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.