Tuberville hopes 'D' steps up as UC begins practice
Tom Groeschen, tgroeschen@enquirer.com 4:06 p.m. EDT August 5, 2015
The Cincinnati Bearcats enter their 128th football season with the start of preseason practice Thursday, with some similarities to UC’s greatest year in 2009.
While no one expects the 2015 Bearcats to come within an eyelash of the national title game as in 2009, this year’s model appears to have some things in common. As in, powerful offense and a suspect defense.
The ’09 Bearcats went 12-0 in the regular season, but things fell apart when coach Brian Kelly left shortly thereafter for Notre Dame. UC subsequently lost 51-24 to Florida in the Sugar Bowl.
That year is remembered for an explosive UC offense led by quarterback Tony Pike, as the Bearcats ranked No. 4 nationally in scoring at 38.6 points per game.
The ‘09 UC defense was another story, ranking just 44th nationally in scoring defense at 23.1 points per game. Not terrible, but not great.
Hello 2015, as UC returns quarterback Gunner Kiel, his top seven receivers, three of its top four running backs and three offensive line starters. Last year’s Bearcats ranked No. 29 nationally in scoring offense (34.6 ppg).
The defense returns just five starters from a unit that ranked No. 68 in scoring defense (27.2 ppg). And, UC needed dramatic improvement in the second half of the season to reach that number.
UC coach Tommy Tuberville, 18-8 in two years at the school, knows his 2015 team will score points. Preventing points is the main concern.
“Our defense was just awful for the first part of last year, but we’re more athletic and more physical and we’ve got more depth now,” Tuberville said. “We can improve this year in a lot of areas, for the simple fact that we’ll be able to play more guys.”
A glance:
WHO’S BACK
-Along with Maxwell Award candidate Kiel (3,254 yards passing, UC record-tying 31 TD passes last year), the returning receiving corps includes slot receivers Shaq Washington (66 catches, four TDs) and Max Morrison (45 catches, four TDs) and wideouts Mekale McKay (44 catches, eight TDs) and Chris Moore (30 catches, eight TDs).
-Top returning rusher Mike Boone (650 yards, nine TDs) will be rejoined by former starter Hosey Williams and high-potential veteran Tion Green, both returning from injuries.
-Left tackle Parker Ehinger leads a line that also returns starting center Deyshawn Bond and starting right tackle Justin Murray.
-Defensive end Silverberry Mouhon, who had 4.0 sacks last year after having 9 ½ sacks the year before, looks for a bounce-back year.
-Cornerback Adrian Witty, a vocal leader who missed most of last year with injury, will join safety Zach Edwards (121 tackles) as leaders in the secondary.
-Kicker Andrew Gantz returns after making 16-of-20 field goals last year. Punter Sam Geraci (39.4-yard average) improved as last season progressed. Long snapper Kirk Willis is a team captain along with Kiel, Ehinger, Witty, Mouhon and Washington.
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WHO’S GONE
-QBs Munchie Legaux and Michael Colosimo; RBs Rod Moore, Rob Rice and Kyle Taubenheim; TE Jake Golic; OL Eric Lefeld, Tyreek Burwell, Cory Keebler, Dominic Mainello and Kevin Schloemer; LBs Jeff Luc and Nick Temple; DL Terrell Hartsfield, Brad Harrah, Cameron Beard and Jerrell Jordan; DBs Howard Wilder, Darren Doston; PK Tony Miliano; P John Lloyd.
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WHAT’S NEW
-Steve Clinkscale becomes the third defensive coordinator in Tuberville’s three UC seasons. Clinkscale, formerly the UC secondary/cornerbacks coach under Tuberville, is known for his strong rapport with players. Tuberville believes he has the right fit.
-Nippert Stadium will reopen after an $86 million refurbishment. UC played home games at Paul Brown Stadium in 2014.
-Under Armour has replaced adidas as the UC outfitter, amid a social media storm that has had Bearcats fans buzzing.
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THE FORECAST
-UC, for all its apparent offense/defense imbalance, is an overwhelming choice (by league media)
Cincinnati Bearcats defensive lineman Silverberry Mouhon (92) celebrates the team's win over the Houston Cougars.
(Photo: The Enquirer/Gary Landers)
to win both the 2015 AAC East and overall league championship. UC received 29 of 30 first-place votes in the East, and 22 of 30 votes to win the inaugural AAC title game.
“We’ve got good numbers now, but we want to get our depth in the right positions,” Tuberville said. “You go into two-a-days knowing you’re going to have some problems down the way, but you want to start with everybody near 100 percent healthy. We’re excited to get started.”
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FIRST WORKOUTS: The first UC preseason practice is Thursday at 2:30 p.m. at the Sheakley Athletics Center. After two days on campus, UC on Saturday departs for its annual two-week stay at the Higher Ground Conference & Retreat Center in West Harrison, Indiana.
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