Cincinnati Bearcats at Louisville Cardinals

[psax889906]

The offensive line really played well last night. Did Louisville have any sacks in the game? The fact I have to ask that question says a lot about the progress made by those guys. The offense should have scored at least 2 more TDs if not for stupid turnovers. The defense made some very nice adjustments at half time and held Louisville to 3 points in the second half.

The first interception thrown by Zach I'll forgive him for, he never saw Scruggs and it was a well designed defense by Strong and Co... he'll learn from that one and hopefully it doesn't happen again... the second one though, was inexcusable... a late throw and he simply forced it... very unlike Zach... it's better to turn the ball over in a win though than in a loss... you can learn from the mistakes and hopefully correct them... I feel better about the fumble and the first INT than most of the turnovers the team has been committing early in the season because of the circumstances surrounding them... the fumble by Pead was a lot of bad luck, imo... a one in a thousand blind swipe by a defensive linemen happened to hit Pead's arm just right... I'm confident the sloppy play will continue to improve...

 

[david aka the TYZ]

A win is a win. And a road conference win is always good. I thought they did a good job of fighting off the momentum they kept giving Louisville after the turnovers. That running back is a beast. That 85-yard run was a freak play, most of their other scores came after the turnovers and a short field, so overall I thought the defense did a good job. The offense I believe only punted once, maybe twice. Take away the turnovers and its a completely different game. Unfortunately turnovers seem to be a recurring theme for this team and our defense isn't seeming to generate any of their own. That is not a winning formula, so they need to correct that immediately. I am really liking what I see out of Pead. He is a beast, even when you know he's getting the ball, he still runs off a nine yarder. Credit the O-line some for that. The offense seems a little too predictable at times, especially in the passing game, but I do applaud them being more aggressive going downfield last night. That was the difference in the game.

 

[psax889906]

A win is a win. And a road conference win is always good. I thought they did a good job of fighting off the momentum they kept giving Louisville after the turnovers. That running back is a beast. That 85-yard run was a freak play, most of their other scores came after the turnovers and a short field, so overall I thought the defense did a good job. The offense I believe only punted once, maybe twice. Take away the turnovers and its a completely different game. Unfortunately turnovers seem to be a recurring theme for this team and our defense isn't seeming to generate any of their own. That is not a winning formula, so they need to correct that immediately. I am really liking what I see out of Pead. He is a beast, even when you know he's getting the ball, he still runs off a nine yarder. Credit the O-line some for that. The offense seems a little too predictable at times, especially in the passing game, but I do applaud them being more aggressive going downfield last night. That was the difference in the game.

You have to think losing Hazelton, Lewis and Thompkins before the season has even started, then having to play true freshmen (McClung, Munchie) has effected the passing game and the play calling to some extent... I'm not making excuses, but the last thing this team needed during the transition year was severe injuries and they've been saddled with a butt load of them...

I forget, do they have to wait until the season is over to apply for Hazelton's sixth year? I'm not optimistic he will receive it, but if you're UC you have to do your homework and at least give it a shot.

 

[david aka the TYZ]

You have to think losing Hazelton, Lewis and Thompkins before the season has even started, then having to play true freshmen (McClung, Munchie) has effected the passing game and the play calling to some extent... I'm not making excuses, but the last thing this team needed during the transition year was severe injuries and they've been saddled with a butt load of them...

I forget, do they have to wait until the season is over to apply for Hazelton's sixth year? I'm not optimistic he will receive it, but if you're UC you have to do your homework and at least give it a shot.

I agree, I think they've had to learn as they go in the passing game this season. Hopefully it's finally coming around. Last night and Miami was the first we'd really seen them utilize Binns. I really like McClung as a freshman.

As far as Hazelton goes, don't anyone get your hopes up. This has Ben Mauk written all over it. I don't see the NCAA acknowledging his last year at USC as a lost year due to injury since USC didn't really declare him injured to the NCAA.

 

[psax889906]

I agree, I think they've had to learn as they go in the passing game this season. Hopefully it's finally coming around. Last night and Miami was the first we'd really seen them utilize Binns. I really like McClung as a freshman.

As far as Hazelton goes, don't anyone get your hopes up. This has Ben Mauk written all over it. I don't see the NCAA acknowledging his last year at USC as a lost year due to injury since USC didn't really declare him injured to the NCAA.

Which is why the experience the youngster McClung is getting right now is critical... we're looking at Woods, Thompkins, Lewis and McClung next year... is there anyone else that will challenge for one of the three starting WR spots? And regarding Lewis, we shouldn't be concerned about him qualifying for next year, should we?

