The University of Cincinnati (4-4) faces the game of its season today, a 1 p.m. kickoff at Nippert Stadium against the University of Alabama-Birmingham (6-2).

UAB at UC

• Kickoff: 1p.m. today, Nippert Stadium (35,000).   • Records: UAB 6-2 (2-2 C-USA), UC 4-4 (2-2).   • Radio: WLW-AM (700)   • Series: UC leads 2-1 (last: 1999, UC 24-21).   • Line: UC by 5 1/2.   • What to watch: UC's Ray Jackson has 704 yards and five TDs rushing this season and should be rested after having just 15 carries — seven below his per-game average — last week vs. Miami. He leads a ground attack ranked No.2 in C-USA, averaging 160.9 yards a game. But UAB is allowing an average of only 87.5 rushing yards a game and is No.2 in C-USA in total defense (14.9 ppg). UAB has won three straight, ensuring its first winning season since moving to Div.I-A five years ago.

        Both are 2-2 in Conference USA, and both may be bidding for what is the fourth and final bowl spot guaranteed to the league — the Motor City Bowl, Dec.27 at Pontiac, Mich.

        Judging by what's been going on so far in the league, it appears the other three bowls could wind up going to Southern Miss, East Carolina and Louisville.

        Memphis, which plays host to UC next week, may be fighting it out with UC and UAB for the Motor City Bowl.

        UC coach Rick Minter said he expects a low-scoring game today, largely because UAB's defense is so good (sixth in the country in total defense) and because UC's defense has been rather stingy also (giving up an average of 25.3 points a game).

        But it's possible UC's offense could give UAB's defense a good test, because running backs DeMarco McCleskey and Ray Jackson both are healthy, and quarterback Deontey Kenner may be ready for a breakout game. Because of injuries, he hasn't had one yet this season.

        In last week's 45-15 victory over Miami, Kenner showed signs of coming around. His second-and-3 blitz throw to Jackson was a beauty and ultimately led to a Bearcats score, and his short TD pass to McCleskey was right on the button in a crowded end zone.

        But both running backs deserve credit on those receptions because of the way they adapted to the defenses.

        Especially impressive was Jackson's read, because he cut in for a short slant when he quickly noted the blitz was on. Kenner, making the same read, got rid of the ball on a three-step drop.

        As Minter notes, it's hard for a blitz to get to Kenner because he's smart and gets rid of the ball quickly — even if he has to throw it away.

        Most impressive last Saturday, though, was Kenner's lofted TD pass to LaDaris Vann in the left corner of the end zone.

        Things were going rather well for UC by then, and Minter couldn't resist having a little fun with his rifle-armed quarterback on the sideline afterwards.

        “Dee, was that touch I actually saw on that pass?” Minter said.

        It's a sign that Kenner may be coming around, after going through an abbreviated preseason with Achilles tendinitis and then missing 2 1/2 games midseason with a torn stomach muscle, which also kept him out of the second half of the Louisville game Oct.14. If Kenner's on, he could make things interesting, because it means UC has its full complement of weapons: Jackson's bruising runs, McCleskey's elusiveness, a solid receiving corps and good blocking by a thin but talented offensive line.
       

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