Football Opens Spring Practice With Tuesday Workout

March 31, 2009

Sights & Sounds | Coach Kelly Interview

CINCINNATI - The University of Cincinnati football team, defending BIG EAST Champions, opened up spring football Tuesday, with the first of 15 practices on the turf at Nippert Stadium.

Spring practices concludes with BEARCAT BOWL III, set to take place at Nippert Stadium on April 25.

Marcus Barnett saw time with the defensive backs, intercepting a pass and returning it for a touchdown. Barnett is one of several players at new positions on the opening day of spring practice. Craig Carey, Demetrius Jones, and Marcus Waugh all had reps at linebacker.

"This is our version of the Gong Show," head coach Brian Kelly said. "We just line them up and see how they look, and if we don't like them, we try another one. Tomorrow, we're going to have Tony Pike as a noseguard. It's spring, and we're trying everybody. We're trying to shore up all areas. As I told our guys, this is an opportunity. When you get an opportunity, you make the best of it. It's an audition. Every day for the next 15 days, you get an audition. You either impress me, or you don't and you get gonged."

Tuesday also marked the debut of a new feature on GoBEARCATS.com, NewsClips From Clifton. GoBEARCATS.com will highlight online coverage of UC Football for Bearcats fans. Updated each weekday morning, NewsClips From Clifton is your quick guide to Bearcats in the news.

View the page by clicking HERE.