TA: My first experience in the press box was a real eye opener. Everyone sits
there TOTALLY detached from the action on the field. I was fortunate enough to
sit next to one of the media people I truly like, Dave Malaska. I told Dave to
keep me in line. During the very first play, I was rooting somewhat quietly for
Butler Benton on a nice run around the right side. Dave politely told me that
rooting is not allowed in the press box. I really struggled with that concept
the rest of the half before leaving at halftime to join the Bearcat football
fans in the stadium. I was somewhat shocked by the people in the press box that
didn’t know the Bearcat personnel by memory and had to refer to programs. One
guy kept talking about how bad UC’s offensive line was as the Bearcats were
slowly piling up the points.
DB: Midway through halftime I made my way up to the press box and the first
thing I hear is Tim had to leave because he couldn't stand to not be able to
cheer. Dave Malaska was the bearer of the news but a few others nodded their
heads in agreement. Maybe this is why most in the Cincinnati media have no
passion for the Bearcats?
TA: I said last week that Division I AA Eastern Kentucky hadn’t seen the kind
of athletes on the defensive line that UC can throw at an opponent. Tonight’s
game proved me correct. The Bearcat defensive line of Trevor Anderson, Terrill Byrd, Tony Carvitti and Anthony Hoke dominated the line of scrimmage.
DB: After the game Coach Dantonio spoke on the subject and play of the
defensive front. He wasn't happy with the penalty called on Carvitti, but also
said it was a penalty that came from giving full effort.
TA: Brent Celek, Tony Carvitti and Dominic Ross were UC’s captains along with
Nick Skorich, the honorary captain. Nick played at UC in the early 40’s and went
on to play and coach in the NFL for a number of years. He even coached the
Cleveland Browns.
TA: Butler Benton was the starter at tailback, but it really didn’t mean a
lot because UC was running Benton, Greg Moore and Bradley Glatthaar
interchangeably.
DB: What can you say about this group of backs? Each is different, but yet
they all bring power, speed and the ability to gain yards to the offense. I
still love the way Bradley runs the ball and lowers his shoulder; while I see
Butler make his juke step to get by a defender and Greg outrun the defensive
around the end. While no back got over 100 yards, combined they gained 134 yards
with 2 touchdowns. The best is yet to come from this group.
TA: The starting O-line from right to left was Digger Bujnoch, Jeff Reinstatler, Chris Flores, Frank Straub and Jeff Linkenbach. But I saw the
Bearcats use eight offensive linemen in the first quarter. In addition to the
starters, Jeremy Bolton saw time at left tackle, Trevor Canfield got a lot of
snaps at right guard, and Mario Duenas played left guard.
DB: That fact the staff went with so many offensive linemen during this game
shows me two things. They are not set on the main five and you could see changes
come next Friday night. I'm always hard on Digger Bujnoch for getting passes
knocked down but on this night it was Jeff Linkenback who saw his defender knock
the ball down on a pass. While not a great game, I give the group as a whole a
passing grade while I'll look for much improvement against Pitt.
TA: Brad Bury (FB) was on crutches.
DB: I spoke with Brad before the game and he said he's going to be out for
sometime. This is a big blow for the team as Brad really enjoyed his best camp
and looked to be a player the staff could use along with Marcus Waugh and Doug Jones.
TA: Toby Boeckman, Ralston Reeves and Jason Whitehead wore jerseys but no
gear. I think that’s a pretty good sign that those players will redshirt unless
others at their position get injured.
DB: As I posted on the Par's Message Board on the topic of Jamar Howard not
being able to play. There seemed to be some issues with his paperwork from
Withrow High School and all should be taken care of with Jamar ready to play
against Pitt on Friday night.
TA: I’m not too familiar with the latest music, but the Bearcats on the
sidelines really responded to a song that seemed to be entitled, “Get Your Hands
Up.” The guys were doing just that during the song.
DB: What an improvement to the game music and graphics used on the scoreboard
this year. The Cat Eyes are great, but we're missing a growl.
TA: The time that DeAngelo Smith spent at receiver this spring may have
helped him as a defensive back. DeAngelo was making picks all summer and
continued that trend by making another one tonight. I’ve said he may be the
surprise of summer camp at cornerback.
