2018 Cincinnati Bearcats football team

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2018 Cincinnati Bearcats football
Cincinnati University Bearcats textlogo.svg
Military Bowl champion
Military Bowl, W 35–31 vs. Virginia Tech
Conference American Athletic Conference
DivisionEast Division
Ranking
CoachesNo. 23
APNo. 24
Record11–2 (6–2 The American)
Head coach
Offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock (2nd season)
Offensive scheme Multiple
Defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman (2nd season)
Base defense 4–2–5
Home stadium Nippert Stadium
Seasons
  2017
2019  
2018 American Athletic Conference football standings
ConfOverall
Team W L  W L 
East Division
No. 11 UCF x$  8 0   12 1  
Temple  7 1   8 5  
No. 24 Cincinnati  6 2   11 2  
South Florida  3 5   7 6  
East Carolina  1 7   3 9  
UConn  0 8   1 11  
West Division
Memphis xy  5 3   8 6  
Houston x  5 3   8 5  
Tulane x  5 3   7 6  
SMU  4 4   5 7  
Navy  2 6   3 10  
Tulsa  2 6   3 9  
Championship: UCF 56, Memphis 41
  • $ Conference champion
  • x Division champion/co-champions
  • y Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2018 Cincinnati Bearcats football team represented the University of Cincinnati in the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Bearcats play their home games at Nippert Stadium, and are members of the East Division in the American Athletic Conference. They were led by second-year head coach Luke Fickell.

Contents

Recruits

The Bearcats signed a total of 23 recruits.

US college sports recruiting information for 2018 recruits
NameHometownHigh school / collegeHeightWeightCommit date
Ty Van Fossen
LB
Columbus, Ohio St. Francis DeSales High School 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)205 lb (93 kg)Mar 1, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
Blake Bacevich
DE
Cincinnati, Ohio St. Xavier High School 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)215 lb (98 kg)Mar 25, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: N/A
Josh Whyle
TE
Cincinnati, Ohio La Salle High School 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)215 lb (98 kg)Apr 6, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: 4 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
Colin Woodside
OT
Lancaster, Ohio Fairfield Union High School 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)265 lb (120 kg)Apr 14, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 2 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: N/A
Malik Vann
DE
Fairfield, Ohio Fairfield High School 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)245 lb (111 kg)Apr 18, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 4 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: 4 stars.svg
Ja'Von Hicks
S
Cincinnati, Ohio Colerain High School 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)185 lb (84 kg)Apr 23, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
Jayshon Jackson
WR
Chicago, Illinois Simeon Career Academy 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)165 lb (75 kg)May 26, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: N/A
Arquon Bush
CB
Euclid, Ohio Euclid High School 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)167 lb (76 kg)Jun 19, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
Taj Ward
CB
Solon, Ohio Solon High School 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)170 lb (77 kg)Jun 19, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
Jeremy Cooper
OG
Chicago, Illinois Mount Carmel High School 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)295 lb (134 kg)Jun 26, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 2 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
Ben Bryant
QB
LaGrange, Illinois Lyons Township High School 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)190 lb (86 kg)Jun 27, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: 4 stars.svg
Darnell Shields
S
Cleveland, Ohio St. Edward High School 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)180 lb (82 kg)Jun 27, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
Yanez Rogers
WR
Pompano Beach, Florida Blanche Ely High School 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)179 lb (81 kg)Jun 27, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 2 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
Daeshon Martin
DE
Akron, Ohio Archbishop Hoban High School 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)240 lb (110 kg)Jul 25, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
Charles McClelland
RB
Homerville, Georgia Clinch County High School 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)180 lb (82 kg)Aug 5, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
Ryan Montgomery
RB
Franklin, Ohio Franklin High School 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)190 lb (86 kg)Oct 4, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
Dylan O'Quinn
TE
Millbury, Ohio Lake High School 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)255 lb (116 kg)Oct 8, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 2 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: N/A
Alec Pierce
WR
Glen Ellyn, Illinois Glenbard West High School 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)196 lb (89 kg)Dec 11, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: N/A
Lorenz Metz
OT
Kirchdorf am Inn, Germany Kirchdorf Wildcats 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)280 lb (130 kg)Dec 20, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 2 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
Meechi Harris
WR
Xenia, Ohio Xenia High School 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)188 lb (85 kg)Dec 20, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
Myjai Sanders
DE
Jacksonville, Florida Raines High School 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)223 lb (101 kg)Jan 22, 2018 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
Leonard Taylor
TE
Springfield, Ohio Springfield High School 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)240 lb (110 kg)Feb 7, 2018 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 4 stars.svg     Rivals: 4 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: 4 stars.svg
Tavion Thomas
RB
Dayton, Ohio Dunbar High School 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)225 lb (102 kg)Feb 7, 2018 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 4 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
Overall recruiting rankings:
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "2018 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved March 10, 2018.

