Coach Rick Minter said his University of Cincinnati team isn't good enough to look ahead to Ohio State on Sept.21.

        Minter said the Bearcats (1-0) need to — and are — focused on Saturday's game against West Virginia (1-1). Kickoff at Nippert Stadium is 7 p.m.

        “We're not a team like Nebraska, or someone who could be playing "The Sisters of the Poor' and know full well you're going to win the game,” he said.

        So far, Minter said he hasn't heard any of his players mention the Ohio State game, which will be played at Paul Brown Stadium.

        “It's not an Ohio State season,” Bearcats running back DeMarco McCleskey said. “One game isn't going to make (or break) our season.”

        UC and the Buckeyes haven't played since 1999, when the Bearcats lost 34-20 in Columbus.

        The Bearcats are 0-10-1 against West Virginia, the only opponent UC has played at least 10 times and never beaten.The last time the Bearcats played WVU was a 28-20 loss in 1990.

        MAC SHOULD BE BACK: McCleskey said he expects to be fully recovered from an injury dating back to the season opener. He suffered a deep bruise in his left quadriceps muscle Sept.2 against TCU.

        “Right now, I'm probably about 85, 90 percent,” he said. “But I'll be ready in time. I'll be 110 percent.”

        Because of McCleskey's injury, backups Tedric Harwell and Richard Hall were able to get more repetitions with the Bearcats' first-team offense.

        McCleskey has proven to be UC's most sure-handed back, fumbling just six times in 511 career touches (483 rushing, 26 receiving, two kickoff returns). During his career, he has posted streaks of 187 and 136 straight carries without a fumble.

        ADAMS COULD RETURN: Defensive end Derrick Adams could see his first game action of the season Saturday. Minter said Adams' rehabilitation from a high ankle sprain will be evaluated Thursday.

        “A high ankle sprain is a hard thing to get over,” Minter said.

        Adams started every game last season, finishing sixth in tackles (53).

        PEEK MISSES PRACTICE: Defensive end Antwan Peek missed practice Monday afternoon because he was dealing with a legal matter, UC head coach Rick Minter said.

        Minter said he didn't know the details, but that it involved missing a court appearance while the team was training in West Harrison, Ind., and that it didn't appear to be anything major.

Mountaineers are first, Buckeyes later for UC

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Coming up this week
Boys golf leaders, results
Girls golf results
Boys soccer results
Girls soccer results
Field hockey results
Girls tennis results
Volleyball results