Ray Jackson runs against Army. (Gary Landers photo) | ZOOM |

        PONTIAC, Mich. — The University of Cincinnati may be without half of its one-two punch at running back today against Marshall in the Motor City Bowl.

        “Ray (Jackson) has some stiffness in the hip area, so we'll have to wait and play him by ear,” UC coach Rick Minter said. “I think Mac (DeMarco McCleskey) will start the game.”

        Jackson made first-team all-Conference USA (808 yards on 201 carries) and is a workhorse. His strength is his straight-ahead power; McCleskey is more hips and swivels and breakaway ability. They have been used effectively on an alternating basis to probe defenses' soft spots.

        Even though the Bearcats (7-4) have displayed an effective passing game, especially in the second half of the season, the running and kicking games are the reasons they made the postseason.

        Minter is hopeful the 4p.m. starting time (ESPN) gives Jackson a chance to get loose.

        “Ray has had this (hip) trouble before, during the week, and then gotten back into the groove by game day,” he said. “We've been practicing in the morning (for the past six days at the Silverdome), so the later time (could help).”

        UC may have a bigger fan presence here than anybody expected. It sold out its allotment of 8,000 tickets and expects to draw well among UC alums in Greater Detroit and northern Ohio. Brian Teter, assistant commissioner of Conference USA, predicted UC will have “between 8,000 and 10,000 fans” at the game. (But some fans in Greater Cincinnati who bought $38 tickets from UC's allotment did so as an investment in the program and won't attend the game).

        Marshall (7-5), which is located in Huntington, W.Va., is expected to have about 12,000 fans in attendance.

        Fans could see a competitive game, though Minter wonders about the effective ness of his offense, given that the Bearcats haven't played in five weeks. Marshall's last game was three weeks ago.

        “They're going to have an edge on us early,” Minter said. “We have to hang in there until we get our feet and our timing under us.”

        Marshall sophomore quarterback Byron Leftwich is 6-foot-4 with a great arm and led a passing offense that averaged 300 yards a game, 10th-best in the country. UC has an opportunistic, turnover-conscious defense but has been susceptible to the pass, giving up 225 yards a game.

        The Bearcats know they can win without Jackson. They upset No.20 Southern Miss at Nippert Stadium to end the regular season, but the going was tough (McCleskey had only 71 yards on 27 carries). Jackson is always helpful in softening up a defense.

        If Jackson sees only limited time, that means McCleskey will carry the load with some mixing in of Chuck Spencer, Nathan Wize and Lloyd Garden.

        “Ray will dictate that more than anything else,” Minter said.

        UC is a three-point favorite. Minter doesn't pay attention to point spreads, but he said he figures oddsmakers are undervaluing the experience factor. Marshall is making its fourth straight appearance here and is 2-1, the loss 34-31 to Ole Miss.

        More important to UC than the spread is winning and playing well. Many recruits who haven't made their commitments yet will be watching on TV.

        “We'd like to win a second bowl game in four years and keep laying the foundation that hopefully will last for years to come,” Minter said.

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