Midway through spring football, UC seeing positive growth

The last time the University of Cincinnati football team was on a field competitively, the Bearcats bench emptied hurriedly, celebrating a dramatic win against the University of Connecticut.

The Bearcats finished the season 4-8.

In the days leading up to the 2017 finale, first-year head coach Luke Fickell said he wasn't used to playing games with little significance to close a season. Usually, his seasons ended with a championship game, a bowl appearance or even a rivalry. Last year's win simply offered UC hope entering the offseason.

Thursday morning inside the bubble at Sheakley Athletics Center, the hope continued.

Fickell and the Bearcats are more than four months removed since that Saturday afternoon. Thursday morning marked the program's eighth spring football practice, which is all-but the midway point of the 15-practice spring.

Then, Fickell spoke with reporters and said improvements are noticeable, even if it's something as simple as staying healthy.

"We had nine guys who couldn’t practice last year at this time," Fickell said. "Those weren’t surgery guys. Those were guys who had been hurt in the first seven practices. Really, we’ve now got two now.

"Obviously you're seeing your guys are in better situations to continue to play football. So in that case, they’re playing more football, continuing to get more reps and in turn, I think they’re becoming better football players. Now we need to find how to put it all together."

Of course, that's what the practices are used for. But it's also an opportunity for the players and coaching staffs to grow in their comfort levels and culture.

During his first year, Fickell remarked the season was more difficult than he ever thought it'd be. With that season complete, the looming one has a more collective focus across the program.

"Anytime you're in the next year, they understand the routine," Fickell said. "The big thing is expectations. Everybody's expectations for different things were different. And in the first year it's a little bit of a shock to the system.

"Everybody has expectations to win, but I’m talking about the things in which we believe the way to win. That step, that understanding of what to look forward to and building those routines has really helped."

Offensive coordinator and quarterback coach Mike Denbrock agreed.

Denbrock is entering his second with the Bearcats as well, and said 2018 has already seen positive differences.

"We’ve made a lot of progress," he said Tuesday. "If you’re comparing apples to apples, where we are this year as compared to where we are a year ago at this time, I think we’re miles down the road in the positive direction. We’ve got some guys making plays, both in the run game and pass game."

The offense returns roughly a handful of returners from 2017. With only two starting lineman returning, Cincinnati is rebuilding its line.

Behind it is an open quarterback battle, but it's expected Hayden Moore will lead the offense once more. Last season, the then-junior finished with 2,562 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, nine interceptions and a 56.4 percent completion rate.

"His understanding of what we’re doing is better than it’s ever been, which helps confidence, Denbrock said. "The guys around him understand him better, he understands them better, all those things are gonna help.

"Having said that, we are in competition at the quarterback position and all positions. I think Hayden understands that whomever our quarterback ends up being, we want that to be earned out here on the football field and practice field. It’s not something we anoint or give to someone."

Regarding the running game, Denbrock said there have been improvements and optimism, despite Gerrid Doaks, who led the team in rushing years last season, being limited this spring after a shoulder injury.

But Doaks' absence has allowed Michael Warren II, who was the third-leading rusher, more carries this spring. Both were freshmen in 2017 (Doaks was a redshirt).

Though another candidate to receive snaps and recognition was Charles McClelland, an early enrollee from Homerville, Georgia. McClelland received offers from LSU, Auburn, UCF and Kentucky.

"We’ve got an early enrollee Charles McClelland that I think is going to be a great compliment to the Doaks and Warrens and the more powerful inside runners," Denrbock said. "He’s got the ability to give us another dimension. When he touches it, he can make something happen wherever he is on the field. It’s exciting."