Countdown to Kickoff
10 With his 27-yard dash to paydirt against USF, junior running back Butler Benton tallied his 10th career touchdown.
9 UC has carded nine rushing TDs this season.
8 Sophomore linebacker Corey Smith registered eight tackles (4 solo, 4 assists) and 1.5 tackles for loss in the 23-6 victory over USF.
7 Sophomore quarterback Dustin Grutza has seven touchdown passes to his credit this season.
6 UC's defense has limited six of its eight opponents to less than 100 yards on the ground and is yielding an average of 91.0 rushing yards per game.
5 The Bearcats' defense has allowed all of five rushing touchdowns through eight games this year.
4 Senior Dominic Ross made his fourth interception of the campaign in the 23-6 win over USF.
3 Brian Steel booted three punts that stopped inside USF's 10 yard line.
2 Senior linebacker Kevin McCullough picked up a fumble and lumbered 39 yards for his second career touchdown in the triumph over USF.
1 Eight games into the 2006 campaign, Cincinnati is +1 in the turnover category.
A Quick Look at the Bearcats
Cincinnati's strengths -- a powerful ground game and ability to stop the run-- came to the fore once again in the 23-6 victory over USF. The Bearcats' rushing attack amassed 191 yards on 46 carries and controlled the tempo of the game for more than 34 minutes of possession time.
Junior running back Greg Moore has a team-high 452 rushing yards and leads a Bearcat rushing attack that is ranked 63rd in the nation.
Signal caller Dustin Grutza leads a UC offense that is listed No. 85 in total offense and averaging 273.3 yards of total offense over the last four games. Grutza is completing 60.5 percent of his passes this year. The sophomore has thrown 57 consecutive passes without falling victim to an interception.
Senior tight end Brent Celek leads the Bearcats in receptions (26), and receiving yards (337). Sophomore wide receivers Dominick Goodman (21 catches, 189 yards and 2 TDs) and Derrick Stewart (15 catches, 283 yards and 2 TDs) provide the outside threats for UC.
Cincinnati special teams have been key all season, with the kickoff return team listed 16th in the NCAA. UC is 41st in punt returns.
The Cincinnati defense is ranked No. 18 in stopping the run and free safety Haruki Nakamura leads the Bearcats' with 41 tackles. Mike Mickens and Dominick Ross are tied for second on the squad with 39 stops each. Dominic Ross collected his team-high fourth interception of the season against USF.
The linebacker in the middle of the No. 55-ranked total defense is Kevin McCullough, who is fourth on the team with 36 hits. McCullough, Trevor Anderson and Terrill Byrd share the team lead in tackles for loss (6.5). Anderson shares the team lead in quarterback sacks with Curtis Young (3). UC is 30th in the country in tackles for loss and 42nd in sacks.
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 8-4 all-time in games played on October 28. The last time UC played on this date, during the 2000 season, Deontey Kenner passed for two douchdowns and ran for a third, and DeMarco McCleskey added a pair of scores, as the Bearcats defeated Miami University 45-15 and successfully defended the Victory Bell.
The Bearcats forced four turnovers and blocked two field goals in winning the 105th meeting between the two schools.
Captains
Seniors, tight end Brent Celek and strong safety Dominic Ross, lead Cincinnati onto the field as teams captains throughout the 2006 campaign. Both are in their third year as starters.
Honorary Captain
Derrick Ranson, team co-captain for the Humanitarian Bowl champion Bearcats in 1997, will serve as the honorary captain for the game against Syracuse. 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.
UC vs. Syracuse
Saturday's game will be the seventh meeting between Cincinnati and Syracuse. The Bearcats have won two of the last three matchups, including a 22-16 win a year ago.
The series is knotted at 1-1 in Nippert Stadium. UC's only win in Cincinnati came in 2000 when Jason Mammarelli booted a 47-yard field goal as time expired for a 12-10 victory.
About Syracuse
Having dropped three straight, Syracuse enters the game 3-5 overall and 0-3 in BIG EAST play. The Orange is ranked No. 8 in the NCAA and second in the BIG EAST in quarterback sacks at 3.5 per game. Junior defensive end Jameel McClain is eighth in the nation with 7.5 sacks. Senior linebacker Kelvin Smith leads the Orange defense and is 21st in the nation in tackles at 9.5 per game.
Running back Curtis Brinkley is ranked 65th in the country in all-purpose yards with 102.6 yards per game.
Quarterback Perry Patterson directs a Syracuse offense that is ranked 104th in the NCAA in total offense at 280.1 yards per game. Syracuse is 91st in rushing offense, averaging 107.6 yards on the ground per game.
