Earlier this week, University of Cincinnati quarterback Gino Guidugli appeared to be leaving football practice with someone his teammates didn't know.

Gino Guidugli (Michael E. Keating photo) | ZOOM |

        “Hey, where are you going with my quarterback?” asked Bearcats tight end Dennis Hart.

        The visitor said they weren't going far, but Hart gave him a hard stare.

        “You better bring him back or I'm going to hunt you down,” he replied.

        Guidugli smiled. Hart did not.

        Just like everyone else on the team, Hart knows the key to the Bearcats' 2002 season is a productive, healthy Guidugli. If the Fort Thomas native can improve upon his freshman season, UC could win the Conference USA championship and reach the Liberty Bowl. If Guidugli falters, the Bearcats will follow.

        “For us to get over the hump, he's got to take his game to a new level,” UC head coach Rick Minter said.

        Last season, Guidugli did just that. He took over during the second game of the season after Adam Hoover suffered a season-ending ACL injury. Eleven games later, Guidugli had set new school and conference freshman records in attempts (317), completions (185), passing yards (2,573), passing touchdowns (16) and total offense (2,498).

        Guidugli went 6-4 as a starter. He steered three come-from-behind victories as the Bearcats finished second in their conference.

        Guidugli, who led UC to its second consecutive Motor City Bowl berth, was the unanimous choice as Conference USA Freshman of the Year. He also was named to The Sporting News Freshman All-America fourth team and became the first Bearcats freshman to earn the team's MVP award.

        “Last year was great,” said Guidugli, 19. “Coming in and playing as a freshman was a dream come true. But now I've got to get past that and start working toward next year.”

        As the Bearcats participate in their first full-contact practice today at the Higher Ground Retreat and Conference Center in West Harrison, Ind., Minter wants Guidugli to get better at:

        Using his entire body when he throws. Sometimes, Guidugli uses only his arm. Using his whole body would take some pressure off his arm and allow him to throw the football even farther.

        His footwork. Defenses often blitzed Guidugli last season, making him forget about proper mechanics and throw off his back foot.

        Getting bigger. During the offseason, Guidugli bulked up from 205 pounds, his playing weight last season, to 219 pounds. Minter said the 6-foot-3 Guidugli eventually could play at 235-245 pounds.

        Being consistent. Minter said Guidugli reads defenses well and makes good decisions. Minter, though, wants him to do it all the time.

        “Just make it so automatic,” Minter said. “The more he can handle mentally, the more you can put on him.”

        With the expectations on his shoulders, Guidugli said he doesn't feel any pressure. The team has too many playmakers, he said.

        DeMarco McCleskey, last year's leading rusher, is back. Also returning are UC's three starting receivers: preseason all-conference pick LaDaris Vann, Tye Keith and Jon Olinger. All four are seniors.

        “We think he's been more of a leader this year; not being scared because he's a freshman,” Vann said of Guidulgi. “That's going to help us in the long run.”

        UC opens its season Sept. 2 against TCU.

Oregon fills UC's nonconference schedule UC pins hopes on Guidugli

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