http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/c.../99733228/


Offense usually was not a problem under former University of Cincinnati football coach Tommy Tuberville, who oversaw some of the Bearcats’ greatest offensive seasons from 2013-15.

Then came an awful 2016, when UC went 4-8 and often could not score to save its life. Problems included a revolving door at quarterback, an anemic running game and a passing game that averaged more than 100 yards fewer per game than in 2015. UC finished with a five-game losing streak, followed by Tuberville’s resignation.

Tuberville’s replacement, Luke Fickell, has hired an entirely new staff of on-field coaches. Offensively, that includes former Notre Dame associate head coach Mike Denbrock (offensive coordinator/quarterbacks), former UC standout quarterback Gino Guidugli (running backs), former University of Kentucky head coach Joker Phillips (wide receivers), former West Virginia assistant Ron Crook (offensive line) and former Iowa State player personnel director/Bowling Green assistant coach Doug Phillips (special teams/tight ends).

Former Ohio State defensive coordinator Fickell, speaking after the latest spring workout at UC’s Sheakley Athletics Center practice field Tuesday, said the 2017 offense hinges on one thing.

“The No. 1 thing we’ve got to be able to do is run the football,” Fickell said. “It’s a program based on offensive line and defensive line and toughness. If you can’t win the up-front and the trenches and move some people and have the ability to run the football, you’re going to really struggle.”

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Under former offensive coordinator Eddie Gran from 2013-15, UC had the three biggest seasons of total offense in school history. That included a school-record 6,990 yards in 2015.

Gran then left to become offensive coordinator at Kentucky, and he was replaced in 2016 by former Miami Dolphins interim offensive coordinator Zac Taylor. Under Taylor, UC slipped to 4,489 total yards.

Some comparisons between the 2016 and 2015 seasons include:

- 19.3 points per game in 2016 (123rd nationally), a drop from 33.8 in 2015 (38th).

- 374.1 yards total offense per game (99th), down from 537.8 (6th).

- 118.2 yards rushing per game (117th), down from 177.9 (57th).

- 8 rushing touchdowns (tied for 127th with Rutgers, ranking last nationally), down from 25 (57th).

- 3.57 yards rushing per carry (117th), down from 4.52 (57th).

- 255.9 yards passing per game (44th), down from 359.9 (6th).

REVVING UP: Senior right tackle Korey “Big Country” Cunningham, one of three returning starters on the offensive line, said the Bearcats have picked up the tempo.

“We’re moving faster,” Cunningham said. “We’ve got more intensity, more juice about ourselves. We’re trying to make a statement, trying to represent ourselves well. We want to be hardnosed. We want guys like coach Denbrock says, that when they turn on the film when they’re about to play us, they say, ‘Oh man, these guys’ effort is 100 percent every play.' ”

UC’s offensive problems began at quarterback. Hayden Moore, Ross Trail and Gunner Kiel all started multiple games, with Tuberville saying the weekly decision was made by offensive coordinator Taylor.

Up front, the Bearcats sometimes got little push from the line. Running backs found little room to roam. Receivers sometimes had trouble simply getting open. The downfield blocking also left something to be desired.

“We went a couple games last year where we didn’t even score the ball,” Cunningham said. “It’s going well as a unit right now. Once we get everyone on the same page, knowing their assignment, we’re going to be really dangerous.”

POSITION WATCH: A glance at the 2017 offense:

Quarterback: Kiel is gone after playing sparingly as a senior in 2016. That leaves junior Moore and sophomore Trail the top contenders. Redshirt freshman Jake Sopko also is in the mix, with the three players rotating with the first team in practice. Moore has the most game experience by far, but Fickell will not tip his hand.

I would say by Saturday, at least we’ll have that down to maybe two guys getting the majority of the reps, and still continue to battle them through the spring,” Fickell said. “Then we’ll see at the end of spring. It’s something we have a plan for. When we get the plan in place and we name that guy, we’ll be all behind him.”

Ohio State transfer Torrance Gibson also is expected to enter the QB derby. Gibson, a former five-star recruit, was a high school quarterback who was moved to wide receiver at OSU. Gibson has enrolled at Cincinnati State to get an associate’s degree, and he could join the UC program by June. If that happens, Gibson would be eligible this season and get a shot at quarterback.

Running back: Senior Mike Boone was nagged by a foot injury in 2016. After rushing for 749 yards and nine touchdowns in 2015, Boone ran for only 388 yards and two TDs last year.

“We’re still holding him back a little bit,” Fickell said. “Every day he wants more and more, but we’re also being smart.”

The top candidate to spell Boone is redshirt freshman Jerrid Doaks, who ran for 2,953 career yards and a 6.9-yard rushing average at Indianapolis Lawrence Central High School.

Receivers: Top returnees are senior Devin Gray and junior Kahlil Lewis. Gray led UC last year with 58 catches and 860 yards receiving (14.8 ypc). Lewis had 48 catches for 605 yards (12.6 ypc). Gray and Lewis tied for the team lead with five touchdown catches.

Sophomores Thomas Geddis and Jerron Rollins both showed promise in limited time last year.

Offensive line: Cunningham, junior left tackle Ryan Stout and right guard Will Steur return from last year’s starting lineup. Senior David Niehaus (Colerain HS) could start at center. Junior Keith Minor is the top returnee at left guard.

ELDER VISIT: UC will practice Saturday at Elder High School from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with the public invited.

“It’s to get out in the community, making sure we’re promoting ourselves in the community,” Fickell said. “It’s letting the community know that’s a big part of who we are and what we want to do, recruiting-wise.”

SPRING FINALE: The annual UC spring game is Friday, April 14 (7 p.m.) at Nippert Stadium.

