TicketsHere are XII observations from my trip to Big 12 Media Days in Frisco, TX with Evan Tengesdahl, Antwan Peek Jr, Coach Satterfield, Taran Tyo, and JC French IV.#Bearcats pic.twitter.com/HVYSjnjoZG
— Dan Hoard (@Dan_Hoard) July 9, 2026
1. The #Bearcats handed out pancake-themed gift boxes to college football reporters to promote UC’s outstanding offensive line led by Joe Cotton, Evan Tengesdahl, and Taran Tyo.
— Dan Hoard (@Dan_Hoard) July 9, 2026
The box includes syrup and pancake mix featuring the three lineman in chefs hats. pic.twitter.com/qX7TMjj4mb
2 “It’s really good seeing them get the recognition they deserve,” said QB JC French IV. “The way they’re displaying it with the pancakes is hilarious. They’re all poised for a great season.”
— Dan Hoard (@Dan_Hoard) July 9, 2026
“We know we can go and be one of the best offensive lines in the country if not the… pic.twitter.com/3KSPRRV5zL
3. Writer and podcaster Andy Staples was among the gift box recipients.
— Dan Hoard (@Dan_Hoard) July 9, 2026
“In this era of college football it’s very hard to judge how good teams are going to be because the rosters change so much,” said Staples. “When people bring back experienced offensive lineman who you know… pic.twitter.com/C9eV3mlW22
4. Cotton, Tyo, and Tengesdahl announced they were returning in mid-December without considering potentially lucrative offers in the transfer portal.
— Dan Hoard (@Dan_Hoard) July 9, 2026
“There are some big spenders out there that are in need of really good O-lineman, but I think they wanted to play with each other… pic.twitter.com/3iyjD3Nava
5. Antwan Peek Jr was the perfect choice to represent the #Bearcats defense in Frisco.
— Dan Hoard (@Dan_Hoard) July 9, 2026
His father holds UC’s all-time sacks record and nobody on the roster is prouder to wear the Red and Black.
“Words can’t even describe how much it means to me,” said Peek. “My family is here,… pic.twitter.com/S241OL4Urm
6. Peek was PFF’s highest-graded safety in the Big 12 last year, but is changing positions and moving closer to the line of scrimmage under new defensive coordinator Nate Woody.
— Dan Hoard (@Dan_Hoard) July 9, 2026
“I’m excited to see what he’s going to be able to do,” said Satterfield. “He’s one of those guys that… pic.twitter.com/soPvfdyfqU
7. Coach Woody comes to UC after guiding Army to the top-ranked defense in the AAC in each of the last two seasons. Satterfield told reporters that he’s looking for his new DC to turn up the heat on opposing QBs.
— Dan Hoard (@Dan_Hoard) July 9, 2026
“The thing that we have to be able to do to improve our team and… pic.twitter.com/pnRyKLDIej
8. This was the second media day in as many years for QB JC French IV. He represented Georgia Southern at Sun Belt media days in New Orleans last year.
— Dan Hoard (@Dan_Hoard) July 9, 2026
“He’s a guy that fit in here right off the bat,” said Satterfield. “Every time I would see another player or coach it was like,… pic.twitter.com/ljxlNNiclK
9. French is Georgia Southern’s all-time leader in passing yards and TDs and impressed his new teammates and coaches by completing 70% of his passes in spring practices.
— Dan Hoard (@Dan_Hoard) July 9, 2026
“He didn’t get a lot of accolades in the transfer portal market and all that, but I do think he’ll be able to… pic.twitter.com/1FQFjMrCtr
10. Tengesdahl is a Preseason All-American after earning AP Third Team All-America honors last year.
— Dan Hoard (@Dan_Hoard) July 9, 2026
“You can’t be satisfied with that,” Evan said. “I’ve got to elevate from there and get one percent better every day. That’s what I’ve been working on this offseason.”
“His muscle… pic.twitter.com/eNvZQFGyag
11. Tyo is expected to move from guard to center this year and has received Preseason All-Big 12 nods from Athlon Sports and Phil Steele.
— Dan Hoard (@Dan_Hoard) July 9, 2026
Taran is grateful to represent the team in Frisco after transferring to UC from Ball State prior to last season.
“It means a lot,” said Tyo.… pic.twitter.com/QihwOkNg2J
12. The #Bearcats open the season at home against Boston College on September 5th. UC is 94-32 at Nippert Stadium (.746) since 2000.
— Dan Hoard (@Dan_Hoard) July 9, 2026
“That home field advantage is going to be huge for us in our first game.” said Satterfield. “It should be a sold-out, packed stadium and an… pic.twitter.com/NcjKVbRMmU