Sights & Sounds: Final International Bowl Walkthrough in Toronto
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International Bowl Central
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• The University of Cincinnati will face Western Michigan University in the first-ever International Bowl. The Bearcats and Broncos will clash on Jan. 6 at 12 noon in the Rogers Centre (SkyDome) in Toronto, Ont.
• The game will feature the debut of Cincinnati's new head coach. Brian Kelly, who was named to the position on Dec. 4, and most of the members of his new staff will direct the Bearcats in their clash vs. Western Michigan.
• The International Bowl will receive national television exposure in the United States and Canada, with ESPN2 televising to the U.S. and TSN to Canada. Nearly 100 million households will be able to tune in the International Bowl, making it one of the most wide-reaching games in UC's 106-year football history. The game will be the 10th time that the Bearcats have played on television this season and the seventh game broadcast on ESPN/ESPN2.
• Cincinnati has had success playing in inaugural bowl games. The Bearcats' played in the first-ever Humanitarian Bowl (now the MPC Computers Bowl) in Boise, Idaho in 1997 and defeated Utah State, 35-19.
• This will be UC's fifth bowl appearance in the last seven seasons. The Bearcats' most recent bowl appearance occurred in 2004 when they defeated Marshall, 32-14, in the Fort Worth Bowl.
• The Bearcats compiled a 7-5 record and finished fourth in the BIG EAST Conference with a 4-3 slate. Cincinnati won four of its last five contests, including a 30-11 upset of No. 7 Rutgers, while playing a schedule that included five Top 10-ranked opponents and was rated the third most-difficult slate by the NCAA.
• WMU finished the 2006 regular season with an 8-4 overall record and a 6-2 mark in the Mid-American Conference for a second place finish in the West Division.
• Cincinnati has won both previous meetings with Western Michigan but the two teams have not played since the 1950 season.
• The International Bowl could come down to a defensive showdown. Western Michigan has the nation's fifth-ranked rushing defense and is No. 11 in total defense. UC is rated No. 31 in total defense, 27th against the rush and 23rd in passing efficiency defense.
Bearcats Make Ninth Bowl Appearance
The International Bowl will be the University of Cincinnati's ninth bowl appearance and its fifth in the past seven years. The Bearcats are 4-4 in bowl games. UC won its most recent bowl contest, besting Marshall, 32-14, in the 2004 Fort Worth Bowl in Texas.
This will be Cincinnati's fifth bowl contest vs. a member of the Mid-American Conference. UC has posted wins over Toledo in the 1949 Glass Bowl and Marshall in the 2004 Fort Worth Bowl and has lost to Marshall in the 2000 Motor City Bowl and to Toledo in the 2001 Motor City Bowl.
The International Bowl will mark the second time Cincinnati has been involved in an inaugural bowl event. UC won the first-ever Humanitarian (now MPC Computers) Bowl in 1997, beating Utah State, 35-19.
UC vs. Western Michigan
Their International Bowl clash will be the third meeting between Cincinnati and Western Michigan but the first in over half a century. The two teams played in the 1949 and 1950 seasons with UC winning both games by 27-6 scores (Oct. 8, 1949 in Cincinnati and Oct. 21, 1950 in Kalamazoo).
Common Foes
Cincinnati and Western Michigan played one common opponent in 2006, both defeating Miami University. UC defeated the RedHawks, 24-10, on Sept. 30 while WMU scored a 27-24 victory on Nov. 4.
More In Common
New Cincinnati head coach Brian Kelly faced Western Michigan while serving as head coach at Central Michigan this past season. Kelly directed his Chippewas to a 31-7 win over the Broncos on Nov. 10. A Cincinnati win in the International Bowl will make Kelly the first coach in NCAA history to direct victories over a school in the same season while coaching two different teams.
Coach Kelly at the Helm
The departure of the 2006 UC coaching staff the Monday following the close of the regular season put a big wrench in Cincinnati's bowl preparation plans. UC Director of Athletics Mike Thomas responded by hiring Brian Kelly to take over the helm less than a week later. Kelly and his incoming staff will coach the 2006 Bearcats in the 2007 bowl.
