BY TOM GROESCHEN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
One of the greatest victories in University of Cincinnati football history was over Indiana in 1946, a 15-6 upset of the Big Ten defending champs in the season opener at IU.
Tonight, UC is a three-point underdog to the Hoosiers for its 7 p.m. kickoff at Nippert Stadium. While a UC victory would not be the stunner that '46 was, it would be a huge relief to beleaguered UC players and coaches.
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IU at UC
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Records: Indiana 1-1, Cincinnati 0-3.
Kickoff: 7 p.m., Nippert Stadium (35,000).
UC TV: None
Radio: WLW-AM (700)
Favorite: Indiana by 3.
Series: IU leads 7-3-2.
What to watch: The scoreboard. UC ranks 105th nationally in total defense and IU is 107th, and both teams generate over 400 yards per game offensively. IU quarterback Antwaan Randle El is a dangerous runner (four TDs) and passer (three TDs).
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A possible Nippert record crowd of 30,000-plus is expected, thanks partially to State Farm Insurance -- the game's title sponsor -- buying 10,000 tickets. The Bearcats don't want to blow this chance to shine, with fans impatient following three big losses (average score: 42-22).
"We always play better when we have a great crowd," said Tinker Keck, UC senior safety. "If we've got fans still believing in us, then the team will believe in itself."
However . . .
"We're 0-3," Keck said. "We can't change that. We have to win this game ourselves, and not lose our aggressiveness."
Coach Rick Minter said UC is not as bad as its record indicates, but acknowledged the Bearcats are bad enough.
"We're a frustrated team," he said. "If you said a single reason why we're 0-3, you'd say turnovers."
UC ranks 100th nationally in turnover differential, at minus-1.67 per game.
"Our offense has been turning it over and not allowing us to outscore people, and our defense has been giving up big plays and points," Minter said. "Our special teams haven't been doing much, either."
Speaking of turnovers, Indiana ranks No. 1 nationally at plus-3.0 per game. The Hoosiers forced six Kentucky turnovers in a 31-27 loss last week, including four interceptions of Tim "Heisman" Couch.
Yet, IU blew a 27-10 lead, showing why it ranks among the Big Ten's lower echelon. The Hoosiers were 2-9 last year under Cam Cameron, who took over the program after serving 1994-96 as quarterbacks coach of the Washington Redskins.
"They're vastly improved," Minter said. "They should have beaten Kentucky, by all rights. They defensed Tim Couch as well as I've ever seen him defensed."
UC again throws its two-headed quarterback monster, senior Chad Plummer and sophomore Deontey Kenner, into action. Plummer, who also plays wide receiver, has caught 23 passes as one of UC's few bright spots. Kenner, who plays about 70 percent of the quarterback snaps, has been inconsistent.
Defensively, UC will be tested by IU freshman quarterback Antwaan Randle El, who averages 317 yards total offense per game. Randle El is small for a Division I quarterback (5-10, 177), but threw for 385 yards and rushed for 82 in his college debut two weeks ago.
"He's a little jitterbug back there. He's dangerous as heck," Minter said.
A quick start is paramount. UC has fallen behind early and often, and now some of the top players are banged up. Among team captains alone, defensive tackle Kevin Ward (broken foot) is out 2-4 weeks, Plummer is fighting thumb and shoulder injuries, and Keck is working back from a sprained knee.
"We've got guys trying their hardest," Plummer said. "It's just a matter of not shooting ourselves in the foot. We can still make something of this season."
UC has not beaten a Big Ten team since defeating Indiana in 1957, and is 0-5 vs. league members since.
PARKING NOTE:
Because of the anticipated large crowd, fans are advised that the best places to park are off Martin Luther King Drive near campus, where there are three major parking garages and one surface lot. Motorists are advised to arrive early.
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