TicketsAug. 4, 2009
NEWPORT, R.I. -
The University of Cincinnati football team was picked to finish third in the 2009 BIG EAST Conference preseason poll by the league's media representatives Tuesday at the annual BIG EAST Football Media Day in Newport, R.I.
The Bearcats, led by two-time defending BIG EAST Coach of the Year Brian Kelly, are coming off a banner 2008 season that included a school-record 11 wins, the program's first BIG EAST Conference Championship, a final ranking of No. 17 in both the Associated Press and USA Today Top-25 polls, and a Bowl Championship Series appearance in the 75th FedEx Orange Bowl.
UC returns 43 letterwinners and 11 starters for 2009, including second-team all-BIG EAST selection Tony Pike at quarterback, offensive tackle Jeff Linkenbach, and safety Aaron Webster, along with first-team all-BIG EAST wide receiver/kick returner Mardy Gilyard, who set school records with his receiving (1,276) and kickoff return (996) yardage totals from a year ago.
UC grabbed eight first-place votes and 144 overall points to rank third. Pittsburgh also garnered eight first place votes, but tallied 161 overall points to earn the top spot. West Virginia ranked second with 151 total points and five first-place votes. USF received three first-place nods and ranks fourth overall with 130 points. Rutgers (126) ranked fifth, Connecticut (74) sixth, Louisville (51) placed seventh, and Syracuse (27) eighth.
The Bearcats will open the 2009 season on Monday, Sept. 7, in a 4 p.m. BIG EAST Conference game at Rutgers on ESPN. Season tickets are available now by calling 1-877-CATS-TIX or visiting CATSTIX.com.
2009 BIG EAST FOOTBALL PRESEASON MEDIA POLL
Rank Team Pts.
1. Pittsburgh (8) 161
2. West Virginia (5) 151
3. Cincinnati (8) 144
4. USF (3) 130
5. Rutgers 126
6. Connecticut 74
7. Louisville 51
8. Syracuse 27
First Place Votes in Parentheses