Tinker Keck raced into the NCAA record books Saturday when he returned two punts for touchdowns in UC's 28-9 victory over Louisville.
Keck tied an NCAA record, held by numerous others, by scoring on two punt returns in one game. He now has four punt returns for TDs, tying an NCAA single-season record held by three others - former Dallas Cowboys receiver Golden Richards (BYU, 1971), former Oakland Raiders receiver Cliff Branch (Colorado, 1971), and James Henry (Southern Mississippi, 1987).
''Once you get past the first line of defense, you end up with one or two guys to beat, and in the open field that's not hard to do,'' Keck said. ''It was actually pretty easy, because the other 10 guys were making a lot of blocks.''
Keck, who scored on returns of 44 and 78 yards Saturday, also broke the University of Cincinnati season punt return yardage total of 438, held by Gene Gibson (UC 1949-50.) Keck now has 508 yards in punt returns.
UC (7-3) kept alive its hopes for an at-large bowl bid, although the Bearcats must win their season finale - at 4-5 East Carolina in an ESPN game Thursday night - to have a chance.
''They still haven't awarded any bowls yet,'' UC coach Rick Minter said. ''If we come away with the East Carolina game, you'll hear me on the soapbox.''
Even at 8-3, UC would face long bowl odds. The last time UC went 8-3 was 1993, but the Bearcats were shut out of the bowls.
Senior linebacker Brad Jackson, who in 1993 redshirted as a true freshman, said: ''The reason we didn't go that year is because we were an independent. And we had a low fan base, that was their claim. We have no control over it. We just have to go out and win.''
UC also now has a league batting for it, Conference USA. Although UC is only 2-3 in the league, its seven wins overall have the league pushing the Bearcats for a bowl.
Brian Teter, Conference USA assistant commissioner, attended Saturday's game at UC. While no bowl scouts were on hand, Teter was upbeat about UC's hopes.
''I think there are opportunities out there,'' Teter said. ''Realistically, they (UC) have to go 8-3. But they've had some solid wins (Kansas, Boston College, Miami RedHawks) and a solid schedule. Any time you have eight wins in college football, you're a bowl candidate.''
Yet, Teter acknowledged that UC has some obstacles. There is the much-discussed fan base, as UC finished its home season with an average of 20,135 fans per game in 35,000-seat Nippert Stadium. Plus, UC lacks the name power of teams from leagues such as the Big Ten, Southeastern, and Atlantic Coast Conferences.
''Sometimes the bowls are seduced by the big names,'' Teter said. ''There could be openings, but it's all very subjective.''
Teter said that C-USA representatives - including Commissioner Mike Slive - have visited representatives of the Ford Motor City Bowl (Pontiac, Mich) and Poulan Weedeater Independence Bowl (Shreveport, La.) to push candidates such as UC and Tulane.
C-USA also plans visits to other bowls with at-large spots, including the Boise Humanitarian Bowl. Other bowls that could offer at-large spots are the Las Vegas Bowl (which would probably take a Western team) and the Copper Bowl.
Saturday, UC took care of its immediate business by pummeling Louisville (1-9, 0-5 C-USA). The Cardinals are having their worst season in 33 years. Third-year coach Ron Cooper is in danger of being fired.
The Bearcats scored first when Keck, a 6-foot-1, 203-pound junior with 4.5 speed in the 40-yard dash, caught a punt and weaved his way 44 yards for a score. UC's Jackson then tackled Louisville running back Frank Moreau in the end zone for a safety, making it 9-0 after one quarter.
UC added two more touchdowns and a field goal in the second period, including Daryl Royal's 33-yard catch-and-run TD reception and a 78-yard punt return by Keck.
The seven-win season is UC's first in four years under Minter.
''We're still not finished,'' he said. ''We'd like eight wins this season - and perhaps nine.''
GAME STATISTICS
SEASON IN STORIES
