In what has been dubbed “The Year of the Upset” in college football, the Cincinnati Bearcats continue to be one of this season’s biggest surprises. Jumping out to an impressive 6-0 start (as of press time), the Bearcats have climbed to #15 in the latest Associated Press top 25 rankings. After five straight dominating wins to open the season, the ‘Cats finally silenced their critics, who pointed out their early season weak strength of schedule, by traveling to Piscataway, New Jersey, and defeating Big East conference opponent #21 Rutgers 26-23. The 6-0 start has opened numerous windows and possibilities for the ‘Cats to make a legitimate run at a Bowl Championship Series (BCS) birth, if not a National Championship. The Bearcats are tied atop the Big East Standings with Connecticut and South Florida, with upcoming games against both schools. The winner of the Big East gets an automatic bid to play in a BCS bowl game, but if they are ranked #1 or #2, they will more than likely be given a bid to play in the National Championship game in New Orleans, LA.
The reason for this year’s Bearcats’ success can be pointed in many different directions, but primarily towards first year head coach Brian Kelly. After spending 13 seasons at Grand Valley State, and another three seasons at Central Michigan, Kelly became the head coach of the ‘Cats on December 3, 2006. He coached the Bearcats through their win in the International Bowl at the end of last season, giving him a perfect 7-0 record so far as head coach. Coach Kelly’s 7-0 start has been the first for any University of Cincinnati football coach since Russ Cohen did it in 1935.
With Coach Kelly, along came the new spread offense we see every week. Kelly’s spread offense which usually brings three, four, or sometimes five wide receivers “spread out” across the field, is responsible for the ‘Cats 43.3 points per game average which is 7th in the nation. The ‘Cats are also averaging 445.3 offensive yards per game. After six games, senior quarterback Ben Mauk seems to be adjusting to the offense well. He has already eclipsed the 1,000 yards passing mark and is averaging 8.8 yards per pass. With an astonishing quarterback rating of 167.9, Mauk has tossed 12 touchdown passes. His most important stat of the season has to be his interceptions total. Mauk has only thrown three interceptions over the ‘Cats first six games, limiting the team’s turnovers, something that has severely plagued the Bearcats in previous seasons.
Another important factor in the Bearcat’s turnaround has been their defense. With a quick and punishing style of play, the defense is only allowing 12.7 points per game, which is 5th in the nation. The ‘Cats D is led by senior Defensive Back Haruki Nakamura. Nakamura has three interceptions and 37 tackles already this season.
The Bearcats have two important home games left this season, November 10 against Connecticut, and November 17 against #8 West Virginia. Both teams are conference opponents, and both games will go a long way in deciding the Bearcats’ postseason fate. A limited number of FREE student tickets will be distributed for the Connecticut game Wednesday October 24, and Wednesday November 7 for the West Virginia game. The tickets can be picked up at the Lindner Center Ticket Office on main campus or on-line at , using your student ID, both starting at 8 a.m.
If you are unable to get tickets either of those ways, you can still show up at Nippert Stadium on game day 90 minutes before kickoff, where a limited number of students will gain access with their Student ID’s through the new “Student Only” Gate 3.
However you do it, whether it be at the game in person, or on television or radio, support our Bearcats! If you are among the lucky ones to make it into Nippert Stadium for one of our final home games, be loud and wear black! Let’s turn our ‘blacked-out’ student section into one of the most feared in the nation, while cheering our ‘Cats on to the BCS and beyond.