TicketsDALLAS – The No. 4-ranked Cincinnati football team returned to practice on Tuesday at AT&T Stadium as the Bearcats continued preparing for No. 1 Alabama, who they will face on Friday at 2:30 p.m. CT in the College Football Playoff Semifinals at the 86th Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic.
UC held a nearly two-hour long practice session, a typical "Wednesday," before a quick strength workout at the Dallas Cowboys' stadium where they will play the Crimson Tide later in the week.
Following practice, several Bearcats, including All-AAC First Team defensive end Myjai Sanders, participated in the virtual hospital visit with the Children's Medical Center of Dallas.
Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell has been happy with his team's business-like approach.
"The great thing about this group right here is a lot of maturity and what our seniors have been through," Fickell said. "From year one, a lot of these guys were here with us, as bad as we were, to where they've gotten us to now. They understand that this is a business trip and that this is a true Wednesday for us, very business-like, very pro-like. It was a good day."
Two seniors leading the way this week – and all season – are linebackers Joel Dublanko and Darrian Beavers.
The duo led a defense that had second-most turnovers gained (29) and was ranked No. 7 in turnover margin (+11). The Bearcats have the fourth-ranked scoring defense in the country, giving up only 16.1 points per game. They are also No. 7 in total defense and No. 3 in red zone defense.
Dublanko was named to the All-AAC First Team by the conference and by PFF. He had career-highs with 106 total tackles (4th in the AAC), 11 TFLs (tied-8th in AAC) and 5.5 sacks (tied 6th in AAC). Dublanko has appeared in 52 career games. He added a forced fumble, fumble recovery and got his first interception in the AAC title game against Houston.
Beavers, a fifth-year senior that transferred from UConn, was second on the Bearcats in tackles with 89, trailing only Dublanko. He was a 2021 Dick Butkus Award finalist, given to the best linebacker in the nation each year. He was also named to the All-AAC First Team. The linebacker from Colerain High School in Cincinnati was third on the Bearcats with 10 TFLs and four sacks. He added two fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles and an interception.
Both players are one of UC's five "super seniors," players that used their extra year of eligibility from COVID-19 to return for this season.
"They're guys that have been here for a long time, and they've done a great job all year," Fickell said. "Joel (Dublanko, senior linebacker) is kind of that guy, that sixth-year guy, who is the culture of the program. From our first couple years here where he didn't really play, to now leading the defense. The respect he's earned from his teammates is unbelievable. Darrian Beavers (senior linebacker), another guy that's got incredible ability, a guy that transferred to us. He did a great job embracing his teammates. You can't be great on defense if you're not great down the middle, and those two guys really help us out."
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UC held a nearly two-hour long practice session, a typical "Wednesday," before a quick strength workout at the Dallas Cowboys' stadium where they will play the Crimson Tide later in the week.
Following practice, several Bearcats, including All-AAC First Team defensive end Myjai Sanders, participated in the virtual hospital visit with the Children's Medical Center of Dallas.
Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell has been happy with his team's business-like approach.
"The great thing about this group right here is a lot of maturity and what our seniors have been through," Fickell said. "From year one, a lot of these guys were here with us, as bad as we were, to where they've gotten us to now. They understand that this is a business trip and that this is a true Wednesday for us, very business-like, very pro-like. It was a good day."
Two seniors leading the way this week – and all season – are linebackers Joel Dublanko and Darrian Beavers.
The duo led a defense that had second-most turnovers gained (29) and was ranked No. 7 in turnover margin (+11). The Bearcats have the fourth-ranked scoring defense in the country, giving up only 16.1 points per game. They are also No. 7 in total defense and No. 3 in red zone defense.
Dublanko was named to the All-AAC First Team by the conference and by PFF. He had career-highs with 106 total tackles (4th in the AAC), 11 TFLs (tied-8th in AAC) and 5.5 sacks (tied 6th in AAC). Dublanko has appeared in 52 career games. He added a forced fumble, fumble recovery and got his first interception in the AAC title game against Houston.
Beavers, a fifth-year senior that transferred from UConn, was second on the Bearcats in tackles with 89, trailing only Dublanko. He was a 2021 Dick Butkus Award finalist, given to the best linebacker in the nation each year. He was also named to the All-AAC First Team. The linebacker from Colerain High School in Cincinnati was third on the Bearcats with 10 TFLs and four sacks. He added two fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles and an interception.
Both players are one of UC's five "super seniors," players that used their extra year of eligibility from COVID-19 to return for this season.
"They're guys that have been here for a long time, and they've done a great job all year," Fickell said. "Joel (Dublanko, senior linebacker) is kind of that guy, that sixth-year guy, who is the culture of the program. From our first couple years here where he didn't really play, to now leading the defense. The respect he's earned from his teammates is unbelievable. Darrian Beavers (senior linebacker), another guy that's got incredible ability, a guy that transferred to us. He did a great job embracing his teammates. You can't be great on defense if you're not great down the middle, and those two guys really help us out."
RESERVE YOUR 2022 SEASON TICKETS NOW
The Cincinnati Athletics Ticket Office is now accepting deposits for 2022 football season tickets here.
FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
For all the latest information on Cincinnati Athletics, please visit GoBEARCATS.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow Cincinnati Athletics on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.