Incoming transfers

Cincinnati added five transfers to the 2018 roster.

NamePos.HeightWeightYearHometownPrev. School
Dino BoydOT6'4"300Senior Newark, NJ Rhode Island
Darius HarperOT6'7"325Sophomore Springfield, OH Miami (OH)
Aulden KnightWR5'9"162Sophomore Akron, OH Hampton
Tinashe BereLB6'1"235Senior Cincinnati, OH Duke
Cam JefferiesCB5'10"188Junior Painesville, OH Bowling Green

Preseason

Award watch lists

Listed in the order that they were released

AwardPlayerPositionYear
Nagurski Trophy [1] Marquise Copeland DTSR
Outland Trophy [2]
Wuerffel Trophy [3] Garrett CampbellOLSR
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award [4] Hayden Moore QBSR

AAC media poll

The AAC media poll was released on July 24, 2018, with the Bearcats predicted to finish fourth in the AAC East Division. [5]

Media poll (East)
Predicted finishTeamVotes (1st place)
1UCF175 (25)
2USF140 (5)
3Temple132
4Cincinnati91
5UConn51
6East Carolina41

Schedule

The Bearcats' 2018 schedule will consist of six home games and six away games. Cincinnati will host two of its four non-conference games; against Alabama A&M from the Southwestern Athletic Conference, and Ohio from the Mid-American Conference. They will take on long time rival Miami (OH) for their annual Victory Bell game at Paul Brown Stadium. [6] They will travel to UCLA for the first ever meeting between the Bearcats and Bruins.

The Bearcats will play eight conference games; hosting East Carolina, Navy, South Florida and Tulane. They will travel to UCF, UConn, SMU, and Temple.

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
September 17:00 p.m.at UCLA * ESPN W 26–1754,116
September 88:00 p.m.vs. Miami (OH) * ESPN3/FOX 19 W 21–016,062
September 157:00 p.m. Alabama A&M *
ESPN3W 63–728,834
September 2212:00 p.m. Ohio *
  • Nippert Stadium
  • Cincinnati, OH
ESPNU W 34–3035,220
September 293:30 p.m.at UConn CBSSN W 49–720,322
October 612:00 p.m. Tulane Dagger-14-plain.png
  • Nippert Stadium
  • Cincinnati, OH
ESPNUW 37–2132,200
October 2012:00 p.m.at Temple No. 20ESPNUL 17–24 OT33,026
October 273:30 p.m.at SMU CBSSNW 26–20 OT16,121
November 33:30 p.m. Navy
  • Nippert Stadium
  • Cincinnati, OH
ESPNUW 42–036,318
November 107:00 p.m. South Florida
  • Nippert Stadium
  • Cincinnati, OH
ESPNUW 35–2329,310
November 178:00 p.m.at No. 11 UCF No. 24 ABC L 13–3847,795
November 233:30 p.m. East Carolina
  • Nippert Stadium
  • Cincinnati, OH
CBSSNW 56–621,230
December 3112:00 p.m.vs. Virginia Tech *ESPNW 35–3132,832

Game summaries

at UCLA

1234Total
Bearcats0170926
Bruins1007017

Expected to be an easy warmup opponent in the UCLA debut of Chip Kelly, the Bearcats were rude guests stunning the double digit favorite Bruins in the Rose Bowl. Michael Warren II rushed for 141 yards and 3 touchdowns, as the Bearcats rallied from an early 10–0 deficit to win. The Bearcats clinching touchdown came after the Bruins were called for a penalty during a Bearcats field goal attempt leading 19–17. Bearcats head coach Luke Fickell boldly gambled that the Bearcats could convert a 4th and 1 deep in Bruins territory and accepted the penalty, which took the field goal off the board. The Bearcats converted the 4th down and Warren scored a touchdown a few plays later to ice the game.

