Brendon Kay to start Belk Bowl for Bearcats, but 2013 unknown
Legaux will look to impress new coach Tuberville
7:01 PM, Dec 21, 2012


Brendon Kay could help to solidify his status with a strong Belk Bowl. / The Enquirer/Joseph Fuqua II

Written by
Tom Groeschen

Brendon Kay will be the starting quarterback when the Cincinnati Bearcats face Duke in the Belk Bowl on Dec. 27, but that does not guarantee that Kay will start in 2013.

Former starter Munchie Legaux also will return next year, hoping to impress new UC coach Tommy Tuberville. While Tuberville remains in the background until after the bowl game, his new coaching staff eventually will put its stamp on things.

That will include quarterback, where fifth-year senior Kay replaced junior Legaux as starter in early November. The 2013 prospectus also took a new turn this week, with Kay granted a sixth season of eligibility next year via a medical hardship waiver.

Legaux has been the good soldier in supporting Kay, but Legaux also hopes for another chance.

“I embrace the competition,” Legaux said, after a UC practice this week. “Brendon has done a great job for us and I’m happy for him. With the new staff, we start from scratch. I’m up for the challenge.”

T.J. Weist, the UC wide receivers coach who is serving as offensive coordinator for the bowl game, expects Kay and Legaux both will get their chances with the new staff.

“It’s going to be a battle in the spring,” Weist said. “Brendon may go in as the starter but it should be a competition, especially with what Munchie’s done in the past. I think the new coaches are going to kind of wipe the slate clean, test the waters.”

Legaux (6-2) and Kay (3-1) have led UC to a 9-3 record. Legaux was benched after throwing six interceptions in a three-game span. Kay stepped in and seized the job.

Kay seemingly has a leg up for the 2013 season, but Legaux has more game experience.

“When Munchie was starting, I was the first one to help him,” Kay said. “Now that I am (starting), he’s the first one to help me. We support each other.”

Kay has completed 61.9 percent of his passes this year, to 52.2 percent for Legaux.

Kay is 70-of-113 passing for 966 yards and six touchdowns, with two interceptions. Kay has averaged 6.1 yards per carry on 38 rushes, with 230 yards and two touchdowns.

Legaux is 120-of-230 passing for 1,716 yards, with 13 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Legaux also has averaged 6.1 yards per carry on 55 rushes, with 335 yards and four touchdowns.

UC also has redshirt freshman Patrick Coyne and true freshmen Bennie Coney and Trenton Norvell in its quarterback stable. Wildcat quarterback specialist Jordan Luallen – a junior who also is a wide receiver - also will return in 2013.

Kay could solidify his status with a strong Belk Bowl, but he has not looked too far ahead.

“I’m excited about next year, but right now I’m just worried about Duke,” Kay said. “I just want to get that 10th win.”

BOWL BOUND: UC will spend Christmas in Charlotte. The Bearcats will leave campus today (Saturday) at 9 a.m. for the airport, then fly to Charlotte for Belk Bowl preparations.

UC (9-3) will play Duke (6-6) on Dec. 27 at 6:30 p.m. at Bank of America Stadium, home of the NFL Carolina Panthers. The game will be televised on ESPN.

Tuberville plans to attend the game but will not coach, with interim coach Steve Stripling to lead the Bearcats. Tuberville will take over after the bowl game.

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20121...determined

wish Tuberville was coaching this one....the last time we had a bowl game and no true head coach we got bombed.

(12-22-2012 07:37 AM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  wish Tuberville was coaching this one....the last time we had a bowl game and no true head coach we got bombed.

Duke ain't exactly that 2009 Florida team...

(12-22-2012 07:37 AM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  wish Tuberville was coaching this one....the last time we had a bowl game and no true head coach we got bombed.

We were losing that day no matter who was coaching. Probably would have been closer with Kelly wearing the headset, but it still would have been a loss.

Keep the players out of the bar the night before and we should be fine.

The article sounds like the 2013 QB job is between Kay and Munchie. I wouldn't be surprised if one of the freshmen doesn't end up as the favorite.

