By Bill Koch
Enquirer staff writer

Mark Dantonio wants his players to understand that, regardless of what happens today, there's life after Ohio State.

"We've talked about the fact that this is a tremendous challenge for us," Dantonio said. "But this is our first game. It's not the season."

Keeping this game in perspective, though, might be easier said than done.

The Bearcats, who begin the Dantonio coaching era today against the No. 9 Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, know what a victory would mean for their coach, themselves and the perception of the UC program.

Last year, the Bearcats started the season with three straight wins, including an upset at West Virginia, then stumbled to a 5-7 record.

"I think our heads got too big and we stopped working," said UC running back Richard Hall. "This is our opportunity to not only make a big statement by beating Oho State, but to show that we can come out on fire again and keep it going throughout the whole season."

For Dantonio, the Ohio State game means a return to Columbus, where he spent the past three years as the Buckeyes' defensive coordinator under his mentor, OSU coach Jim Tressel.

"This is my first game as a head coach," Dantonio said. "I could not think of a better place to do it than where I had previously been because of the relationships I had formed with the people up there."

Dantonio was on the Ohio State sideline two years ago when the Bearcats had the Buckeyes on the ropes at Paul Brown Stadium only to let them slip away because of two dropped passes in the end zone in the closing minute.

Quarterback Gino Guidugli threw for 324 yards and one touchdown in that game and begins his senior year already holding most of UC's passing records.

"There's no revenge or unfinished business," Guidugli said. "This is just another game on our schedule. ... Hopefully we can put ourselves in that same situation again, with a minute left and the ball on the 15. I'd like our chances if they put us in the same situation again."

The Buckeyes remember how Guidugli carved up their defense in the 2002 game.

"He's a tough kid," said OSU cornerback Dustin Fox. "He took some big-time hits and kept getting up and making plays for them. On a toughness scale, you've got to put him up there pretty high."

Guidugli will have to be at his best against an Ohio State defense that traditionally is known for its stinginess against the run. And he'll need help from a receiving corps that had trouble holding onto the ball last year.

On defense, the Bearcats hope to attack inexperienced Ohio State quarterbacks Justin Zwick and Troy Smith, both of whom are expected to play today, with Zwick getting the starting assignment.

"The trademark of our defense is going to be running to the ball," said defensive end Andre Frazier. "No matter what scheme you play, if you don't have guys hustling to the ball, you're not going to be a great defense."

Dantonio has urged his players to enjoy the atmosphere and have fun today. When it's over, win or lose, they'll point toward next week's showdown against rival Miami.

"Sometimes you get an opportunity to have a once-in-a-lifetime experience," Dantonio said. "That's what I'd like this to be for our players."

Cincinnati at No. 9 Ohio State

Kickoff: 12:10 p.m., Ohio Stadium, Columbus.

Records: UC 0-0, Ohio State 0-0.

TV: CBS.

Radio: WLW-AM (700).

Series: Ohio State leads 11-2.

Line: Ohio State by 14 1/2.

What to watch: UC hopes to avenge a 23-19 loss to the Buckeyes in 2002 by taking advantage of OSU's inexperienced quarterbacks. Offensively, the UC passing game will have to click against an OSU defense that is known for its strength against the run.

UC	Team statistics	OSU
393.4	Offense avg.	332.2
228.4	Avg. by pass	206.1
165.0	Avg. by rush	126.1
333.0	Def. avg.	296.9
188.6	Avg. by pass	234.5
144.4	Avg. by rush	62.3
25.3	Avg. points for	24.8
26.6	Avg. points against	17.6

Statistics are from 2003 season.

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E-mail bkoch@enquirer.com