Vs. Miami (OH)

1234Total
Bearcats7001421
RedHawks00000

Played in a steady downpour, the Bearcats ground out a 21–0 win over the RedHawks to retain possession of the Victory Bell for the 13th straight season. This was the Bearcats' first shutout since blanking the Redhawks in 2013. Utilizing a ground attack, the Bearcats were led by redshirt freshman Desmond Ridder who had 117 yards rushing, and Michael Warren II with 94 yards rushing and 2 touchdowns. Though the game was played in soggy conditions, there was only one turnover committed by both teams combined. The game was played at Paul Brown Stadium in front of only 16,089 fans.

Alabama A&M

1234Total
Bulldogs00707
Bearcats281414763

In their home opener, The Bearcats scored on their first six possessions, led by Desmond Ridder's 9 for 10 passing and 3 touchdowns in the first quarter (the only quarter he played) as the Bearcats throttled the 1-AA Bulldogs. The Bearcats scored 49 points before the visitors from Huntsville could get a score.

Ohio

1234Total
Bobcats14103330
Bearcats07141334

The Bearcats rallied from a 7–24 deficit to defeat the Bobcats. James Wiggins' goal-line interception in the 4th quarter snuffed out a late Bobcat drive and sealed the win.

at UConn

1234Total
Bearcats71421749
Huskies70007

The Bearcats spotted the Huskies an opening touchdown then ripped off 49 unanswered points to win their conference opener. Desmond Ridder threw for 270 yards, two touchdowns and ran for another score as the Bearcats rolled up 659 yards on offense.

Tulane

1234Total
Green Wave770721
Bearcats3216737

Michael Warren rushed for 123 yards including a career long 81 yarder for a touchdown that gave the Bearcats the lead for good, and it was a happy Homecoming as the Bearcats improved to 2–0 in conference. The Bearcats broke the game open by scoring 27 straight points between the 2nd and 4th quarters. With the win, the Bearcats not only stayed unbeaten, they also became Bowl-eligible for the first time since 2015.

at Temple

1234OTTotal
No. 20 Bearcats7370017
Owls10007724

Ranked in the regular season for the first time since 2013, the Bearcats were now in the role of the hunted and it did not suit them well, as numerous late gaffes by the Bearcats allowed the Owls to rally from a 17-10 4th quarter deficit to win 24–17 in overtime. The Owls scored first in the extra session and Bearcats quarterback Desmond Ridder was intercepted to end the game. The loss was Cincinnati's third straight to Temple.

at SMU

1234OTTotal
Bearcats70103626
Mustangs7076020

The Bearcats bounced back from their first loss to win a taut game in Dallas. Again the Bearcats raced out to a lead and again let the opponent rally back. The Bearcats were staked to a 17–7 lead in the third quarter from a pair of 32 yard Ridder to Kahlil Lewis touchdown passes and a Cole Smith field goal. The Mustangs rallied with 13 unanswered points in the third and fourth quarters to take a 20–17 lead. Smith's second field goal with no time left in regulation forced overtime. SMU had first possession in overtime when SMU quarterback Ben Hicks was intercepted by James Wiggins who returned the stolen pass 86 yards for a touchdown to give the Bearcats a walk-off win. Desmond Ridder threw for 352 yards and 2 touchdowns. The win avenged the homecoming loss to SMU from the previous season, ruining the Mustangs' homecoming in kind. The win moved the Bearcats to 7–1, their best start since the 2011 team also started 7–1.

