Football Set To Open Spring Practice Wednesday

March 16, 2010

The University of Cincinnati football team will open up spring practice Wednesday at Nippert Stadium, the first workout for the back-to-back BIG EAST Conference Champions under head coach Butch Jones.

Jones will appear on Lance McAlister's show on 700 WLW tonight (Tuesday) at 7:30 p.m. to discuss the opening of spring football.

Spring workouts, with the exception of Bearcat Bowl IV, are closed to the general public.

UC returns 13 starters from last year's BIG EAST Championship squad, including all-league selections Armon Binns (WR), Alex Hoffman (OL), Jason Kelce (OL), and Ben Guidugli (TE).

The defense returns four of the top-six tacklers from the 2009 squad, linebacker JK Schaffer (100 tackles), safety Drew Frey (64 tackles, two interceptions), defensive back Dominique Battle (60 tackles, two interceptions), and linebacker Walter Stewart (59 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, 4.5 sacks).

The Bearcats will hold practice Wednesday and Thursday at Nippert Stadium before taking off next week due to Spring Break.

Starting on March 30, the Bearcats will hold three workouts a week leading up to Bearcat Bowl IV, set to take place at 7 p.m. on Saturday April 24, 2010 inside Nippert Stadium. The game will be televised by FS Ohio.