Last Meeting
Kevin McCullough scooped up a fumble and raced 17 yards for a TD early in the fourth quarter to lead Cincinnati to a 22-16 win at Syracuse. Dustin Grutza passed to Bill Poland for the two-point conversion, which gave Cincinnati a 22-16 lead with 13:00 to play.
Last Time in Cincinnati
Jason Mammarelli booted a 47-yard field goal as time expired to lift UC to a for a 12-10 victory over Syracuse on Sept. 9, 2000. The field goal completed a fourth quarter comeback that included four field goals, with the first three by Jonathan Ruffin.
Bearcat and Orange Connections
Bob Wylie, Syracuse's offensive line coach, held the same position at Cincinnati in 1996.
McCullough's Nose for the Football
One week after recording an interception at Louisville, the second of his career, senior linebacker KevinMcCullough picked up a USF fumble and sprinted 39 yards up the sideline for the second fumble return for touchdown of his career.
McCullough played a key role in giving UC a 9-0 lead against USF. The senior middle linebacker assisted on the tackle in the end zone that resulted in a safety and gave Cincinnati an early 2-0 edge. For his efforts, he was honored as the BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week.
Anderson Keeps Invading the Opposition's Backfield
Trevor Anderson registered five tackles, including a half-sack and a tackle for loss in the 23-6 win over USF. Anderson was credited with a tackle in the USF backfield that resulted in a safety and an early 2-0 lead for UC.
The safety was the only scoring of the first half against the Bulls. He forced the fumble that lead to Kevin McCullough's fumble return for touchdown and gave Cincinnati a 9-0 cushion that USF could not challenge.
A starter in every game this season, the sophomore defensive end shares the team lead with three sacks and 6.5 tackles for loss.
Ross Makes Pickoffs on the Doorstep
Senior strong safety Dominic Ross is making a habit of intercepting passes to stop threats. Ross has six career interceptions and has made three this season, with the opposition knocking on the door, inside the UC 10 yard line to stop would-be scoring drives.
In the season opener, he collected his first INT of the year in the end zone when Eastern Kentucky had the ball only 15 yards away from the end zone. In the win over Miami University, Ross stopped a scoring chance with his interception on the UC 14. Against USF, Ross struck with a pickoff at the UC 8 to snuff out the Bulls' best scoring chance of the third quarter.
The defensive captain for the UC, Ross is third in the BIG EAST with four interceptions.
Celek Eclipes TE Receptions Mark
Brent Celek added to his record-setting career by making two catches against USF to become the Cincinnati career record for receptions by a tight end.
The senior has 82 career grabs, one more than the previous mark of 81 established by Kris Bjorson in 1989-92. Celek owns the UC career marks for receiving yards (991) and TD receptions (13) by a UC TE.
Celek's Streak Continues
Brent Celek has extended his streak of consecutive games with at least one reception to 20. Celek, who leads UC in receiving yards (337) and receptions (26), has caught at least one pass in 28 of his last 29 contests.
UC Schedule Tough
Three of Cincinnati's four losses were to teams ranked in the Top 10 at the time they faced the Bearcats. UC suffered a 37-7 loss to Ohio State, ranked No. 1 in both polls, on Sept. 16; lost to Virginia Tech (No. 11 AP/No. 10 USA Today) 29-13, on Sept. 23; and dropped a 23-17 nail-biter to Louisville (No. 7 in both polls) on Oct. 14. All of those games were on the road.
The four teams to defeat Cincinnati have a combined record of 26-4 (Pittsburgh 6-2, Ohio State 8-0, Virginia Tech 5-2, Louisville 7-0). UC has played the 38th most difficult schedule in the country, according to the Sagarin Ratings of strength of schedules.
The Bearcats have two more ranked opponents on the horizon, No. 4 West Virginia on Nov. 11 and No. 16 Rutgers on Nov. 18.
Bearcats on the Run
After rushing for just 53.3 yards per game in its first three games of the season, UC has found the right mix. Cincinnati is rushing for 194.2 yards per game over its last five games.
The Bearcats landed close to their average over the last five games when they totaled 191 rushing yards on Sunday night against USF. They have eclipsed the 100-yard mark in each of the past five games, including two games with more than 200 yards, since hitting a low point of minus-4 yards rushing at Ohio State.
The running game has produced its share of 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. Dustin Grutza ran for 24 yards against Akron and set a new career long with a 29-yard scamper at Louisville. Benton cut through the line for a 27-yard score against USF.
Pounding out Yards
UC's formula for success includes a strong dose of ball control offense. UC ran the ball a season-high 53 times and totaled 194 yards on the ground in the 20-14 win over Akron. The the running game generated a season-high 424 yards of total offense against the Zips.
The Bearcats followed with a new highwater mark of 212 rushing yards on 52 attempts at Louisville. They tallied 191 yards on 46 attempts against USF.
