TicketsAug. 7, 2011
CINCINNATI - University of Cincinnati head football coach Butch Jones welcomed 105 student-athletes to campus Sunday as UC began preparations for the 2011 football season.
After checking in and receiving the schedule for the day, the team held an administrative meeting covering compliance, equipment, sports communications, sports medicine and strength and conditioning policies and procedures. At the close of the meeting, Coach Jones went through some of the various rule changes in college football that will be enforced this season.
The Bearcats dined in their new training table complex on the eighth floor of the Richard E. Lindner Center before talking part in a handful of administration meetings and individual position group meetings before reporting to the dorms for the evening.
Coach Jones took part in a taping for WLWT's Sports Rock program along with local sports anchors Ken Broo and George Vogel. Sports Rock airs at 11:30 p.m. on WLWT every Sunday.
Jones, entering his second year with the Bearcats, returns 50 letterwinners from the 2010 squad, including the BIG EAST Conference's top retuning passer, rusher, tackler and leader in all-purpose yards on the 2011 squad.
Quarterback Zach Collaros (Steubenville, Ohio/Steubenville) threw for 2,902 yards and 26 touchdowns, earning unanimous First-Team All-BIG EAST honors at quarterback a year ago.
Tailback Isaiah Pead (Columbus, Ohio/Eastmoor Academy) ran for 1,029 yards and six TDs earning a spot on the Second-Team All-BIG EAST.
Linebacker J.K. Schaffer (Cincinnati, Ohio/LaSalle) led the team and placed second in the league in 2010 with 110 tackles, snagging Second-Team All-BIG EAST accolades.
Wide receiver and return man D.J. Woods (Strongsville, Ohio/Strongsville) was one of the most productive players in the league a year ago, leading the BIG EAST in all-purpose yards, averaging 154.9 per game and taking Second-Team All-BIG EAST honors at wide receiver.
The Bearcats' first practice of training camp is scheduled for Aug. 8 and the season opener is set for Saturday, Sept. 3 at 7 p.m. against Austin Peay inside Nippert Stadium. The game will be televised by FOX Sports Ohio.