1234Total
Midshipmen00000
Bearcats7217742

Cincinnati's previous meeting with Navy was a 42–32 loss, as the Bearcats could not slow much less stop the Midshipmen's triple option. This meeting, Navy's first ever in Cincinnati, the Bearcats were determined not to let the scenario repeat. Holding the Middies to 57 first half yards (all rushing) the Bearcats got a pair of touchdowns from Michael Warren II to go with a pair of touchdowns from Desmond Ridder (1 rush, 1 pass) as the Bearcats thrashed Navy 42–0, the Bearcats' second shutout of the season. The win moved the Bearcats to 8-1 their best start since 2009.

South Florida

1234Total
Bulls977023
No. 25 Bearcats7721035

The Bearcats returned to nationally ranked status at 25 and this time did not squander its ranking. Michael Warren II scored 4 TDs as the Bearcats broke open a tight game in the third quarter and pulled away to a 35–23 win over South Florida. The Bearcats were trailing 16–14 in the third when Warren broke loose for a 57-yard touchdown run, his second of the day after catching a touchdown pass from Desmond Ridder. Warren would add two more scores in the third quarter and finish with 151 rushing yards. The win moved Cincinnati to 9-1 and set up a showdown with defending conference champ University of Central Florida. It was announced shortly after the game that the matchup with UCF the upcoming Saturday would not only be nationally televised as the College Football Saturday Night Game of the Week on ABC, but also be the focus of the ESPN College Gameday.

at UCF

1234Total
No. 19 Bearcats600713
No. 11 Knights71471038

With its highest regular season ranking (19) in seven years, the Bearcats traveled to Orlando to face unbeaten and 11th ranked UCF. In front a rowdy Spectrum Stadium crowd and a nationally televised audience, the Bearcats started strong. A Kimoni Fitz strip-sack/fumble in the end zone gave the Bearcats a 6–0 lead and quieted the UCF crowd, but Cole Smith missed the extra point and the Knights promptly raced back down the field to take the lead on McKenzie Milton's short run. The Knights were never headed again, scoring 35 straight points and rolling to a 38–13 win. The Bearcat offense never got on track and the Knights clinched the AAC Eastern Division title.

East Carolina

1234Total
Pirates06006
Bearcats21217756

Desmond Ridder threw for 335 yards and four touchdowns in the first half as the Bearcats steamrolled the Pirates on Senior Day 56–6. Khalil Lewis finished with a career high 202 yards on 9 catches and 3 touchdowns. With top running back Michael Warren sidelined with a shoulder injury, Charles McClelland filled in capably with 114 yards rushing which included a 55-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. The Bearcats scored the game's first 35 points and were never threatened. The defense got in on the scoring as well with Arquon Bush intercepting a fourth quarter pass and taking the stolen loaf 36 yards back for the game's final score. The 56 points marked the fourth time this season the Bearcats topped 40 points in a game. The Bearcats honored 14 seniors, who were sent out with a home finale win before a Thanksgiving Friday afternoon crowd. With this win, Cincinnati completed its first unbeaten home schedule since 2009, and its first double-digit win season since 2012. The 10 wins before the bowl game was the most since the 2009 team completed an unbeaten 12–0 season. The Bearcats accepted a bid from the Military Bowl against Virginia Tech, their first bowl bid since the 2015 season and looked to claim their first bowl win since the 2012 Belk Bowl.

Vs. Virginia Tech (Military Bowl)

1234Total
Bearcats7771435
Hokies7710731

The Bearcats won their first bowl game since the 2012 Belk Bowl and avenged a previous Military Bowl loss to the Hokies with a thrilling win. Michael Warren's 8 yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter proved to be the winning score. The game was not sealed until James Wiggins' acrobatic interception at his own 30 late in the fourth quarter. The University of Cincinnati Bearcats completed their best season since 2011 and finished in the national rankings 23rd in the Coaches poll and 24th in the AP Poll.

