Birmingham Bowl Prep: Getting To Know The Cincinnati Bearcats
Boston College is set to face off with the AAC runner up Cincinnati Bearcats on January 2nd. This is the 8th matchup between the two schools, with BC holding a series edge of 4-3, but UC won the last game in 1997 24-6 defeating Tom O'Brien and the Eagles.
The Game
Birmingham Bowl
Location: Legion Field, Birmingham Alabama
Fun Fact About Location: Last game Boston College played at Legion was in 1984 when Doug Flutie led the Eagles past #9 Alabama.
Date: January 2, 2020
Time: 3pm
TV: ESPN
Spread: Cincinnati (-7)
2019 Cincinnati Bearcats Overview
Record: 10-3
Record vs. Top 25: 0-3
The Coach
Luke Fickell: 25-13 (15-9 in AAC)
Experience: Various position coaching positions, and co-defensive coordinator at Ohio State (2002-2016), head coach Cincinnati (2016-present).
In his three years at Cincy, Fickell has brought the Bearcats from a losing record to runner up in the conference. Fickell is a defensive minded coach, who will bring a solid but not spectacular defense against BC. His Bearcats rank 50th against the run, which of course is Boston College's bread and butter.
As noted here, his name has been linked to the Boston College coaching search, which adds an interesting twist to this game.
All Conference Players
First Team (7): Josiah Deguara (TE), Morgan James (OG), Elijah Ponder (DT), Bryan Wright (LB), Perry Young (LB), Ahmad Gardner (CB), Darrick Forrest (S)
Second Team: Michael Warren (RB), James Smith (P)
Honorable Mention: Sam Crosa (K), Ja'von Hicks (S)
Old Friends In The Game: Former Boston College 4* LB Ethan Tucky is now a DL for the Bearcats. Transferred to Cincy after his freshman year at Chestnut Hill.
Game Results
8/28 - UCLA - 24-14 (W)
9/7- Ohio State - 42-0 (L)
9/14- Miami (OH) 35-13 (W)
9/28- Marshall 52-14 (W)
10/4 UCF 27-24 (W)
10/12 Houston 38-23 (W)
10/19 Tulsa 24-13 (W)
11/2 East Carolina 46-42 (W)
11/9 UConn 48-3 (W)
11/16 USF 20-17 (W)
11/23 Temple 15-13 (W)
11/29 Memphis 34-24 (L)
AAC Championship Memphis 29-24 (L)
Statistical Leaders
Passing
Desmond Ridder- 165- 301, 2069 yards, 17 touchdowns 9 interceptions.
Rushing
Michael Warren- 240 rushes for 1160 yards, 4.83 average, 14 touchdowns
Desmond Ridder- 123 rushes for 545 yards, 4.43 average, 2 touchdowns
Receiving
Alec Pierce- 34 receptions 621 yards, two touchdowns
Josaiah Deguara- 36 receptions, 492 yards, seven touchdowns
Rashad Medaris- 25 receptions, 354 yards, two touchdowns
Tackles
Darrick Forrest: 104
Bryan Wright: 94
Perry Young: 77
Sacks
Michael Pitts: 5.5
Myjai Sanders: 4.0
Interceptions
Ja'von Hicks: 5
Ahmad Gardner: 3
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