Wednesday, August 23, 2000UC football
Nippert beckons today
By John Erardi
The Cincinnati EnquirerWEST HARRISON, Ind. — The University of Cincinnati Bearcats bring their preseason road camp (“Camp Higher Ground” on Indiana Route 46) to Nippert Stadium for an intrasquad scrimmage at 4:30 p.m. today. The scrimmage is open to the public. There is no admission charge.
The Bearcats have been staying and practicing here at the Higher Ground Conference and Retreat Center.
“We need work on our (home) field,” said UC head coach Rick Minter. “We've only had one practice there. The change of venue will do us good. We need to get in there and find out what's it's like to do the real stuff on the real turf.
“We also want to use our press-box setup. We want to use our headphones (and) we want to have our coaches call the game just like a game. We need to play a game in game conditions.”
The Bearcats return for good from Camp Higher Ground following practice Aug.27. UC's first game is Labor Day (Sept.4) vs. Army at Nippert Stadium (4:30 p.m. kickoff).
PEEK PEAKS: Sophomore Antwan Peek, a graduate of Woodward High School, has played his way up to No.1 on the Bearcats' depth chart at defensive end. He played receiver and defensive back at Woodward.
“This guy has a lot of ability,” Minter said. “I think we have him in a position where he can really bring that talent to the forefront of our team — that is, speed and quickness off the edge as a pass-rusher.”
If Peek can get it there — “it” being his 6-foot-2 and 228 pounds — he figures to wreak some havoc in opposing backfields.
At Woodward, he lettered twice each in football and basketball (averaged 17 points and 10 rebounds per game as a senior) and four times in baseball.
“He's a big, strong kid,” Minter said. “He's going to be a 240-pound type guy someday. He's still a 4.6 guy (in the 40-yard dash). He's still relentless, loves to play, goes hard every play. He's a little reckless at times, but overall, he's been a great pleasure to have out there.”
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