UC Bearcats regain some dignity, await bowl bid
The 2015 football season did not live up to expectations, but the University of Cincinnati at least can go to its bowl game feeling better about itself.
UC beat East Carolina 19-16 on Andrew Gantz’s 42-yard field goal on the final play Saturday in Greenville, N.C., as the Bearcats rallied from an early 10-0 deficit. After a horrible 65-27 loss at South Florida, the Bearcats regained some measure of pride in their regular season finale.
UC (7-5, 4-4 American Athletic Conference East) was the overwhelming media choice to win both the AAC East and inaugural league title game. The Bearcats suffered three conference losses by eight points or less.
“Everybody we played was fired up to play us,” UC coach Tommy Tuberville said. “That’s what you get when you get the target on your back. … You go back and look at it, most ballgames we played came right down to the end.”
Wrapping up the regular season, and looking ahead:
Bowl watch
UC must wait to learn its bowl destination, which probably will be announced next Sunday. Projections are all over the map, including:
- Jerry Palm of CBS Sports has the Bearcats in the Miami Beach Bowl on Dec. 21 against Marshall.
- ESPN reporter Brett McMurphy sees UC in the Boca Raton Bowl (Boca Raton, Fla.) on Dec. 22 against Toledo.
- ESPN reporter Mark Schlabach has the Bearcats in the Birmingham Bowl (Ala.) on Dec. 30 against Auburn.
Where would UC players like to go?
Doc: Has Tommy Tuberville advanced UC Bearcat football?
“I want to go to Miami,” UC placekicker Andrew Gantz said. “Miami would be awesome. It’s before Christmas, too. I haven’t been home for Christmas in two years, so I’d like to get home with my family.”
UC the past few years has played bowl games that were right after Christmas: two Belk Bowl appearances, then the Military Bowl last year.
In praise of Shaq
UC senior slot receiver Shaq Washington has set school records that might not be broken for a while. If ever.
Washington on Saturday set a UC single-game record with 15 catches. He also broke the UC single-season receptions mark, with 88.
Washington already held the UC career receptions mark, with his total now 238.
Big day for 'D'
The UC defense has taken its share of abuse the past two years. UC finished No. 96 nationally in total defense last year, and is No. 84 this year.
But, after surrendering 10 points and 182 total yards in the first quarter Saturday, UC allowed only six points and 203 yards thereafter. With some third-down stops, the Bearcats defense set things up for UC's offense. Offensively, the Bearcats controlled the second half mainly via their running game.
The Bearcats on Saturday played seven true or redshirt freshmen extensively on defense, including four starters. There have been growing pains, but upgrades in speed and quickness make 2016 look even more promising.
Recruiting watch
UC recruiting under Tuberville generally has eschewed the quick fix, with the plan to build a sustaining program.
The 2016 UC class is not complete, but for now is ranked No. 4 in the American Athletic Conference on 247Sports.com composite list. RB Jeremy Larkin (La Salle HS) is the top-rated recruit in next year’s UC class.
The 2015 UC class was ranked No. 1 in the AAC by 247Sports, with quarterback Ross Trail (Wynne, Ark.) the top-rated recruit. Trail is redshirting this year.
The 2014 and 2013 UC classes each each were ranked No. 3 in the AAC by 247Sports.
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2015 AAC standings
East
(Team - AAC - Overall)
*Temple 7-1, 10-2
USF 6-2, 8-4
Cincinnati 4-4, 7-5
UConn 4-4, 6-6
E. Carolina 5-7, 3-5
UCF 0-8, 0-12
*Division champion
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West
(Team – AAC – Overall)
*Houston 7-1, 11-1
#Navy 7-1, 9-2
Memphis 5-3, 9-3
Tulsa 3-5, 6-6
SMU 1-7, 2-10
Tulane 1-7, 3-9
*Division champion
#One non-league game remaining, vs. Army