Zach Stipe
Associate AD / Communication
WEST HARRISON, Ind. A high archway and splashing water was the perfect end to Cincinnati’s 24th football training camp at the Higher Ground Conference and Retreat Center, bringing the Bearcats one step closer to opening their season.
The Bearcats held their final scrimmage of the fall on Saturday, which also marked “Family Day.” More than 350 friends and family brought a festive atmosphere as they clapped with every key play on offense or defense.
There were many highlights for the defense earlier in the day. The second security Bryon’s Threats started the action with an interception just past the line of scrimmage, essentially taking him for a six as he was senior Yes from Hicks also added a choice.
Led by the senior defensive line trio of Jowon Briggs, Malik Vann AND Jabari Taylorthe defense slowed the offense down before a few big plays later in practice.
“The defense did well in the first series, and the offense moved the ball in the first series, but not big plays, which is so critical on defense,” the coach said. Luke Fickell said. “Last year we were one, two or three in the country based on what you define as big plays, those 20-plus yard plays. Our defense has been good and it showed in the first series.”
Later, redshirt sophomore linebacker Daved Jones, Jr. conceded a botched third-hand defensive attempt.
“The Blackcats defense has kind of been the identity for a while,” sixth-year middle linebacker Wil Huber said. “And I think a strong defense can win championships, and that’s nothing against our offense. I think we have a great game. offense. I think we chased them a little bit today.”
On offense, top wide receiver Nick Mardner showcased his talent with long strides and a deep catch in the back of the end zone by the redshirt sophomore quarterback Evan Praterwhile high slot receiver Three Tuckers there was a diving save by the senior quarterback Ben Bryant.
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Prater and Bryant continue to battle for the first-team quarterback spot.
“Well, the great thing about it is that you see a lot of people around the country naming things, and maybe it gets a little obvious, but the unique thing for us is that these guys have all, in particular, done what Evan Prater AND Ben Bryant have done some really good things, so it makes it tough,” Fickell said.
The little striker Ryan Coe connected on each of his attempts on the day as the redshirt freshman rebounded Myles Montgomery had a 5-yard touchdown on red zone work.
Fellow running back, Corey Kinera second-year transfer from LSU, ended the scrimmage with a goal-line dive for the payoff, too.
However, football does not end at the High Ground. Equipment and strength staff will work throughout the day and evening, loading the weight room and the rest for the trip back to campus.
And yes, that includes the “Just Be Us” banner emblazoned atop the video tower behind the goal post.
Just two Saturdays now remain until the Bearcats begin their season at Arkansas (3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2).
// THE TUCKER AND SCOTT CONNECTION
Tucker and junior wide receiver Tyler Scott are UC’s top wide receivers. Both receivers have clocked 4.29 in the 40-yard dash and both sprinters were high school track stars in Northeast Ohio. Tucker played at CVCA, while Scott had a standout career at Norton.
“It’s huge to play next to him,” Tucker said. “Like I said, he’s my brother and I love him. I love him to death. So he knows based on what I’m doing, we’re so interchangeable. He knows like, I just went deep and ran a shortcut We’ll go through things like that, we’re so identical.
Tucker, who is also an all-conference player with two career KR touchdowns, enters his senior season with 59 receptions for 754 yards and five touchdowns.
Scott, who took an 81-yard score Desmond Ridder in the first pass of the 2021 season, had 30 catches for 520 receiving yards on 30 catches to go with five touchdowns last fall. He averaged 17.3 yards per catch.
// THE BEARCATS ARE READY FOR A RELOAD
Led by Fickell, the consensus reigning National Coach of the Year, and 12 returning starters, the Bearcats are the two-time defending AAC champions and are coming off a 13-1 season that culminated with a trip to the College Football Playoff. 2021 Football. With a 44-7 mark since the start of 2018, Cincinnati’s 86% winning percentage ranks among the nation’s top 5 winning percentages over the past four years.
While season tickets are sold out for the first time in school history, fans still can buy single game tickets for $25. Fans can also join Waiting list for 2023 season tickets.
// FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
For all the latest information on the Cincinnati Athletics, please visit GoBEARCATS.com. For the latest updates, follow Cincinnati Athletics at I tweetInstagram and Facebook.
// ABOUT THE CINCINNATI ATHLETICS
The University of Cincinnati Athletic Department competes at the highest level of intercollegiate athletics with the vision to achieve Next level success for all 18 varsity teams and more than 500 student-athletes. The Bearcats have a proud history of athletics, winning eight national championships and 117 conference titles. The Cincinnati men’s basketball team is among the 15 winningest programs of all time, while the soccer team became the first American Athletic Conference program to compete in the College Football Playoff in 2021. Olympic gold medalist volleyball player , Jordan Thompson, NBA Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson and Major League Baseball legend Sandy Koufax are among some of the greats who have competed as Bearcats.
UC student-athletes collectively posted an overall GPA of 3.369 in the spring of 2021 with 77 percent earning spots on the Honor Roll, while six student-athletes collected CoSIDA Academic All-America accolades.
Under the leadership of Director of Athletics John Cunningham, and supported by more than 150 full-time staff members, The mission of UC Athletics is to link our community, INCREASING Our university and the impact the lives of student-athletes as they prepare to change the world on and off the field.
For more information visit gobearcats.com.
