TicketsJuly 29, 2008
NEWPORT, R.I.— The University of Cincinnati football program was projected to finish fifth in the 2008 BIG EAST Conference preseason poll by the league's media representatives today at the annual BIG EAST Football Media Day in Newport, R.I.
Reigning BIG EAST Coach of the Year Brian Kelly returns 44 letterwinners and 16 starters from a team that finished with a school-record 10 wins and was No. 17 in last year's final Associated Press poll. Among the returnees are three all-Americans: senior cornerback Mike Mickens, senior defensive tackle Terrill Byrd, and senior punter Kevin Huber.
West Virginia was tabbed as the league favorite by the media, earning 20 of the 24 first-place votes. USF was second and earned one first-place vote, while Pittsburgh followed, also earning one first-place vote. Rutgers was chosen fourth, followed by Cincinnati, Connecticut, Louisville and Syracuse.
Cincinnati welcomes the incoming class of players July 30 and the upperclassmen on July 31 before officially starting practice on Aug. 1. The Bearcats will practice at Camp Higher Ground from Aug. 2-16, before returning to campus for its final preparations for the season opener vs. Eastern Kentucky on Thursday, Aug. 28 at Nippert Stadium.
Season tickets for UC football are available now while mini-plans and individual game tickets go on sale Aug. 1 to the general public. If you are looking for a group or corporate outing, Bearcats football games provide another way to entertain and group tickets are on sale for groups of 15 or more. For more ticket information, please call 1-877-CATS-TIX or purchase tickets online at www.CATSTIX.com.
2008 BIG EAST PRESEASON POLL
Rk. Team (First-Place Votes) Pts.
1 West Virginia (20) 189
2 USF (1) 149
3 Pittsburgh (1) 128
4 Rutgers 110
5 Cincinnati 98
6 Connecticut 97
7 Louisville 69
8 Syracuse 24