University of Cincinnati football coach Luke Fickell said Tuesday that if it was up to him, and not offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock and the rest of the UC offensive coaching staff, he'd probably give the ball to running back Jerome Ford every play.
"They don't always listen to me," the defensive-minded head coach said with a laugh.
Well, here's the thing: There's no question a balanced offensive attack is the right move, but when Ford gets the ball, great things happen. A lot.
The junior Alabama transfer had 16 carries, 176 yards and four touchdowns Saturday against UCF, and that was only in the first half. Ford finished with 20 carries (tied for most in his career) a career-high 189 yards and the four scores, and the No. 3/4-ranked (Associated Press/Coaches) Bearcats routed the Knights, 56-21.
"We've just been fortunate enough to be in some situations where he hasn't had to (have 30-plus touches)," Fickell said following the win. "So he's going to be really, really fresh in the second half of the season, and I think that does nothing but make us a more explosive offense and team."
More:No. 3/4 Cincinnati Bearcats run through AAC foe UCF Knights 56-21
The victory marked the third straight for Cincinnati (6-0, 2-0 American Athletic Conference) against the AAC rival Knights (3-3, 1-2) and its 24th straight win at home.
Up next: The Bearcats will hit the road to face Navy on Oct. 23. Kickoff is scheduled for noon on either ABC, ESPN or ESPN2.
What we learned from Saturday's win:
Jerome's in the house
If you're a fan of the sitcom "Martin," you understand the above reference. If you're not a fan, what exactly are you doing with your life?
In the sitcom, Jerome is a character portrayed by actor Martin Lawrence. Jerome is a flashy, loudmouthed figure who can make an entrance like no other.
Well, Cincinnati's Jerome (Jerome Ford) isn't flashy and is very soft-spoken, but he too can make an entrance.
More:Cincinnati Bearcats football hits half-century mark in matinee win over UCF
"The great thing is he is a humble kid," Fickell said. " I mean, really. He doesn't get too high, he doesn't get too low. You wouldn't know the difference when you walk in the locker room if he had 22 yards rushing or whatever he had tonight. I tell you, whatever comes his way, he's earned."
More:Luke Fickell looks to get Cincinnati Bearcats running back Jerome Ford more involved
Senior quarterback Desmond Ridder is the Cincinnati player who has garnered Heisman Trophy attention this season. Well, ladies and gentlemen, Ford on Saturday joined Ridder on the short list of Heisman hopefuls.
"No. 24 is a great player," Ridder said. "He makes my job a whole lot easier. When you have five, six great, big guys up front who do their job and move the line of scrimmage, it makes it easier for both of us back there."
After exploding onto the national scene with a 79-yard run against Georgia in the Peach Bowl on New Year's Day, Ford has picked up this season right where he left off in Atlanta nine months ago.
After tying his career high in carries, tying his career-long with a 79-yard run and posting his fourth 100-yard game of the season (fifth of his career) on Saturday, Ford now has 705 yards and 12 touchdowns during the 2021 campaign.
Ford had 483 yards and eight scores all of last season.
More:Bengals coach Zac Taylor at epicenter of recent football successes in Cincinnati
Ford became the first Cincinnati player with at least four rushing touchdowns in a game since Isaiah Pead in 2010.
Pead was on the sideline Saturday to witness it.
"I've actually been able to watch Isaiah Peed, and I know he was really good back," Ford said. "It feels good (to match him)."
More importantly, Ford is averaging nearly seven yards per carry this season.
Coby Bryant does something he's never done before
The graduate cornerback has been an first-team all-conference performer for the Bearcats (2020) and entered Saturday with eight career interceptions.
Against UCF, Bryant finally crossed another item off of his to-do list.
With 2:55 left in the third quarter, the Cleveland native intercepted Knights quarterback MIkey Keene and returned the ball 74 yards for a touchdown. It was Bryant's first career pick-six.
"First thing, I just want to thank God for the opportunity," Bryant said. "But it was a blessing, really. Just trusting my instincts, and the defense doing their part to get the job done."
Bryant said he had to show his speed to the NFL scouts in attendance and watching the nationally televised broadcast.
More:UC Cornerbacks Coby Bryant and Ahmad Gardner walk Keith Jenkins through favorite plays
"I had to show them I could break away at little bit," he said.
With AP preseason first-team All-American cornerback Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner on the other side of the UC defense, Bryant often sees opportunities. He also often seizes them. Saturday was another example.
More style points for the Bearcats
Fickell reiterated Saturday that he's not concerned with compiling style points. But the reality is, the Bearcats need as many as they can get.
Cincinnati is set to join the Big 12 Conference in 2024. But until then, it's just another Group of Five team that needs to impress and do more than its Power Five counterparts in order to look attractive to the College Football Playoff selection committee and have a shot at a national championship.
So, as for style points, the Bearcats have scored 50-plus points in back-to-back games for the first time in program history. The first UC football season was in 1885.
"I feel like we should put up 50 every game because that's just how we execute our offense," Ridder said. "That's how it should be."
Source link