Since totaling minus-4 yards rushing and 212 yards of total offense at Ohio State, UC has totaled 1,637 yards of total offense (327.4 yards per game).
Big Runs by Benton
Butler Benton continues to produce big rushing plays for the Red and Black. The junior running back has posted three rushing plays of more than 20 yards, including a pair for touchdowns.
Benton burst through the line for a 27-yard sprint to pay dirt for the final UC points against USF. He notched a 37-yard TD run in the triumph over Miami University. His longest rush of the year came on a 40-yard scamper through the line at Virginia Tech.
More from Moore
Greg Moore has been a major factor in Cincinnati's improved running game. The junior from Dayton, Ohio keyed the Sept. 30 win over Miami University by gaining 119 yards on 20 carries, both career highs. Over the last five games, Moore is averaging 76.4 yards per outing and 4.7 yards per carry.
Grutza Moving Team with Arm and Feet
Dustin Grutza has proven to be an effective offensive leader with both his arm and his feet. The third-year sophomore has completed 60.5 percent of his passes for 1,218 yards and seven touchdowns.
More recently, Grutza has sparked the offense with his timely running. He rushed for 72 yards in the Oct. 7 win over Akron and topped that with a career-best 75 yards in 17 carries vs. No. 7 Louisville.
Lovell Streaking on the PAT
Kevin Lovell has extended his school record to 71 straight PAT kick conversions. The California native broke the old mark of 65 straight good point-after tries set by Lou Groza Award-winning kicker Jonathan Ruffin (2000-02) in the win over Akron.
Smith is Back
Sidelined for the first two games by an injury, Corey Smith has returned to his starting outside linebacker spot and 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 35 tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss in his last seven games. Smith paced the Bearcats with eight stops, including one and a half tackles for loss in the Sunday night win over USF.
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 after the 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 tied for eightth on the team in tackles (28). He had a career-high 10 tackles vs. Pittsburgh.
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
Dominick Goodman is second on the team with 21 pass receptions for 189 yards. Also a threat as a kickoff returner, the former high school quarterback leads the Bearcats in all-purpose yardage (72.4 yards per game).
Many Happy Returns for Goodman
Dominick Goodman is averaging 27.9 yards per kickoff return and ranks12th nationally and third 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. 15 ranking nationally in kickoff return average. The Bearcats are averaging 25.0 yards per kickoff return, third in the BIG EAST.
Stewart Mastering the Big Play
Derrick Stewart is showing that he can be a big play performer in the Cincinnati offense and on the special teams. Stewart has had a pair of 51-yard receptions this season and had a 34-yard grab in traffic vs. Akron. His 20-yard TD catch provided the game-clinching score in the win over Miami University. The sophomore wide receiver recorded career highs with five catches for 64 yards in UC's loss to No. 1 Ohio State.
Stewart is averaging 10.5 yards on 17 punt returns. He had an 82-yard return for a touchdown called back due to a penalty (he was credited with a 49-yard return on the play). He ranks third in the BIG EAST and 21st nationally in punt return average.
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 12 tackles for loss. Hoke has 5.5 TFLs while Craig, who earned his first start against Akron, leads the team with 6.5 TFLs.
Defense Provides Rude Welcomes
Cincinnati has served as an unfriendly host at Nippert Stadium. The Bearcats have not allowed an opposing team to rush for over 100 yards in any of their five home games and have surrendered an average of 65.4 yards rushing and 254.2 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. In back-to-back wins over rival Miami University and Akron, UC gave up a 36 yards in on the ground in each game.
The Bearcats held USF -- the No. 35 rated offense in the nation -- to a season-low 219 yards of total offense in the 23-6 triumph.
There's No Place Like Home
Head Coach, Mark Dantonio's squads are 11-4 (.733) when playing at Nippert Stadium. Five games through the home docket of the 2006 campaign, the Bearcats are 4-1 on the Nippert Stadium turf. In 2004, Dantonio's club went 4-1 at home.
Lucky Seven Home Dates
Off to a 4-1 start (.800) 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.
Leg of Steel
Brian Steel has been pinning the opposition deep in its own territory and helping the Bearcat defense with his performances punting. Steel has notched dropped the ball inside the opposition's 20 yard line 20 times and is averaging 37.5 yards per punt.
In the win over USF, four of Steel's seven punts were downed inside the Bulls' 12 yard line. In the season opener against Eastern Kentucky, Steel boomed three punts inside the EKU 20. Five of his six punts required fair catches.
Quartet with Starting Strings
Four Bearcats own starting streaks of 19 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 28 in-a-row. The tight end has not missed a start since the 24-19 win at East Carolina on Sept. 25, 2004.
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.
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.
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 Bujnoch and Jon Carpenter and redshirt freshman Ryan Manalac.
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.
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.
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.