I have never been in a football stadium built before the 90’s that had adequate bathrooms. Some of them are almost nostalgic, like the pee trough urinals at Notre Dame Stadium. I don’t remember Riverfront having too much of a line during the typical Reds game, other than sellouts, and of course Bengals games are always a more drunken affair.

 

The trick for the Nip, though, is to wait until halftime and to into one of the buildings nearby and go up a few floors.

 

 

The East side of Nippert isn't too bad restroom wise, and the concourse is extended to the plaza around Fifth Third Arena and the tennis courts

where there is also, food, beer, and porto o johns. Most college stadiums have issues with having enough johns and such, they are not

NFL stadiums for sure. The upcoming renovation will be well received. In the Sheakley lawn and tailgating grid you buy $1 Draft beers.

Looks like McClung has hammy issues and Shaquille Washington has, at least officially, taken over the starting role.  Jeremy Graves is second team at one of the other WR positions.  Two Maple Heights Mustangs alumni now playing for the Bearcats (ironically, the name of their HS archrival).

Looks like McClung has hammy issues and Shaquille Washington has, at least officially, taken over the starting role.  Jeremy Graves is second team at one of the other WR positions.  Two Maple Heights Mustangs alumni now playing for the Bearcats (ironically, the name of their HS archrival).

 

UC is going to play a large rotation of players on Sat. I hope McClung plays, most experienced WR on the team. Still wondering if Holton and the WR transfer from

Arkansas are eligible to play WR? Really hope Kay is good to go.

Looks like McClung has hammy issues and Shaquille Washington has, at least officially, taken over the starting role.  Jeremy Graves is second team at one of the other WR positions.  Two Maple Heights Mustangs alumni now playing for the Bearcats (ironically, the name of their HS archrival).

 

UC is going to play a large rotation of players on Sat. I hope McClung plays, most experienced WR on the team. Still wondering if Holton and the WR transfer from

Arkansas are eligible to play WR? Really hope Kay is good to go.

 

Shaq is small, but is something else in the clutch.  He was Maple's QB when they won the state championship.  They were down 26-7 in the title game at one point, and won 45-33.  They just gave him the ball, and Madison couldn't stop him.  He scored like six touchdowns after that point, it was surreal.

 

I also saw him snap back from a mini meltdown that would have become a complete one for most kids at that level, against Lake Catholic.

You got your wish for McClung playing. He fumbled on a punt return, leading to Purdue's only scoring drive in the first half.

 

Cats up 14-7 currently, at the half.

Welp, McClung saved Purdue from a shut-out. Final score: 42-7. Bodes well for the Bearcats!

 

I think Munchie only had one turnover, which for him is an improvement -- though we'll see if he can keep that up. His most consistent attribute has been inconsistency.

 

36k record-setting crowd at Nippert. Great start to the season, handing a thoroughly decisive defeat to B1G. I'm pretty psyched for the season. The Bearcats should be a contender again for the conference title and a BCS bowl. Still don't understand how L'ville starts in the top-10 and Cincy is not ranked, though; Cincy had the same record last year and almost beat them (would have were it not for Jones icing a kicker at the buzzer).

 

Edit: Actually, Munchie had 2 turnovers (both interceptions). Still, he played well.

Welp, McClung saved Purdue from a shut-out. Final score: 42-7. Bodes well for the Bearcats!

 

I think Munchie only had one turnover, which for him is an improvement -- though we'll see if he can keep that up. His most consistent attribute has been inconsistency.

 

36k record-setting crowd at Nippert. Great start to the season, handing a thoroughly decisive defeat to B1G. I'm pretty psyched for the season. The Bearcats should be a contender again for the conference title and a BCS bowl. Still don't understand how L'ville starts in the top-10 and Cincy is not ranked, though; Cincy had the same record last year and almost beat them (would have were it not for Jones icing a kicker at the buzzer).

 

Edit: Actually, Munchie had 2 turnovers (both interceptions). Still, he played well.

 

First pick was good play by Purdue DT, second int was on Munchie. Best game he has played to date, but Kay is still the better

player. McClung got surprised by that excellent punt. Bond made his first start at Center, Redshirt Freshman, and played very well.

