Oregon State ready for rematch with #17 ranked UC Bearcats

Two seasons ago the UC Bearcats kicked off their season with two straight home games on Thursday nights. The first, a 59-3 win over SEMO was chronicled last week by myself (read more: http://adamniemeyer.blogspot.com/2009/09/southeast-missouri-state-gears-for.html)

But, the second was a much more anticipated matchup with the Oregon State Beavers in a game that would be televised nationwide by ESPN as a part of their Thursday Night Football series. Chris Fowler, Craig James and Doug Flutie all sat in the booth just feet from myself as I endured my second game helping video coordinator John Sells “mark” the plays from the sideline angle.

More importantly, the Bearcats had an opportunity to knock off a team that one season earlier beat the vaunted USC Trojans at their place in Oregon. Bearcat Head Coach Brian Kelly said that this game was an opportunity to put UC on a national stage. It was an opportunity to make his program nationally relevant.

And did he make a point on national TV.

Behind the performance from the defensive backfield—who forced six interceptions—and quarterback Ben Mauk, who threw for 199 yards and two touchdowns, the Bearcats won handily 34-3. By beating a team that was receiving votes in national polls, the Bearcats threw their name into the ring as a team that wanted some national respect

“This is a first step in that direction,” Kelly said. “It sends the message that the University of Cincinnati needs to be looked at as a Top 25 program. Now, the first coat of paint is on. We’re not a finished product.”

And not only did the Bearcats pick off six passes, they got the job done on special teams too. A muffed punt that was recovered on the two yard line lead to a touchdown run by Bradley Glatthaar (an Elder High School grad) and a blocked punt was recovered in the endzone by Marcus “Bones” Barnett in the thrashing of the Beavers.

“We wanted to show everybody our ability, let them know what we can do,” Barnett said after the game. “We’re here.” And he wasn’t kidding. After this game the Bearcats started getting votes in national polls, and three weeks later they headed to San Diego ranked #24 in the AP Writers Poll.

It was the start of something special in the city of Cincinnati, something that led over ten thousand Bearcat fans to travel down to Miami, Florida for last season’s Orange Bowl berth. That game in 2007 brought 25,000 plus into Nippert Stadium. By comparison, last week’s beatdown of Southeast Missouri State brought 30,000 and some into the ‘Nip.

Enthusiasm is growing in Cincinnati for the Bearcats. Some might even call it “Cat Scratch Fever”, the song that plays when the Bearcats take to the field at Nippert on gamedays. Well, there’s no doubt that what Brian Kelly has done here in two seasons is special, but don’t tell him that.

After last weekend’s game he said, “Special to me is winning every game. That would be special. We’ve won two games. I’ll tell you whether we’re special or not at the end of the season.”

The Bearcats could become even more special with a win this weekend in Oregon. Check back with me on Sunday or Monday for photos of Reser Stadium, where the #17 Bearcats and #24 Beavers will mix it up on Saturday evening at 6:45 Eastern. If you’ve got Fox Sports Net Ohio, watch the game. You won’t be disappointed.