Though rare, this is not the first time that a new head coach has taken over a team after the end of regular season play and piloted it in a bowl game. In 1998, David Cutcliffe succeeded Tommy Tuberville at Mississippi and directed the Rebels to a 35-18 win over Texas Tech in the Independence Bowl. That same year, Chris Scelfo took over for Tommy Bowden at Tulane and directed the Green Wave to a 41-27 victory in the Liberty Bowl.
A Quick Look at the Bearcats
Cincinnati's success this season has been based on its attacking defense and ball-control balanced ground attack, combined with good special teams play.
• The defense is No. 27 nationally and fourth in the BIG EAST in stopping the run (106.1 yards per game).
• UC has held seven of its 12 opponents to less than 100 yards rushing, highlighted by performances of only 36 yards each in back-to-back games vs. Miami (Ohio) and Akron.
• Only three individuals have topped the century mark in rushing vs. UC.
• MLB Kevin McCullough is the tackling leader (68), followed by safeties Dominic Ross (57) and Haruki Nakamura (57).
• Cincinnati is tied for 21st nationally in tackles for loss (6.83 per game), with McCullough (13.5) 48th nationally and fifth in the BIG EAST.
• Mike Mickens, who recorded two interceptions in the win over No. 7 Rutgers, is tied for ninth nationally in passes defended (2 INT, 15 PBU) and leads the BIG EAST in the latter category. He was second nationally in passes defended in 2005.
• UC is ranked 23rd nationally in pass efficiency defense.
• Cincinnati has rushed 40-plus times in seven games this season and gained 190-plus yards four times. Only one Bearcat has topped the 100-yard rushing mark this year as the attack is evenly distributed among three juniors, Greg Moore, Butler Benton and Bradley Glatthaar.
• The Bearcats lead the BIG EAST and are 11th nationally in ball-control time (32:03).
• Brian Steel is averaging 38.8 yards per punt. Over the last three games, he has averaged 44.4 yards in helping establish field position for the defense. He has put 23 punts inside the 20.
• Kevin Lovell leads the team in scoring (73 points). He has made his last nine field goal tries to up his season totals to 16-of-21, and is perfect in 25 PATs to extend his consecutive streak to a school-record 79.
• Dominick Goodman is 17th nationally in kickoff returns (26.1) to help UC to a No. 23 ranking in that category.
What a Difference a Year Makes
A season ago, Cincinnati ranked as one of the nation's youngest Division I-A football teams. The Bearcats had just eight returning starters and 30 of the 44 players on last year's depth chart had one season or less playing experience. The Bearcats boast more experience this season. Though still a young team in terms of playing experience, UC has starters returning at 17 positions. The defense, which a season ago started as many as six first-year freshmen, has 10 returning starters.
Captains
Seniors, tight end Brent Celek and strong safety Dominic Ross, lead Cincinnati onto the field as team captains throughout the 2006 campaign. Both are in their third year as starters.
Tough Schedule
Cincinnati played the third-most difficult schedule this season according to the NCAA rankings. The Bearcats' opponents compiled a 71-44 record and a .617 winning percentage, trailing only Florida (81-46, .638) and Michigan (78-47, .624).
Bearcats Get Top 10 Win
After suffering losses to four Top 10 ranked opponents (at the time UC played each)--all on the road--Cincinnati garnered a victory over a Top 10 team with its 30-11 triumph over No. 7 Rutgerson Nov. 18 on the Bearcats' home turf. The win was the highest ranked foe Cincinnati had ever defeated, the previous best was a 17-12 win over No. 9 Wisconsin, also at home.
Bearcats Gain National Honors
Cincinnati was selected the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl National Team of the Week for its 30-11 upset of No. 7 Rutgers. The Bearcats edged Ohio State's edging of No. 2 Michigan for the honor.
DeAngelo Smith was named BIG EAST Conference Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in the win over Rutgers. Smith returned an interception 84 yards for the Bearcats' second touchdown and recorded six tackles and a pass break-up.
Quarterback Nick Davila, who passed for 277 yards and a TD, and middle linebacker Kevin McCullough, who recorded 10 tackles and three tackles for loss, were named to the BIG EAST Honor Roll.
