They will leave as the winningest University of Cincinnati football class in two decades. They have broken a slew of school records. Most are satisfied. Some are not.
You get a variety of answers when you poll some of the 18 UC seniors, who will play their last home game vs. Louisville on Saturday at Nippert Stadium (3:30 p.m.). UC (6-3) has clinched its third straight winning season, with two games left.
''I'm very proud,'' said defensive end Derrick Ransom, who is projected as an NFL draft choice. ''It's a great accomplishment to have three straight winning seasons, and we share it with the classes that went before us. They were all part of it.''
A look at some of the seniors' accomplishments:
- Linebacker Phillip Curry is the school's career tackling leader, with 442 and counting. Linebacker Brad Jackson (353) is on pace to finish third.
- Kicker Eric Richards has made 39 career field goals, a UC record. Punter Doug Johnson, if he maintains his 41.3-yard average, will finish with the third-best career punting average in UC history.
- Tailback Daryl Royal set a modern UC record (post-World War II) with a 282-yard rushing game in 1996.
- Ransom and offensive tackle Jason Fabini are both projected as NFL draft choices. Fabini could be the first UC offensive lineman drafted since 1981.
Some wish UC could have done more. The Bearcats have been mathematically ousted from the Conference USA race and an automatic bid to the Liberty Bowl.
''It's nice to have three winning seasons, but I wanted the bowl game. I expected it,'' said left guard Joel Dolinski.
At best, UC can finish 8-3. That would match the 1993 team, which posted UC's best record since 1976.
Coach Rick Minter, who arrived in 1994, has had most of the 1997 seniors for four years. Many were here for the 2-8-1 record in Minter's first year, followed by 6-5 records in both 1995 and '96.
''This is a good group, as far as character and athletic ability,'' Minter said.
Minter has often talked about this class being ''high-character guys,'' with several stars in the classroom as well as the field. For instance, defensive tackle John Kobalka has a 3.9 grade-point average, and Ransom will graduate this spring in under four years. Ransom remembered being recruited to UC, with his Indianapolis friends razzing him.
''They didn't even know Cincinnati had a football program,'' he said. ''They thought it was just basketball. But I think we've put Cincinnati football on the map, and I feel good about that.''
SEASON IN STORIES
