TicketsCINCINNATI – The Cincinnati football team returns to Nippert Stadium on Saturday to host Navy in an American Athletic Conference matchup where the Bearcats will put their 30-game home winning streak on the line at 4 p.m. (ESPNU).
The Bearcats are coming off a rare loss at No. 25 UCF last weekend as UC's conference-record-tying AAC win streak of 19 games also came to a halt.
Still, Cincinnati controls its own destiny to advance to the AAC Championship with three of its final four games at home and all against conference opponents, including a season finale versus current conference leader and No. 19 Tulane.
At 3-1 in league play, UC is tied with Houston and UCF for second in the American behind the Green Wave (4-0).
Fickell talked about moving on, overcoming adversity, leaders like senior tight end Josh Whyle and more during his weekly press conference on Tuesday.
Here are five takeaways:
1. November is When it Really Matters
The Bearcats host three of their final four opponents at Nippert Stadium – a welcome advantage down the stretch as UC looks to contend for a spot in the AAC Championship.
"There is a comfort level obviously being at home and no matter what we have said since the day we walked in here, November is when it really, really matters," Fickell said. "The great thing is that we still have a lot of room to grow and I think that's what gives me a little bit of excitement…This is a stretch that we talked we about all throughout winter workouts, spring football, it is not who you play at the end but how you doing at the end of the year."
Cincinnati is 16-4 in November under Fickell and has won seven November contests in a row.
The Bearcats will likely need to keep the November streak alive for a shot to play in a fourth straight AAC Championship.
2. Whyle Sets Record, Continues to Lead
Redshirt senior Josh Whyle's 14-yard touchdown catch at the end of the third quarter at UCF gave the Cincinnati native sole possession of the Cincinnati program record for touchdowns (15 ) by a tight end – and impressive accomplishment considering UC is home to current NFL All-Pro Travis Kelce, of the Kansas City Chiefs, and Josiah Deguara of the Green Bay Packers. Whyle broke the record he shared with Brent Celek, who played for the Bearcats from 2003-06 before a standout 11-year career with the Philadelphia Eagles.
A recruit coming out of La Salle High School in Queen City, Whyle was one of the first big-time local players to commit to Fickell's Cincinnati program, providing positive momentum for the Bearcats as they looked to set a foundation.
Five years later, the Bearcats have won 50 of 59 games since Whyle arrived on campus and he will leave UC as the most prolific tight end in school history.
"In recruiting all the way back then, we were trying to sell dreams," Fickell said. "He was a guy that believed in us. He is a guy that stayed home and really saw what we were wanting to do. We couldn't show him what we wanted to do because we hadn't done anything really yet. To see his progression, I love to see it. He struggled as a young kid, meaning that like he didn't play a whole lot. I am sure he had this aspiration of walking in the door and breaking that record in the first two years. He's had the ability to really grow and grow and he's done a phenomenal job. He's a big part of what we do. It's also a great example of some of these guys to see how, things don't always go the way you expect it to and want to. They look at his first two years, between injuries and just not as many opportunities. Maybe some really good players like Josiah [Deguara] and some other guys that he had to battle. That is what made him who he is."
3. Navy Presents 'Unique' Challenge
Navy brings a 3-5 record and 3-3 mark in conference play in two Saturday's matchup. The Midshipmen are known for their triple-option offense that rarely features passes and is powered by discipline and misdirection. In fact, Navy did not complete a pass in its overtime win last week against Temple.
Navy ranks seventh nationally in rushing, totaling 244.5 yards per game.
Fickell said its easy to move on from a loss when you have to prepare for a 'unique' offense like Navy presents.
"When you're planning for a team like Navy, it's always a little bit of a unique week," Fickell said. "In some ways, it was great. It was awesome to come back in here and actually be able to completely shift gears and get your mind on to something a little bit different. I know that every team is different, and every year is different. Sometimes week to week can be a bit different and that's where you really have to just continue to grow and make sure, more than anything, that the play on the field will take care of itself. The locker room and the preparation were so critical."
4. Opportunity to Step Up on Defensive Line
Fifth-year senior defensive end Malik Vann hasn't played since Week 2, and sixth-year defensive end Jabari Taylor missed the UCF game – leaving Cincinnati thin on the defensive line with two of the three projected Day 1 starters missing time versus the Knights.
Vann is likely out for the season, while Taylor hasn't played since the opening series at SMU. Taylor is likely to be back soon, but the injuries have opened up opportunities for younger players like Justin Wodtly, transfer Noah Potter and even walk-on Ryan Mullaney to earn reps at defensive end alongside starter Eric Phillips.
Wodtly has a sack each of the last two games, and Potter recorded his first career start in Orlando.
The trio will need to step up this weekend against a Navy team that puts extra stress on defensive line with its run-heavy triple-option offense.
