Saturday, April 24, 1999
New UC starters, coaches ready for spring game
BY TOM GROESCHEN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Welcome to the University of Cincinnati's annual spring football game at Nippert Stadium (2p.m. today), where you can't tell the players — or coaches — without a program.
Coach Rick Minter, seeking a fresh start after the worst Bearcat season (2-9) since 1990, has hired five new assistants — including offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher (former Auburn quarterbacks coach) and defensive coordinator Rick Smith (former Tulane defensive coordinator).
“There's a lot of transition with so many new coaches, so we want to get as much done as we can (today),” Minter said.
On the field, Minter might have at least 14 new faces among his 22 starters.
“We don't even talk about last year,” said senior kicker Joe Judge (Hamilton Badin). “It's a new year, a new spring, and we want to put on a good show.”
There is a new defensive scheme, after last year's team ranked last nationally in points allowed with 41.5 a game). Smith has installed a 4-3 front to replace the “Bear 46” attacking style, and this year's team will not blitz as much.
The defense should be helped by 13 junior-college recruits, most of whom won't arrive until fall.
The offense set a UC record for total offense last year with 4,599 yards (418.1 a game), but the production was negated by a national-worst 37 turnovers.
Quarterback Deontey Kenner, entering his junior season, returns for his second year as starter. Kenner last year threw for 2,047 yards and six touchdowns but also 13 interceptions.
Sophomore tailback DeMarco McCleskey, who rushed for 861 yards and 11 TDs last year, is doubtful today because of a sprained thumb that might require surgery. McCleskey is expected to be ready when the season opens vs. Kent on Sept.4.
Senior tailback Robert Cooper, the starter before McCleskey's emergence last year, is next in line. Cooper has rushed for 1,541 yards and averaged 4.6 yards a carry during his career.
Minter, who took UC to a 1997 Humanitarian Bowl victory, enters his sixth UC season. His career record is 24-31-1.
Spring games usually solve little, but Minter's biggest concern is depth. As many as eight players have been hurt, and Minter said UC is a bit thin until the recruits arrive in August.
“We just want to have some fun (today), but we also want to get better,” Minter said.
Tinker Keck, the fifth-year senior free safety who was redshirted in 1998 following major knee surgery, probably won't play much today. Keck, who has practiced lightly this spring, tied an NCAA record by returning four punts for TDs in 1997.
“I'm eager to get going,” Keck said. “But there's no reason to rush it. I'll be full-go in the fall.”
Keck, Kenner and McCleskey are the top names. UC also lists senior guard Ken Biggs, junior linebacker DeJuan Gossett (Wyoming), and junior center Doug Rosfeld (Moeller) as postseason honors candidates.
The most notable departures are receiver Chad Plummer, a sixth-round draftee of the Denver Broncos; and left tackle Brian Uhl, who signed with the Bengals as a free agent.
NOTES: Admission is free today ... UC is asking fans to bring non-perishable food and clothing items to the game, to be donated to victims of the April 9 tornado. Cash also will be accepted ... UC coaches will stage a clinic today for students in grades K-11, with registration starting at 9a.m. and the clinic about 10 ... UC players will sign autographs on the field at 12:30 p.m.
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