 

[JasonS]

I agree, I think they've had to learn as they go in the passing game this season. Hopefully it's finally coming around. Last night and Miami was the first we'd really seen them utilize Binns. I really like McClung as a freshman.

As far as Hazelton goes, don't anyone get your hopes up. This has Ben Mauk written all over it. I don't see the NCAA acknowledging his last year at USC as a lost year due to injury since USC didn't really declare him injured to the NCAA.

A couple things:

1. Different situation than Mauk in the sense that Mauk used a loophole in order to transfer and play. The NCAA hates that loophole and was not going to give in if they could help it.

2. Similar in that both Hazelton and Mauk suffered injuries at other schools that may not have kept the best records on those injuries.

3. Hazelton has a chance because he did not play a full game at UC. It's a toss up at best though.

4. UC will not be able to apply until after the season.

5. Vidal thinks he could be back by season's end. Probably wishful thinking but you never know.

 

[psax889906]

Jason, is Dyjuan going to be good to go for next year?

 

[JasonS]

Jason, is Dyjuan going to be good to go for next year?

From what I know and can find online, it shouldn't be a problem for next year. While the NCAA basically said that he didn't complete everything at his highschool that was required to be eligible as a freshman, once the kid is enrolled at the University, that should not be a concern any more (I am assuming he is on campus in class and still committed to the program). I am sure the NCAA told UC and Dyjuan what he needed to do to be eligible for next season and I am sure UC is making sure that is getting done. I know that this ruling really took UC and Dyjuan by surprise and knowing the NCAA, I am sure they have allowed many kids to play with lesser credentials. We all know the NCAA has never stood for Consistency.

This is from Aug. 24 when Paul Dehner Jr. interviewed Coach Jones about Dyjuan's eligibility. "The Cincinnati Bearcats are still waiting to hear on the eligibility of top recruit WR Dyjuan Lewis. They are waiting for him to be cleared in regards to classes taken in high school."

Thompkins will be eligible next year (Tennessee would not grant him his release even after going the JUCO route and therefore he has to sit out a year by rule). Dyjuan should be as well. Jamar Howard will be back from his injury with one more year left and possibly Hazelton could get an extra year. We'll have Woods back for one more go around and McClung is getting valuable experience and looks pretty good out there. WR should be a strength of this team next year.

 

[Little Danny]

I never expect good things when it comes to UC and seeking eligibility from the NCAA. I hear the cabinet in which the UC file is maintained at the NCAA is lined with a Glad bag, if you catch my drift.

In other news, I hear OSU will get another year of eligibility for Tyler Moeller. Interesting how that works out.

 

[david aka the TYZ]

A couple things:

1. Different situation than Mauk in the sense that Mauk used a loophole in order to transfer and play. The NCAA hates that loophole and was not going to give in if they could help it.

2. Similar in that both Hazelton and Mauk suffered injuries at other schools that may not have kept the best records on those injuries.

3. Hazelton has a chance because he did not play a full game at UC. It's a toss up at best though.

4. UC will not be able to apply until after the season.

5. Vidal thinks he could be back by season's end. Probably wishful thinking but you never know.

My comparison to Mauk is more relevant in your second point than the first. The transfer really has nothing to do with it as far as the NCAA is concerned. The issue is did Hazelton lose two years because of injury? Same as Mauk. UC was trying to prove he lost two years due to injury. The argument was the year of his first injury he didn't play because of it. From what was speculated he wasn't hurt enough that he couldn't play if needed and being that he was the back-up at that point he ended up not being needed. Wake didn't medically redshirt him or declare him out for the year because they were counting on using him if necessary. For Hazelton, they will try to argue that he lost 2008 because of injury. He played the first three games of the year, even though he only recorded receptions in the first game and then played and got a reception in a game in November. Hard to argue he lost the whole year when he played in four games, especially early and then late in the season. I'm guessing he was hurt and fell on the depth chart on a loaded USC team. He wasn't declared injured and the NCAA likes to have that medical documentation. With Mauk it was said that Wake didn't provide any medical documentation that he couldn't play at all in that first injured season. I'm guessing the same will be said with Hazelton's 2008 season.

The transfer is just bad luck for Hazelton because that is a year he chose to give up himself. Had he not transfered he would have no issues getting to play another year because it would be his fifth year.

 

[psax889906]

Hopefully Hazelton gets some good fortune and is ruled eligible for next year... BUT, if that doesn't happen at least the 'Cats (should) have more depth for next season at the position.