Quick glance: UC 2014 football season
Tom Groeschen, tgroeschen@enquirer.com 4:14 p.m. EDT August 7, 2014


Tommy Tuberville during UC's spring game in April.(Photo: Enquirer file)

As the Cincinnati Bearcats prepare to report Sunday for preseason football camp, The Enquirer's Tom Groeschen takes a glance at the 2014 season:

-Coaches: Tommy Tuberville (9-4 last year) returns for his second UC season. Most of the assistants return, including offensive coordinator Eddie Gran. New assistants include co-defensive coordinator Hank Hughes, who will call the defense on game days.

-Looking back: Offense – UC recorded a school record 6,137 total yards in 2013. The Bearcats led the American Athletic Conference in total offense (472.1 ypg) and rushing offense (168.3).-Looking back: Defense – UC was among the top statistical defenses in America in 2013, ranking No. 6 in rushing defense (104.5 ypg) and No. 9 in total defense (315.6).


Ralph David Abernathy IV prepares to make a catch during drills before a University of Cincinnati intrasquad scrimmage at Paul Brown Stadium.(Photo: Amanda Rossmann / The Enquirer)

-Returning all-stars: Senior OT Eric Lefeld was the only unanimous All-AAC first team choice (by coaches) in 2013. Senior RB/Returner Ralph David Abernathy IV also was first team All-AAC. Junior DE Silverberry Mouhon was second team All-AAC.

-By the numbers: The Bearcats return 60 percent of their starters (offense/defense), 83 percent of their rushing yards, 70 percent of their receiving yards, 62 percent of their tackles, 66 percent of their sacks, 69 percent of their interceptions … but only 10 percent of their passing yards.

-Skill set: The top three rushers (Hosey Williams, Abernathy, Tion Green) and leading receiver (Shaq Washington) all return.

-Who's gone: TE Blake Annen and DT Jordan Stepp depart after being first team All-AAC in 2013. Also gone are second team All-AAC choices in OG Sam Longo, WR Anthony McClung, LB Greg Blair and CB Deven Drane.

QB Brendon Kay, now a free agent with the Pittsburgh Steelers, set the UC career mark for completion percentage (.654) and single-season record for completions (262). Kay's 3,302 yards were the second-best season total in school history.


Gunner Kiel enters training camp as the No. 1 UC quarterback.(Photo: Enquirer file)

-Under center: Sophomore QB Gunner Kiel is expected to be the starter, after transferring from Notre Dame last year. JUCO transfer Jarred Evans and fifth-year senior Munchie Legaux also will compete for the job, with Legaux trying to return from a severe knee injury.

-New faces: LB Kevin Mouhon (true Fr.), WR Casey Gladney (JC/Jr.) and DT Hakeem Allonce (JC/Jr.) are among newcomers who could push for immediate playing time.

-New places: With Blair gone, Jeff Luc switches from outside to middle linebacker. Luc, who transferred from Florida State two years ago, was the nation's No. 1-rated inside linebacker while in high school.

Abernathy was the regular starter at RB last year, but he also was used at slot receiver in spring ball. Expect Abernathy to play both this season.

-Schedule watch: UC was picked to win the AAC by conference media. The Bearcats again do not play reigning AAC champion UCF, a result of league membership turnover and the need to balance home-away conference schedules. There are major non-league tests at Ohio State (Sept. 27) and Miami, Fla. (Oct. 11), but UC otherwise could be favored in every game.

The season opener is against Toledo on Friday, Sept. 12 (7 p.m., ESPNU) at Paul Brown Stadium. UC is playing home games at Paul Brown in 2014, while Nippert Stadium undergoes renovation and expansion to 40,000 seats.

-New recruit: The Bearcats' latest oral commitment came this week from offensive lineman Tyler McGarr of Harris County High School in Hamilton, Ga. The 6-foot-4, 275-pound McGarr is projected as an interior lineman. He is the 21st player committed to UC's 2015 class.

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/c.../13736183/