Antwan Peek closes in on Miami quarterback John Schacke... (Ernest Coleman photo) | ZOOM |

and warms up with the basketball team. (Steven M. Herppich photo) | ZOOM |

        Offensive linemen would not believe University of Cincinnati defensive end Antwan Peek has lost his hops. But it's true.

        The 6-foot-3, 230-pound sophomore — who is in Detroit this week preparing to play Marshall in the Motor City Bowl (4p.m. Wednesday) — said he can't jump the way he used to.

        “You don't do all that much jumping in football,” he said. “It's the first thing I noticed when I got back on the (basketball) floor. The weight work (in football) isn't designed to make you jump higher. It's designed to make you bigger and stronger.”

        Peek played two UC basketball games before the football team's bowl practices resumed.

        When Peek rejoins the UC basketball team — possibly as soon as Thursday against UNC-Wilmington at the Shoemaker Center — he will continue to do his football weightlifting. He won't join the basketball players in their pre-practice basketball weight work.

        “I want to go into next football season about 245 — 15 pounds heavier than I am now,” Peek said. “That's my biggest concern with playing basketball — my weight. In the NFL, it's not just speed, it's size and strength.

        “I want to come back strong next year. I don't want to be the kind of player that people say about, "He's a year older, but he's the same player he was last year.' I got a lot of notice this year. People are expecting me to be that much better next year. I want to live up to that.”

        Still, it's hard to believe he has lost his hops.

        After all, he blocked three field goals this season and broke up six passes at the line.

        He led the team in sacks (8.5), tackles for loss (13), quarterback hits (13) and quarterback hurries (9).

        “Right now, my mind's on football — gettin' to the quarterback, gettin' to the ball,” Peek said.

        After the football Bearcats upset Southern Miss to end the regular season 7-4, Peek almost made history.

        The basketball team wanted him to suit up that night against Boise State at the Shoemaker Center. But he hadn't had time to work out the details.

        “It would have been pretty cool to be the first guy in (UC) history to do that,” he said. “I love being able to play basketball. If I'm able to maintain my football weight, I might do it again next year. If I can't, I won't.”

        Peek averaged 17 points and 10 rebounds as a senior at Woodward High School. His long-term future is in football.

        UC coach Rick Minter has predicted Peek could be an impact pro player if he continues to develop the way he did this year.

        Though Peek hasn't escaped Minter's wrath on the football field, so far he's remained on coach Bob Huggins' good side.

        “Coach Huggs loves the fact that I've come out to play,” Peek said. “He takes care of me. He knew I was out there doin' two practices a day (football and basketball), so he gave me a little slack.”

        Peek said he enjoys the “challenge” of playing basketball. Football has always come to him more easily because of his size and speed.

        “I know what Coach Huggs wants me out there for — rebound and playing defense,” he said. “If the shot's there, I'll take it, but I'm not goin' lookin' for it.”

        Peek went to see his brother, Mike, who is a year older, play basketball Friday night for a junior-college team in Detroit. Mike, who plays shooting guard and point guard, was also a basketball star at Woodward.

        “Houston and Wright State have both expressed interest in him,” Antwan said. “If he goes to Houston, we could wind up playing against one another.”

        Did Mike ever try football?

        “Yeah, he lasted about a week (at Woodward),” said Antwan, laughing. “He played quarterback. The defensive guys knocked him around pretty good. There wasn't much I could do to protect him — I was playing wide receiver.”

Playing two sports puts weight on Peek's shoulders Tourney honor surprises UC's Davis Johnson still searching for NBA foothold

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