I still think the QB race is Gibson's to lose. He didn't transfer to UC to sit on the bench.

Just hope that he is doing the right work in the class room to get here. I have no clue if he is or not.

Wondering what the RB rotation will look like outside of Boone getting majority of the carries. The article says Doaks could spell him but you also have Boose and Hollimon from the class ahead of him then Mr Football coming in along with EE Jaelen Greene.

(03-29-2017 09:16 AM)wanes Wrote:  Wondering what the RB rotation will look like outside of Boone getting majority of the carries. The article says Doaks could spell him but you also have Boose and Hollimon from the class ahead of him then Mr Football coming in along with EE Jaelen Greene.

Don't forget Chad Banschbach.

Doaks is supposedly the real deal. I went to a couple of outings last year where I heard coaches quote Mike Boone in saying "He is already better than I am". The coaches felt he has the potential of being a special player for us over his career.

My guess is unless they become special teams players, Michael Warren and Jaelen Greene redshirt. Fickell has been quoted a couple times now Boone will get the majority of the carries for us and he will not be doing the 3 man rotation that we saw over the past few years.

(03-29-2017 09:07 AM)Nobones Wrote:  Just hope that he is doing the right work in the class room to get here. I have no clue if he is or not.

Classroom was not the issue at Ohio State...the tutoring room was, and even then it was more procedural than actually being something.

Man, I'm really starting to love Fickell. Love this comment - "It’s a program based on offensive line and defensive line and toughness." I've always believed that's where you start building a team.

I love the fact they're practicing at Elder this weekend, and it's open to the public. Have to imagine they'll hit the other power schools as well in the area.

Have they done this in the past?

(03-29-2017 08:35 AM)CliftonAve Wrote:  I still think the QB race is Gibson's to lose. He didn't transfer to UC to sit on the bench.

Agree. Playing musical QB and never knowing who was going to be in most likely had something to do with it, but neither Moore nor Trail were very effective in the time they did get.

(03-29-2017 11:18 AM)JPBearcat3 Wrote:  I love the fact they're practicing at Elder this weekend, and it's open to the public. Have to imagine they'll hit the other power schools as well in the area.

Have they done this in the past?

IIRC they did a practice at Centerville under Bryan Kelly, but not a whole lot else. Definitely an OSU tactic, and I'm happy we're doing it. Community outreach can only help in the long run, both by building short-term connections with players and long-term connections with coaches/admin.

(03-29-2017 11:29 AM)rtaylor Wrote:  

(03-29-2017 08:35 AM)CliftonAve Wrote:  I still think the QB race is Gibson's to lose. He didn't transfer to UC to sit on the bench.

Agree. Playing musical QB and never knowing who was going to be in most likely had something to do with it, but neither Moore nor Trail were very effective in the time they did get.

I don't claim to be an expert, but the OL play looked just awful to me, as in a "Tom Brady would have his work cut out" kind of awful.

(03-29-2017 09:07 AM)Nobones Wrote:  Just hope that he is doing the right work in the class room to get here. I have no clue if he is or not.

If you don't have a clue...then why make a comment?

I would say by Saturday, at least we’ll have that down to maybe two guys getting the majority of the reps, and still continue to battle them through the spring,” Fickell said. “Then we’ll see at the end of spring. It’s something we have a plan for. When we get the plan in place and we name that guy, we’ll be all behind him.”

You think the "plan" they have is Gibson? :)

(03-29-2017 01:41 PM)bearcatdp Wrote:  I would say by Saturday, at least we’ll have that down to maybe two guys getting the majority of the reps, and still continue to battle them through the spring,” Fickell said. “Then we’ll see at the end of spring. It’s something we have a plan for. When we get the plan in place and we name that guy, we’ll be all behind him.”

You think the "plan" they have is Gibson? :)

They're learning a new offense, but probobly trying to go with the strengths of the players they have and those coming in. Spread offense, but if it turns out that the offensive line works better at a bit more pass heavy offense, or something like it, changes things a bit.

It comes down to the personnel available and finding the style and plays to get the most out of the offense.

(03-29-2017 12:02 PM)uchoops Wrote:  

(03-29-2017 09:07 AM)Nobones Wrote:  Just hope that he is doing the right work in the class room to get here. I have no clue if he is or not.

If you don't have a clue...then why make a comment?

Dude it is a comment and this is a message board. Get off your high horse.

Athlon has us ranked (in the top 130) in the QB rankings. We are where we are due to the unknown. https://athlonsports.com/college-footbal...kings-2017

Hayden Moore had a ridiculously awesome game when he came in to replace Kiel at Memphis. Other than that he has been pretty bad. I thought we really had something there, but maybe it was just our awesome receiving corps.

Last year I couldn't figure out if our QB's were really that bad or if our offense was really just pathetic. Just seemed bad all the way around.

Hayden Moore had a great game at Tulsa to end the year, it was really the only game all year we looked like our QB was D1 caliber. I think he's got some talent if coached right

(03-29-2017 07:48 PM)bearcatdp Wrote:  Athlon has us ranked (in the top 130) in the QB rankings. We are where we are due to the unknown. https://athlonsports.com/college-footbal...kings-2017

Out of 130. Lol.

On a related note, Moore makes my eyes bleed at times.

(03-29-2017 12:02 PM)uchoops Wrote:  

(03-29-2017 09:07 AM)Nobones Wrote:  Just hope that he is doing the right work in the class room to get here. I have no clue if he is or not.

If you don't have a clue...then why make a comment?

huh? Your comment is pointless.

I hope UC wins 10 games this year but whether we will or not, I have no clue.

One can hope in something and state said hope without really truly knowing if it will come to pass or not. Part of hope is the unknown. One hopes for something that they currently do not have or possess.