Personnel

Roster and staff

2018 Cincinnati Bearcats football team roster
PlayersCoaches
Offense
Pos.#NameClass
WR 1 Kahlil Lewis Sr
RB 3 Michael Warren II So
RB 5 Tavion Thomas Fr
QB 6 Ben Bryant Fr
WR 7Javan HawesSo
QB 8 Hayden Moore Redshirt.svg  Sr
QB 9 Desmond Ridder Redshirt.svg  Fr
RB 10Charles McClellandFr
QB 10Jake Sopko Redshirt.svg  So
TE 11Leonard TaylorFr
WR 12 Alec Pierce Fr
WR 13Trent Cloud Redshirt.svg  Fr
WR 14Yanez RogersFr
RB 15Taylor Boose Redshirt.svg  Jr
QB 16John KellerFr
WR 17Rashad Medaris Redshirt.svg  Jr
WR 18Meechi HarrisFr
WR 19Tyrin Summers Redshirt.svg  So
WR 20Aulden KnightSo
WR 21Jayshon JacksonFr
RB 23 Gerrid Doaks Redshirt.svg  So
WR 25Casey Kirk Redshirt.svg  Fr
WR 26Jerron RollinsJr
RB 29Alex DowdsFr
RB 30Michael Kopaygorodsky Redshirt.svg  Fr
RB 41Colin ThurmanFr
TE 44Mick OakesFr
OL 50Dylan O'QuinnFr
OL 51Lorenz MetzFr
OL 53Tyler McGarr Redshirt.svg  Jr
OL 54Keith Minor Redshirt.svg  Sr
OL 55Alex Heil Redshirt.svg  Jr
OL 56Kyle Trout Redshirt.svg  Sr
OL 58Darius HarperSo
OL 59Colin TruettFr
OL 60Zach Bycznski Redshirt.svg  So
OL 62Mason Garrison Redshirt.svg  Jr
OL 65Cody Lamb Redshirt.svg  Fr
OL 66Ethan VoelkerFr
OL 68Doug Bates Redshirt.svg  So
OL 70Jakari Robinson Redshirt.svg  Fr
OL 71Colin WoodsideFr
OL 72Garrett Campbell Redshirt.svg  Sr
OL 73Blake YagerJr
OL 74Jeremy CooperFr
OL 75Chris Ferguson Redshirt.svg  Sr
OL 76Dino BoydSr
OL 77Vincent McConnell Redshirt.svg  Fr
OL 78Morgan James Redshirt.svg  Jr
OL 79Drew Hartmann Redshirt.svg  Fr
WR 80Malick Mbodj Redshirt.svg  So
TE 81 Josh Whyle Fr
TE 82Wilson Huber Redshirt.svg  Fr
TE 83 Josiah Deguara Redshirt.svg  Jr
WR 84Wyatt FischerFr
WR 85Thomas GeddisJr
WR 86Jack Peterson Redshirt.svg  Fr
TE 87Bruno Labelle Redshirt.svg  So
WR 88Braxton NealJr
WR 89Jake PetersonFr
Defense
Pos.#NameClass
CB 2Tyrell Gilbert Redshirt.svg  Sr
S 3Ja'von HicksFr
LB 4Malik ClementsSr
LB 6Perry YoungJr
CB 7 Coby Bryant So
LB 8Jarell WhiteSo
CB 9Arquon BushFr
CB 10Christian Angulo Redshirt.svg  Jr
LB 11Bryan Wright Redshirt.svg  Jr
CB 12TJ Johnson Redshirt.svg  So
LB 13Ty Van FossenFr
CB 14Cameron JeffriesJr
CB 15Taj WardFr
S 16 Darrick Forrest So
CB 18Josiah Robey Redshirt.svg  Fr
DE 19Ethan Tucky Redshirt.svg  So
DE 21 Myjai Sanders Fr
S 22Collin Widecan Redshirt.svg  So
LB 23RJ Potts Redshirt.svg  Fr
CB 24Noah Hamlin Redshirt.svg  Fr
S 27Will AdamsFr
S 30Chris Murphy Redshirt.svg  Sr
CB 31Marquis Smith Redshirt.svg  So
S 32 James Wiggins Redshirt.svg  So
DE 33Blake BacevichFr
LB 34Kyle Bolden Redshirt.svg  Fr
LB 35Ryan Royer Redshirt.svg  Fr
CB 38Jake TewartFr
LB 40Ty Sponseller Redshirt.svg  So
LB 41 Joel Dublanko Redshirt.svg  So
DE 42Malik VannFr
DE 43Michael Pitts Redshirt.svg  So
DT 44 Marquise Copeland Sr
LB 47Nate LawlerFr
LB 48Kevin Mouhon Redshirt.svg  Sr
DE 51Kimoni FitzSr
DL 52Daeshon MartinFr
DE 86Angelo Howze Redshirt.svg  Fr
DT 89Nick Staderman Redshirt.svg  So
DT 90Jabari TaylorFr
DT 92 Curtis Brooks Redshirt.svg  So
DT 93Elijah Ponder Redshirt.svg  So
DT 94Chase BrownFr
DT 95Joe Schroer Redshirt.svg  Jr
DT 96 Cortez Broughton Sr
DE 97Zane WilsonFr
DE 98Mychal KeysFr
DT 99Marcus Brown Redshirt.svg  So
Special teams
Pos.#NameClass
K 19Cole SmithFr
P 37James SmithSo
LS 57Cory Armstrong Redshirt.svg  So
LS 59Zach Wood Redshirt.svg  Jr
LS 74Blake BammannFr
K 97Ryan JonesJr
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Cruz Roja.svg Injured
  • Redshirt.svg Redshirt

