All American Kicker

Senior punter Kevin Huber was named to the American Football Coaches Association Coaches All American Team.  This makes Huber the first Cincinnati player to receive an AFCA honor. The McNicholas High graduate leads the Big East in punting.  This hopes to be the first of many honors Huber and some of his fellow Bearcats will earn between now and the end of the year.

Chili Fight

With bowl talk dominating sports talk, basketball season has quietly snuck up on everyone.  As of Sunday the "sneaking" is over, the quiet start turns into a roar as the women's crosstown shootout takes place in Clifton.  

Xavier coach Kevin McGuff entered enemy territory Thursday to talk about the big game at a press gathering on UC's campus.  Both he and UC coach J. Kelley Hall appreciate the magnitude of the game.  (We apologize for the questionable audio, someone must have spilled Skyline on the audio box.)

For the coaches this is more than just a big game.  The these two men are best friends, but on Sunday they put the friendship on hold as they each try to bring home a win.

Last year UC pulled a huge upset by winning at Xavier.  The Bearats had lost the three previous match ups by lopsided scores and in Coach Halls first year he was short on players and talent.  Yet somehow the underdog won, something that came as no surprise to the Bearcats.

So far over 10,000 tickets have been sold.  The game tips off at 2:00 at Fifth Third Arena on UC's campus.  Fox Sports will also be televising the game this year.  Bearcat Sports Page would like to thank Coach McGuff for coming over to campus for today's press conference.  We also would like to thank Coach Hall, the players and the UC administration for taking time out of their day as well.  Again we apologize for the audio problem.  UC communication expert Tom Gelehrter is on the road with the football team, normally he keeps the chili away from the sound equipment.

Glass is half full, right?

The purpose of this site is to promote all UC sports, not personal agenda's. However, some of the reactions to the news that Brian Kelly is staying is a bit confusing. It struck me Tuesday night when WLW talk show host Paul Daugherty said that he felt "scammed" about the announcement earlier that day. His reasoning was that news had leaked that Notre Dame was keeping Charlie Weis. Did Brian Kelly step up with this big announcement knowing that the Notre Dame job was not available? What's to say that Notre Dame didn't make their decision based on information that Brian Kelly was not entertaining offers and since they lost him as a candidate they would stick with Weis. But who cares.
In a time when news of the economy and other local sports teams are always bad it would seem that a bit of positive news would be embraced. What a horrible thing, a family from Michigan that moved to Cincinnati has fallen in love with our city and wants to stay.
Yes, a nice pay check is keeping him here but that same check could be obtained elsewhere. Brian Kelly is choosing to stay here and make a difference. No, he's not a professor but he is trying to make UC a better place. If he succeeds in his dastardly plan, that includes improving and expanding Nippert Stadium, it will be at the cost of people that choose to write the check. As opposed to falling on tax payers like Paul Brown Stadium. If this type of paranoid skepticism had existed years ago Mike Brown wouldn't be making money with a stadium you are paying for.
Lighten up, accept this small bit of positive news for what it is. A plan that's only hidden agenda is trying to improve the a football program and the stadium it plays in. As for Brian Kelly he doesn't deserve sainthood for his actions, but he should be recognized. He's doing what's best for his family and the rest of us get to ride on his coat tails.

Best In Ohio?

On ESPN U "Inside the Polls" last week the experts discussed the best team in Ohio.  In a segment called "Pop Quiz" Tom Luginbill and former UC head coach Mike Gottfried are asked ,"Who is the beast team in Ohio?"  They had some fun with it and of course Mike Gottfried picked his Bearcats.  Check it out.

Bearcat Sports page.com hopes to see Ohio State selected for a BCS Bowl game Sunday.  It's not a matter of what's the best conference in college football, it's what is the best state in college football.  With both UC and OSU in BCS Bowl games, that settles that argument quickly!!!!  By te way did you catch Gottfried's comment that his answer includes both the Bengals and Browns.  Of course this video clip is courtesy of ESPN U and the ESPN family.

SELECTION SUNDAY

Want to know what BCS Bowl the Bearcats are heading for?  Come find out with Brian Kelly and the team.  Sunday night the doors of Fifth Third arena will open at 6:30 for a selection party.  The BCS Selection Show starts at 8:00 of Fox Sports (WXIX Ch 19).  

Glenn Sample Memorial

Monday evening, December 8 at 6:30, UC will host a memorial service for Glenn Sample.  The service will be held in 5/3 arena with doors opening to the public at 5:30.  Close friends, members of the UC staff, and representatives from the Reds will remember Glenn by speaking on his behalf.  Parking will be available in the Cory Garage across from the baseball stadium.  The fittingly, you can make your way to the the arena on Glenn Sample Way.  For more information please visit:  www.gobearcats.com 

Someone else with a big game?

For the past month the football team has been able to say they were playing in the biggest game on campus.  Not that the Hawaii game isn't big, but this week that honor goes to the volleyball team as they enter post season play.  Sunday night they were selected and given an at large bid to the NCAA Tournament.  After winning 25 games and a share of the Big East title they were waiting on pins and needles during the selection show because they lost in the opening round of the conference tournament.  But, the committee saw two months of perfect play by the Bearcats, not one bad day.

 

The first round game comes against Western Kentucky Friday afternoon at 5:00, a team UC beat in four sets on the road back in October.   The first round games are being played in Champaign, Il.  A win Friday would likely have the Bearcats facing the #9 seeded Fighting Illini in the second round.