BY TOM GROESCHEN
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The Cincinnati Bearcats are 3-1, could soon be 5-1 and commanded front-page attention Sunday in both their hometown newspaper and the venerable Boston Globe.

And, after beating Boston College 24-6 on national TV (ESPN2) Saturday night, the Bearcats are making their fans forget that basketball practice starts in two weeks.

Next Memphis (1-3) at UC (3-1) When: 7 p.m., Saturday Where: Nippert Stadium Line:UC by 11 1/2.

''I think this will bring more fans to our games,'' quarterback Chad Plummer said. ''This is the first time in a long time that we've been 3-1, isn't it?''

First time since 1985, actually. And while the '85 Bearcats skidded to a 5-6 finish, the '97 version figures to top that. In fact, UC should be 5-1 entering a game at Houston, the defending Conference USA champion, Oct. 18.

Next comes Memphis (1-3) in a Conference USA game at 7 p.m. Saturday at UC and then Alabama-Birmingham (2-3) Oct. 11 at UC. The Bearcats will be strong favorites to win both.

Then come games at Houston (1-3) and rival Miami University (3-1), both of which could go either way. Houston is better than its record, having faced a rough non-league menu of Alabama, California, Pittsburgh and Minnesota. Its lone win came Saturday night, 45-43 at Minnesota.

UC finishes the year with the top three preseason teams in Conference USA: Southern Miss, Louisville and East Carolina.

UC's only loss, a 31-17 upset Sept. 6 at Tulane, now seems incredible since the Bearcats have whipped Kansas (34-7) and Boston College in succession.

''One of our goals was to start early, and although we failed at Tulane, we're still 3-1,'' coach Rick Minter said. ''We're happy with that, but we have to stay humble.''

UC's goals include winning Conference USA and achieving a national ranking. But UC is 0-1 in the league and for all its recent success still holds its breath weekly concerning injuries.

For instance, the Bearcats played the entire second half Saturday night with no fullbacks. Starter Landon Smith and backup David Vitovitz both exited with injuries, and with preseason starter Eric Beal already lost to injury, Minter was forced to use a one-back offense for the whole second half.

UC, which trailed 6-0 after three quarters, scored 24 points in the final 11:07. Included were two interceptions returned for touchdowns by cornerbacks Artrell Hawkins and Shawn Ferguson.

''We answered every blow, and it was about time we got some breaks, too,'' Minter said.

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