TicketsCINCINNATI - University of Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell and seniors Jabari Taylor and Tre Tucker spoke with league media as part of the American Athletic Conference Football Media Day on Thursday.
The Bearcats were picked to finish second in the AAC preseason media poll, despite receiving the most first-place votes (10). Houston garnered seven of the possible 24 first-place votes as a part of a conference-best 243 total points, while the Bearcats were second at 242. UCF sits third with seven first-place nods and 225 votes overall.
"More than anything, we have objectives and goals every year that aren't going to change based on what polls come out to be," Fickell said. "We will use it. In some regard, we like to play from that (underdog) position a little bit more, but we have a team full of leaders and older guys that understand the realities about what it means."
Under the direction of Fickell, the Bearcats earned a 13-1 record in 2021 that culminated in their second consecutive AAC Championship before becoming the first AAC program to advance to the College Football Playoff.
UC extended its school record 27-game active home winning streak at Nippert Stadium, second only to Clemson (34). Cincinnati is undefeated in conference play over the last two seasons and is 22-2 overall with the only two losses coming to Georgia and Alabama - the last two national champions - in 2020 Peach Bowl and 2021 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Cotton Bowl.
Despite having a school record nine players selected in the 2022 NFL Draft, Fickell took time to acknowledge the amount of returning leadership on this year's team.
"The unique thing is, with exception to a couple positions, I think we have a lot more maturity than people know," added Fickell. "I think our leadership is more mature than maybe it even has been because our guys have come from different places and earn things in a different way."
The Bearcats are still presumed to contend in the conference due in part to returners like Taylor and Tucker, who are expected to take on more of a leadership role this season.
Taylor, a defensive tackle from Akron, Ohio, used his bonus year of eligibility to return for a sixth season. A member of the defensive line rotation for the last three years, he is expected to start this season and be a versatile force who can play on the end or as an interior lineman. He has appeared in 44 games and tallied 74 tackles, 11.5 TFLs and four sacks in his collegiate career.
"Not knowing if I was going to have a sixth year or not, I wasn't expecting the role of stepping up as a leader," said Taylor. "I have always been a lead-by-example type of player and having guys like Coby Bryant and Desmond Ridder in front of me able to watch them for years and take what I could from them."
Tucker, a wide receiver and recognized one of the nation's most dangerous kick returners, finished his junior season with 426 receiving yards and two touchdowns on 34 receptions. For his career, the Akron native has 59 receptions for 754 yards and five touchdown receptions. His 1,496 kick return yards rank fourth in UC history, while his 25.36 average ranks third.
Cincinnati opens the 2022 season on Saturday, Sept. 3, with the first-ever meeting against Arkansas in Fayetteville, Ark. Live coverage from Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium will start at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
THE BEARCATS ARE READY TO RELOAD
Led by the reigning consensus National Coach of the Year Luke Fickell and 12 returning starters, the Bearcats are the two-time defending AAC Champions and are coming off of a 13-1 season that culminated in a trip to the 2021 College Football Playoff. With a 44-7 mark since the start of 2018, Cincinnati's 86% winning percentage ranks among the nation's Top 5 winning percentages over the last four years.
Cincinnati opens the 2022 season at 3:30 p.m. ET on Sept. 3 against Arkansas in Fayetteville, Ark., before coming home to Nippert Stadium to welcome Kennesaw State at 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 10.
While season tickets are sold out for the first time in school history, fans can still purchase single-game tickets for as low as $25 HERE. Fans can also join the waiting list for 2023 season tickets.
DAY ONE READY CAMPAIGN
Cincinnati will officially join the Big 12 on July 1, 2023. The Bearcats are entering into a new era as a Power Five school, and in joining the Big 12, every competitive advantage matters for UC's 450-plus student-athletes.
As a significant part of the university's Next, Now Campaign, UC Athletics' Day One Ready Campaign is a $100 million fundraising initiative that's focused on achieving Next Level Success in the new conference. With fans' support for signature facilities, student-athlete wellness and championship readiness, the Bearcats won't just be prepared to compete on their first official day in the Big 12.
