Got back late yesterday from a great trip to Cincinnati to watch the Cats vs. Toledo. Spent some time on campus before the game and was amazed with all the positive changes that have occurred since I last set foot there as a student. The Calhoun Street redevelopment blew me away! So did the cost of Bearcat paraphernalia that I bought at the UC Bookstore. Some things never change, LOL. Oh well, got some cool stuff for the wife and kids too. Saw the current status of construction at Nippert. Definitely a lot of excitement and UC has a lot to be proud of and is heading in a great direction.

We had a great time at the Banks before the game. My kids got to watch the UC marching band play outside of the Holy Grail/Johnny Rockets closed end of the street. They both play in their middle school band so it was a treat for them to see this up close.

We got to our seats about 45 minutes before kick-off and sat in the 14th row of Section 140 on about the 50 yard line. Awesome view! Watched Tommy G. prowl the sidelines and talking with CTT pre-game. He also made several trips to the team's Gatorade station during the game. Guess he was cramping up from all that hard work! Just kidding. The skydivers landing in the stadium was cool especially the C-paw logo flag and the US flag. The student section was unbelievable all game with great noise and was packed in tight. I was a little surprised at the amount of empty seats scattered around the stadium to begin the game but it seemed that it filled in better toward the mid-late first quarter. We stayed after the game to watch a great fireworks display to end a wonderful evening with my family. Overall, PBS was a suitable venue to watch the game but it won't compare to the college atmosphere in Nippert next year. Can't wait!

Thoughts on the game (sorry if others in the thread already mentioned)...

1) Kiel looked every bit the part in terms of talent and leadership. I think he answered the bell (don't care if Toledo secondary was banged up) and there should be no more talk about Legaux and Evans getting playing time.

2) Gunner took some shots during the game when Toledo brought pressure against our spread. That worries me some with the injury history of our QBs going back to Tony Pike. Some of that resulted from taking too much time to find the open man/play to develop and Kiel is essentially a frosh in terms of playing experience. I'm sure UC will work on protections and adjustments.

3) Run Hosey Williams, run! He needs to be the featured back period. Green can spell but Hosey has to be the guy right now to help take pressure off Gunner when teams adjust to better defend the passing game.

4) I would hate to be a TE in this offense. We arguably may have the most talented and complimentary GROUP of wide receivers in the NCAA this year. I feel like Holton will only get better and he adds that blazing speed dimension to the mix. What a matchup nightmare McKay presents to the typical smaller corners and loved how the Gunner to McKay tandem is already taking off.

5) Dee? Probably not an overall strength but I think they are better than what the score/stats reveal. Saw many missed tackles and blown coverages. Chalk some of that up to a new coordinator and remember on defense you have to be quick to react. Toledo has a solid running game with an experienced o-line and I wonder if UC was having trouble matching the speed of the game since this was Toledo's third and only our first. I expect the defense to play better as the season goes along but they only have to be GOOD ENOUGH and not dominating with the offense that we have this year.

6) The frosh kicker Gantz showed a lot of grit after blowing a PAT with a nice field goal late in the game. The punter shanked one but also made a few nice punts deep in Toledo territory. A work in progress.

7) Overall, great game despite the near fatal 3rd quarter collapse. You could feel the collective groaning in the stands as the momentum shifted to Toledo. I think it was a great test of resolve for the Cats to withstand the challenge and blow it back apart in the 4th quarter. Can definitely build on this and improve through review of game film and more playing time. One game (win) at a time.....

Curious what CTT will do for game planning against Miami, Oh since Urbie and the Bucks have a bye week to prepare for the UC game. In Tommy we trust!