BY TOM GROESCHEN
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The top two receivers are gone to the National Football League, leaving Cornelius "Cornbread" Bonner the main wideout for the University of Cincinnati.

Bonner, a junior from Gaffney, S.C., caught 11 passes for 209 yards (19.0 average) and three touchdowns last year. That makes him a veteran among UC's returning receivers, only two of whom caught a pass in 1996.

"I'll have to be the leader out there, because of the simple fact that I've got the most experience," said Bonner, who played at Georgia Military College before joining UC in 1996.

Gone are Robert Tate and Anthony Ladd, who stand No. 8 and 10, respectively, on UC's career receiving list. Tate was a sixth-round draftee by the Minnesota Vikings this year. Ladd, signed as a free agent with Atlanta, was waived but is now with Tampa Bay.

"When I came here and saw they had guys like Robert and Anthony, I knew I'd have to wait my turn," Bonner said. "But when they left, I knew I'd be the go-to guy."

Jason Collins-Baker, a redshirt freshman from Detroit, will be the other starting wideout. He had a five-catch, 105-yard day in the spring intrasquad game.

Bonner (6-foot, 185) got behind defenses for touchdowns of 62, 45, and 30 yards last year, but also catches well in traffic. Collins-Baker (5-10, 185) lacks Bonner's experience but has sprinter's speed, having run 10.5 seconds in the 100-meter dash.

Brent Petrus, formerly the No. 2 quarterback behind Chad Plummer, could become the No. 3 wideout. The 6-foot-4, 205-pound Petrus has been switched to receiver because of his athletic ability, but also continues to practice at QB.

Artrell Hawkins, a senior cornerback whose 40-meter dash of 4.31 seconds makes him an NFL prospect, could be a situational receiver. "We're very thin at receiver, as far as quality players," UC coach Rick Minter said. "Cornbread will be the leader of that group, but I think Jason (Collins-Baker) will quickly follow suit." Bonner's nickname of Cornbread, a play on his first name, was given him by a youth league coach. The name should get more familiar to UC fans, since Bonner is the only wideout with significant Division I experience.

UC does have the luxury of a strong running game, which should ease the burden on the receivers. The Bearcats return most running backs and every offensive line starter from a 1996 team that led Conference USA in rushing.

INJURY UPDATE:

Eric Richards, the senior placekicker who is second in UC history with 29 field goals, will miss the season opener vs. Tulsa Aug. 28. He is recovering from a fractured kicking foot.