The University of Cincinnati football season starts Monday with an unprecedented wave of optimism surrounding the team this year. Bearcat football has been to 3 Bowls in 5 years and has finished 2nd in the league 2 years in a row. Coach Minter (41-49-1) has signed a contract extension and trails only Hall of Fame Coach Sid Gillman in victories at UC. UC has 16 returning starters, and the recruiting class for next year is impressive. The good news is UC has a very talented team this year, the not so good news is their 13 game schedule maybe the toughest we've seen in a long time.

The offense is led by sophomore Gino "The Passin Assassin" Guidugli, last years C-USA's Freshman of the Year. GG was nominated to the Dave O'Brien Award Watch List (best QB). Gino started the season on the bench last year but when starter Adam Hoover was injured, he took the starting job and posted a 7-3 record in regular season games he played in (2,573 yards passing & 16 TD's). GG has put on 15 lbs. of muscle, is throwing better, and plays his position like a seasoned veteran.

UC has 3 talented running backs led by starter Sr. DeMarco McCleskey. DeMarco should have a huge year, he has a chance~ to become the #2 all-time rusher at UC. He split the running duties last year with Ray Jackson but this year will be the man. Jr. Tedric Harwell and So. Richard Hall will get their chances, their production will determine their PT.

UC has 3 senior wide receivers. LaDaris Vann was a preseason honorable mention All-American by Street & Smith and will be ranked nationally this year in many categories. Every catch for LaDaris sets UC records. Tye Keith has experience, good hands, and a big heart, and Jon Olinger (7 TD catches last year) had some huge games last year.

The offensive line starters are Sr. Kirk Doolin (3 yr starter), Sr. Josh Gardner (3rd team pre-season Athlon All-American, Outland Trophy nominee), Jr. Josh Shneyderov (named UC's top OL 2001), Jr. Travis McGee (2 time juco national champ), So. Kyle Takavitz (C-USA All-Frosh team), and So. AJ Lucius. Rusty Burns is the new offensive coordinator & plans to fully utilize his star QB. Coach Minter will want to establish the run and pick the opponents defense apart with passes as opportunities arise.

The defense is led by Sr. Antwan Peek who has gotten bigger while lowering his body fat%. Antwan has been nominated to the Lombardi & Bronco Nagurski Awards Watch List, was 2001 1st team C-USA, honorable mention All-American by Street & Smith, and is setting all the UC sack records. Sr. Ivan Fields (UC active tackle leader), So. Doug Monaghan (2nd team Sporting News All-American, led team in tackles), Sr. Willis Edwards (2nd in active tackles), Jr. Zach Norton (UC DB of 2001), Sr. Derrick Adams (3rd year starting), Sr. DeMarcus Billings, Sr. Blue Adams, Jr. Tyjuan Hagler, Jr. Jason Russell, and Sr. Matt Tupuola.

UC was not very good against the run last year, if they don't improve, the names will change. Their field goal kicking is solid with Sr. Jonathan Ruffin-the-kicker, the former Lou Groza Award winner was nominated again. Punting could be an adventure, frosh Chet Ervin has looked good. The offense should be consistent, the defense is the question mark.

Many preseason polls have UC picked as a middle of the pack team in C-USA, here's hoping there wrong again, last year they picked us at 6th. For all of those Minter-is-to-conservative on offense people, the school record for total offense in a season was set in 1999 with 4,668 yards, 2nd place is 1998 with 4,599 yards, and 3rd place was last year with 4,579 yards. I think this year will top them all.