BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Will the University of Cincinnati Bearcats, who had such a good early start to their season — beating conference foe Army, upsetting No.25 Syracuse and nearly shocking No.7 Wisconsin — be able to regain their confidence for Tulane after being shellacked 42-6 by Indiana on Saturday?

        “After I got done with 'em, I bet they don't have any (confidence),” UC coach Rick Minter said. “We didn't do anything to deserve any confidence as a team.”

        UC defensive end Antwan Peek said the team had it coming.

        “Coach pretty much chewed us out — any coach would from what we displayed today,” Peek said. “Coach said he'd never seen us play like this. He said whoever shows up on Monday better be ready to work.”

        Minter was disappointed with the defense's inability to stop much of anything IU was doing on its diversified option attack, and he was concerned that UC couldn't score any touchdowns.

        “Our offense laid another egg today,” Minter said.

        Even if UC's receivers had hung on to every ball they should have caught — and there were at least a half dozen — it is doubtful the Bearcats would have won the game. But catchable balls keep drives alive and a defense dispirited and have a way of changing momentum.

        Minter said he was surprised the Bearcats were so overmatched by IU quarterback Antwaan Randle El after they had done such a fine job containing a good offense at Wisconsin.

        “This is a tough offense to defend,” Minter said. “You have to defend the elements of lead, zone, run-action, option, misdirection and sprints.”

        The third-and-19 pass that IU completed to keep the ball moving in the second quarter and ultimately score the touchdown (28-3) that broke UC's back was a good example of how IU's play-calling kept UC on its heels.

        “They kept things mixed up — run, run, run, run-action, run, run, run, sprintout, throwback, throwback-screen,” Minter said. “We got gassed early, and I don't know the reason why.”

        Minter didn't paint a pretty picture in his postgame interviews.

        “We're almost back to the drawing board,” he said. “We got shut out today (no touchdowns) on offense.”

Indiana 42, UC 6 Minter: 'Offense laid another egg'

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