A sluggish start and disappointing rushing attack resulted in a 45-31 loss to Virginia on Saturday after the Bobcats’ bye week. Now, Ohio takes on in-state rival Cincinnati at Nippert Stadium.
Kickoff is set for noon Saturday. It’s the 51st meeting between the two teams, but the first since 1981.
This is our second mailbag of the year at The Post. The sports editors will try to answer all your questions. Do you want to ask one next week? Just comment on the bottom of this article or on our bobcatattack.com thread.
Now, let’s jump into the second mailbag.
What are your thoughts on the progress Cincinnati has made from year one to year two? What would you attribute this to? -Bobcat to Buckeye
There’s definitely been a significant jump between year one and year two.
In any successful turnaround, the jump in play usually happens within the first few years because of a better grasp with the playbook and adjusting to the way coaches want their program to be ran.
I think that the big jump has come because Cincinnati coach Luke Fickell is an Ohio native. He’s been able to get in touch with the student body and boosters, and whenever a coach can reignite a team’s support system, it plays dividends.
Look at what Frank Solich has done over the past 14 years in Athens. He’s made the Bobcats relevant again. There’s no doubt that’s one of the reasons why Peden Stadium has led the Mid-American Conference in attendance when he’s been here.
Is UC getting better recruits (the) past couple (of) years under Fickell? -Obc2
The simple answer is yes, very much so.
Put take a look at the rankings and it shows. The Bearcats led the American Athletic Conference in recruiting, in 2018 with 22 three-star recruits, according to 247sports.com. It also grabbed a four star recruit: tight end Leonard Taylor.
The Bearcats also finished No. 47 in the country. The season before Fickell landed in Cincinnati, it was ranked No. 68.
Would love to see any old photos/articles from past UC-Ohio games from years past you could post on here! I believe that Ohio is third in UC program history after Miami and Louisville in terms of total games played as an opponent. -OUcats82
This is the best I could come up with. I think you'll enjoy!
Do you think we’ll see more of (Isiah) Cox and (Jerome) Buckner at WR? -Doc Bobcat
Definitely more of Cox. He had some great grabs against Virginia, and that should continue. The Bobcats have struggled to stretch the field as of late, something that hasn’t been present since Sebastian Smith in 2016. Cox gives them that weapon, and it’s something that Rourke wasn’t able to use last year.
For Buckner, probably not so much. He was injured in the game in Nashville and never returned. An injury update given hasn’t been given.