Beers went down very easily at the game.

Bearcats climb to #30 in the AP Poll and #29 in USA Today. Another smack down of Illinois might get UC

into the top 25 next week.

Illinois was awful last year, but Purdue was a bowl team, and one could say they’ve been indicative of the average Big Ten team the past few years (usually ending up around .500). Are they really just awful this year or are the Bearcats that good? Aside from capitalizing on that excellent punt/UC fumble Purdue didn’t accomplish a single thing. They really didn’t even have any successful drives and seemed to get worse as the game went on.

 

It’s was also nice to see Pitt get off to a losing start in the ACC.

 

Illinois was awful last year, but Purdue was a bowl team, and one could say they’ve been indicative of the average Big Ten team the past few years (usually ending up around .500). Are they really just awful this year or are the Bearcats that good? Aside from capitalizing on that excellent punt/UC fumble Purdue didn’t accomplish a single thing. They really didn’t even have any successful drives and seemed to get worse as the game went on.

 

It’s was also nice to see Pitt get off to a losing start in the ACC.

 

 

UC is super deep. 66 players played on Saturday. 2nd string linebackers would have started on any of Kelly's UC teams.

What blew me away is that RS Freshman Deshayn Bond started at Center for UC, his first start, and he beat Gaston and Issac,

who are Purdue's best players, all day long. Play calling was very vanilla, execution was outstanding. 2 five yard penalties for UC,

that was it.

^ I wouldn't say that Brendon Kay punting the ball was a vanilla play. It went out at the 17 yard line, so not great like a spot under the 10, but still a fun play. Execution was definitely outstanding though. Munchie showed promise too.

Looks like UC couldn't handle playing the B10 in back to back games....And they lost their QB. OUCH! 

The refs didn't help.

 

My hope for the season all but evaporated during the span of about 5 minutes.

 

Might have to chalk this up to a year of rebuilding. We did have a coach change, after all. Butch Jones's first season was a disaster, but it was bookmarked by successful seasons. We have another B1G game against Rutgers, so we'll see how that goes.

You guys know me as a Louisville fan first and a Bearcats fan second.  Heartbreaking.  Both for Munchie individually and for the team.  I was really looking forward to how a match-up of undefeateds on 12/5 would have focused a spotlight on both teams in the national media.  Oh wells.  Teddy for Heisman.

Awful news here...Hope the others make a full recovery.

 

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/eye-on-college-football/23784882/cincinnati-lineman-ben-flick-dies-in-car-accident

Awful news here...Hope the others make a full recovery.

 

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/eye-on-college-football/23784882/cincinnati-lineman-ben-flick-dies-in-car-accident

 

Heard the other player is in bad shape, might not make it.

So all I'm seeing is the stats, but it looks like Shaq Washington is catching a ton of passes for not a lot of yards.  He's becoming a possession receiver?  I figured him as too small for that.  Kid's incredibly quick, though.  He might work as a "wildcat" QB if a change of pace is needed.

Luallen looks like the current go-to for wildcat action:

https://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=9848167

So all I'm seeing is the stats, but it looks like Shaq Washington is catching a ton of passes for not a lot of yards.  He's becoming a possession receiver?  I figured him as too small for that.  Kid's incredibly quick, though.  He might work as a "wildcat" QB if a change of pace is needed.

 

They are playing him and McClung in the slot at the same time, linebackers can't cover that. If the safety's cheat up McKay, Moore or Morrison can blow

right past the defense. 8 different receivers caught balls on Saturday.

Luallen looks like the current go-to for wildcat action:

https://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=9848167

 

Jordan is a banger and his TD pass fooled UConn so bad it wasn't even fair.

Luallen looks like the current go-to for wildcat action:

https://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=9848167

 

Jordan is a banger and his TD pass fooled UConn so bad it wasn't even fair.

 

Shaq both throws and catches a TD pass in the same game....

 

Shaq both throws and catches a TD pass in the same game....

 

Yeah, that was a fun game – some old school Tuberville play calling. It was a pleasure outright dismantling Rutgers on all fronts, I hope they enjoy their time in the Big 10! They should at least be competitive with Purdue.

