By Bill Koch
Enquirer staff writer
Despite three losses in their last four games, the University of Cincinnati Bearcats say they won't give up on a football season that appears to be sliding into insignificance.
But they admit that getting over their loss to Army two weeks ago wasn't easy.
A UC program that long has striven for national attention found itself in the unwelcome glare of the spotlight after the Black Knights ended their 19-game losing streak against the Bearcats with a 48-29 blowout victory.
"We were really disappointed," said offensive guard Kyle Takavitz. "There's no getting around that. It was bad. But this (week) it'll make it all better again."
After a week off, UC (2-4, 1-2 Conference USA) returns to action at 7 p.m. today at Nippert Stadium against Memphis (5-1, 2-1).
It will be the final conference meeting between the longtime foes who have played each other 29 times overall and every year since 1992. They are 4-4 against each other as members of C-USA.
Coaches like to talk about adversity and how important it is to respond when things go badly.
Now is the time.
Despite a "Take a Kid to the Game" promotion in which kids 12 and under get in free with the purchase of a regular adult ticket, there could be a sparse crowd for this game, especially with the forecast for rain.
"We talked about it to our players," UC coach Mark Dantonio said. "I don't care how many people are there. Your family and friends who care about you will be there. Those are the people you play for. We'd better circle the wagons and play hard, so that's what we're doing."
UC will have to play hard to stay with the Tigers, who own the league's second-ranked offense. With quarterback Danny Wimprine, the league's leading passer, and running back D'Angelo Williams, its leading rusher, Memphis rolls up 478 yards and nearly 40 points a game. Williams ranks seventh nationally with 147.3 yards a game and first in scoring with 13.0 points a game.
"He's a great back," UC defensive end Trent Cole said. "He's a very hard runner. It's a combination of speed and how hard he runs."
Defensively, Memphis, whose only loss was to UAB, leads the conference against the run, allowing only 86 yards a game.
But the Tigers employ a high-risk defense that sometimes allows opponents to strike for big plays.
"It's fun to play against a team like that," Takavitz said, "because it's not the same every down. There's a possibility for some big plays with this offense."
The Bearcats haven't had much fun on the football field lately. And unless they vastly improve over the way they've been playing, tonight figures to be another downer.
"Is the ship going to go down or are they going to keep trying to fight?" Dantonio asked. "I have the feeling that our players are going to continue to fight. We've talked to the players individually and in groups. Nobody likes to lose."
Cincinnati vs. Memphis
