Tuesday, September 21, 1999
'We've blown our cover'
Minter expects OSU noticed Wisconsin win
BY MIKE DeCOURCY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Whatever chance existed that the Cincinnati Bearcats could sneak up to Columbus and steal a victory from Ohio State is gone.
“We've blown our cover,” coach Rick Minter said. “People are going to see us coming.”
The Bearcats (2-1) are not conceding a victory to No.12 Ohio State (2-1) noon Saturday in the first meeting since 1931, but they expect to be taken more seriously after their 17-12 victory over Wisconsin last weekend.
UC even picked up one 25th-place vote in the Associated Press poll this week — which ties the Bearcats with Louisiana Tech and Oregon State for 48th.
Despite the thrill of victory, UC did not escape the Wisconsin game without incident.
Minter said injured defensive tackle Dan Wortman, defensive tackle Mario Monds and wideout Antonio Chatman are doubtful for Saturday. Quarterback Deontey Kenner has not returned from Florida, where he rushed to visit his ailing grandmother following the Wisconsin game.
With the exception of the news that linebacker Eddie Johnson was named Conference USA's defensive player of the week, the Bearcats left behind their celebration of the Wisconsin win when they met at 6:30a.m. Monday to prepare for OSU.
Minter told his players to remember the scene of the goalposts falling at Nipper Stadium and thousands of fans swarming them at the middle of the field because “life's nothing but an album of photos, and we just created a big ol' 8-by-10. But that scene's not going to do us one bit of good after the first snap in the Horseshoe. That's going to be long gone.”
The Bearcats, accustomed to playing before audiences closer to zero than 100,000, are preparing to deal with the crowd noise that can be generated at Ohio Stadium.
“It's a big-time team. It's a big thing as far as going there and having the opportunity to play in front of a large crowd and playing against their talent.” Johnson said. “I think we're looking forward to that.”
This is the Bearcats first road game after three home contests.
“We've been in a comfort zone as a young team playing three straight home football games,” Minter said. “We are about to enter the jungle. We are about to enter a very, very hostile environment. Their fans are going to be juiced to make sure their guys answer the bell.”
Ohio State coach John Cooper does not believe the Bearcats' win Saturday will affect his team's preparation.
“It didn't have any impact at all,” Cooper said. “Absolutely, I was surprised, but all you have to do is look around the country every week in college football and see what happens. Some people call them upsets, and other people know that's what to expect from college football.”
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