Lots of scoring expected in Fresno game
Posted by BKoch at 9/25/2009 4:24 PM EDT on Cincinnati.com

Saturday’s game against Fresno figures to be an offensive show, with UC ranked fourth nationally at 48.3 points per game and Fresno 20th at 38.7. The Bearcats have the fifth-ranked passing offense countered, by the Bulldogs with the fourth-ranked rushing offense.

The Fresno offense revolves around junior tailback Ryan Mathews, who leads the country in rushing at 149.0 yards per game. He averages 9.1 yards every time he carries the ball.

Mathews arrives in town a week after the UC defense last week did a decent job against another heralded back, Oregon State’s Jacquizz Rodgers. While Rodgers liked to get his yards outside on the edges, the 5-foot-11, 220-pound Mathews is more of a straight-ahead power runner.

“He reminds me of (Connecticut’s) Donald Brown from last season,” said UC defensive end Alex Daniels. “He’s one of the dynamic players in the NCAA right now. This is a traditional style offense. He lines up and he gets the ball. They’re not trying to trick you. He’s going to get the ball. He’s the main focus.”

Fresno can throw the ball, too, behind junior quarterback Ryan Colburn, who has passed for an average of 212 yards per game, with six touchdowns. But he has also been intercepted six times, a byproduct of the Bulldogs’ penchant for pushing the envelope offensively.

“If you don’t fit the play the right way, if you don’t wrap up, Mathews is going to go for 60 or 70 yards,” Kelly said. “If you don’t play the ball in the air, one of four wide receivers will take the ball away from you.

“They’re a vertical team. That ball is going down the field. You won’t see a ball-control, quick passing game, high percentage. Their percentage is a little bit lower but their yards per catch is much higher than ours, so it’s a different kind of passing game.

Those of us in the office love the term "trap game," but I don't know if this one qualifies. UC is a 16-point favorite, which I find a bit surprising given Fresno's offensive acmuen and the way it played against Wisconsin and Boise State. Still, it's a game that cause a few anxious moments for the Bearcats if they don't care of business.

After watching the Fresno kick coverage on TV last week, though, I wouldn't be surprised if Mardy Gilyard rips off a long return or two tomorrow.

http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll...innati.com