"That's where some of the depth of things has been a little bit of a challenge," Fickell said. "You've got two guys who have played a lot of football for you. Obviously, Malik (Vann) going out in game two and Jabari (Taylor) out basically for the last two games. It does it puts a little strain, but that's where we've talked about those younger guys, like Noah Potter and Justin Wodtly … A lot of those guys have to really step up and fill a bigger role. That's what they have to do. That's what they're expected to do."
5. Fickell Impressed with Team's Response
Fickell liked the response of his team and the coaching staff following the loss at UCF – the Bearcats' first in conference since 2019.
Cincinnati is 6-2 since 2018 coming off a loss. It's a credit to Fickell and the program he has built that the sting of a loss has rarely been felt since UC's head coach arrived in 2017. After going 4-8 in a culture-establishing first year, the Bearcats are 50-9 since.
"I came back in here on Sunday," Fickell said. "Obviously, my gut hurt and things like that. But for me it was to be an example of moving on, and not dwell upon what happens. You look at college football, there's not a lot of predictable things, it's across the board and you can predict probably the five or so teams that are going to be in the situation that they're in, but everybody else is pretty unpredictable each and every week. So, I thought they'd been good. I think the chemistry obviously is good, but really you don't find out those things until you have some tougher times. So, this is not just an opportunity for these 18-to-22-year-olds to grow. You can grow as a 49-year-old, you can grow as a 65-year-old, especially with the people that are around you, and it makes everybody have to grow. It's a challenge."
// 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.
// ABOUT CINCINNATI ATHLETICS
The University of Cincinnati Department of Athletics competes at the highest level of intercollegiate athletics with the vision to reach Next Level Success for all 18 varsity teams and more than 500 student-athletes. The Bearcats have a proud athletics history, winning eight national championships and 117 conference titles. The Cincinnati men's basketball team is among the 15 winningest programs all-time, while the football team became the first American Athletic Conference program to compete in the College Football Playoff in 2021. Olympic gold medalist volleyball player Jordan Thompson, NBA Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson and Major League Baseball legend Sandy Koufax are among the several luminaries who have competed as Bearcats.
UC student-athletes collectively posted a 3.369 overall GPA in the spring of 2021 with 77 percent earning spots on the Honor Roll, while six student-athletes collected CoSIDA Academic All-America accolades.
Under the leadership of Director of Athletics John Cunningham, and supported by more than 150 full-time staff members, UC Athletics' mission is to connect our community, enhance our University and impact the lives of student-athletes as they prepare to change the world on and off the field.
For more information visit gobearcats.com.
The Bearcats are coming off a rare loss at No. 25 UCF last weekend as UC's conference-record-tying AAC win streak of 19 games also came to a halt.
Still, Cincinnati controls its own destiny to advance to the AAC Championship with three of its final four games at home and all against conference opponents, including a season finale versus current conference leader and No. 19 Tulane.
At 3-1 in league play, UC is tied with Houston and UCF for second in the American behind the Green Wave (4-0).
Fickell talked about moving on, overcoming adversity, leaders like senior tight end Josh Whyle and more during his weekly press conference on Tuesday.
Here are five takeaways:
1. November is When it Really Matters
The Bearcats host three of their final four opponents at Nippert Stadium – a welcome advantage down the stretch as UC looks to contend for a spot in the AAC Championship.
"There is a comfort level obviously being at home and no matter what we have said since the day we walked in here, November is when it really, really matters," Fickell said. "The great thing is that we still have a lot of room to grow and I think that's what gives me a little bit of excitement…This is a stretch that we talked we about all throughout winter workouts, spring football, it is not who you play at the end but how you doing at the end of the year."
Cincinnati is 16-4 in November under Fickell and has won seven November contests in a row.
The Bearcats will likely need to keep the November streak alive for a shot to play in a fourth straight AAC Championship.
2. Whyle Sets Record, Continues to Lead
Redshirt senior Josh Whyle's 14-yard touchdown catch at the end of the third quarter at UCF gave the Cincinnati native sole possession of the Cincinnati program record for touchdowns (15 ) by a tight end – and impressive accomplishment considering UC is home to current NFL All-Pro Travis Kelce, of the Kansas City Chiefs, and Josiah Deguara of the Green Bay Packers. Whyle broke the record he shared with Brent Celek, who played for the Bearcats from 2003-06 before a standout 11-year career with the Philadelphia Eagles.
A recruit coming out of La Salle High School in Queen City, Whyle was one of the first big-time local players to commit to Fickell's Cincinnati program, providing positive momentum for the Bearcats as they looked to set a foundation.
Five years later, the Bearcats have won 50 of 59 games since Whyle arrived on campus and he will leave UC as the most prolific tight end in school history.
