Antwan Peek is looking forward to the University of Cincinnati's season opener against TCU on Monday. However, the senior defensive end isn't looking forward to constant double-teams.

        “But I know it's coming,” he said.

        It's a strategy opponents used without much success last season.

        Peek recorded 121/2 sacks and 60 tackles as a junior. His sack total set a Bearcats record - one of three school marks he recorded last season - and was the fourth-best total in the nation. As a result, Peek earned first-team All-Conference USA honors.

        This season, Peek is a consensus all-conference choice and made the watch list for the Lombardi and Bronco Nagurski awards.

        “Once you turn on the (game) film, he's a guy you automatically say, "How are we going to stop this guy?”' UC defensive line coach Tracy Rocker said.

        Peek's play and experience should help the Bearcats improve their defense, which ranked fifth in the 10-team conference last season.

        Opposing teams know this. Double-teams could come as either an offensive tackle and guard or a tackle and running back.

        Peek has faced both situations during UC practices.

        “It's good that the coaches give me that look when we're in practice,” said Peek, who added 15 pounds of muscle in the offseason.

        A former three-sport standout at Woodward High School, Peek said he believes the added pounds will help him push and pull against two players whose combined weight could total 550 pounds. He said the extra muscle has improved his bull rush.

        Peek's teammates agreed.

        “I can tell the difference in him gaining that 15 pounds when I'm run-blocking him,” said Bearcats offensive lineman Josh Gardner, who weighs 284 pounds.

        Peek, a starter since his sophomore season, said he previously relied on his 4.54 40-speed and quickness to pressure quarterbacks. But late in games, the double-teams often left him fatigued.

        Peek said he now doesn't see fatigue being a problem, and the increased strength should help him combat double-teams.

        “You just have to keep going at it,” Peek said.

        Rocker, the 1988 Lombardi and Outland Trophy winner at Auburn, said Peek should be able to fight off double-teams by better recognizing offensive schemes.

        “Still react and play football, but just understand what's going on, and don't just run up the field,” Rocker said.

        The adjustments should allow UC to exploit the fact that opponents are assigning two players to Peek.

        Peek said he expects the amount of double-teams to depend on the style of offense he faces. Running teams like TCU could direct plays in the other direction, but the majority of teams in the pass-oriented Conference USA probably will double-team him.

        “They'll have to say, "Well, look, somebody is giving us trouble, so we're going to have to help on this side,”' Peek said. “And if they start helping on both sides, the linebackers have to step up and make plays.

        “It's all in the teamwork.”

        Peek's goal this season is 20 sacks, which would give him 41 sacks in his career. Peek already owns the school record for career sacks (21) and sacks in a game (four against Louisiana-Monroe last season).

        “There will be opportunities that you will get on one-on-one blocking,” Peek said. “You just have to take advantage of the opportunity.”

UC's Peek prepared for double-team

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