All-League Honors for the Bearcats
Cincinnati placed a total of six players on the 2006 All-BIG EAST Conference football team, as selected by the league's coaches. Three members of UC's defense earned first team honors--tackle Terrill Byrd, linebacker Kevin McCullough and free safety Dominic Ross. Offensive guard Trevor Canfield, tight end Brent Celek and cornerback Mike Mickens were second team selections.
Great Start for Backup Davila
Nick Davila made his first-ever start as a Bearcat in the 30-11 win over Rutgers on Nov. 18, and the senior capitalized on the opportunity. Davila completed 11 of 15 passes for 277 yards. He threw for one touchdown and ran for a second in engineering the upset of the No. 7 Scarlet Knights.
Davila returned to the sidelines for the season finale at Connecticut, but when starter Dustin Grutza was stunned in the second quarter, Davila came off the bench to complete 14 of 25 passes for 232 yards and two TDs. He directed a pair of scoring drives in the final four minutes to erase a seven-point deficit in the 26-23 comeback victory.
Davila's success should not be surprising, given his showings when he has gotten other opportunities to play. Against West Virginia, he passed for 143 yards (13-of-24) and a pair of touchdowns in a quarter of action.
Great Start by Smith
DeAngelo Smith made his first-ever start as a Bearcat in the 30-11 win over Rutgers. With Rutgers marching to the UC 21 in the second quarter, Smith picked off a pass and returned it 84 yards for a touchdown, the fourth-longest interception return in UC history. Smith recorded six tackles (five solos), also a career high, and also had a pass breakup.
Fabulous Freshmen
Four Bearcats newcomers were named to the BIG EAST All-Freshman Team selected by The Sporting News. Wide receiver Derrick Stewart, tight end Kazeem Alli and offensive tackle Jeffrey Linkenbach were chosed for the all-freshman offensive unit. Aaron Webster earned honors on defense. Linkenbach was named to The Sporting News honorable mention Freshman All-American team.
Bearcats' Black Curtain
Opposing running backs have found it difficult to rush for 100 yards against the Bearcats' defense. Cincinnati has allowed just five opposing teams to reach the 100-yard plateau this season, Ohio State (166), Virginia Tech (145), Louisville (105) , West Virginia (313) and Connecticut (123). Only three individuals have topped the century mark in rushing vs. UC this season, Virginia Tech's Brandon Ore (170), Ohio State's Antonio Pittman (155) and West Virginia's Steve Slaton (148). The Bearcats held Rutgers' Ray Rice, who entered the game No. 3 nationally in rushing with a 148.2-yard average, to 54 yards.
Last year, the Bearcats ranked 90th nationally against the run. This year, Cincinnati ranks 26th, giving up 106.1 yards per game and just 3.6 yards per rush.
Sack Attack
Cincinnati has tallied 28 quarterback sacks this season, four more than the team's 2005 total. Defensive ends Trevor Anderson (6) and Anthony Hoke (4.5) rank first and second in sacks. Cincinnati is ranked 34th nationally in sacks and 21st in tackles for loss.
Controlling the Clock
Part of building a strong defense is a ball-control offense. Cincinnati is ranked No. 13 in the NCAA in time of possession. UC's offense has been on the field for an average of 32:02 per game this season. The Bearcats' set a season high with 36:43 of possession time at Louisville. They have held the advantage in possession time in 10 of 12 games this year.
Defense Gets an Early Start
Cincinnati's defense has been particularly stingy in the opening quarter of play. UC has allowed only five opponents to score in the first 15 minutes of play this season and has shutout five of the last six foes in the opening period of play.
Anderson Keeps Invading the Backfield
A starter in every game this season, Trevor Anderson has been the team's leader in affecting the quarterback. The sophomore defensive end leads the team in sacks with six and has a team-leading 10 quarterback hurries. He also has 13 tackles for loss, second on the team. Anderson had a hand in the Bearcats' first nine points in their 23-6 win over USF. He was credited with an assisted tackle that resulted in a safety and forced a fumble that Kevin McCullough recovered and returned for a touchdown.
McCullough Leader by Example
Kevin McCullough not only calls the Bearcats' defensive signals, he figures in a lot of the action. The senior linebacker leads the team in tackles (68) and tackles for loss (13.5). He has also been an opportunist when he gets hold of the football. Against USF, he picked up a fumble and sprinted 39 yards up the sideline for a touchdown. For his efforts, he was honored as the BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week. It was the second fumble return for touchdown of his career--he scored in a similar manner vs. Syracuse last season.
