BY TOM GROESCHEN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Sophomore quarterback Deontey Kenner will start today's University of Cincinnati spring intrasquad football game, with senior incumbent Chad Plummer set to reprise his "Slash" role (QB/receiver).
The game (2 p.m., Nippert Stadium) will give many UC fans their first in-person look at Kenner. He splashed onto the scene as a freshman in the Humanitarian Bowl on Dec. 29, alternating with Plummer at quarterback while completing 10 of 16 passes for 124 yards and a TD.
Coach Rick Minter calls Kenner and Plummer "1 and 1A" at quarterback, but Kenner is the starter for now. Kenner, the better passer, has handled the bulk of the work during spring drills and threw for 276 yards and three TDs in a scrimmage last week.
Plummer, known for his running skills, is nursing a strained hamstring. He threw for 114 yards in last week's scrimmage, playing with the No. 2 offense.
Plummer will still see his share of time as an option quarterback but will also play wide receiver and return kickoffs, Minter said. "Deontey and Chad will both run with the first team (today)," Minter said. "We want to keep exploiting the 1 and 1-A roles, because it gives us the best of both worlds."
Plummer should be on the field for most offensive plays. He was the Humanitarian Bowl MVP with 61 yards passing, 53 rushing and 64 receiving.
The top two rushers, junior Robert Cooper (611 yards) and Plummer (606), return. They will run behind a line that must replace three starters, including NFL-bound Jason Fabini and Pierre Brilliant.
Among things to watch today:
At tailback, Cooper has missed spring drills with a stress fracture in his leg. He will return this fall to battle Orlando Smith, a senior who led UC with 78 yards rushing in the Humanitarian Bowl.
At receiver, Cornelius Bonner (27 receptions in '97) and Jason Collins-Baker (17 rec.) return after a full season as starters. With Plummer in the mix, it should now be a team strength.
Defensively, linebacker Hassan Champion and safety Tinker Keck should be the leaders. Champion is the top returning tackler (110), Keck the top returning interceptor (four).
Position changes include Greg Hergott (Beechwood HS), who switches from No. 3 quarterback to linebacker. Garry Williams, a walk-on from Winton Woods, is the new No. 3 quarterback.
Today's game format includes the standard four 15-minute quarters, but the scoring contains some twists. The scoring format:
- Offensive points will be recorded as usual (six for a TD, three for a field goal, one for PATs).
- The defense will get three points for forcing a turnover (six more if the turnover is returned for a touchdown), three points for a fourth-down stop, two points for a three-and-out series, and one point for forcing a punt.
The day begins with UC coaches conducting a free clinic for children grades K-12 at 10 a.m. in Nippert. UC players will be available for autographs at 1:30 p.m..
Admission to all events is free.
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