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2015 Cincinnati Bearcats football team

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{{{year}}} [[{{{team}}} football]]
2015 American Athletic Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
East Division
Temple x   7 1     10 4  
South Florida   6 2     8 5  
Cincinnati   4 4     7 6  
UConn   4 4     6 7  
East Carolina   3 5     5 7  
UCF   0 8     0 12  
West Division
No. 8 Houston xy$   7 1     13 1  
No. 18 Navy x   7 1     11 2  
Memphis   5 3     9 4  
Tulsa   3 5     6 7  
Tulane   1 7     3 9  
SMU   1 7     2 10  
Championship: Houston 24, Temple 13
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant
As of December 31, 2015
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2015 Cincinnati Bearcats football team represents the University of Cincinnati in the 2015 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team returned on campus to Nippert Stadium after playing 2014 home games at Paul Brown Stadium during stadium renovation. The Bearcats are led by third-year head coach Tommy Tuberville and are members of the Eastern Division of the American Athletic Conference.

Schedule

September 57:00 PMAlabama A&M*

FS Ohio/ESPN3W 52–10 39,095 September 128:00 PMTemple

  • Nippert Stadium
  • Cincinnati, OH

ESPNewsL 26–34 38,112 September 193:30 PMat Miami (OH)*

ESPN3W 37–33 18,484 September 247:30 PMat Memphis

ESPNL 46–53 45,172 October 17:30 PMMiami (FL)*

  • Nippert Stadium
  • Cincinnati, OH

ESPNW 34–23 40,101 October 168:00 PMat BYU*

ESPNL 24–38 57,612 October 244:30 PMConnecticutdagger

  • Nippert Stadium
  • Cincinnati, OH

CBSSNW 37–13 40,124 October 3112:00 PMUCF

  • Nippert Stadium
  • Cincinnati, OH

ESPNewsW 52–7 30,131 November 73:30 PMat No. 18 Houston

ESPN2L 30–33 32,889 November 147:30 PMTulsa

  • Nippert Stadium
  • Cincinnati, OH

ESPNewsW 49–38 35,015 November 208:00 PMat South Florida

CBSSNL 27–65 26,522 November 2812:00 PMat East Carolina

CBSSNW 19–16 40,743 December 248:00 PMvs. San Diego State*

ESPNL 7–4222,793

Template:CFB Schedule End

Schedule Source:[1]

Game notes

Alabama A&M

1 234Total
Bulldogs 7 003 10
Bearcats 7 28170 52
  • Location: Cincinnati, OH
  • Game attendance: 39,095
  • Television network: FSO/ESPN3
Overall record Last meeting Result
First Meeting

The clash with Alabama A&M was the first game played in newly-renovated Nippert Stadium. The announced attendance of 39,095 broke a two year-old Nippert attendance record, despite a weak opponent and a one-hour-and-forty-five minute weather delay. UC buried Alabama A&M as expected, in a game matching a major college FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) team against a weaker FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) team. UC went 9–4 last year, while Alabama A&M was 4–8. UC junior quarterback Gunner Kiel was 18-for-22 passing for 233 yards and two touchdowns for UC, all in the first half.Redshirt freshman Hayden Moore made his college debut in replacing Kiel at quarterback late in the first half. Moore went 8-for-14 passing for 107 yards and a TD. Senior wide receiver Shaq Washington had seven catches for 69 yards. Senior wide receiver Johnny Holton had three catches for 81 yards and two TDs. Senior wide receiver Alex Chisum had four catches for 55 yards and a TD. UC junior running back Tion Green had 17 carries for 127 yards and a TD. Senior running back Hosey Williams, the starter, had 18 carries for 95 yards and a TD. Sophomore running back Mike Boone had 13 carries for 86 yards and two TDs. UC had 636 total yards (340 passing, 296 rushing). Alabama A&M had 246 total yards, only 98 rushing. UC officials had previously expected a sellout crowd, which failed to materialize most likely because of the inclement conditions and late start time.[2]