Ross Makes Pickoffs on the Doorstep
Senior strong safety Dominic Ross is making a habit of intercepting passes to stop scoring threats. Ross has six career interceptions. Three of his picks have occurred inside the UC 10-yard line and stopped scoring threats. The defensive captain for UC, Ross is third in the BIG EAST with four interceptions this season.
Stewart Mastering the Big Play
Derrick Stewart has been on the receiving end of the five of the seven longest pass plays of the season for UC, including a pair of 51-yard receptions. The first-year sophomore was one of the heroes of the season-ending win at Connecticut. His punt return set up UC's game-tying scoring drive which he launched with a 27-yard reception. He was on the receiving end of a 50-yard pass play which moved the Bearcats into range for Kevin Lovell's game-winning field goal.
Stewart has also applied his speed to the punt return unit. He has averaged 9.1 yards on 24 returns, with a long return of 40 yards. He had an 82-yard return for a touchdown called back due to a penalty (he was credited with a 40-yard return on the play) against Akron.
Celek Continues Streak with Big Catch
Brent Celek enters postseason play having caught at least one pass in each of his last 24 games. The senior tight end kept that streak alive in a very big way in the Rutgers game. Celek made only one reception, a short five-yard pass which he turned into an 83-yard scoring play, during which he broke three tackles. It was the third-longest pass play in UC history.
Celek owns every UC career receiving mark for tight ends: receptions (87), yards (1,114) and touchdown receptions (14).
Pounding Out Yards
UC's formula for success includes ball-control offense. UC has amassed over 100 yards rushing in eight games this season and has four games of 190 or more yards on the ground. Seven times this year the Bearcats have rushed over 40 times. UC ran the ball a season-high 53 times and totaled 194 yards on the ground in the 20-14 win over Akron. The running game generated a season-high 253 yards vs. Miami.
Cincinnati's success on the ground is a shared responsibility. Only one Bearcat has topped the 100-yards rushing mark this season (Greg Moore with 119 vs. Miami).
Lovell Streaking on the PAT
Kevin Lovell has extended his school record to 79 straight PAT kick conversions. The California native broke the old mark of 65 straight good point-after tries set by Lou Groza Award-winning kicker Jonathan Ruffin (2000-02). He has also been successful on his last nine field goal tries.
Grutza Becomes Multiple Threat
Dustin Grutza has proven to be an effective offensive leader with both his arm and his feet in his second season as the Bearcats' starting quarterback. The third-year sophomore has completed 61 percent of his passes for 1,625 yards and nine touchdowns. Grutza has sparked the offense with his timely running. He rushed for 72 yards in the Oct. 7 win over Akron and topped that with a career-best 75 yards in 17 carries vs. No. 7 Louisville. Grutza was named BIG EAST Conference Offensive Player of the Week after completing 13- of-18 passes for 205 yards and a touchdown in the Oct. 28 win over Syracuse.
Many Happy Returns for Goodman
Dominick Goodman is averaging 26.1 yards per kickoff return and ranks 17th nationally and fourth in the BIG EAST. Goodman broke free for a career-long 58-yard return vs. Miami and had a 53-yard return vs. Ohio State. His efforts have helped Cincinnati achieve a No. 23 ranking nationally in kickoff return average. The Bearcats are averaging 20.1 yards per kickoff return, third in the BIG EAST.
Trio with Starting Strings
Three Bearcats own starting streaks of 23 games or more. Terrill Byrd, Brent Celek and Haruki Nakamura started all 11 games in 2005 and 12 this season.
Celek owns the longest streak of consecutive starts, having made 32 in-a-row. The tight end has not missed a start since the 24-19 win at East Carolina on Sept. 25, 2004.
It's Academic for the Bearcats
The Bearcat football team placed three players on the 2006 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District IV team. The Cincinnati list included two first-team honorees.
Senior wide receiver Bill Poland and defensive tackle Tony Carvitti were both first-team selections. Tight end Brent Celek received second team mention.
The ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District team is the first step in selecting the year's Academice All-America team. Both Carvitti and Poland will appear on the national ballot.