DB: I've seen were some are being hard on Mick Mickens and I asked Coach
Dantonio about Mike after the game. Coach Dantonio stressed fan's don't
understand how much they place Mike on an island in their press coverage. But he
said Mike takes the challenge each week and always seems to make the play. I
agree with Tim on DeAngelo and how he's playing. After a great summer camp the
Columbus, Ohio native is starting to show his ability. Also remember he's only a
sophomore.
TA: Eastern Kentucky brought enough fans to fill up about two sections in the
lower stadium.
DB: The EKU fans looked to really enjoy themselves outside of the stadium. I
guess that is good because once they got into the stadium it was lights out. But
from what I saw they were great fans and the Bearcats should look in the future
to bring EKU back.
TA: Chris Littleton, an offensive lineman from Harrison High School, attended
tonight’s game. Chris was reluctant to give me his size, but after some
prodding, he admitted to being 6’ 6” and 305 pounds. Chris said that Cincinnati
is interested in him, but they’ve told him he needs to improve his grades. Chris
said Kent State and Louisville are also interested, but Kent State has already
offered him half a track scholarship for the shot put and discus.
DB: Not as many recruits came to this game as I expected. But Chazz Anderson
was there and said he's doing fine and can't wait to become a Bearcat. I also
saw a few others and I'll work on a full report for our members later this week
since it's 3:16 a.m. on Sunday morning as I'm doing my part of this report.
TA: The Bearcats got two roughing the passer personal fouls in the second
half. It’s absolutely ridiculous the way these officials protect the
quarterbacks these days. I’ve seen rougher pillow fights than what occurred
tonight.
TA: I have no idea why the radio call of the game was on a five second delay.
Were they afraid an announcer was going to say something inappropriate?
DB: Being on the field I don't get a chance to listen to the radio. But I do
know there were some problems with the web cast of the pregame show and UC hopes
to have it fixed by Friday night. Look for BCI to be on this show in the future.
Maybe even Friday night...
TA: Twice Derrick Stewart got behind the Eastern Kentucky defense, but each
Bearcat quarterback took his turn under throwing the ball. If they would have
gotten the ball out there, both would have been touchdowns.
DB: I've been telling people since the day they signed D-Stew he was a player
with much skill. On both of these plays he left defenders high and dry. He'll do
the same against Big East teams and the QB's will find a way to get him the
ball.
TA: Newcomers John Goebel, Jacob Ramsey, Aaron Webster and Curtis Young all
played tonight so they cannot redshirt unless they get injured within the next
two weeks and get a medical redshirt.
DB: I was happy to see Jacob get a carry and sad to see the chance John
Goebel was going to get on his first carry be stopped. Tim and I are both big
fans of these two young players and feel they could play today if needed and do
well.
TA: It was nice meeting Tom and Pam Waugh. The Cincinnati/Ohio State game in
a couple weeks will be a tough one for Tom. He played center at Ohio State and
was a captain.
DB: As you can see from the photo gallery I've had the chance to meet many of
the parents of the Bearcats. All should be proud of their kids for the work they
do on and off the field. When I spoke with Nick Davila's father he said Nick
likes Cincinnati so much he's talking about staying after his career is over.
Nick laughed and I could see while he really likes Cincinnati his heart is still
in California as he's got a younger brother he misses. During an interview with
Nick after the game he spoke about the fact his father made the Pitt and UConn
games last season and was able to make this one and he hopes next weeks game as
well. But he stressed he hoped his little brother would get to make at least one
trip this season for a game.
The backbone of the Bearcats football program is not only the players, but
also the parents who believe in Coach Dantonio, his staff and the ability of
their children in making UC one of the top programs in the country. As a former
player Tom Waugh said he really likes the direction the team has taken with it's
talent level.
The Goebel's are also very high on the program. Keep in mind this is the
third member of the Goebel family to have played at the college level.
DB: It's a short week with Pitt coming into town next Friday night. Coach
Dantonio stated the staff has already been working on the game and they will be
ready. Coach didn't name a starter at quarterback and said he felt both played
very well. He also said he'd know more after watching film.
BCI will have more from the EKU game on Sunday and Monday and a lot of info
leading up to the Pitt game.