Roster

Depth chart

Rankings

Ranking movements
Legend:██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
Week
PollPre1234567891011121314Final
AP RVRV2520RVRV2519RVRVRV24
Coaches RVRVRVRV2521RVRV2320RVRVRV23
CFP Not released24Not released

Awards and milestones

2019 NFL Draft

The following Bearcat player was selected in the 2019 NFL Draft.

Rnd.Pick No.NFL teamPlayerPos.CollegeConf.Notes
7242 Los Angeles Chargers Cortez Broughton   DT Cincinnati The American

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The 2018 UCLA Bruins football team represented the University of California, Los Angeles in the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Bruins were led by first-year head coach Chip Kelly and played their home games at the Rose Bowl. UCLA was a member of the Pac-12 Conference in the South Division. They began the season 0–4 for the first time since 1971, and 0–5 for the first time since 1943, before finally winning their first game, in dominating fashion, against Cal. However, despite failing to improve upon their previous season's output of six wins and seven losses and failing to qualify for a bowl game, the Bruins later defeated the USC Trojans to end a three-game losing streak in their crosstown rivalry. The Bruins finished 3–9 overall, their worst record since 1971. They went 3–6 in Pac-12 play, finishing fifth in the South Division, and were outscored by their opponents by a combined score of 409 to 295.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 UCF Knights football team</span> American college football season

The 2018 UCF Knights football team represented the University of Central Florida (UCF) during the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They played their home games at Spectrum Stadium in Orlando, Florida, and were led by first-year head coach Josh Heupel. The Knights competed as members of the East Division of the American Athletic Conference. The 2018 season marked the 40th season of football for the Knights program.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 Cincinnati Bearcats football team</span> American college football season

The 2019 Cincinnati Bearcats football team represented the University of Cincinnati in the 2019 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Bearcats played their home games at Nippert Stadium, and competed as members of the East Division in the American Athletic Conference. They were led by third-year head coach Luke Fickell.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 UCF Knights football team</span> American college football season

The 2019 UCF Knights football team represented the University of Central Florida (UCF) during the 2019 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Knights were led by second-year head coach Josh Heupel and played their home games at Spectrum Stadium in Orlando, Florida. They competed as members of the East Division of the American Athletic Conference.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Desmond Ridder</span> American football player (born 1999)

Desmond Kelly Ridder is an American football quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Cincinnati, where he was twice-named AAC Offensive Player of the Year before being selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round of the 2022 NFL draft.