They'll be ready to bring championships home to Cincinnati.
Donate to the Day One Ready Campaign 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.
The Bearcats were picked to finish second in the AAC preseason media poll, despite receiving the most first-place votes (10). Houston garnered seven of the possible 24 first-place votes as a part of a conference-best 243 total points, while the Bearcats were second at 242. UCF sits third with seven first-place nods and 225 votes overall.
"More than anything, we have objectives and goals every year that aren't going to change based on what polls come out to be," Fickell said. "We will use it. In some regard, we like to play from that (underdog) position a little bit more, but we have a team full of leaders and older guys that understand the realities about what it means."
Under the direction of Fickell, the Bearcats earned a 13-1 record in 2021 that culminated in their second consecutive AAC Championship before becoming the first AAC program to advance to the College Football Playoff.
UC extended its school record 27-game active home winning streak at Nippert Stadium, second only to Clemson (34). Cincinnati is undefeated in conference play over the last two seasons and is 22-2 overall with the only two losses coming to Georgia and Alabama - the last two national champions - in 2020 Peach Bowl and 2021 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Cotton Bowl.
Despite having a school record nine players selected in the 2022 NFL Draft, Fickell took time to acknowledge the amount of returning leadership on this year's team.
"The unique thing is, with exception to a couple positions, I think we have a lot more maturity than people know," added Fickell. "I think our leadership is more mature than maybe it even has been because our guys have come from different places and earn things in a different way."
The Bearcats are still presumed to contend in the conference due in part to returners like Taylor and Tucker, who are expected to take on more of a leadership role this season.
Taylor, a defensive tackle from Akron, Ohio, used his bonus year of eligibility to return for a sixth season. A member of the defensive line rotation for the last three years, he is expected to start this season and be a versatile force who can play on the end or as an interior lineman. He has appeared in 44 games and tallied 74 tackles, 11.5 TFLs and four sacks in his collegiate career.
"Not knowing if I was going to have a sixth year or not, I wasn't expecting the role of stepping up as a leader," said Taylor. "I have always been a lead-by-example type of player and having guys like Coby Bryant and Desmond Ridder in front of me able to watch them for years and take what I could from them."
Tucker, a wide receiver and recognized one of the nation's most dangerous kick returners, finished his junior season with 426 receiving yards and two touchdowns on 34 receptions. For his career, the Akron native has 59 receptions for 754 yards and five touchdown receptions. His 1,496 kick return yards rank fourth in UC history, while his 25.36 average ranks third.
Cincinnati opens the 2022 season on Saturday, Sept. 3, with the first-ever meeting against Arkansas in Fayetteville, Ark. Live coverage from Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium will start at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
THE BEARCATS ARE READY TO RELOAD
Led by the reigning consensus National Coach of the Year Luke Fickell and 12 returning starters, the Bearcats are the two-time defending AAC Champions and are coming off of a 13-1 season that culminated in a trip to the 2021 College Football Playoff. With a 44-7 mark since the start of 2018, Cincinnati's 86% winning percentage ranks among the nation's Top 5 winning percentages over the last four years.
Cincinnati opens the 2022 season at 3:30 p.m. ET on Sept. 3 against Arkansas in Fayetteville, Ark., before coming home to Nippert Stadium to welcome Kennesaw State at 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 10.
While season tickets are sold out for the first time in school history, fans can still purchase single-game tickets for as low as $25 HERE. Fans can also join the waiting list for 2023 season tickets.
DAY ONE READY CAMPAIGN
Cincinnati will officially join the Big 12 on July 1, 2023. The Bearcats are entering into a new era as a Power Five school, and in joining the Big 12, every competitive advantage matters for UC's 450-plus student-athletes.
As a significant part of the university's Next, Now Campaign, UC Athletics' Day One Ready Campaign is a $100 million fundraising initiative that's focused on achieving Next Level Success in the new conference. With fans' support for signature facilities, student-athlete wellness and championship readiness, the Bearcats won't just be prepared to compete on their first official day in the Big 12.
They'll be ready to bring championships home to Cincinnati.
Donate to the Day One Ready Campaign 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.