With Kiel out, UC looks to Legaux
Bill Koch, bkoch@enquirer.com 12:06 a.m. EDT October 5, 2014


Cincinnati quarterback Munchie Legaux (4) talks with quarterback Gunner Kiel during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Memphis, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014, in Cincinnati. Legaux replaced Kiel after Kiel suffered a chest injury on the final play of the first half.(Photo: Al Behrman AP)

One of the few positives the University of Cincinnati football team could point to this season was quarterback Gunner Kiel and the Bearcats' potent passing game.

Now it looks as if the Bearcats won't even have that to rely on, at least for the near future.

Kiel was knocked out of the game with an apparent rib injury on the last play of the first half Saturday night in UC's 41-14 loss to Memphis at Paul Brown Stadium.

After the game, UC coach Tommy Tuberville said Kiel will probably be out "for a while" and said senior Munchie Legaux is next in line to run a UC offense that has displayed very little ability to run the ball.

"It don't look good," Tuberville said of Kiel "He got hit hard underneath the arm and got caught between the pads."

According to Tuberville, Kiel was having a difficult time breathing. He said he would know more about Kiel's condition Sunday.

Without Kiel, the UC coach said, "It affects a lot how we do."

Kiel was hit on his right side by Memphis linebacker Tank Jakes as he attempted a pass intended for Johnny Holton. He lay on the ground in obvious pain for several minutes as he was tended to by the UC medical staff, then walked off the field under his own power, his right arm crossed and tucked against his stomach. He was X-rayed at halftime and returned to the field early in the third quarter and stood on the sideline but did not play again.

The sophomore from Columbus, Ind., started the game on a high note, launching an 80-yard touchdown pass to MeKale McKay on the first play from scrimmage, but he struggled the rest of the half and at times was victimized by dropped passes.


Cincinnati quarterback Gunner Kiel holds his side as he walks off the field after suffering a chest injury on the final play of the first half of an NCAA college football game against Memphis, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014, in Cincinnati. (Photo: Al Behrman AP)

He finished with 11 completions in 27 attempts for 216 yards, with one interception and one touchdown pass, his 15th of the season. Kiel entered the game as the leading passer in the American Athletic Conference and ranked sixth nationally in passing efficiency with a rating of 185.8.

Legaux, who overcame a devastating knee injury to return this season, finished the game at quarterback. He completed five of 13 passes for 39 yards and engineered a 7-play, 39-yard touchdown drive as soon as he entered the game.

"Munchie, I thought, did pretty good," Tuberville said. "He hasn't played in a year and it's obvious he's not near as fast or as quick as he used to be. We probably should have used Jarred (Evans) a little bit in the second half, but knowing that Gunner is probably going to be down for a while, we were trying to get Munchie ready to go because it's going to get tougher. We're going to play a lot tougher teams as we had head down the stretch."

Tuberville on Kiel injury, struggling UC defense

Legaux was UC's starting quarterback at the beginning of last season before he injured his left knee in game two at Illinois. He began this season having completed 52 percent of his passes for 2,865 yards and 20 touchdowns with 16 interceptions.

There were questions during the off-season about whether Legaux would be able to return, but he worked hard on his rehab and was granted an additional year of eligibility by the NCAA, making him the feel-good story of training camp as he battled Kiel for the starting job.

Now, as unlikely as it appeared at this time last year, he'll likely be back running the UC offense as the starting quarterback when the Bearcats play at Miami (Fla.) next week. He had made one appearance before Saturday. That was in the season opener against Toledo when he completed four of five passes for 18 yards.

"Munchie, he's a great player," said linebacker Nick Temple. "He's played a lot of ball here. You guys know Munchie. He's going to come in and move the ball for us, win games for us."

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/c.../16753421/

Here we go again

The D gives up 40 a game. A Munchie led offense will be lucky to score 17 a game. How do we win another game?

Well, we're f*****

I was watching Munchie throw last night - he has one of the craziest football throwing motions I've evr seen.

It's also not fair to him or the other players on the team to throw in a guy who most likely is not nearly the same physically and mentally as he was before the injury.

Like I said last night, I respect Munchie for his ability to comeback, but I don't think he is the best option UC has now.

The stars have somehow realigned for Munchie and he has the opportunity to create a storybook ending. I hope he can take advantage - Gaux for it!

Maybe Ben Mauk is still trying to get that 6th year of eligibility

With the way he looked in the Spring Game, I'd take a long look at Hayden Moore if Gunner is out for an extended period of time. Munchie isn't this team's best option, but I hope he can put something together to finish his career out the right way.

(10-05-2014 12:42 PM)BearcatMan Wrote:  With the way he looked in the Spring Game, I'd take a long look at Hayden Moore if Gunner is out for an extended period of time. Munchie isn't this team's best option, but I hope he can put something together to finish his career out the right way.

x2

(10-05-2014 12:42 PM)BearcatMan Wrote:  With the way he looked in the Spring Game, I'd take a long look at Hayden Moore if Gunner is out for an extended period of time. Munchie isn't this team's best option, but I hope he can put something together to finish his career out the right way.

They probably don't want to burn his RS but agree about Moore. I think he'll be a starter for us one day. Kid looks like a gamer.

(10-05-2014 12:42 PM)BearcatMan Wrote:  With the way he looked in the Spring Game, I'd take a long look at Hayden Moore if Gunner is out for an extended period of time. Munchie isn't this team's best option, but I hope he can put something together to finish his career out the right way.

Don't waste a redshirt on a meaningless season.

(10-05-2014 01:31 PM)InspectorHound Wrote:  

(10-05-2014 12:42 PM)BearcatMan Wrote:  With the way he looked in the Spring Game, I'd take a long look at Hayden Moore if Gunner is out for an extended period of time. Munchie isn't this team's best option, but I hope he can put something together to finish his career out the right way.