Temple

1 234Total
Owls 3 7213 34
Bearcats 0 6614 26
  • Location: Cincinnati, OH
  • Game attendance: 38,112
  • Television network: ESPNews
Overall record Last meeting Result
7–9–1 2014 CIN, 14–6

The preseason AAC-favorite Bearcats lost despite outgaining the Owls 557–296 on offense and earning a staggering 21 more first downs (34–13). Quarterback Gunner Kiel threw four interceptions and senior running back Hosey Williams lost a fumble to create a 5–1 turnover deficit for Cincinnati which, when added to a successful surprise onside kick by Temple, played a massive role in deciding the game for the Owls. Despite going down 34–12 early in the fourth quarter, the Bearcats nevertheless clawed their way back, driving in two touchdowns to close the gap to one score. After recovering a nearly-disastrous fumble from Temple running back Jahad Thomas, who had 193 yards and a rushing score on 23 carries in addition to a kickoff return for a touchdown, UC drove the ball to the Temple five yard-line with just under twenty seconds to play and a timeout remaining. However, Kiel's pass in the end zone to wide receiver Chris Moore bounced out of Moore's hands and into the diving grasp of Temple linebacker Tyler Matakevich. It was Matakevich's second interception on a tipped pass, and it decimated any hopes of a Bearcat comeback.[3]

Miami (OH)

120th Battle for the Victory Bell
1 234Total
Bearcats 14 1067 37
RedHawks 7 1673 33
  • Location: Oxford, OH
  • Game attendance: 18,484
  • Television network: ESPN3
Overall record Last meeting Result
53–59–7 2014 CIN, 31–24

Style points aside, favored UC rallied for a 37–33 win over rival Miami University before 18,484 fans on a sunny Saturday at Yager Stadium. Backup quarterback Hayden Moore, a redshirt freshman playing in relief of injured Gunner Kiel, scored on a 1-yard plunge to give UC the go-ahead points with 1:13 left. Bearcats linebacker Eric Wilson, who had a game-high 18 tackles, broke up a Miami fourth-down pass at the RedHawks’ 29-yard line to seal things with 48 seconds left. The Bearcats retained the Victory Bell for the 10th straight year in its series with Miami. The Bearcats were 20-point favorites but again struggled to beat the RedHawks, who have played UC close for the past three years. The game was close throughout. UC led 14–7 after one quarter and 24–23 at halftime. It was 30–30 after three quarters. UC lost Kiel to a head injury on a roughing-the-passer call with 12:52 left in the third quarter, after he went 15-for-26 passing for 145 yards and a TD. Moore stepped in and helped keep UC alive, completing 7–14 passes for 118 yards and also rushing for 29 yards and a TD. But he also committed four turnovers in the fourth quarter alone, via two interceptions and two lost fumbles.[4]

Memphis

1 234Total
Bearcats 10 20313 46
Tigers 14 14322 53
  • Location: Memphis, TN
  • Game attendance: 45,172
  • Television network: ESPN
Overall record Last meeting Result
13–19 2014 MEM, 41–14

Redshirt freshman Hayden Moore broke a seemingly unbreakable University of Cincinnati passing record here Thursday night in a crazy, borderline ridiculous football game. It was also a UC loss, in a 53–46 shootout against Memphis at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. A crowd of 45,172 gasped for air and a national TV audience watched in amazement. Moore threw for 557 yards to break the 47-year-old UC single-game passing mark held by Bearcats great Greg Cook (554). Moore did it in a little over three-plus quarters, after starter Gunner Kiel departed with a neck injury with 3:25 left in the first period. Moore completed 31-of-53 passes for 557 yards, with four touchdowns and two interceptions. Cook’s record was 554 yards against Ohio University in 1968. UC had 752 total yards overall, breaking the school mark of 711 set against UConn in 2009. UC also set a school mark with 38 first downs, and the 752 yards were the most Memphis has ever allowed. The Bearcats fell to 2–2 overall and 0–2 in the American Athletic Conference East, after being the preseason media pick to win both the East and overall league title. Memphis, the preseason AAC West favorite, improved to 4–0 overall and 1–0 in the West.[5]

