TicketsAug. 10, 2010
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CINCINNATI - The University of Cincinnati football team held its second fall workout Tuesday with a two hour workout under warm skies at Nippert Stadium.
The team worked out in helmets for the second-straight day in the sunshine, on the second of five NCAA-mandated acclimatization days.
UC worked extensively on individual and unit drills in preparation for donning shells for the first time on Wednesday. Once again, the special teams units featured heavily in the practice period rotation.
It was another scorcher at Nippert as the temperature maxed out in the 125 degree range on the turf. However, the Bearcats found a good way to beat the heat after practice with soaks in the cold tubs and some popsicles.
Many of UC's 26 newcomers received some extended reps this afternoon, something head coach Butch Jones said will continue through the remainder of camp.
"We need to get the freshmen and newcomers their reps," Jones said. "We want to help their development and see who can help us this season. We want to make sure their fundamentals are sound and we coach them the right way."
One new twist this season is the appearance of a white stripe on the helmet of each freshman. Prior to camp, each first-year player was assigned a big brother. The big brother will determine when the newcomer has earned the right to have his stripe taken off, and he will announce it during a team meeting.
Bearcats fans should pick up the college football preview edition of Sports Illustrated which will hit newsstands on Wednesday. UC will hold the No. 18 rank in the magazine's preseason top-25 poll.
Wide receiver Armon Binns earned a spot on the watch list for the Biletnikoff Award, which recognizes the nation's top wide receiver. Binns was UC's second-leading receiver a year ago, grabbing 61 balls for 888 yards and tying for the team high with 11 touchdowns. He averaged 68.3 yards per game and 14.6 yards per catch.
UC returns to the field Wednesday for its third of four practices at Nippert Stadium this week. The team will move to its off-campus site, the Higher Ground Conference and Retreat Center, for two weeks after practice Thursday.
The Bearcats open the 2010 season on Saturday, Sept. 4 at Fresno State. Kickoff is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET and the game will be televised on ESPN2. UC will open the home schedule on Sept. 11 against Indiana State at noon inside Nippert Stadium. Call 1-877-CATS-TIX or visit CATSTIX.com to reserve your season tickets today.