TicketsNov. 13, 2006
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The University of Cincinnati will face its fifth Top 10-ranked opponent of the 2006 season when the Bearcats host No. 7 Rutgers on Saturday evening at Nippert Stadium. The 7:45 p.m. contest will be ESPN's college football primetime telecast.
Cincinnati, 5-5 overall and 2-3 in BIG EAST play, has faced four teams ranked in the Top 10 at the time they played the Bearcats--No. 1 Ohio State, No. 10 Virginia Tech, No. 7 Louisville and last week to No. 10 West Virginia--this season, all on the road. UC hopes that its home turf, where it has a 4-1 ledger this year, will become an advantage.
Rutgers (9-0, 4-0 BIG EAST), ranked No. 7 in the Associated Press poll and No. 8 by ESPN, is one of only four remaining unbeaten major college teams. The Scarlet Knights enter with the momentum of their Nov. 9 28-25 upset of then-No. 3 Louisville.
The Bearcats will be tested by a Rutgers offense that is No. 15 nationally in rushing (187.8 yards per game). One week after facing the No. 2 rusher in the nation, UC's defense will be challenged by the third-leading rusher, Ray Rice, who is averaging 148.2 yards per game.
Defense has been the key to the Bearcats' success. Cincinnati is rated 30th nationally against the run and No. 40 in scoring defense. Over the last six games, UC has surrendered 280.7 yards in total offense and 107.2 yards rushing.
UC will recognize the 14 seniors who will be playing in their final home game during pregame ceremonies. The game is Fan Appreciation Night, featuring reduced concessions, prize drawings and discounted admissions.
Last Time in Cincinnati
Brian Whitlow's 34-yard field goal with 17 seconds boosted Cincinnati to a 26-24 come-from-behind victory. UC used a pair of Lance Harp-to-Marlon Pearce touchdown passes to take a 23-9 lead at the half. Jason Coppess keyed the Bearcats defense with a game-high 15 tackles. Rutgers claimed its only lead of the night, at 24-23 with 8:56 remaining, on John Benestad's 29-yard field goal. Pearce finished the night with 124 yards receiving on seven catches. Harp completed 17-of-34 pass attempts for 206 yards.
UC-Rutgers Ties
Two members of the Rutgers coaching staff previously served at Cincinnati. Defensive line coach Cary Godette held the same position at Cincinnati from 1983-89. Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Craig Ver Steeg was at UC from 1990-93 as wide receivers tutor and later quarterbacks coach. Additionally, a pair of former Bearcats also serve on the Scarlet Knight football staff. Chris Hewitt, a defensive back on the 1993-96 UC teams, is speed and skills development coach while Tony Smikle, who played running back and receiver on the 1997-2000 UC teams, is a physical development assistant. Rutgers running backs coach Robert Jackson and Cincinnati offensive line coach Dan Roushar coached together at Illinois from 2003-04.
UC Schedule Tough
Four of Cincinnati's five losses have been 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; dropped a 23-17 nail-biter to Louisville (No. 7 in both polls) on Oct. 14 and suffered a 42-24 setback at No. 10 West Virginia last week. All of those games were on the road. The five teams to defeat Cincinnati have a combined record of 41-8 (Pittsburgh 6-4, Ohio State 11-0, Virginia Tech 8-2, Louisville 8-1, West Virginia 8-1).
Rutgers the Sixth Top 10 Team at Nippert
Rutgers will be the sixth Top 10-ranked team to visit the Bearcats at Nippert Stadium. Cincinnati is 1-4 in those previous matchups, the Bearcats' victory occuring in the last visit by a Top 10 team was when UC upset No. 9 Wisconsin, 17-12, in 1999.
Bearcats' Black Curtain
Opposing running backs have found it difficult to rush for 100 yards against the Bearcats' defense. Cincinnati has allowed just three opponents to reach the 100-yard plateau this season. Only three individuals have topped the century mark in rushing vs. UC, Virginia Tech's Brandon Ore, Ohio State's Antonio Pittman and West Virginia's Steve Slaton.
Last year, the Bearcats ranked 90th nationally against the run. This year, Cincinnati ranks 30th, giving up 110.2 yards per game and just 3.7 yards per rush. The Bearcats have held seven of their 10 opponents to less than 100 yards rushing. Four managed less than 75 yards on the ground.
Sack Attack
Cincinnati has tallied 25 quarterback sacks this season, one better than the team's 2005 total. Defensive end Anthony Hoke owns the team lead with 4.5 sacks. The Bearcats are ranked 33rd nationally in sacks and 30th in tackles for loss.
Controlling the Clock
Part of building a strong defense is a ball-control offense. Cincinnati is ranked No. 13 in the NCAA in time of possession. UC's offense has been on the field for an average of 31:59 per game this season.
