Cincinatti vs Oregon State

You see the 59-3 score from last night's SEMO/Cincy match-up and figure that it was a typical D-IA vs. D-IAA game. It some ways it was, but I got to watch some of this game on ESPN360. I'll try to give my early impressions of this team and what I expect for their tilt against Oregon St next week.

Attendance last night:

Just over 20,000 (which I believe is about 15,000 short of the capacity). I think they will be expecting 30-32,000 for next week's game.

Cincinnati Offense:

- Ben Mauk was 18-27 for 240 yards, 2 TDs, and an INT. Besides an ugly interception, he was decidedly average. He took off a couple of times and did not look very fast, but he took a couple of hits to his surgically repaired shoulder, and it held up. His best play was a scramble and 56 yard toss to Marshawn Gilyard. His arm strength is not quite there yet, but it will get there.

- Mauk's back-up, Tony Pike, was 6-9 for 60 yards and a TD. He could likely be the heir apparent when this season ends. There is already some message board chatter that Pike is better. I'd temper my enthusiasm as he threw 9 passes vs. an exhausted I-AA defense. He did look good though and has the advantage of being 6'6"

- The offensive line was good and consistently opened holes for runners. The team averaged 6.6 ypc on 47 carries. There was some pressure on Mauk, but nothing too bad.

- This used to be a 3-headed RB system with Butler Benton, Greg Moore, and Bradley Glatthaar. If last night was any indication, Coach Kelly could be going with Benton and converted LB Jacob Ramsey as his main duo. Benton ran 12 times for 101 yards and a TD. Ramsey had 79 yards and 2 TDs on 16 carries. Greg Moore had 5 carries for 29 yards, but fumbled (a recurring problem for him), which led to SEMO's only score. Glatthaar blocked for the most part.

- Marshawn Gilyard was the only one to have a big game at WR, with 8 catches, 136 yards, and a TD. Ten players caught passes in all, and I expect this to be a revolving door throughout the season. The RBs will contribute here as well.

- They passed 36 times (300 yards) and ran 47 (312 yards). I think Kelly will ease this team into the spread scheme as they mixed it up a lot. Sometimes they went 5 WRs, they used the option, etc.

- They were helped by 6 SEMO turnovers. The offense was pretty good, but probably not as impressive as you would think given the 59 points.

Cincinnati Defense:

- Overall this unit did very well. They only gave up 3 points despite two early turnovers that put SEMO deep in Cincinnati territory. SEMO had 1st and goal on the 1 yard line at one point and they held them to a FG. This looks to be the strength of the team again this season.

- The pass defense looks very good with Mike Mickens and Haruki Nakamura anchoring the secondary. Mickens had 2 INTS and a return for a touchdown. He is fast becoming a lockdown corner. SEMO only had 82 yards passing on 12-22.

- They gave up 169 yards rushing on 37 carries (4.6 average). They actually shut down the running game, as most of the RBs were stuffed on a consistent basis. However, SEMO QB Victor Anderson was multi-dimensional and hurt them often with his feet. Anderson had 114 yards on 13 tries, including a 36 yard dash to the Cincy 1 yard line early on. I feel that the run D is pretty good, but this team could really struggle against QBs capable of taking off. Whenever Anderson faded back to pass, the D seemed to be concentrated on the pass and seemed unaware that he was capable of running.

Cincinnati Special Teams

Punter Kevin Huber looked good, punting twice - both over 50 yards. He had a 52 and a 56 yard punt.

Kicking was horrendous. Jake Rogers started the game at kicker and missed a 47-yard FG, missed two extra points, and basically brushed the inside of the post in making one of the XPs (He was 1-3 on XPs overall).

Brandon Yingling then came in and hit 4-5 extra points, which sadly was markedly better than Rogers' performance. Yes, they missed three extra points in this game. Call it first game jitters, but you play on ESPN against a respectable BCS team in six days, you better get your act together.

Kick return coverage was also sub-par, with SEMO putting together some nice returns.


In what I saw of Oregon St. last night, Bernard seemed to be a load as did the team's run defense. However, frankly I feel they were lucky that Johnson couldn't suit up for the second half, as I think the game may have gone down to the wire had he played the whole game.

Looking into the UC/OSU game, I can't really recommend a side unless one of them is a prohibitive underdog (like +6 or more) and that seems unlikely. However, with neither passing game being overly impressive, and both defenses seemingly solid (not to mention Cincy's kicking struggles), I think an under play on this game could be good if the price is right.