Loved the domination of Rutgers. When Nova got pressure and threw a pass with his left hand I was laughing so hard dam near had beer

running out of my nose.

If UC can beat Houston and Louisville, and if SMU can upset UCF in Dallas then it is possible to probable that UC

gets the BCS bowl bid. UCF hosts Rutgers and USF the next 2 weeks, and they should win those.

^ UC would still need more help for that to happen

 

15. Fresno State [.413]: Here's a guess that no one is less happy about Boise State's recent resurgence than the Bulldogs. Fresno went winless against the Broncos from 2005 to this past September, when the Bulldogs slipped past them 41-40 in Fresno -- but after destroying Wyoming, the Broncos are two wins away from setting up a Mountain West championship rematch anyway.

 

16. Northern Illinois [.373]: One Wednesday night landmine avoided, one more to go -- at Toledo, where the Rockets just blasted previously MAC-undefeated Buffalo -- before the Huskies can really feel good about running the regular season table.

 

"Non-AQ" teams must reach the BCS top 16 and outrank one "AQ" champion to be eligible for an automatic BCS berth.

UC is currently ranked 30th in the BCS

UC is in an AQ league this year.  The winner of the "American"/Old Big East gets an automatic spot.

not if the non-aq team is ranked higher in the BCS

^That's not how it works.  They don't "take away" a bid from the American (or the ACC or Big Ten or whoever).  If they are ranked higher than the lowest-ranked automatic bid winner, then the non-AQ team automatically gets one of the at-large spots.  So if it were to end with, say UCF winning the AAC and ranked behind Fresno State, you'd have the following BCS bids:

 

SEC Winner

ACC Winner

Big 10 Winner

Pac 12 Winner

Big XII Winner

AAC Winner

Fresno State

 

and 3 at-large selections to round out the ten spots. 

No matter what, you will have a team from the AAC playing in the BCS this year. 

UC (or UCF) in a BCS bowl game would be a joke.

UC (or UCF) in a BCS bowl game would be a joke.

 

No the joke would be Fresno who barely beat Rutgers in Fresno. UC and Houston destroyed Rutgers. Up until last season

the ACC was 3-13 in BCS Bowl Games. That was the biggest joke ever. I kind of want OSU to sneak in the title

game. The Big Ten needs some street cred in the worse way. That conference has 1 outright football Title in the last

43 years, OSU in 2002-03.

The Big Ten has actually been pretty good in the BCS--very close to .500--and OSU has 5 BCS wins, which is a lot. 

Tom Groeschen ‏@TomGroeschen 2m

Hearing that #UC football will play the Miami Hurricanes in 2014 in Miami, and at Nippert in 2015 #BEARCATS

 

Tom Groeschen ‏@TomGroeschen 13m

UPDATE, Also heard: #UC-Miami Hurricanes game of 2015 (at UC) will NOT be the opener in renovated Nippert. #BEARCATS

 

Going to be interesting to see who UC opens with at Nippert after the renovation. Very glad to see the Hurricanes back on the

schedule.

UC (or UCF) in a BCS bowl game would be a joke.

 

No the joke would be Fresno who barely beat Rutgers in Fresno. UC and Houston destroyed Rutgers. Up until last season

the ACC was 3-13 in BCS Bowl Games. That was the biggest joke ever. I kind of want OSU to sneak in the title

game. The Big Ten needs some street cred in the worse way. That conference has 1 outright football Title in the last

43 years, OSU in 2002-03.

 

I don't disagree with you. I meant that the AQ for UC's conference this year is a joke.

UC (or UCF) in a BCS bowl game would be a joke.

 

No the joke would be Fresno who barely beat Rutgers in Fresno. UC and Houston destroyed Rutgers. Up until last season

the ACC was 3-13 in BCS Bowl Games. That was the biggest joke ever. I kind of want OSU to sneak in the title

game. The Big Ten needs some street cred in the worse way. That conference has 1 outright football Title in the last

43 years, OSU in 2002-03.

 

I don't disagree with you. I meant that the AQ for UC's conference this year is a joke.

 

It isn't that strong, but if UC wins on Saturday the AAC will have 3 ranked teams. Whoever gets the bid

is going to be close to #16 BCS ranking. I don't think it is a major injustice.

