TicketsCINCINNATI – Exactly one month away from the season opener, the University of Cincinnati football team officially started its 2023 season on Wednesday with its first fall practice under the direction of first-year head coach Scott Satterfield.
It was a successful first practice in Satterfield's eyes, but the head coach was quick to note that there is a lot of preparation ahead of the Sept. 2 opener against Eastern Kentucky in Nippert Stadium.
"It is great to be back out here and to have competition among the team," Satterfield said. "On day one you see all the work that the players have put in over the past few months and there are certainly always positives on the first day, but we still have a lot of work to do."
While the team trotted out in only jerseys and helmets, the absence of pads did not affect the intensity and excitement that was felt throughout the 20-period session.
"With the anticipation and excitement to get out here the energy level was great, players were flying around and making plays drill-to-drill," Satterfield said. "We always want to have fun out here and compete with each other and at the end of the day walk off that field knowing that we got better."
Integrating the new influx of talent – 23 transfers and 10 freshman newcomers – will be one of the top storylines for the Bearcats this fall. While the bulk of the returners are on the special team and defensive units, offensive lineman Gavin Gerhardt, a redshirt junior, is not only the lone returning offensive starter, but one of the main leaders on the that side of the ball. The Xenia native earned a starting role during last year's fall camp and maintained it all season with 13 starts at center in 2022.
"I consider myself pretty smart and someone who leads by example, but being as vocal as I can be will most help this team." Gerhardt said. "Last fall camp, I was the young guy moving from guard to starting center last fall, but this year is a bit different, and I am stepping into my role and doing the best I can to help all the new guys on the line."
Junior punter Mason Fletcher, who was named to the preseason watch list for the 2023 Ray Guy Award watch list amidst the first practice, boasts the top returning average (46.3) of any punter nationally and is also one of the key returners back in the fold. He talked about his preparation and excitement to head out to Higher Ground in West Harrison, Ind., at the end of the week.
"It is about trusting the process and work we put in, we work on things and do it so much that it becomes second nature," Fletcher said. "I am excited to get out to Higher Ground and continue to put together everything that we have been preparing for to this point."
Cincinnati will be on site for their first training camp practice at Higher Ground – the program's 25th anniversary heading out to the annual off-site camp – on Saturday. The Bearcats will spend more than two weeks at the off-site facility ahead of the 2023 season.
LIMITED TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE
The Bearcats still have a limited number of tickets available at Nippert Stadium this fall.
Cincinnati ushers in a new era as a member of the Big 12 Conference with seven home games.
Fans can purchase tickets HERE.
It was a successful first practice in Satterfield's eyes, but the head coach was quick to note that there is a lot of preparation ahead of the Sept. 2 opener against Eastern Kentucky in Nippert Stadium.
"It is great to be back out here and to have competition among the team," Satterfield said. "On day one you see all the work that the players have put in over the past few months and there are certainly always positives on the first day, but we still have a lot of work to do."
While the team trotted out in only jerseys and helmets, the absence of pads did not affect the intensity and excitement that was felt throughout the 20-period session.
"With the anticipation and excitement to get out here the energy level was great, players were flying around and making plays drill-to-drill," Satterfield said. "We always want to have fun out here and compete with each other and at the end of the day walk off that field knowing that we got better."
Integrating the new influx of talent – 23 transfers and 10 freshman newcomers – will be one of the top storylines for the Bearcats this fall. While the bulk of the returners are on the special team and defensive units, offensive lineman Gavin Gerhardt, a redshirt junior, is not only the lone returning offensive starter, but one of the main leaders on the that side of the ball. The Xenia native earned a starting role during last year's fall camp and maintained it all season with 13 starts at center in 2022.
"I consider myself pretty smart and someone who leads by example, but being as vocal as I can be will most help this team." Gerhardt said. "Last fall camp, I was the young guy moving from guard to starting center last fall, but this year is a bit different, and I am stepping into my role and doing the best I can to help all the new guys on the line."
Junior punter Mason Fletcher, who was named to the preseason watch list for the 2023 Ray Guy Award watch list amidst the first practice, boasts the top returning average (46.3) of any punter nationally and is also one of the key returners back in the fold. He talked about his preparation and excitement to head out to Higher Ground in West Harrison, Ind., at the end of the week.
"It is about trusting the process and work we put in, we work on things and do it so much that it becomes second nature," Fletcher said. "I am excited to get out to Higher Ground and continue to put together everything that we have been preparing for to this point."
Cincinnati will be on site for their first training camp practice at Higher Ground – the program's 25th anniversary heading out to the annual off-site camp – on Saturday. The Bearcats will spend more than two weeks at the off-site facility ahead of the 2023 season.
LIMITED TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE
The Bearcats still have a limited number of tickets available at Nippert Stadium this fall.
Cincinnati ushers in a new era as a member of the Big 12 Conference with seven home games.
Fans can purchase tickets HERE.