Miami (FL)

1 234Total
Hurricanes 13 703 23
Bearcats 14 1307 34
  • Location: Cincinnati, OH
  • Game attendance: 40,101
  • Television network: ESPN
Overall record Last meeting Result
1–11 2014 MIA, 55–34

With several of their best players watching in street clothes, the Cincinnati Bearcats pulled a signature football upset that saw UC students gleefully storm the field late Thursday night. UC surprised the Miami Hurricanes 34–23 before a Nippert Stadium record crowd of 40,101, for the most prestigious victory of the three-year Tommy Tuberville coaching era. A national TV audience also watched on ESPN, with the Bearcats 7-point underdogs to one of America's glamour college programs. The odds were stacked against UC, with regular quarterback Gunner Kiel among several key Bearcats who did not dress. Kiel watched from the press box. Running back Mike Boone, wide receivers Johnny Holton and Chris Moore and safety Andre Jones were among other injured Bearcats who did not dress. The Bearcats (3–2) led most of the way in beating the Hurricanes (3–1), who had not lost to UC since their first meeting in 1947. UC since had lost 11 straight games to Miami, and most were whippings on the scale of last year's 55–34 Hurricanes win in Miami. UC is now 2–5 under Tuberville against Power Five teams. That does not include two games in 2013 against Rutgers (win) and Louisville (loss), which then were in the AAC with UC.[6]

BYU

1 234Total
Bearcats 10 770 24
Cougars 0 10721 38
  • Location: Provo, UT
  • Game attendance: 57,612
  • Television network: ESPN
Overall record Last meeting Result
First Meeting

With the scenic Wasatch Mountain Range towering majestically above the stadium, the Cincinnati Bearcats enjoyed both the view and the football game for most of Friday night here. Then came the fourth quarter. UC came apart down the stretch and lost 38–24 to Brigham Young University after being physically manhandled and outscored 21–0 in the final period. UC redshirt freshman quarterback Hayden Moore was sacked eight times in his second career start. Former starter Gunner Kiel dressed but did not play after missing the previous game with a neck injury. The Bearcats' defense, on the other hand, failed to sack BYU freshman quarterback Tanner Mangum. The UC pass rush was consistently stymied. Mangum was 19-for-32 passing for 252 yards and two touchdowns, with one interception. Moore was 15-for-30 passing for 219 yards, with no touchdowns or interceptions. But the heavy pressure took a toll. A noisy crowd of 57,612 attended at LaVell Edwards Stadium. A national TV audience also watched on ESPN as the UC offense stalled and the Bearcats were gashed for three touchdowns in a six-minute stretch of the fourth quarter. UC (3–3) was denied a second consecutive quality win. The Bearcats had been idle after upsetting the Miami Hurricanes 34–23 in their last game on Oct. 1. BYU (5–2) was a 4 ½-point favorite, according to Las Vegas lines. UC dominated the first quarter, building a 10–0 lead with a 205–19 edge in total yardage. The Bearcats built their lead to 17–3 before settling for a 17–10 halftime lead. UC dominated the first half statistically, with a 262–166 edge in total yards. In the second half, UC was outgained 283–75.[7]

Connecticut

1 234Total
Huskies 7 303 13
Bearcats 14 10310 37
  • Location: Cincinnati, OH
  • Game attendance: 40,124
  • Television network: CBSSN
Overall record Last meeting Result
9–2 2014 CIN, 41–0

