The now newly No. 2 ranked Cincinnati Bearcats football team took carry over the Central Florida Knights this past Saturday at historic Nippert Stadium, 56-21. It was pretty much business-like work for the red and black squad as their special 2021 season continues.
Notes:
- I’ve been saying it for the last several weeks, but the Bearcats defense led by new defensive coordinator Mike Tressel is as elite as it gets. You can say they are one of the Top 3 best defenses in college football and it all starts up on the line.
- Running back Jerome Ford continues his breakout season as he crossed the goal line four times in the first half that included a 79-yard sprint to the endzone in the middle of the second quarter. He has 12 rushing touchdowns in six games and he is flying under the radar.
- The offensive line has been dominant upfront in the last two games and it’s the reason why Ford is breaking out these long touchdown runs.
- Coby Bryant had a pick-six and his outstanding senior season continues. Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner does his thing day in and day out. The breakout player on this side however is senior Bryan Cook who is definitely raising some eyebrows as a potential draft pick next season. His play so far has elevated this defense to a higher status than it already is.
- The second half was a struggle for the offense and you could tell the energy was flat with a big lead you tend to get complacent. Head coach Luke Fickell said after the game that one of the areas this team has to work on is to continue to play with intensity all four quarters.
- No. 2 ranking is the highest ever for Bearcats football and it’s pretty surreal. The key in the next six games is not to let it get to you because the ranking comes with immense coverage of the team. You can trust Fickell and the older players like Desmond Ridder, Myjai Sanders and Bryant to relay the message to the young players on the impact of a high ranking it comes with.
Bearcats hit the road to take on Navy this Saturday at noon on ESPN2.