Don't waste a redshirt on a meaningless season.

True, forgot he was on his redshirt season. Mixed up his early enrollment with him redshirting last year for a second.

But if Gunner is out awhile Moore could play this season and redshirt next year. Kiel will be starting next year and if he stays healthy there'd be no time for Moore next year. More opportunity to get game experience this year.

(10-04-2014 11:25 PM)ctipton Wrote:  With Kiel out, UC looks to Legaux
Bill Koch, bkoch@enquirer.com 12:06 a.m. EDT October 5, 2014


Cincinnati quarterback Munchie Legaux (4) talks with quarterback Gunner Kiel during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Memphis, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014, in Cincinnati. Legaux replaced Kiel after Kiel suffered a chest injury on the final play of the first half.(Photo: Al Behrman AP)

One of the few positives the University of Cincinnati football team could point to this season was quarterback Gunner Kiel and the Bearcats' potent passing game.

Now it looks as if the Bearcats won't even have that to rely on, at least for the near future.

Kiel was knocked out of the game with an apparent rib injury on the last play of the first half Saturday night in UC's 41-14 loss to Memphis at Paul Brown Stadium.

After the game, UC coach Tommy Tuberville said Kiel will probably be out "for a while" and said senior Munchie Legaux is next in line to run a UC offense that has displayed very little ability to run the ball.

"It don't look good," Tuberville said of Kiel "He got hit hard underneath the arm and got caught between the pads."

According to Tuberville, Kiel was having a difficult time breathing. He said he would know more about Kiel's condition Sunday.

Without Kiel, the UC coach said, "It affects a lot how we do."

Kiel was hit on his right side by Memphis linebacker Tank Jakes as he attempted a pass intended for Johnny Holton. He lay on the ground in obvious pain for several minutes as he was tended to by the UC medical staff, then walked off the field under his own power, his right arm crossed and tucked against his stomach. He was X-rayed at halftime and returned to the field early in the third quarter and stood on the sideline but did not play again.

The sophomore from Columbus, Ind., started the game on a high note, launching an 80-yard touchdown pass to MeKale McKay on the first play from scrimmage, but he struggled the rest of the half and at times was victimized by dropped passes.


Cincinnati quarterback Gunner Kiel holds his side as he walks off the field after suffering a chest injury on the final play of the first half of an NCAA college football game against Memphis, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014, in Cincinnati. (Photo: Al Behrman AP)

He finished with 11 completions in 27 attempts for 216 yards, with one interception and one touchdown pass, his 15th of the season. Kiel entered the game as the leading passer in the American Athletic Conference and ranked sixth nationally in passing efficiency with a rating of 185.8.

Legaux, who overcame a devastating knee injury to return this season, finished the game at quarterback. He completed five of 13 passes for 39 yards and engineered a 7-play, 39-yard touchdown drive as soon as he entered the game.

"Munchie, I thought, did pretty good," Tuberville said. "He hasn't played in a year and it's obvious he's not near as fast or as quick as he used to be. We probably should have used Jarred (Evans) a little bit in the second half, but knowing that Gunner is probably going to be down for a while, we were trying to get Munchie ready to go because it's going to get tougher. We're going to play a lot tougher teams as we had head down the stretch."

Tuberville on Kiel injury, struggling UC defense

Legaux was UC's starting quarterback at the beginning of last season before he injured his left knee in game two at Illinois. He began this season having completed 52 percent of his passes for 2,865 yards and 20 touchdowns with 16 interceptions.

There were questions during the off-season about whether Legaux would be able to return, but he worked hard on his rehab and was granted an additional year of eligibility by the NCAA, making him the feel-good story of training camp as he battled Kiel for the starting job.

Now, as unlikely as it appeared at this time last year, he'll likely be back running the UC offense as the starting quarterback when the Bearcats play at Miami (Fla.) next week. He had made one appearance before Saturday. That was in the season opener against Toledo when he completed four of five passes for 18 yards.

"Munchie, he's a great player," said linebacker Nick Temple. "He's played a lot of ball here. You guys know Munchie. He's going to come in and move the ball for us, win games for us."

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/c.../16753421/

this might be a decision that really kills the team. Munchei wasn't that impressive when he was healthy. Hopes the JC guy gets a chance until Kiel returns.

All the other crap aside this headline was my biggest nightmare going into the season.

I want my wubby....

Eh... Is it basketball season yet?

(10-05-2014 07:55 PM)BearcatJerry Wrote:  Eh... Is it basketball season yet?

Don't get too eager. This is going to be a young team that will struggle to score. On paper they're an NIT squad.

(10-05-2014 02:37 PM)RealDeal Wrote:  But if Gunner is out awhile Moore could play this season and redshirt next year. Kiel will be starting next year and if he stays healthy there'd be no time for Moore next year. More opportunity to get game experience this year.

Yeah but this year we have other at least somewhat legitimate options in Evans and Munchie. Next year Munchie's definately gone so we only have Kiel and Evans and that's not much depth given our history with QB injuries if we decide to try to redshirt Moore next year rather than this one. And the year after that it's just Kiel (and anyone we add in the interim) assuming he stays.

I could change my mind depending upon how long Kiel is out and how healthy and how well Munchie/Evans do the interim, but for now I wouldn't burn his redshirt this year.

(10-05-2014 11:14 PM)Billy_Bearcat Wrote:  

(10-05-2014 07:55 PM)BearcatJerry Wrote:  Eh... Is it basketball season yet?

Don't get too eager. This is going to be a young team that will struggle to score. On paper they're an NIT squad.

I was being sarcastic...