COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Bearcats eyeing another 10-win season
The saga of quarterback Ben Mauk's attempts to attain another year of eligibility from the NCAA continued yesterday, even as his Cincinnati Bearcats began suiting up for their season opener against Eastern Kentucky.
Editor's note: This is the 13th and final story in a series highlighting the teams the University of Hawaii will face this season.
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Mauk had already been denied four times, but he said yesterday he had not yet given up.
The Bearcats will have to have that kind of persistence to have a chance at matching last fall's accomplishments, when they finished 10-3, including a 31-21 bowl win over Southern Miss and a No. 17 final ranking in the Associated Press poll.
Optimism abounds, as the three losses were all by fewer than 10 points. And although Mauk will be missed, Cincinnati has plenty of other good players.
CINCINNATI
Coach: Brian Kelly (148-54-2, 11-3 at Cincinnati)
2007 record: 10-3, 4-3 in Big East (3rd)
Hawaii series: tied, 1-1
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Perhaps Mauk won't be missed that much, as Dustin Grutza threw for three touchdowns in Cincinnati's 40-7 win last night. But the sledding gets tougher immediately, as Cincinnati visits Oklahoma next week.
Second-year coach Brian Kelly expects more good things from Grutza, who started in 2006.
"Last year, Ben Mauk got the opportunity and he made the best of it," Kelly said. "Dustin didn't get that opportunity to lead our team. He's getting it this year."
Dominick Goodman caught passes for 869 yards last fall, and he got off to a great start last night with 10 grabs for 144 yards and two scores. Mardy Gilyard also got off to a great start, with six catches for 101 yards and two TDs.
The Bearcats defense, with the exception of safety, where both starters were lost, is expected to be as good as if not better than last year. Cornerbacks Mike Mickens and DeAngelo Smith make up one of the best safety tandems in the nation. Smith had eight interceptions in 2007 and Mickens added six.
For Cincinnati to match last year's success, it must establish its excellent turnover differential as a trademark and not just a one-year deal. The rate of plus 1.23 per game was sixth in the nation. The Bearcats lost a fumble last night, but also came up with two turnovers, so they're off to a good start in that area.
Jacob Ramsey is Cincinnati's leading returning rusher from 2007, with 362 yards.