Akron Zips vs Cincinnati Bearcats Recap 9/17/2011

With three turnovers returned for TD's these were not the same Bearcats defense we saw against the Tennessee Volunteers. Which is good news for Cincinnati and bad news for the Zips.



Again the Bearcats offense was efficient against a weaker and over matched opponent. Collaros went 10 for 16 with 157 yards. Pead was good when he needed to be, but today's game was about the young guys. Poteat, and Teague combined for 16 carries for 84 yards. Cincinnati also used four different QB's.



Anyway, that's enough for the recap. What I want to touch on is UC record aganist out of conference opponents. I'm not talking about beating up on Conference USA teams or MAC teams. I'm talking about teams from the big 6 conferences. In the last few years, UC have lost to Florida, Oklahoma, Tenneesse, Ohio State, Virginia Tech. I know they did beat Oregon State 2009, but that only seems like a small ripple in an ocean of loses.



So next weeks match up against the NC State is a good opportunity for Cincinnati to get it's revenge from last years lose, but also a chance for them to beat a decent out of conference opponent.

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Re-Cap Miami RedHawks vs UC Bearcats

Miami RehHawks 3
UC Bearcats 45
For the first time this year I'm at Nippert Stadium to catch the Cincinnati Bearcats. And what a game it turned out to be. The ass whooping was handed out by the Bearcats early and often.
After a close lose to Oklahoma two weeks ago, UC need to comeback strong. And that's exactly what they did, from the get go Miami had no chance in this game. The quick-strike offense that the Bearcats fans were accustomed to was back. It took two plays on offense to put six points on the board.
I will be honest, I was a little disappointed by Miami tonight, I was hoping to see the same team that gave the Florida Gators a good run.
After watching the Bearcats play against Oklahoma and Miami, I think it's safe to say the two-time defending Big East champions got their swagger back just in time for conference play.
All I can say is this, when Isaiah Pead is on the field this team plays different. Pead is our X-factor, he makes the offense move. He makes it easy for the QB to play without too much on his shoulders.

Not only was this a redemption game for the fans and the coaching staff, but it was big redemption game for D.J. Woods and he didn't disappoint. I know it was hard for Woods after his fumble near the goal line and again on a punt return in the closing minutes against Oklahoma, but he showed strength and guts coming back tonight against the RedHawks.
I hope all the paranoid Bearcat fans out there can breath a little easier now. After seeing two great performance, I firmly believe Butch Jones was the right man for the job.
This win should sent the two-time defending Big East champions into conference play with plenty of momentum. If the Bearcats keep playing like this next week, the Louisville Cardinals don't hold a chance.

Sorry for the gay picture of me trying to kiss the Bearcat

PS.
A shout out to the good friends that kept me company at the game.
And a special shout out to Melvi for getting me the ticket.
Image via: The Enquirer/Joseph Fuqua II
Stat: ESPN

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UC vs North Carolina State

UC 19
NC State 30

Close to four hours of nothing but misery and agony. I was left speechless but at the same time, I was cursing a lot. Everyone that supports UC knew this season won't but as successful as the Brian Kelly era for obvious reason. But my God this was just down right awful. I don't need to look at the stats but I'm pretty sure we had more false starts and illegal formations combined than first downs.

Many people might not realize that we have ton of freshman and sophomore players on this team and there are going to be some growing pains, but this was ridiculous. It does not matter what level of football you play, you cannot have 8 penalties against you, that will just kill any kind of momentum you have as a team.
It's not like it's the first game of the season, its the third game and I was hoping some of those wrinkles would of have been ironed out by now.

Who do you criticize in the game, Butch Jones, Collaros, the O-Line the defense?
It's hard to pin point and blame anyone, but ultimately the blame has to  go to Coach Butch Jones, this is his team and he did not have his team prepared.

If Butch Jones does not figure out his offensive line problem, this will be a long and painful season. Because if you can't protect your quarterback, you are not going to win any game.

So lets all get on our knees and pray for Coach Butch Jones, pray that he some how miraculously figures out his O-Lines problem before the Sooners come to town.
Amen.

Image via: (AP Photo/The News & Observer, Ethan Hyman)
Stat: ESPN

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