By John Erardi
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The University of Cincinnati Bearcats have shown the ability to score on anybody when quarterback Gino Guidugli and his receivers are in sync.

The University of North Texas has shown the ability to keep the opposition out of the end zone.

Welcome to the New Orleans Bowl, where the bowl season will be kicked off at 7p.m. Tuesday on ESPN2 at the Louisiana Superdome. It's UC (7-6), co-champion of Conference USA, vs. North Texas (7-5), champion of the Sun Belt Conference.

"It's a short turnaround," said UC coach Rick Minter, whose team beat East Carolina Friday to become bowl-eligible. "In that sense, it's just another game for us when it comes to preparation time."

Bearcats players are still in final exams, and it wasn't until Tuesday afternoon that they practiced for the first time since beating ECU.

Typically, bowl teams have a long layoff between the end of the regular season and the bowl game, which gives coaches a chance to develop their young players - and maybe install some new wrinkles into the game plan.

Bearcat fans realize the quick turnaround means Minter is even less likely to forsake his beloved running game, but fans hope he allows UC's high-powered passing game a chance.

North Texas is 29th in the country against the rush (121.8 yards a game), and UC is 23rd in the country in pass offense (263.5 yards a game). Both marks top their respective conferences.

"North Texas has four or five great players on defense - I'd love to have them on our team," said Minter, who referred to them by number - "85, 92, 22 and 1" - which shows he is already deep into the videotape.

No.1 is Jonas Buckles and No.22 is Craig Jones, the Mean Green safeties. No.85 is defensive end Adrian Awasom; No.92 is nose tackle Brandon Kennedy, who has drawn raves from every opposing head coach. ("We couldn't block him; he looked like an All-American," said Texas coach Mack Brown.)

Said Minter: "He's about as wide as he is tall (5 feet 10 and 315 pounds) - and he's second in the nation in tackles for losses."

"He's got a great motor and he's very strong," UC senior center Josh Shneyderov said of Kennedy. "Even the big boys from (the University of) Texas had trouble with him."

Texas scored all 27 of its points in the first half. For the game, North Texas allowed 214 yards of offense, only 28 of it on the ground. North Texas played Alabama tough for a half (trailed 19-7) before losing 33-7, and it gave Arizona a fit before losing 14-9. North Texas ran the table (6-0) in the Sun Belt.

North Texas likes to run the ball (41st in the nation, at 181.7 yards a game). Kevin Galbreath, an all-Sun Belt running back, averaged 97.3 yards a game.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Andrew Smith had to grow up under fire - junior starter Scott Hall was injured in the season opener. UNT throws 100 yards a game.