Bearcats hope returning
players continue success
By Paul Trembacki
Sports Editor
Cincinnati isn't exactly a team that opponents
can hope to blow out this year.
Sure, that was the case in 1998 and 1999, when
the Bearcats combined to go 5-17 and got outscored 745-534. However,
last year the Bearcats were no pushovers, as they went 7-5 and played
in the Motor City Bowl in Detroit.
And although that team lost six starters from each
side of the ball, plenty of talent returns, especially in the special
teams department.
 Junior
kicker Jonathan Ruffin was a consensus All-America pick last season
after leading the nation in field goals. After going just 5 for 12 in
his freshman year, Ruffin made 26 of 29 last season to lead the nation.
For his performance he won the Lou Groza Award as the nation's top placekicker.
And he was only a sophomore.
Not only do the Bearcats have the nation's best
kicker, but they have Conference USA's top tandem of running backs.
Nicknamed the Mack and Jack Attack, senior Ray
Jackson and junior DeMarco McCleskey form a dangerous combination in
Cincinnati's pro set offense.
Jackson, a first team All-Conference USA selection
last season, ran for 808 yards and eight touchdowns a year ago. The
Indianapolis native, who sat out in 1999 after transferring from Michigan,
can run between the tackles or get out and catch passes. He had seven
catches for 127 yards and two touchdowns last season.
McCleskey, who gained 500 yards as a second option
last season, has quickness outside, which he used to score four times
last season.
And while two thirds of the starting backfield
are solid, no one has solidified a position as the starting quarterback.
Three-year starter Deontey Kenner has graduated,
leaving senior Adam Hoover, junior John Leonard and sophomore Luis Gonzalez
to battle for the spot.
Although Leonard had the best spring of the three,
Minter said Monday that Hoover will start.
Hoover will be protected by Shawn Murphy, a first
team All-Conference USA selection last season. A 6-foot-4, 290-pound
senior, Murphy leads a unit that returns four starters from last season.
Defensively, the Bearcats are led by the cornerbacks
and defensive line. Lavar Glover, who runs the 40-yard dash in 4.42
seconds, leads a unit that starts four upperclassmen. Three starters
— ends Antwan Peek and Derek Adams and tackle Kirk Thompson —
return on the line.
"Time will tell whether we're battle tested enough,"
Cincinnati coach Rick Minter said. "We lost a lot of starters and we're
still searching for a starting quarterback. We just have a lot of concerns,
but our excitement overrides all of that."
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