TicketsBlackjack! Here are a whopping 21 observations (it's Vegas baby) from the #Bearcats trip to Big 12 media days.
— Dan Hoard (@Dan_Hoard) July 10, 2024
1. No team was better-dressed than the UC quartet of @luke_kandra , @_canteen, @CoreyKiner and @MasonFletcher19 who were fitted for new suits before the trip. pic.twitter.com/SSMtvMR9r4
2. Kiner's Luis Vuitton shoes drew raves:
— Dan Hoard (@Dan_Hoard) July 10, 2024
"They showed me the price tag and I said, 'Nah, I think I'm good,'" Kiner said. "But I went back a couple of days later and said, 'Man, we're going to Las Vegas and they picked me to represent the team.' I had to show up and show out." pic.twitter.com/IF3OAmV2ll
3. Mason Fletcher said that Luke Kandra had the best look with the black suit, tie, and pocket square, but Kandra will sport a different combo when he gets married in a few weeks.
— Dan Hoard (@Dan_Hoard) July 10, 2024
"I'm wearing a charcoal gray suit with a dusty blue tie," he said. "It's going to look pretty nice." pic.twitter.com/1FbDaw1bMC
4. The event was in Las Vegas because AT&T Stadium in Dallas had a soccer conflict. But commissioner Brett Yormark wants a bigger presence in Vegas.
— Dan Hoard (@Dan_Hoard) July 10, 2024
"It's the entertainment and sports capital of the world," he said. "So it's a critically important market for us in the future." pic.twitter.com/MTNAqOhYUd
5. Speaking of Yormark, his forward-thinking guidance of the Big 12 has impressed UC athletic director John Cunningham.
— Dan Hoard (@Dan_Hoard) July 10, 2024
"I can't express how excited we are to be part of the Big 12 and a lot of that is the leadership of Brett Yormark," he said. pic.twitter.com/hT2exaKYdf
6. Yormark noted that the Big 12 is looking into new TV windows.
— Dan Hoard (@Dan_Hoard) July 10, 2024
"There's a lot going on on Saturdays — a lot of competition. So the question is, are there new TV windows we can explore where we can highlight, elevate, and amplify our football programs a little differently?" pic.twitter.com/yEBQ4veK0H
7. This was the first time that any of the #Bearcats players had been in Las Vegas.
— Dan Hoard (@Dan_Hoard) July 10, 2024
"Just seeing the strip with Caesar's Palace, the Bellagio, the fountains, and the Sphere. Just being able to say that I've been here is cool," said Kandra. pic.twitter.com/6dBpErDWD7
8. The video and photo shoots, and local and national interviews were a memorable experience for the players.
— Dan Hoard (@Dan_Hoard) July 10, 2024
"I've been doing interviews for a long time but not in an atmosphere like this," said Kiner. "It's been great. I've been waiting for moments like this my whole life." pic.twitter.com/RYUpOTNqqO
9. In addition to questions about the upcoming season, the players got curveballs including this for Mason Fletcher.
— Dan Hoard (@Dan_Hoard) July 10, 2024
"What is the biggest animal that I could beat in a fight? That one kind of rattled me a bit," Mason said. "I said it would be un-Australian to not say a kangaroo." pic.twitter.com/4FeEaMdhH3
10. And what was the craziest question that Kandra faced?
— Dan Hoard (@Dan_Hoard) July 10, 2024
"What would our team be if it was a food? That one blew my mind," Luke said.
And how did he answer?
"Burnt steak. Because we're tough." pic.twitter.com/AvUK9oKC5k
11. Derrick Canteen, a Virginia Tech transfer, made such a great impression since arriving that he was picked to represent the defense.
— Dan Hoard (@Dan_Hoard) July 10, 2024
"I don't take it lightly," he said. "It's a chance to represent the city, University, and football program. I can't thank my coaches enough." pic.twitter.com/97fbeQch4D
12. Dontay Corleone would have been here if he weren't being treated for blood clots.
— Dan Hoard (@Dan_Hoard) July 10, 2024
"He is back with our team working out," said Coach Satterfield. "We're taking it day by day, but hopefully as we progress throughout the summer and head into camp, he'll be available to play." pic.twitter.com/S994RHetyl
13. "The Godfather" was missed in Vegas.
— Dan Hoard (@Dan_Hoard) July 10, 2024
"Dontay is one of the coolest people you'll ever meet and deserves to be here. We're representing for him," said Kiner.
"He's a great dude and a Cincinnati kid. Prayers out for him and hopefully he'll be able to play soon," said Fletcher. pic.twitter.com/kYmwYJ0o5Q
14. Utah was picked to finish first, but a preseason magazine says the Big 12 has, "Entertaining chaos with little separation from top to bottom."
— Dan Hoard (@Dan_Hoard) July 10, 2024
"We'll be the deepest conference in America and every week will matter," said Commissioner Yormark." We have star power in parity." pic.twitter.com/IEQNYKblN4
15. The #Bearcats were picked to finish 14th based on last year's 3-9 record (Big 12 opponents highlighted).
— Dan Hoard (@Dan_Hoard) July 10, 2024
"I don't know how anybody can pick teams anymore," said Coach Satterfield. "We've got 47 new scholarship players. How do you know what we're going to do?" pic.twitter.com/UcAJoVuExf
16. Satterfield was asked what the team must do better in 2024.
— Dan Hoard (@Dan_Hoard) July 10, 2024
"It starts with discipline and being a connected team. Last year we had some guys going in different directions. When you look forward to the meeting rooms and getting on the field, you have the right kind of guys." pic.twitter.com/dDPjUAK78c
17. "Hopefully, we're going to be a blue-collar team that earns everything on the field," Satterfield said. "We want to play a physical brand of football, but also be disciplined. If we're able to do that, we should be able to win games." pic.twitter.com/carBwYo16d
— Dan Hoard (@Dan_Hoard) July 10, 2024
18. Coach Satt was often asked about transfer QB Brendan Sorsby from Indiana, but always mentioned Brady Lichtenberg and Semaj Jones when answering.
— Dan Hoard (@Dan_Hoard) July 10, 2024
"In this day and age in college football with quarterbacks that run a little bit, you better have a couple of guys ready to go." pic.twitter.com/F7I8vrlGS6
19. Another highlight for the players was getting to play the new EA Sports College Football video game.
— Dan Hoard (@Dan_Hoard) July 10, 2024
"They've got Nippert Stadium down to a tee," said Kiner. "And I scored a touchdown with myself. I've been waiting since I was a kid to be in a video game." pic.twitter.com/oXAMmCMd2A
20. Shoutout to the #Bearcats mascot and cheerleaders. They are indefatigable pic.twitter.com/FwgoTlLV1O
— Dan Hoard (@Dan_Hoard) July 10, 2024
21. The flight home was delayed by extreme heat. Airplane guidelines dictated that it wasn't safe to fly until the temp dropped to 114°.
— Dan Hoard (@Dan_Hoard) July 10, 2024
The #Bearcats passed the time by making a pilgrimage to In-N-Out burger. pic.twitter.com/jPk4yS6MFF