Yeah, whatever AAC team goes this year will certainly be better than some of the old Big East automatic qualifiers--like the UConn team that got in.

And the Bearcats crack into the Coaches Poll at #25. Harris Poll out soon, should be ranked in the BCS......likely.

 

1. Alabama (11-0) (1544 points) (56 first-place votes)

 

2. Florida State (11-0) (1488) (6)

 

3. Ohio State (11-0) (1428)

 

4. Clemson (10-1) (1289)

 

5. Auburn (10-1) (1268)

 

6. Missouri (10-1) (1243)

 

7. Oklahoma State (10-1) (1225)

 

8. Baylor (9-1) (1009)

 

9. South Carolina (9-2) (1003)

 

10. Stanford (9-2) (981)

 

11. Michigan State (10-1) (962)

 

12. Oregon (9-2) (777)

 

13. Fresno State (10-0) (687)

 

14. Wisconsin (9-2) (661)

 

15. LSU (8-3) (646)

 

16. Louisville (10-1) (603)

 

17. Oklahoma (9-2) (581)

 

18. Arizona State (9-2) (574)

 

19. Central Florida (9-1) (512)

 

20. Northern Illinois (11-0) (459)

 

21. Texas A&M (8-3) (410)

 

22. UCLA (8-3) (257)

 

23. Southern California (9-3) (210)

 

24. Duke (9-2) (203)

 

25. Cincinnati (9-2) (47)

 

Dropped out: No. 23 Minnesota (8-3, lost to then No. 17 Wisconsin 20-7).

 

Others receiving votes: Notre Dame (8-3) 17; Minnesota (8-3) 12; Texas (7-3) 12; East Carolina (9-2) 11; Georgia (7-4) 8; Nebraska (8-3) 7; Louisiana-Lafayette (8-2) 6; Miami (Fla.) (8-3) 6; Arizona (7-4) 2; Vanderbilt (7-4) 2.

 

The USA TODAY Sports' Board of Coaches is made up of 62 head coaches at Bowl Subdivision schools. All are members of the American Football Coaches Association

Still trying to figure out how the Bearcats lost to Illinois.  That's a head-scratcher. 

Still trying to figure out how the Bearcats lost to Illinois.  That's a head-scratcher. 

 

Early in the season w/ a new coach...that's the only explanation I can come up with, other than "any given Saturday." The USF loss was obviously more detrimental. Otherwise UCF wouldn't be sitting so pretty. It's beyond frustrating UCF is likely to get the BCS nod without having to prove themselves against UC.

Still trying to figure out how the Bearcats lost to Illinois.  That's a head-scratcher. 

 

Kay's shoulder was dinged up, so Munchie was starting. Our 2 deep at Defensive end had never played or started a game (until Purdue) and they got beat on

so many end arounds of various schemes it was laughable. McClung was also hurt early in the season. Defense is so much better later in the season.

D Coordinator moved the ends out more and these are smoking hot right now. I don't even know who the DB coach is but UC has 2 true freshman

walk ons playing corner at times, a freshman safety getting snaps, and juco transfer Wilder playing back there also. That coach has done a great job.

 

Some teams are the same throughout the season, some get worse, some get better. UC has gotten better.

Still trying to figure out how the Bearcats lost to Illinois.  That's a head-scratcher. 

 

Early in the season w/ a new coach...that's the only explanation I can come up with, other than "any given Saturday." The USF loss was obviously more detrimental. Otherwise UCF wouldn't be sitting so pretty. It's beyond frustrating UCF is likely to get the BCS nod without having to prove themselves against UC.

 

Munchie went down in the middle of the Illinois game, and then a controversial call (that the Big 10 later admitted to being incorrect) took away a TD and any chance at gaining momentum disappeared, not to mention a fumble recovery that UC should have had that the Big 10 also admitted to calling incorrectly at the time. That, and being on the road seems to hurt UC - which explains the loss to USF and several games that were closer than they should have been.

 

I almost believe that the Big 10 officiating crew was a bit angry UC beat up on Purdue earlier in the season and fudged a few calls.

Still trying to figure out how the Bearcats lost to Illinois.  That's a head-scratcher. 

