UC position preview: Quarterbacks
UC Athletics Blog
Tom Groeschen, tgroeschen@enquirer.com 2 p.m. EDT August 8, 2015


Throughout preseason camp, Enquirer UC football beat reporter Tom Groeschen will take a look at the Bearcats' various position groups.

Today: QUARTERBACKS

On the roster (6)

Returning: Jr. Gunner Kiel, Redshirt Fr. Hayden Moore, Sr. Jarred Evans, Redshirt Fr. Luke Wright

Newcomers: Fr. Ross Trail, Fr. Sam Fette

Key camp question

No question here. Kiel established himself last year with 3,254 yards passing and tied Ben Mauk's UC season record with 31 TD passes. Evans returns from a 2014 suspension and may run some QB packages, but he also will play DB. Moore is the No. 2 QB entering camp. The highly regarded Trail will redshirt.

Position battle

Again, no real drama other than who may emerge as the primary backup. Moore (Clay, Ala.) has the inside track. Evans is the wild card, with his athleticism leading UC coaches to keep him in the QB mix.

Number of note

13: Number of interceptions Kiel threw last year. Marcus Mariota threw 14 picks in his entire Oregon career. Maybe an unfair comparison for now, but Kiel admits he is still learning to not force things.

Did you know

Kiel was the first player in UC's 127-season history to throw four or more TD passes in three straight games (first three games of 2014).

Outlook

Kiel has his top seven receivers back, led by Shaq Washington, Mekale McKay, Chris Moore and Max Morrison. Kiel blames himself for his rib/back injuries last year, saying he needs to get rid of the ball quicker. Assuming Kiel stays healthy, his shared UC season-record 31 TD passes appears in serious jeopardy.

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/c.../31338375/

Moore looked good in the spring, then again it was versus our D

Moore's a good quarterback. He not only shined this year in the spring game, but he did well in last years spring game. Granted our defense is porous, you can see his value in the type of throws he makes. He has a strong enough arm to make the hard passes. Lastly, he seems to make very few mistakes. Again the spring game is not necessarily a great indicator, since there is no real rush, but by consensus of coaches and bystanders, he will make a good replacement.