Tubs recruited Coney while at TT, don't be surprised if he gets a long look for next year.

Kay will be the starter and the 2nd string will go to one of Coyne/Coney/Norvell. I don't see Munchie getting on the two-deep.

Munchie, in an attempt to get on the field, eventually goes to WR or something.....that's all i got.



mc

I bet we see munchie at WR as well...he could be a good one.

Kay with Coney as 2nd string perhaps?

I feel good at least we have our starter back for next year...that's HUGE news for us.

(12-23-2012 09:11 AM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  I bet we see munchie at WR as well...he could be a good one.

I agree. I remember he was a WR in 2010, and saw limited action. He caught a pass for first down where he made the catch, turned, and lunged past the marker. Based on that, and how elusive he is, could make the "experiment" worthwhile.

I agree, his QB days are most likely behind him, especially with the youngsters a year older.

No sense rehashing Legaux's issues at QB, but I would prefer UC to use him as Michigan used Denard Robinson when he came back from injury this year... line him up at times at WR, RB, and QB. Legaux would be dangerous at TB on the option play. He tore up Pitt and a few others early this year scrambling to the outside with that long stide of his. He just has to much talent to sit on the bench all year.

Btw, I prefer Kay unless one of the young QB's is ready to emerge.

(12-25-2012 03:06 PM)CliftonAve Wrote:  No sense rehashing Legaux's issues at QB, but I would prefer UC to use him as Michigan used Denard Robinson when he came back from injury this year... line him up at times at WR, RB, and QB. Legaux would be dangerous at TB on the option play. He tore up Pitt and a few others early this year scrambling to the outside with that long stide of his. He just has to much talent to sit on the bench all year.

Btw, I prefer Kay unless one of the young QB's is ready to emerge.

There's never been any doubt that Kay had the best mechanics and threw the best ball ....That decision to play Munchie was all posturing and recruit related as Butch never had a thing for Former BK recruit Kay..The only reason Kay ever got the opportunity was the overwhelming displeasure of the crowd during the Syracuse game as well as the multiple turnovers committed.
After Kay, Norvell throws the best ball..period! Good accuracy, and good release.
Albeit he needs to get bigger....Hinshaw will make the call in the spring, but don't look for the ridiculous shenanigans Jones created last spring/Summer in hopes that Munchie would miraculously develop into a QB ?

(12-26-2012 02:28 PM)bearcat14 Wrote:  After Kay, Norvell throws the best ball..period! Good accuracy, and good release.

Had Jones stayed I think Norvell would have had a great shot to be starting next year even with Kay returning. In addition to throwing a good ball, his high school played almost an identical system as that staff ran and he was picking up our offense extremely quickly.

It will be interesting to see how the QB competition plays out over the next several months leading up to the 2013 season.

I was hoping Coney would emerge but whatever...as long as we have a solid to good qb i dont really care who it is.

Good luck tomorrow night, I'll be pulling for You Guys !

The clowns at ESPN continue their clowndom..Robert Smith said he felt UC would be a great for,,wait for it,,

THE MOUNTAIN WEST// LOLOLOL Buffoooooon.

the for the preview of the Belk Bowl,,they highlighed 2 DOOKIES,,their QB and Wide receiver. NO menion of
a single BEARCAT...

GO BEARCATS,,KICK ESPN AND DOOK with your Coaches tied behing your back...

I think coach T's comments regarding Kay speaks volumes. He compared Kay to the QB at K State.

(12-28-2012 08:57 PM)Edgebrookjeff Wrote:  I think coach T's comments regarding Kay speaks volumes. He compared Kay to the QB at K State.

Not placing any bets at this point. No idea what kind of system they are likely to install and how each QB manages the installation. i think it's great that Kay has taken the reigns this season but i don't think any one is promised anything, especially at the QB position.

Watching Kay slowly improve each game, then improve even more for the bowl game, just makes you wonder what could have been if he had won the job going into the season.

Of course, the way he likes to cause contact when he runs, he might have been injured and Munchie might have finished off the season.