TicketsDec. 30, 2008
MIAMI - The University of Cincinnati closed out full practice preparations with kickoff of the 75th FedEx Orange Bowl 48 hours away. The No. 12 Bearcats will take on No. 21/19 Virginia Tech on Jan. 1 in Dolphin Stadium at 8 p.m.
UC held a 90-minute workout under sunny skies on the campus of Barry University that was highlighted by a pair of visits from legends.
First up was Miami Dolphins Executive Vice President For Football Operations Bill Parcells. Parcells was at practice to get a close-up look at several UC seniors and was asked by head coach Brian Kelly to speak to the team after stretching.
Parcells told the Bearcats to take advantage of their opportunity to play on a national stage and to work harder and longer then their opponents.
Following practice, which was heavy on special teams work, former NFL great Chris Carter addressed the team. Carter, who lives north of Miami, was coached at Ohio State by UC running backs coach Tim Hinton.
Carter, a 15-year NFL veteran, gave a rousing speech that talked about respecting the game and told the players to toe the line and channel all of their experiences from the record-setting season into the Orange Bowl.
After departing Barry, UC headed downtown to take in dinner at Bubba Gump's and attend the Miami Heat-Cleveland Cavaliers game at American Airlines Arena.
Earlier in the day, 23 UC student-athletes, head coach Brian Kelly and the Bearcats Band, cheer and dance teams, took part in the AvMed Coaches Luncheon at Loews Hotel in South Beach.
Connor Barwin, Mardy Gilyard, Dustin Grutza, and Tony Pike were interviewed on stage by FOX Sports' Charles Davis. Coach Kelly was also interviewed and took part in a question and answer session with Davis and Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer.