http://www.bearcatlair.com/forum/ This is a discussion forum about the Cincinnati Bearcats. To find out about Bearcat Lair, go to http://www.bearcatlair.com/ . en Fri, 10 Sep 2010 12:09:28 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.bearcatlair.com/forum/images/misc/rss.png http://www.bearcatlair.com/forum/ http://www.bearcatlair.com/forum/f11/volleyball-bearcats-topple-no-16-kentucky-thriller-2199/ Wed, 08 Sep 2010 02:14:40 GMT CINCINNATI—Cincinnati overcame a huge hurdle and kept its home court winning streak alive with a thrilling five-set win over No. 16-ranked Kentucky... CINCINNATI—Cincinnati overcame a huge hurdle and kept its home court winning streak alive with a thrilling five-set win over No. 16-ranked Kentucky on Tuesday night in Fifth Third Arena. The victory, the Bearcats fourth in a row, stretches the nation’s second-longest home court winning streak to 32.

The deciding fifth set was back and forth throughout with UC (7-1) overcoming a 9-6 deficit midway through. A Kentucky block put the Wildcats (4-3) back in front by a 13-12 count, forcing UC’s second timeout. Out the break, Becca Refenes dropped her 11th kill of the match to even the score. Cincinnati took advantage of a UK error to set up match point and a Stephanie Niemer kill ended it.

Niemer turned in an outstanding all-around performance in helping UC to its first win over a ranked opponent since an early season triumph over No. 16 Saint Louis last year. UC’s senior co-captain tied her season-high with 18 kills and added 11 digs and six blocks for her third double-double of the year. Reigning BIG EAST Player of the Week Missy Harpenau added 13 kills and a match-best 17 digs, while Refenes added 11 kills and Emily Hayden 10.

The Bearcats’ defense had one of its best performances of the year with 10.5 blocks. Refenes had seven, on top of Niemer’s season-high six. Four UC players reached double-figure digs, including Harpenau and Niemer, along with libero Emily MacIntyre (14) and setter Annie Fesl (11).

UK got 13 kills from Blaire Hiler and 12 kills and eight blocks from Lauren Rapp. The Wildcats could not overcome a staggering 19 service errors in the defeat.

The Bearcats return to the court this weekend at the Holiday Inn Classic, hosted by the College of Charleston this weekend. UC will take on the host Cougars on Friday night, before taking on Oregon State and Auburn on Saturday. ]]> Other Sports todd cunningham http://www.bearcatlair.com/forum/f11/volleyball-bearcats-topple-no-16-kentucky-thriller-2199/ http://www.bearcatlair.com/forum/f6/goodnight-enes-kanter-we-never-got-know-you-2198/ Wed, 08 Sep 2010 01:49:23 GMT http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/08/sp...r=1&ref=sports ]]> Basketball croninscats http://www.bearcatlair.com/forum/f6/goodnight-enes-kanter-we-never-got-know-you-2198/ http://www.bearcatlair.com/forum/f8/article-humbled-bearcats-search-direction-2195/ Tue, 07 Sep 2010 22:19:10 GMT Humbled Bearcats search for direction - Bearcat Lair (http://www.bearcatlair.com/home-news/humbled-bearcats-search-for-direction) Humbled Bearcats search for direction - Bearcat Lair ]]> Football todd cunningham http://www.bearcatlair.com/forum/f8/article-humbled-bearcats-search-direction-2195/ http://www.bearcatlair.com/forum/f8/per-butch-jones-hazeltons-career-uc-over-2193/ Tue, 07 Sep 2010 19:44:39 GMT We will have more later but coach Jones told reporters today that Hazelton's football playing career at Cincinnati is over due to his season ending ACL injury. ]]> Football todd cunningham http://www.bearcatlair.com/forum/f8/per-butch-jones-hazeltons-career-uc-over-2193/ http://www.bearcatlair.com/forum/f8/big-east-battered-not-flattened-2190/ Tue, 07 Sep 2010 12:53:41 GMT By Brian Bennett So just how bad was Week 1 for the Big East? Answer: Brutal, but not fatal. The league entered 2010 with high hopes. Pitt... By Brian Bennett

So just how bad was Week 1 for the Big East?

Answer: Brutal, but not fatal.

The league entered 2010 with high hopes. Pitt and West Virginia were ranked, while Cincinnati and UConn were on the fringes of the Top 25. Before Labor Day approached, three of them were already 0-1. The Big East, in fact, went 1-4 against FBS competition, with Syracuse's win at Akron the lone point in the league's favor.

That's a terrible way to begin the year for a conference that is seemingly always working to get itself noticed. But let's take a closer look at those losses.

In all four defeats (Pitt at Utah, UConn at Michigan, Cincinnati at Fresno State, Louisville vs. Kentucky), Big East teams were considered the underdogs by the guys who make point spreads. Pitt and Cincinnati had to travel all the way or nearly all the way across the country to play two of the best non-BCS programs of the past decade. Connecticut played before the largest crowd in the history of college football in a game Rich Rodriguez and the Wolverines were desperate to win. Louisville, by any reasonable accounting, has the least amount of experienced talent in the Big East, and had to take on an SEC team that has been to four straight bowl games.

So none of these losses resembled anything like Kansas losing to North Dakota State or Ole Miss falling to Jacksonville State. We all want teams to play tough schedules, but a few Big East teams might have done themselves a disservice by scheduling such tough openers, especially on the road.

Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt lobbied to change the Utah game from Week 2 to the opener to help with travel and give his players a whole offseason to focus on the Utes. But on Monday, he sounded like he questioned his own decision after the preseason Big East favorites clearly needed some seasoning before the 27-24 overtime loss.

"When you look around the country and see all the games that were played this weekend, I don't know if any nationally ranked teams went and played a quality opponent, another ranked team, on the road," Wannstedt said. "A lot of them played at neutral sites. We jumped into a hornet's nest. I'll be the first one to admit it."

Week 1 did bring a few high-profile matchups. But LSU and North Carolina played in Atlanta. TCU and Oregon State squared off in Cowboys Stadium. Virginia Tech and Boise State are playing Monday night in Washington D.C. Illinois and Missouri held their annual rivalry game in St. Louis.

Very few BCS programs were willing to take on a true road game against a tough opponent in the first game; those rare examples included Purdue at Notre Dame, UCLA at Kansas State, Washington at BYU and Washington State at Oklahoma State. And guess what? All of those road teams lost. (Northwestern winning at Vanderbilt was an exception, but since when has anybody been scared of playing at Vandy?).

There is plenty of time for the Big East to bounce back. Remember that Pittsburgh cracked the Top 10 in November last year despite owning a much worse road loss than at Utah. The Panthers dropped a September game at NC State, which would finish 5-7. It's always better to lose early than to lose late.

With all that said, the way some Big East teams played in Week 1 remains troubling. Pitt was uncharacteristically sloppy, losing despite outgaining the Utes and winning the turnover battle. UConn, a trendy sleeper pick, lost by 20, and its defense had no answer for Denard Robinson. Cincinnati looked completely lost and physically overwhelmed for the final 33 minutes at Fresno State, and scored only 14 points.

Pitt still has to play Miami and Notre Dame in its next four games, while Cincinnati must travel to NC State and face Oklahoma in its next three outings. It's possible that the two teams that battled for the league crown last December could have losing records in early October. It might be up to West Virginia or an upstart like South Florida or Rutgers to pick up the baton and run with it this year for the league.

The race is far from over. The Big East can still produce a solid finish, even after stumbling out of the blocks.

Big East battered, not flattened - Big East Blog - ESPN ]]> Football wanes http://www.bearcatlair.com/forum/f8/big-east-battered-not-flattened-2190/ http://www.bearcatlair.com/forum/f8/indiana-state-roll-call-2189/ Tue, 07 Sep 2010 04:14:04 GMT Who's going? Where are you tailgating? ]]> Football todd cunningham http://www.bearcatlair.com/forum/f8/indiana-state-roll-call-2189/ http://www.bearcatlair.com/forum/f8/changes-coming-offensive-line-2182/ Mon, 06 Sep 2010 16:20:25 GMT Cincinnati head football coach Butch Jones indicated on today's Big East teleconference that he and his staff are evaluating the play of the offensive line. He and his staff are thinking about moving a couple players around to different spots. He did not mention names but he did sound like he was serious about making changes after they gave up 8 sacks against Fresno State.

He also indicated that he is opening up the competition on the offensive line and will not name starters until this Thursday. ]]> Football todd cunningham http://www.bearcatlair.com/forum/f8/changes-coming-offensive-line-2182/ http://www.bearcatlair.com/forum/f8/vidal-hazelton-tears-acl-2180/ Mon, 06 Sep 2010 15:36:04 GMT According to sources close to the University of Cincinnati football program senior wide receiver Vidal Hazelton will miss the remainder of the 2010... According to sources close to the University of Cincinnati football program senior wide receiver Vidal Hazelton will miss the remainder of the 2010 football season due to a torn ACL.

Hazelton tore his ACL in the second half against Fresno State. ]]> Football todd cunningham http://www.bearcatlair.com/forum/f8/vidal-hazelton-tears-acl-2180/ http://www.bearcatlair.com/forum/f8/alex-daniesl-placed-ir-2178/ Mon, 06 Sep 2010 14:35:34 GMT Anyone know why Daniels was placed on IR? NFL.com says it was undisclosed... Anyone know why Daniels was placed on IR? NFL.com says it was undisclosed... ]]> Football bcatcoz http://www.bearcatlair.com/forum/f8/alex-daniesl-placed-ir-2178/ http://www.bearcatlair.com/forum/f8/bengals-add-dan-lefevour-2175/ Sun, 05 Sep 2010 21:44:35 GMT I don't really give a damn about the Bengals, but it can't hurt the Bearcats to have Coach Jones' former star QB in town... ]]> Football Chad Brendel http://www.bearcatlair.com/forum/f8/bengals-add-dan-lefevour-2175/ http://www.bearcatlair.com/forum/f8/deangelo-smith-cleveland-browns-2174/ Sun, 05 Sep 2010 21:22:33 GMT Browns sign Asante to practice squad, five others | National Football Post... Browns sign Asante to practice squad, five others | National Football Post ]]> Football bcatcoz http://www.bearcatlair.com/forum/f8/deangelo-smith-cleveland-browns-2174/ http://www.bearcatlair.com/forum/f8/bearcatlair-will-sports-rock-tonight-2173/ Sun, 05 Sep 2010 18:34:09 GMT Chad and I will be on Sports Rock tonight with George Vogel and Ken Broo. Make sure you tune in at 11:30 to watch us. Chad and I will be on Sports Rock tonight with George Vogel and Ken Broo. Make sure you tune in at 11:30 to watch us. ]]> Football todd cunningham http://www.bearcatlair.com/forum/f8/bearcatlair-will-sports-rock-tonight-2173/ http://www.bearcatlair.com/forum/f8/defense-2172/ Sun, 05 Sep 2010 18:16:38 GMT I wanted to give props to the defense. I thought they played well. The starters are definitely talented and played very fast in the first half,... I wanted to give props to the defense. I thought they played well. The starters are definitely talented and played very fast in the first half, really thought Bomar looked good.

If the offense can get on track, we can still win the Big East this year. ]]> Football SchroedUC http://www.bearcatlair.com/forum/f8/defense-2172/ http://www.bearcatlair.com/forum/f8/fresno-state-game-notes-2168/ Sun, 05 Sep 2010 06:23:43 GMT *TEAM NOTES* 2010 CINCINNATI FOOTBALL POSTGAME NOTES Cincinnati 14, Fresno State 28 Sept. 4, 2010 - Bulldog Stadium – Fresno, Calif. ... TEAM NOTES
2010 CINCINNATI FOOTBALL POSTGAME NOTES
Cincinnati 14, Fresno State 28 Sept. 4, 2010 - Bulldog Stadium – Fresno, Calif.

• Cincinnati Game Captains: Collin McCafferty (11), Jason Kelce (60), Derek Wolfe (95).

• UC traveled with 17 players on their first road trip, seven redshirt freshmen, and eight true freshmen.

• Nine Bearcats made their first starts against Fresno State. Maalik Bomar (LB), C.J. Cobb (OL), Evan Davis (OL), Vidal Hazelton (WR), John Hughes (DL), Reuben Johnson (DB), Brandon Mills (DL), Wesley Richardson (DB), and Chris Williams (DB).

• Nine UC players made their first appearance in a UC jersey. Vidal Hazelton (WR), Adrian Witty (DB), Aaron Roberson (DB), Bruce Horner (DB), Mitch Meador (DL), Evan Davis (OL), Blake Annen (TE), Monte Taylor (DL), and Tom DeTemple (LS).

• NFL final rosters were announced Saturday night, and 11 former Bearcats made the cut. Those playing this year include: Connor Barwin (Houston Texans), Brent Celek (Philadelphia Eagles), Trent Cole (Philadelphia Eagles), Mardy Gilyard (St. Louis Rams), Kevin Huber (Cincinnati Bengals), Jeff Linkenbach (Indianapolis Colts), Ricardo Mathews (Indianapolis Colts), Haruki Nakamura (Baltimore Ravens), Tony Pike (Carolina Panthers), Brandon Underwood (Green Bay Packers), Mike Wright (New England Patriots).

• In the first quarter, UC’s defense held Fresno State to eight yards of offense on four drives. The Bulldogs punted three times and UC had an interception.

• UC is 76-38-10 in openers and the series with Fresno State is tied at one game apiece.

• UC falls to 18-19-2 all-time against Western Athletic Conference (WAC) teams.

• In 2009 matchup, Fresno State had possession for 43:42 of the game compared to UC’s possession of 16:18. Cincinnati finished tonight’s game leading in possession time 30:50 to 29:10.

• UC’s 18 game regular season winning streak was snapped as was the Bearcats five-game winning streak in season openers.

• UC’s last loss in a season opener was against then No. 9 Ohio State in 2004, a 27-6 loss.

• Last time scoring 14 pts or less, Oct. 11, 2008, a 13-10 win against Rutgers

INDIVIDUAL NOTES

• Head coach Butch Jones made his University of Cincinnati debut against Fresno State. Jones spent the previous three years at Central Michigan, winning a pair of Mid-American Conference titles.

• In the 2009 matchup between these two teams, DJ Woods had four catches for 53 yards. In the first half of tonight’s game, he had five catches for 63 yards and a touchdown.

• Armon Binns had a catch early in the first quarter, extending his consecutive games with a reception streak to 14. He finished the game with seven catches for 55 yards.

• Quarterback Zach Collaros opened the game with five-straight completions. He finished 24-of-41 for 219 yards and one touchdown. He was sacked eight times.

• Pat Lambert made his first career interception with 3:10 left in the opening quarter. It gave UC the ball on Fresno’s 35-yard line.

• The interception led to UC’s first touchdown of the season, a 23-yard pass from Zach Collaros to DJ Woods.

• Collaros scored UC’s second TD, a five-yard scamper up the middle. It was his fifth career rushing TD.

• Kicker Jacob Rogers kicked a pair of extra points in the game, running his career total to 270 points. He trails Jonathan Ruffin (1999-2002), who is UC’s career leader with 315 points. It was his 150th extra point made and 153rd attempted, both already school records.

• Wide receiver Vidal Hazelton made his UC debut after transferring from the University of Southern California in 2009. He got his hands on the ball right away, returning the opening kickoff. He finished the game with six catches for 63 yards.

• Hazelton left the game with a leg injury with 14:47 left in the fourth quarter. He was injured on a kickoff return.

• Chazz Anderson entered the game with 2:37 left in the third quarter after Collaros was injured running out of bounds. Collaros returned on the next play.

• Derek Wolfe and Reuben Johnson led the defense with eight tackles apiece. JK Schaffer added seven stops and Dan Giordano had six tackles. ]]> Football todd cunningham http://www.bearcatlair.com/forum/f8/fresno-state-game-notes-2168/ http://www.bearcatlair.com/forum/f8/%2A%2A%2Afresno-state-game-thread%2A%2A%2A-2167/ Sun, 05 Sep 2010 01:23:09 GMT We are about 40 minutes away from kick-off. Post all in game comments in here. My key to the game is stopping the run of Fresno State. If UC can... We are about 40 minutes away from kick-off. Post all in game comments in here.

My key to the game is stopping the run of Fresno State. If UC can do that they will win. ]]> Football todd cunningham http://www.bearcatlair.com/forum/f8/%2A%2A%2Afresno-state-game-thread%2A%2A%2A-2167/