Gunner Kiel admittedly was upset at losing his University of Cincinnati quarterback job, but he flourished Saturday upon regaining the No. 1 role. Kiel, making his first start in a month, was 26-for-35 passing for 327 yards and two touchdowns and also rushed for a touchdown as UC crushed Connecticut 37–13, in the Bearcats' Homecoming game at rainy Nippert Stadium. Kiel was injured in two different games in September and Hayden Moore temporarily temporarily took the quarterback job. UC went 1–1 with redshirt freshman Moore starting, after going 2–2 with junior Kiel to start the year. With Moore battered for eight sacks in a 38–24 loss at BYU last week and suffering some tendinitis this week, Kiel regained his job with strong practice performances. UC coach Tommy Tuberville said Kiel was unhappy about watching from the sidelines last week. That was indeed the case, Kiel said. Kiel put on a show before paid crowd of 40,124, a Nippert record. The game was sold out in advance but actual attendance was less than capacity, with intermittent showers during the game. UC senior running back Hosey Williams rushed for 140 yards and a touchdown, and sophomore running back Mike Boone rushed for 117 yards. Junior running back Tion Green rushed for 71 yards, as UC totaled 285 yards rushing. Senior wide receiver Shaq Washington had eight catches for 78 yards. Washington needs eight catches to become the UC career receptions leader. Junior linebacker Eric Wilson led the defense with 11 tackles. Junior safety Zach Edwards and freshman linebacker Bryce Jenkinson also had eight tackles. "Our D-line stepped up big tonight, and everything starts with them," Edwards said. "They stopped the run and their pass rush was great. (UConn) couldn't get the ball off." The Bearcats (4–3 overall, 1–2 American Athletic Conference East) won easily despite falling behind 7–0 early. The Bearcats accumulated a 612–266 advantage in total yardage.[8]

UCF

1 234Total
Knights 0 007 7
Bearcats 21 14143 52
  • Location: Cincinnati, OH
  • Game attendance: 30,131
  • Television network: ESPNews
Overall record Last meeting Result
First Meeting

It was perfect football weather, crisp and overcast. Perfect for the University of Cincinnati to slaughter winless Central Florida, and for UC senior Shaq Washington to break the Bearcats' career record for receptions. Not to mention, a perfect day passing (15-for-15, 319 yards, five touchdown passes) by UC junior quarterback Gunner Kiel. UC routed the Knights 52–7 at Nippert Stadium on Saturday afternoon, as wide receiver Washington set a UC mark with his 205th career catch. Washington, from Cleveland suburb Maple Heights, broke the record on his eighth catch of the day: A 20-yard reception late in the third quarter. UC fans gave Washington a standing ovation. The Bearcats career record had been 204 catches, shared by Mardy Gilyard (UC 2005; 2007–2009), Dominick Goodman (2005–2008) and LaDaris Vann (1999–2002). "I tried not to focus on it a lot, but at the same time, a lot of people were talking about it," Washington said. Washington was determined to get the record at home, with UC playing at Houston next week. Washington also had his first career two-touchdown game. For the day, Washington had eight catches for 72 yards. "It was a unique deal for Shaq to break the record here at home," Tuberville said. "His family is there and the fans get to see it. As I just told the team, that's a unique deal to break a record like that, that's been around here for a while." The temperature was in the upper 40s at kickoff, and a Nippert season-low crowd of 30,131 was treated to a blowout. UC emptied its bench, and fans began leaving early with the game in hand. UC (5–3, 2–2 American Athletic Conference East) had 726 yards of total offense, second best in school history. UCF had 313 total yards. Kiel's 15-for-15 day marked the most completions without an incompletion by any Football Bowl Subdivision player in the last 20 years, according ESPN Stats & Info. UC moved within one win of bowl eligibility and achieved its first two-game winning streak this season. [9]

Houston

1 234Total
Bearcats 0 1488 30
#18 Cougars 7 7163 33
  • Location: Houston, TX
  • Game attendance: 32,889
  • Television network: ESPN2
Overall record Last meeting Result
10–13 2014 CIN, 38–31

Tulsa

1 234Total
Golden Hurricane 7 71014 38
Bearcats 14 71414 49
  • Location: Cincinnati, OH
  • Game attendance: 35,015
  • Television network: ESPNews
Overall record Last meeting Result
13–16–2 1997 CIN, 34–24

