By Bill Koch
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The University of Cincinnati Bearcats began preparations Monday for their game against UAB without knowing if their starting quarterback and top running back will be able to play.

The Bearcats (3-2, 1-1 Conference USA) play the Blazers (2-3, 1-1) at Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala., Saturday.

Quarterback Gino Guidugli, who sprained the medial collateral ligament in his left knee last week in UC's loss to Southern Miss, is the more likely of the two to play. Guidugli returned to the Southern Miss game for the last series.

"He is so tough," UC coach Rick Minter saidof Guidugli. "All he had to do was go in and shake the pain off and endure. Those kinds of things get worse a day or two after the ballgame."

Running back Richard Hall suffered a concussion last week and did not return. He's not expected to practice until Wednesday or Thursday at the earliest.

"If he's out there as late as Thursday running the plays and we're not in a contact day, perhaps (Hall could play Saturday)," Minter said. "But to say he never sets foot on that practice field and then he's ready to go by Saturday, it would be very doubtful that we'd play him. It wouldn't be fair to him or the team."

Freshman Derrick Eddington would likely start in Hall's place. Eddington rushed for 138 yards in UC's season opener against East Carolina, but has gained only 19 yards on 12 carries in UC's last three games.

Running back Kyle Koester, who did not play against Southern Miss because of a strained hamstring, is not expected to play this week.

George Murray, who filled in for Guidugli Saturday, will start at quarterback if Guidugli can't go. Murray, a converted quarterback who is now a starting receiver, has not thrown a pass this season.

QB McCoin to join UC Hall of Fame

Former quarterback Danny McCoin and long-time trainer Scotty Kolp have been selected for induction into the University of Cincinnati Athletic Hall of Fame.

McCoin was UC's career passing leader when he completed his career in 1987 with 544 completions in 899 attempts for 6,801 yards and 39 touchdowns.

Kolp came to UC in 1927 as athletic trainer and boxing coach. He retired in 1964 and died in 1973.

---

E-mail bkoch@enquirer.com