"In recruiting all the way back then, we were trying to sell dreams," Fickell said. "He was a guy that believed in us. He is a guy that stayed home and really saw what we were wanting to do. We couldn't show him what we wanted to do because we hadn't done anything really yet. To see his progression, I love to see it. He struggled as a young kid, meaning that like he didn't play a whole lot. I am sure he had this aspiration of walking in the door and breaking that record in the first two years. He's had the ability to really grow and grow and he's done a phenomenal job. He's a big part of what we do. It's also a great example of some of these guys to see how, things don't always go the way you expect it to and want to. They look at his first two years, between injuries and just not as many opportunities. Maybe some really good players like Josiah [Deguara] and some other guys that he had to battle. That is what made him who he is."
3. Navy Presents 'Unique' Challenge
Navy brings a 3-5 record and 3-3 mark in conference play in two Saturday's matchup. The Midshipmen are known for their triple-option offense that rarely features passes and is powered by discipline and misdirection. In fact, Navy did not complete a pass in its overtime win last week against Temple.
Navy ranks seventh nationally in rushing, totaling 244.5 yards per game.
Fickell said its easy to move on from a loss when you have to prepare for a 'unique' offense like Navy presents.
"When you're planning for a team like Navy, it's always a little bit of a unique week," Fickell said. "In some ways, it was great. It was awesome to come back in here and actually be able to completely shift gears and get your mind on to something a little bit different. I know that every team is different, and every year is different. Sometimes week to week can be a bit different and that's where you really have to just continue to grow and make sure, more than anything, that the play on the field will take care of itself. The locker room and the preparation were so critical."
4. Opportunity to Step Up on Defensive Line
Fifth-year senior defensive end Malik Vann hasn't played since Week 2, and sixth-year defensive end Jabari Taylor missed the UCF game – leaving Cincinnati thin on the defensive line with two of the three projected Day 1 starters missing time versus the Knights.
Vann is likely out for the season, while Taylor hasn't played since the opening series at SMU. Taylor is likely to be back soon, but the injuries have opened up opportunities for younger players like Justin Wodtly, transfer Noah Potter and even walk-on Ryan Mullaney to earn reps at defensive end alongside starter Eric Phillips.
Wodtly has a sack each of the last two games, and Potter recorded his first career start in Orlando.
The trio will need to step up this weekend against a Navy team that puts extra stress on defensive line with its run-heavy triple-option offense.
"That's where some of the depth of things has been a little bit of a challenge," Fickell said. "You've got two guys who have played a lot of football for you. Obviously, Malik (Vann) going out in game two and Jabari (Taylor) out basically for the last two games. It does it puts a little strain, but that's where we've talked about those younger guys, like Noah Potter and Justin Wodtly … A lot of those guys have to really step up and fill a bigger role. That's what they have to do. That's what they're expected to do."
5. Fickell Impressed with Team's Response
Fickell liked the response of his team and the coaching staff following the loss at UCF – the Bearcats' first in conference since 2019.
Cincinnati is 6-2 since 2018 coming off a loss. It's a credit to Fickell and the program he has built that the sting of a loss has rarely been felt since UC's head coach arrived in 2017. After going 4-8 in a culture-establishing first year, the Bearcats are 50-9 since.
"I came back in here on Sunday," Fickell said. "Obviously, my gut hurt and things like that. But for me it was to be an example of moving on, and not dwell upon what happens. You look at college football, there's not a lot of predictable things, it's across the board and you can predict probably the five or so teams that are going to be in the situation that they're in, but everybody else is pretty unpredictable each and every week. So, I thought they'd been good. I think the chemistry obviously is good, but really you don't find out those things until you have some tougher times. So, this is not just an opportunity for these 18-to-22-year-olds to grow. You can grow as a 49-year-old, you can grow as a 65-year-old, especially with the people that are around you, and it makes everybody have to grow. It's a challenge."
// 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.
// ABOUT CINCINNATI ATHLETICS
The University of Cincinnati Department of Athletics competes at the highest level of intercollegiate athletics with the vision to reach Next Level Success for all 18 varsity teams and more than 500 student-athletes. The Bearcats have a proud athletics history, winning eight national championships and 117 conference titles. The Cincinnati men's basketball team is among the 15 winningest programs all-time, while the football team became the first American Athletic Conference program to compete in the College Football Playoff in 2021. Olympic gold medalist volleyball player Jordan Thompson, NBA Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson and Major League Baseball legend Sandy Koufax are among the several luminaries who have competed as Bearcats.
UC student-athletes collectively posted a 3.369 overall GPA in the spring of 2021 with 77 percent earning spots on the Honor Roll, while six student-athletes collected CoSIDA Academic All-America accolades.
Under the leadership of Director of Athletics John Cunningham, and supported by more than 150 full-time staff members, UC Athletics' mission is to connect our community, enhance our University and impact the lives of student-athletes as they prepare to change the world on and off the field.
For more information visit gobearcats.com.