South Florida

1 234Total
Bearcats 0 3177 27
Bulls 27 2477 65
  • Location: Tampa, FL
  • Game attendance: 26,522
  • Television network: CBSSN
Overall record Last meeting Result
8–4 2014 CIN, 34–17

East Carolina

1 234Total
Bearcats 0 6103 19
Pirates 10 006 16
  • Location: Greenville, NC
  • Game attendance: 40,743
  • Television network: CBSSN
Overall record Last meeting Result
6–12 2014 CIN, 54–46

San Diego State-Hawaii Bowl

Hawai'i Bowl
1 234Total
Aztecs 14 7714 42
Bearcats 0 007 7
  • Location: Honolulu, HI
  • Game start: 8:05 PM
  • Game weather: 75 deg. NE 10
  • Referee: Rodney Burnette
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Adam Amin, Greg McElroy and Holly Rowe; ESPN Radio: Kevin Winter, Mike Golic Sr. and Mike Golic Jr.
Overall record Last meeting Result
1–0 2007 CIN, 52-23

Roster

2015 Cincinnati Bearcats football team roster
Players Coaches
Offense
Pos. # Name Class
WR 1 Kahlil Lewis Fr
WR 2 Mekale McKay Sr
WR 3 Johnny Holton  Sr
RB 4 Hosey Williams Sr
RB 5 Mike Boone So
RB 7 Tion Green Jr
QB 9 Hayden Moore Fr
QB 10 Luke Wright Fr
QB 11 Gunner Kiel (C)  Jr
QB 12 Ross Trail Fr
QB 13 Avery Peterson (I) Fr
QB 14 Sam Fette Fr
WR 15 Chris Moore  Sr
WR 17 Jamil Kamara (I) So
TE 18 Tyler Cogswell  So
WR 19 Shaq Washington (C)  Sr
WR 20 Tshumbi Johnson  So
TE 22 Deionte Buckley (I)  Jr
RB 24 Taylor Boose Fr
WR 25 Max Morrison  Sr
RB 30 Chad Banschbach  So
RB 34 Joshuwa Holloman Injured Fr
OL 50 Ja'Merez Bowen Fr
OL 51 Delonte Murray Jr
OL 52 Reed Armagost Fr
OL 53 Tyler McGarr Injured Fr
OL 54 Luke Callahan Fr
OL 57 Morgan James Fr
OL 58 Chad West  Sr
OL 59 Deyshawn Bond  Jr
OL 64 Will Steur  So
OL 65 Idarius Rey Jr
OL 66 David Niehaus  So
OL 68 Jeff Duncan Fr
OL 71 Korey Cunningham  So
OL 72 Garrett Campbell  So
OL 73 Ryan Leahy  Jr
OL 74 Justin Murray  Sr
OL 76 Evan Mallory Fr
OL 77 John Kurtz Fr
OL 78 Parker Ehinger (C)  Jr
OL 79 Ryan Stout Fr
WR 80 Alex Chism  Sr
TE 81 DJ Dowdy  Jr
WR 82 Braxton Neal Injured Fr
TE 83 Josiah Deguara Injured Fr
WR 84 Nate Cole  Jr
WR 85 Brayden Beard Fr
WR 87 Justin Sawmiller Sr
WR 88 Frank Labady Fr
TE 89 Jake Elfers  Fr
Defense
Pos. # Name Class
S 2 Tyrell Gilbert Fr
CB 3 Christian Angulo Fr
CB 4 Zach Edwards Jr
S 5 Mike Tyson Jr
LB 6 Clemente Casseus (S) Sr
LB 7 Aaron Brown  So
CB 8 Adrian Witty Injured (C)  Sr
CB 9 Leviticus Payne Sr
CB 10 Trevon Story Fr
CB 11 John James  Sr
S 12 Jarred Evans Sr
CB 13 Grant Coleman Jr
CB 14 J.J. Pinckney Fr
CB 15 Sheldon Doss Fr
LB 17 Matthew Draper Fr
S 20 Carter Jacobs So
CB 21 Davon Witherspoon  Fr
LB 23 Eric Wilson  Jr
S 24 Malik Clements Fr
CB 25 Alex Thomas Fr
CB 26 Bobby Brown So
S 29 Andre Jones  Jr
CB 30 Chris Murphy (I) So
CB 32 Linden Stephens So
LB 33 Jaylyin Minor Fr
LB 38 Mason Antoun  Sr
LB 40 Kevin Brown Sr
LB 41 Kevin Hyland  Sr
LB 42 Antonio Kinard Jr
DE 44 Marquise Copeland Fr
LB 45 Bryce Jenkinson Fr
DE 47 Landon Brazile Fr
LB 48 Kevin Mouhon  Fr
DE 50 Sione Tongamoa Fr
DE 51 Kimoni Fitz Fr
DT 52 Keith Minor Fr
LB 53 Franklin Bruscianelli  So
DE 55 Caleb Ashworth Fr
DE 56 Mark Wilson  So
DT 63 Chris Ferguson  So
DL 77 Beau Harmon So
DL 86 Tyler Lyon Fr
DT 90 Hakeem Allonce Sr
DL 92 Silverberry Mouhon (C)  Sr
DT 94 Chris Burton  So
DE 95 Bryan Wright Fr
DT 96 Cortez Broughton Fr
DT 97 Norman Oglesby Fr
DE 98 Lyndon Johnson Jr
DT 99 Alex Pace Jr
Special teams
Pos. # Name Class
K 16 Andrew Gantz  So
P 26 Sam Geraci  So
K 34 Josh Pasley Jr
LS 47 Jon Vincent So
LS 61 Kirk Willis (C)  Sr
K 97 Ryan Jones Fr


Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
  • Robert Prunty
    Associate Head Coach/Co-Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line
  • Steve Clinkscale
    Co-Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs
  • Eddie Gran
    Offensive Coordinator/Running Backs
  • Darren Hiller
    Offensive Line
  • Darin Hinshaw
    Passing Game Coordinator/Quarterbacks
  • Kenny Ingram
    Defensive Tackles
  • Jeff Koonz
    Linebackers
  • Blake Rolan
    Wide Receivers
  • Ty Linder
    Special Teams Coordinator/Tight Ends
  • Joe Walker
    Director of Football Strength & Conditioning

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injured Injured
  • Redshirt Redshirt

Roster
Last update: August 30, 2015

Depth chart

Rankings

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
Week
PollPre1234567891011121314Final
APRVRV
CoachesRV
CFPNot releasedNot released

References

  1. ^ "2015 Cincinnati Bearcats Football Schedule". FB Schedules. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  2. ^ Groeschen, Tom (September 6, 2015). "UC Bearcats Rout Alabama A&M in Nippert Return". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved September 14, 2015.
  3. ^ Groeschen, Tom (September 13, 2015). "UC Bearcats Rally Late, Fall to Temple at Nippert". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved September 14, 2015.
  4. ^ Groeschen, Tom (September 19, 2015). "Bearcats barely hold on to Victory Bell". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved September 20, 2015.
  5. ^ Groeschen, Tom (September 24, 2015). "Memphis outlasts UC despite Moore's huge offensive night". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved September 28, 2015.
  6. ^ Groeschen, Tom (October 1, 2015). "UC Bearcats down Miami Hurricanes, 34–23". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved October 5, 2015.
  7. ^ Groeschen, Tom (October 16, 2015). "UC Bearcats fall apart late in loss to Brigham Young". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved October 17, 2015.
  8. ^ Groeschen, Tom (October 24, 2015). "UC Bearcats cruise past UConn, 37–13". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
  9. ^ Groeschen, Tom (October 31, 2015). "UC Bearcats rout winless Central Florida, 52–7". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved November 1, 2015.