WEST HARRISON – The University of Cincinnati football team on Friday took the field at the Higher Ground Conference and Retreat Center for the first time of fall camp.
The Bearcats practiced under a cloudy sky and in the shadow of a large, white banner hanging above the field with the words "JUST BE US" printed on it.
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The three words – accompanied by a a red and black C-Paw – are the theme of Cincinnati's fall camp.
"We just gotta be us," sixth-year Bearcats coach Luke Fickell said. "We don't know exactly what 'us' is just yet, but I think a lot of those things kind of come to fruition as we get to Higher Ground and start to develop a lot of those things."
The two-time defending American Athletic Conference champions are turning the page after their record-breaking 2021 campaign that ended in a loss to Alabama in the College Football Playoff semifinal.
This year's team is a new team, but the culture has been established and the standard has been set.
"Our thing this year is just be us," senior tight end Josh Whyle said. "Just do what we do and we'll be successful at the end of the day. That's what we're focused on. Just do what we do and we'll be good."
OC Guidugli opens up about QB battle
Sophomore Evan Prater and senior Ben Bryant continued their battle to see who will replace Desmond Ridder as Cincinnati's starting quarterback.
Prater threw an interception to cornerback Arquon Bush that Bush returned for a touchdown. Prater's errant throw matched the ball Bryant threw Thursday to linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. that also went the other way for a score.
As each quarterback finds his footing in first-year offensive coordinator Gino Guidugli's offense, Guidugli said he will be evaluating both Prater's and Bryant's "overall body of work" as he and Fickell decide who will start the season-opener Sept. 3 at Arkansas (3:30 p.m. on ESPN).
"Everything is being evaluated," he said. "We're hoping there will be some separation. If not, hopefully that means we have two really good guys we feel can go win a championship."
Guidugli, who has served as Cincinnati's quarterbacks coach since 2018, is taking over the offense this season after Fickell's longtime offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock joined Brian Kelly at LSU.
More:What UC Bearcats offense will look like with Gino Guidugli running the show
Guidugli acknowledged that Prater and Bryant are vastly different quarterbacks. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Bryant is more of a pocket passer, while Prater, the 6-foot-4, 200-pound 2019 Ohio Mr. Football from Wyoming High School, possesses a more athletic, dual-threat skill set.
Guidugli said Prater's and Bryant's reps will rotate differently each day, as he is scripting practices in a way that caters to each player's strengths to give them both an opportunity to succeed.
"Hopefully, when it's all said and done, the arrows are pointing in one direction and it's not that tough a decision," Guidugli said. "They're really both playing their ass off."
Center Jake Renfro shares perspective on QB competition
A positive for Prater and Bryant is they're both working behind an offensive line that is the most experienced position group on the team. All five starters from last year's squad are back.
"Any time you can come back and you've got those five guys up front that you can lean on, you can count on to take a little pressure off a new quarterback, it's exciting because you feel it's all got to start up front," Guidugli said. "Coach Fick's a big believer in this is an O-line drive program, and we've got some guys up front.
"In our team meeting the other day, I challenged them like, 'You're the best offensive line group in our conference. Now, let's make a run at being the best offensive line group in the country."
More:Cincinnati Bearcats offensive linemen O'Quinn, Renfro named to Outland Trophy watch list
The man in the middle of that offensive line is 2021 All-AAC center Jake Renfro. The 6-foot-3, 310-pound junior is one of the undisputed leaders of the O-line, joining fellow 2021 All-AAC tackle Dylan O'Quinn.
The group has flexed its depth early on during camp, as sophomore Joe Huber – a former walk-on – has gotten first-team reps in place of 2021 All-AAC selection Lorenz Metz who is working his way back from offseason surgery.
"We have a strong camaraderie amongst us, and as we get through camp, it's only going to keep getting better and better," Renfro said.
As for the quarterback battle, Renfro told The Enquirer his main focus is keeping whoever is back there upright and clean and doing whatever else he can to make their job easier.
"I don't really care who's behind me as long as I can get them the ball and keep them safe," he said. "I tell them (Bryant and Prater) every day we need them to be more vocal. Be that dude that Des was. Both of them are stepping up great. They're becoming those dudes, which is awesome. It's exactly what we need as an offense."
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