The 2021 Peach Bowl was a college football bowl game between the Georgia Bulldogs and Cincinnati Bearcats that was played on January 1, 2021, with kickoff scheduled for 12:30 p.m. EST on ESPN. It was the 53rd edition of the Peach Bowl, and was one of the 2020–21 bowl games concluding the 2020 FBS football season. Sponsored by restaurant chain Chick-fil-A, the game was officially known as the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. The game averaged 8.72 million viewers, becoming the most viewed non-semifinal Peach Bowl. Georgia represented the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and Cincinnati represented the American Athletic Conference (AAC).The game was the final game of the 2020 football season for each team and resulted in a 24–21 Georgia victory.

The 2021 Cincinnati Bearcats football team represented the University of Cincinnati in the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Bearcats played their home games at Nippert Stadium and competed as members of the American Athletic Conference (AAC). They were led by fifth-year head coach Luke Fickell.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 American Athletic Conference Football Championship Game</span> College football game

The 2021 American Athletic Conference Football Championship Game was a college football game played on December 4, 2021, at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was the seventh American Athletic Conference Football Championship Game and determined the champion of the American Athletic Conference (AAC) for the 2021 season. The game began at 4:00 p.m. EST and aired on ABC. The game featured the regular season champions, the Cincinnati Bearcats, and the regular season runners-up, the Houston Cougars. Sponsored by RoofClaim.com, a roofing services company, the game was officially known as the 2021 American Athletic Conference Football Championship Game presented by RoofClaim.com.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 UCF Knights football team</span> American college football season

The 2021 UCF Knights football team represented the University of Central Florida (UCF) during the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Knights were led by first-year head coach Gus Malzahn and played their home games at Bounce House in Orlando, Florida. They competed as members of the American Athletic Conference.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 Cotton Bowl Classic</span> Postseason college football bowl game

The 2021 Cotton Bowl Classic was a college football bowl game played on December 31, 2021, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The 86th edition of the Cotton Bowl Classic and the first of two College Football Playoff semifinal games, the game featured two of the four teams selected by the College Football Playoff Selection Committee- the No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide from the Southeastern Conference and the No. 4 Cincinnati Bearcats from the American Athletic Conference; the latter becoming the first Group of Five team to appear in a College Football Playoff, and the season's last major undefeated team in the FBS. The winner advanced to face the winner of the Orange Bowl at the 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship, which is at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

The 2022 Cincinnati Bearcats football team represented the University of Cincinnati during the 2022 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Bearcats, members of the American Athletic Conference, played their home games at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. 2022 was the program's sixth and final season under head coach Luke Fickell.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 UCF Knights football team</span> American college football season

The 2022 UCF Knights football team represented the University of Central Florida (UCF) during the 2022 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Knights were led by second-year head coach Gus Malzahn and played their home games at the newly named FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Florida. They competed as members of the American Athletic Conference.

The 2022 Fenway Bowl was a college football bowl game played on December 17, 2022, at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. The game was the inaugural edition of the Fenway Bowl and it featured Cincinnati from the American Athletic Conference and Louisville from the Atlantic Coast Conference. The game began at 11:03 a.m. EST and aired on ESPN. It was one of the 2022–23 bowl games concluding the 2022 FBS football season. Sponsored by cloud storage company Wasabi Technologies, it was officially known as the Wasabi Fenway Bowl.

References

  1. "2018 BRONKO NAGURSKI TROPHY WATCH LIST UNVEILED". Sportswriters.net. FWAA. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  2. "2018 OUTLAND TROPHY WATCH LIST UNVEILED". Sportswriters.net. FWAA. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  3. "Wuerffel Trophy Unveils 2018 Watch List". July 26, 2018. Archived from the original on July 26, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
  4. "Watch List for 2018 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award ® Presented by A. O. Smith Announced". August 14, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
  5. "UCF Tabbed as Favorite in 2018 Preseason Media Poll". TheAmerican.org. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  6. Clark, Dave (September 11, 2017). "UC Bearcats, Miami RedHawks extend rivalry through 2029". Cincinnati.com. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "American Athletic Conference Football Report" (PDF). American Athletic Conference. Retrieved September 6, 2018.
  8. "James Smith Named Ray Guy Award Finalist". GoBearcats.com. Retrieved January 21, 2019.