The Bearcats's set a season high with 36:43 of possession time at Louisville. They have held the advantage in possession time in eight of 10 games this year.
Duzzer's Bruisers
Defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi's unit stopped an indomitable force, proving strong enough to shut out West Virginia for the first 15 minutes of play. It was the first time this season that the Mountaineers were kept from scoring in the opening quarter.
Anderson Keeps Invading the Backfield
A starter in every game this season, Trevor Anderson has four sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss. Anderson played a key role in getting UC on the scoreboard in its 23-6 win over USF on Oct. 22. The sophomore defensive end 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. In the third quarter, Anderson forced the fumble that lead to Kevin McCullough's fumble return for touchdown and gave Cincinnati a 9-0 cushion that USF could not overcome.
McCullough's Nose for the Football
Senior linebacker Kevin McCullough not only is the Bearcats' leading tackler, he leads the unit in making big plays. McCullough tops the team in tackles for loss with 8.5. One week after recording an interception at Louisville, the second of his career, he 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.
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. Three of his picks have occurred inside the UC 10-yard line and stopped scoring threats. The defensive captain for UC, Ross is third in the BIG EAST with four interceptions this season.
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 64.7 yards rushing, 241.8 yards total offense and 11.0 points per game 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 then-No. 35 offense in the nation -- to a season-low 219 yards of total offense in the 23-6 win. UC yielded just 180 yards of total offense six days later vs. Syracuse.
Stewart Mastering the Big Play
Derrick Stewart has been on the receiving end of the four longest pass plays of the season for UC, including a pair of 51-yard receptions. At West Virginia, Stewart caught a 45-yard touchdown pass and finished with three receptions for 63 yards.
Against Syracuse, the speedy sophomore made a 47-yard catch that set up UC's initial score and notched a 37-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter.
Stewart is averaging 10.0 yards on 20 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) against Akron. He ranks fourth in the BIG EAST and 32nd nationally in punt return average.
Celek Sets Another Standard
Already the record holder in every career receiving statistic for Cincinnati tight ends, Brent Celek eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in receiving yards. Celek owns the career marks for receptions (85), receiving yards (1,003) and TD receptions (13) by a Cincinnati tight end.
Celek's Streak Continues
Brent Celek has extended his streak of consecutive games with at least one catch to 22 in-a-row. Celek, who leads UC in receptions (28) is second in receiving yards (349). The Cincinnati native has snagged a pass in 30 of his last 31 contests.
Pounding out Yards
UC's formula for success includes 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 running game generated a season-high 424 yards of total offense against the Zips.
The Bearcats followed with a new high watermark of 212 rushing yards on 52 attempts at Louisville.
Moore and Benton Key Ground Game
Greg Moore and Butler Benton may be a study in contrast with their running styles, but they have combined to give Cincinnati a sound rushing attack. Moore keyed the Sept. 30 win over Miami University by gaining 119 yards on 20 carries, both career highs. Over the last seven games, Moore is averaging 69.4 yards per outing and 4.5 yards per carry. Benton produces big rushing plays. He has posted three rushing plays of more than 20 yards, including a pair of TDs. Benton scored on a 27-yard run vs. USF and had a 37-yard TD run in the triumph over Miami University. His longest rush of the year is a 40-yard scamper through the line at Virginia Tech.
Lovell Streaking on the PAT
Kevin Lovell has extended his school record to 74 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.
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 60.7 percent of his passes for 1,566 yards and nine touchdowns. 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.
Grutza was named BIG EAST Conference Offensive Player of the Week after completing 13- of-18 passes for 205 yards and a touchdown in the Oct. 28 win over Syracuse.
Davila Proves Plenty of Reserves
Seeing his first action in six games, senior Nick Davila proved that he is ready to fill the quarterback role. In 15 minutes of play, Davila completed 10-of-17 pass attempts for 167 yards, including a pair of touchdowns. The Alto Loma, Calif. product racked up a passer rating of 168.4 in his most extensive action since the season opener vs. Eastern Kentucky.
Many Happy Returns for Goodman
Dominick Goodman is averaging 27.6 yards per kickoff return and ranks 11th 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. 11 ranking nationally in kickoff return average. The Bearcats are averaging 25.6 yards per kickoff return, second in the BIG EAST.
Quartet with Starting Strings
Four Bearcats own starting streaks of 21 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 30 in-a-row. The tight end has not missed a start since the 24-19 win at East Carolina on Sept. 25, 2004.
There's No Place Like Home
Head Coach, Mark Dantonio's squads are 12-4 (.750) when playing at Nippert Stadium. Five games through the home docket of the 2006 campaign, the Bearcats are 5-1 on the Nippert Stadium turf. In 2004, Dantonio's club went 4-1 at home.
Lucky Seven Home Dates
With a 5-1 home record, Cincinnati is hoping that playing seven home games is its lucky number. 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.