By Bill Koch
Enquirer staff writer

In retrospect, the expectations probably weren't fair.

When Gino Guidugli signed with the University of Cincinnati three years ago after originally committing to Kentucky, he was immediately escalated to the status of savior of the UC football program.

Starting quarterback Gino Guidugli works out at Nippert Stadium. (Enquirer photo/JEFF SWINGER)

The talented quarterback from Highlands High School had it all - he was a local kid with glowing credentials who would not only help the Bearcats win consistently, but would also fill Nippert Stadium for four years and raise the profile of the program.

But as he begins his senior year at UC , none of that has happened.

The Bearcats have gone to two bowl games and won a Conference USA co-championship behind Guidugli.

But they are a pedestrian 19-19 during his three years at UC.

"It's gone quick," Guidugli said. "It seems like I just got here. The freshmen just moved into the dorm. I can remember doing that just like it was yesterday."

The 6-foot-2, 225-pound Guidugli has put together a remarkable UC career even if he hasn't turned the Bearcats into a national force. In three years, he has established school career records for passes attempted (1,214), passes completed (670), passing yards (8,820), passing touchdowns (52), total offensive plays (1,406) and total offense (8,938 yards).

But he struggled last year with a corps of inexperienced receivers. His passing yardage dropped from 3,543 to 2,704. He threw 11 fewer interceptions than he had in 2002, but also passed for eight fewer touchdowns.

In the process, his NFL draft stock has fallen.

"He has to forget last year," said Jerry Jones, who publishes the Drugstore List that rates NFL prospects. "That did hurt him a lot. The kid's got nice size. He can move around in the pocket. The question with him is not how tough he is or how competitive he is. It's much more developing a consistent accuracy."

Jones says that as Guidugli, who owns a career 55.2 completion percentage, begins his senior year, he is considered more of an NFL free agent than a draft pick.

But Guidugli can do a lot to change that thinking based on how he plays this year.

"He's going to have to go out and prove something at this stage," Jones said.

UC coach Mark Dantonio says Guidugli is poised to do just that.

"He's throwing a tight ball right now," Dantonio said. "He's got confidence in himself. He's very intelligent and he recognizes things. He has experience, he makes good decisions and he has toughness. He's been a proven player here."

Guidugli forced the issue occasionally last year, but was also victimized by a lot of dropped passes. He's never complained about it.

"A lot of the guys were first-year starters," he said. "It took a little while for them to get adjusted. I've got all the same guys back. We've worked hard all summer and they've been catching the ball good. Now the next step is to catch the ball with pads on and the next step after that is to see how they perform under the lights."

Guidugli says he's not thinking about his NFL prospects as the Bearcats moved Monday to Higher Ground Conference and Retreat Center in West Harrison, Ind., for 10 days of practice.

"All we need to do is win games and the rest will take care of itself," he said. "I'm thinking about Ohio State. I'm thinking about Higher Ground. I'm not thinking that far ahead."

Career numbers

Some of Guidugli's records:

1,214: Pass attempts

670: Pass completions

8,820: Passing yards

52: Passing touchdowns

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E-mail bkoch@enquirer.com