Cincinnati Football: Report Card Grades For the Bearcats' First Game

No matter who the opponent was, putting 72 points up on anybody is a pretty solid nights work. 

The 72 Cincinnati poured on Austin Peay is the most points they have scored in 90 years and the third most in school history. 

While Austin Peay is clearly the weakest team on the schedule, the Bearcats looked almost perfect over the weekend and heading into a big matchup against Tennessee in Knoxville on Saturday, they look poised to pull off the upset. 

Here is a report card for each position after the season opener. 

Quarterback

Cincinnati quarterbacks only had to throw 22 passes the entire game. The combination of Zach Collaros, Munchie Legaux, Jordan Luallen and Brendon Kay each led a touchdown drive. 

Collaros only played the first half and finished 12 of 19 for 134 yards and four touchdowns. He also had five rushes for 25 yards. 

Backup Munchie Leaguax led Cincinnati on multiple scoring drives and went two of three passing for 40 yards along with 36 yards rushing and a touchdown. 

Third stringer Jordan Luallen totaled four carries for 36 yards and a touchdown and Brendon Kay led the Bearcats on their final touchdown drive without throwing a pass. 

Overall grade: A

Running Back

Starter Isaiah Pead did not see the field much after the first quarter and still totaled 87 yards and two touchdowns on only seven carries.

Backup George Winn had 33 yards on six carries and true freshman Jamel Poteat had 30 yards on four carries. 

In all, the Bearcats running backs rushed for 387 yards on 49 carries, an average of 7.9 yards per carry.

The group had six rushing touchdowns and had no trouble running all over the Governors.

Overall grade: A+

Wide Receiver

Due to the margin of the game, the Bearcats were not able to throw the ball too often, but when they did, their receivers came up big.

Senior D.J. Woods had four receptions for 59 yards and a touchdown and sophomore Anthony McClung had three catches for 48 yards and two touchdowns.

Kenbrell Thompkins had two catches for 20 yards and a touchdown and none of them saw the field in the second half.

Overall grade: B+ 

Offensive Line

The offensive line started off much better this season than it did last year. 

A year ago, Zach Collaros was running for his life in a season opening loss to Fresno St. 

Saturday, the offensive line did a great job protecting Zach Collaros and opening up big holes for the running game. 

Overall grade: A-

Defensive Line

The move of Walter Stewart to defensive end looks like a genius move so far. 

Cincinnati was able to get consistent pressure on the quarterback which led to two sacks. 

They also helped force five turnovers, including three fumbles.

The group will need consistent improvement, if they plan on pulling off the upset in Knoxville Saturday.  

Overall grade: B

Linebackers

Star senior linebacker J.K. Schaffer had an interception and could have had two more if he had not dropped them in the open field. 

Schaffer had three tackles in limited playing time and fellow linebacker Maalik Bomar had two tackles and a fumble recovery. 

With limited playing time, it is still hard to gauge the linebacker group, but true freshmen Nick Temple, Clemente Casseus and Dwight Jackson looked impressive in the second half. 

Overall grade: B+

Secondary

Fifth-year junior Drew Frey leads a secondary that was extremely impressive in the season opener. 

Frey had three tackles and reserve Adrian Witty forced two fumbles. Starter Chris Williams had a fumble recovery and backup Aaron Roberson had an interception. 

The group held Austin Peay to only 150 yards passing on 23 attempts and did not let the Governors get into the end zone until very late in the game. 

Overall grade: A-

Special Teams

Special teams was a struggle last season for Cincinnati and the opener looked a little better. 

True freshman Ralph Abernathy IV took the opening kickoff for 60 yards. 

Redshirt freshman Tony Miliano missed the first extra point, but made the next 10, along with a 39 yard field goal. 

Cincinnati consistently got good field position and made good strides on special teams in the season opener. 

Overall grade: B

Coaching and Intangibles

This is clearly the best game Butch Jones has coached while at Cincinnati. 

He played virtually everybody on the roster for extended snaps and spread the ball out perfectly. 

No running back carried the ball more than seven times and 11 running backs had at least two carries. 

Jones played his reserves for the entire second half and got them some vital experience that will pay off down the road. 

Overall grade: A+