 

Early in the season w/ a new coach...that's the only explanation I can come up with, other than "any given Saturday." The USF loss was obviously more detrimental. Otherwise UCF wouldn't be sitting so pretty. It's beyond frustrating UCF is likely to get the BCS nod without having to prove themselves against UC.

 

Munchie went down in the middle of the Illinois game, and then a controversial call (that the Big 10 later admitted to being incorrect) took away a TD and any chance at gaining momentum disappeared, not to mention a fumble recovery that UC should have had that the Big 10 also admitted to calling incorrectly at the time. That, and being on the road seems to hurt UC - which explains the loss to USF and several games that were closer than they should have been.

 

I almost believe that the Big 10 officiating crew was a bit angry UC beat up on Purdue earlier in the season and fudged a few calls.

 

Good points. My memory was a little fuzzy on the game. That bad call on Munchie's TD was devastating, then a few minutes later he injured his leg...which was REALLY devastating. Those few minutes were incredibly painful to watch. I even mentioned that earlier in this thread:

 

The refs didn't help.

 

My hope for the season all but evaporated during the span of about 5 minutes.

Still trying to figure out how the Bearcats lost to Illinois.  That's a head-scratcher. 

 

Early in the season w/ a new coach...that's the only explanation I can come up with, other than "any given Saturday." The USF loss was obviously more detrimental. Otherwise UCF wouldn't be sitting so pretty. It's beyond frustrating UCF is likely to get the BCS nod without having to prove themselves against UC.

 

Munchie went down in the middle of the Illinois game, and then a controversial call (that the Big 10 later admitted to being incorrect) took away a TD and any chance at gaining momentum disappeared, not to mention a fumble recovery that UC should have had that the Big 10 also admitted to calling incorrectly at the time. That, and being on the road seems to hurt UC - which explains the loss to USF and several games that were closer than they should have been.

 

I almost believe that the Big 10 officiating crew was a bit angry UC beat up on Purdue earlier in the season and fudged a few calls.

 

Good points. My memory was a little fuzzy on the game. That bad call on Munchie's TD was devastating, then a few minutes later he injured his leg...which was REALLY devastating. Those few minutes were incredibly painful to watch. I even mentioned that earlier in this thread:

 

The refs didn't help.

 

My hope for the season all but evaporated during the span of about 5 minutes.

 

Yeah, it was pretty brutal, and people might point to the score and say it was a blowout so that one wrong TD call wasn’t a big deal – but it would have made the game close at the half and given UC momentum to finish the game. Momentum is a huge factor in college football, and nothing destroys it like a blatantly wrong call followed up by an injury to the QB.

Yeah both of those no calls were awful. No evidence to overturn Munchie's TD, and 100% evidence to give UC the ball on the fumble...clear fumble clear

recovery and they overturned that call?

 

 

Momentum is a huge factor in college football, and nothing destroys it like a blatantly wrong call followed up by an injury to the QB.

 

This.  Even without the injury, a bad call can be a momentum killer.  Very few people who never played at an organized level seem to get this.

^That happened last Sunday when the Steelers defender punched Campbell in the face, causing him to lose the ball, which was returned for a TD.  To make matters worse, Campbell got a concussion.  So instead of the Steelers up 20-3, the Browns should have had a first down at or past midfield only down 10.  I am not a big fan of that rule which doesn't allow a defender to touch the QB's head (even if it is unintentional), but so long as it is a rule, I da^# sure want it called when it happens to my team!

I know the call you are talking about.  I think that the officials who would normally call that blow to the head of the QB (the Referree and the Umpire) didn't see it, basically (they looked like they were kind of screened from it IIRC). 

Hey you outstanding SOBs get your butts down to PBS for UCs first game of the season at PBS Friday night 7PM, Weather is silly good.

I actually just picked up a pair of season tickets for the "Coach's Corner" seats (which are bad seats at Nippert but pretty decent at PBS) for $100 each. At $16.66 a game, that is insanely cheap.

 

My girlfriend is an OSU alum so originally we were thinking about going to OSU for the UC/OSU game but I decided I'd rather go to all 6 UC home games, and have some money left over for beer, than go to Columbus once.