TicketsAug. 15, 2012
Tuesday Practice Time-Lapse | Defensive Backs Feature | Photo Gallery
WEST HARRISON, Ind. - The University of Cincinnati football team held a single intense workout Wednesday, under sunny skies at the Higher Ground Conference & Retreat Center in West Harrison, Ind.
Tuesday's workout, the eighth of the preseason, marked the first time UC was back on the field after a pair of practices Monday. Head Coach Butch Jones said it was a key time for the team's development.
"Days like today are when a team's toughness, their mental conditioning, and overall leadership are challenged and lend itself to an opportunity for growth and development," Jones said. "We practiced twice yesterday and are back out here again today. How do you respond to being sore? What is your mental conditioning? We are creating a standard that can't waver. For our younger kids, their minds are tying their feet up right now. They have to fight through that and become one of us."
Jones went on to say that it was time for the mental intensity to match the physical nature of practices.
"Our guys need to pick up their intensity and mental conditioning," Jones said. "We are not anywhere where we need to be. The onus is on our older players to teach the younger players how to come to practice. We have to continue to eat the elephant one day at a time."
UC is back on the practice field Thursday for a pair of workouts at Camp Higher Ground.
ABERNATHY NAME TO JET AWARD WATCH LIST …
- University of Cincinnati kick returner Ralph David Abernathy IV (Atlanta, Ga./Westminster School) was named to the watch list for the 2012 Jet Award.
- The Jet Award honors the best return specialist in college football. Drawing its name from former Heisman trophy winner Johnny "The Jet" Rodgers, the Jet award will be voted on by a selection committee, featuring football writers and broadcasters from around the country, as well as Johnny Rodgers and Joe Adams, the 2011 winner of the Jet Award.
- Abernathy ran back 39 kicks for 1,034 yards and a touchdown a year ago, averaging 26.5 yards per return. His 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown helped turn the momentum in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl and the 31-24 win over Vanderbilt.
- To be considered for the Jet Award players must be a primary kick or punt returner for his team. They must be among the national leaders in return categories and show leadership, courage, desire, respect for authority and discipline.
- From the initial watch list, a list of 12 semifinalists will be announced at the end of October and the list will be whittled down to four finalists in November. The winner will be chosen by a vote of the selection committee and the 2012 winner will be announced before the award presentation in December.
- Veteran college football return specialists will be honored with legend awards each year as well, with the first winners coming from 1960 thru 1969. This year's veteran recipient will be announced in September.
- The award event will benefit the Johnny Rodgers Youth Foundation's charitable programs. Currently through his youth foundation, Rodgers has joined the fight to keep kids in school until graduation.
#BEARCATS …
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