By Bill Koch
Enquirer staff writer

The University of Cincinnati football team is beginning to zero in on Ohio State.

On Wednesday, their last day of summer camp at the Higher Ground Retreat and Conference Center in West Harrison, Ind., the Bearcats started to prepare in earnest for their Sept. 4 season-opening matchup with the Buckeyes in Columbus.

"This was the first day we worked on Ohio State," UC coach Mark Dantonio said. "This was the first day we actually had scout teams."

No one is more eager for the rematch of 2002's 23-19 Ohio State victory at Paul Brown Stadium than UC wide receiver George Murray, whose dropped pass in the end zone in the closing minute helped the Buckeyes fend off their first loss to an Ohio team in 81 years.

"We have a little countdown clock in our locker room that tells us how many days it is before we play them," Murray said. "You think about how close it really is until the season starts. I know I'm itching for it. We just can't wait to go up there and play."

In a sense, every time the Bearcats' offense works against the defense, it's preparing for Ohio State, because the Buckeyes are still using the same basic defense that Dantonio employed while he was the defensive coordinator at OSU for the past three years.

"I think it's got to be an advantage," Dantonio said. "I don't know how much. I'm not going to make a tackle or catch a ball or run with the ball. I'm sure some things have changed.

"We know their personnel as coaches. We have a general idea what they're doing schematically, but it doesn't mean we'll be able to stop their execution. I'm sure they'll be ready to play."

The Bearcats practiced Wednesday morning, then boarded buses for the return trip to the UC campus, their first camp under their new coach behind them. In some respects it was different from what they had experienced under previous head coach Rick Minter.

For one thing, the players were allowed to use cell phones and bring televisions with them to camp.

"It's not like it's been in the past," Murray said. "Everything isn't just football so that you start to hate football. We were able to enjoy ourselves a little bit. But when it was time to practice, we practiced."

Defensive end Andre Frazier said it was more of an adult atmosphere.

"You have to know yourself," Frazier said. "You have to check yourself. The coaches don't check you as much. You don't want to talk on the phone all day and all night, because it'll show up in practice. It gave us a little more responsibility."

The Bearcats managed to complete their 10-day camp without a major injury. Dantonio also believes they solidified the kicking game and uncovered a few freshmen who might be able to help right away, such as running backs Bradley Glatthaar and Butler Benton, as well as wide receivers Earnest Jackson and Carlos Simpson.

The players, who will be allowed to critique the camp, also made a trip to Kings Island and conducted a team ping-pong tournament.

"You have to let them escape from football," Dantonio said, "have some fun, play some cards, play ping-pong. Let it be a fun experience for them, something that they'll remember, rather than have it be a boot camp. You don't have to beat them down to be good. We'll see how it all works out."

GLATTHAAR INJURED: Glatthaar was wearing a soft cast on his left ankle Wednesday after incurring a high ankle sprain during practice this week.

Dantonio said the injury wasn't serious. Glatthaar should be able to practice by Saturday.

UC at Ohio State

When: Noon Sept. 4

Where: Ohio Stadium, Columbus.

Last time schools met: Ohio State beat the Bearcats 23-19 at Paul Brown Stadium in 2002.

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E-mail bkoch@enquirer.com