Cincinnati Bearcats vs Austin Peay Governors Football Preview

Cincinnati 72, Austin Peay 10

Last season was a disaster for the Cincinnati Bearcats. This season is one great venture into the unknown for the UC program, but at least after one game, it’s hard to find too much cause for complaint.
 
Even against an FCS team, even against an undermanned opponent, it’s fair to say that a 62- point win and an offensive output of over 70 points represents an appreciably successful maiden voyage in 2011 for head coach Butch Jones, who is under the gun to perform after failing to sustain the good times Brian Kelly brought to the Queen City in prior years. Cincinnati has to make substantial improvements this season for Jones to feel safe in his new position, so while a lot of work remains to be done, the new sideline sultan in Cincy has to be a little relieved about his standing at the moment.
 
Cincinnati scored on six of its seven first-half possessions against the Austin Peay Governors and a defense that sported only one senior starter on its roster. UC operated smartly and steadily, not trying to reinvent the wheel but simply bring an improved modus operandi to the table for 2011. Running back Isaiah Pead ran 40 yards for a touchdown on the Bearcats' first play from scrimmage in this home opener at Nippert Stadium. Pead also scored on a 13-yard run and finished with 87 yards. He didn’t need to work very long… not with the score opening up like a gusher and giving both second- and third-string players the chance to strap on the pads for the Bearcats.

Cincinnati quarterback Zach Collaros, the Big East's top returning passer, played only the first half and was 12 of 19 for 134 yards in a workmanlike and clean effort that had to satisfy Jones. Cincinnati’s coaching staff wants Collaros to cut down on turnovers, thereby keeping UC’s suspect defense off the field.    His 34-yard pass to D.J. Woods completed a 95-yard drive in the second quarter. Collaros also threw a pair of touchdown passes to Anthony McClung in the last 39 seconds of the first half for a 41-0 lead.
 
After that, it was just a matter of window dressing, but Cincinnati did manage to post 31 points’ worth of window dressing. Interestingly enough, what might matter more than the 72-point scoring total is the fact that UC conceded just 10 points. Defense, not offense, was the problem for the Bearcats last season, an exception among Big East teams. Jones got to see what his defensive 11 can do, and that might offer the second-year coach the biggest single source of encouragement.

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By: Matt Zemek
DFN Sports Senior Staff Writer