Tom Groeschen

tgroeschen@enquirer.com

Tommy Tuberville is a former defensive coordinator, and the University of Cincinnati head football coach has not always enjoyed this era of high-scoring offense.

Tuberville’s own UC teams have been part of the offensive explosion, including last year’s team that ranked No. 38 nationally in scoring at 33.8 points per game.

But UC last year ranked 91st in scoring defense at 31.2 points per game. Add it all up, and you get a disappointing 7-6 won-lost record.

This year, with a young quarterback in sophomore Hayden Moore and an inexperienced receiving corps, Tuberville said the UC defense must take over some games.

“I think last year, the defense went into every game just kind of depending on outscoring the other teams,” Tuberville said, after UC’s Thursday practice. “This year we’ve got to win some games on defense. We’ve got to start that tradition here of winning games on defense.”

UC returns seven defensive starters, along with several backups who often were pressed into duty because of injuries.

“I know people don’t like 17-14 games and stuff like that,” Tuberville said. “We’ve kind of gotten used to scoring in the 30s on offense. With the changeover on offense, with new faces and (assistant) coaches and players, there’s going to be some games where we’re going to have to play over our heads on defense and create turnovers.”

Doc: The curious case of Gunner Kiel

Tuberville mentioned several seniors who have been defensive leaders in practice, including safety Zach Edwards, nickelback Mike Tyson, defensive tackle Alex Pace and linebacker Eric Wilson.

INJURY WATCH: Punter Sam Geraci has returned to practice, after missing nearly two weeks with a pulled muscle in his leg.

Placekicker Andrew Gantz (muscle strain in leg) has been doing some light work, but he is questionable for the opener Sept. 1 against UT Martin.

UC is trying to be cautious with junior Gantz, who enters his third year as the team’s primary kicker. Senior kicker Josh Pasley, a left-footer, is filling in for Gantz. Pasley has hit about 90 percent of his kicks in practice, Tuberville said.

Senior guard Ryan Leahy has missed some time with a twisted knee, but Tuberville expects Leahy will return to full practice this weekend.

PRACTICE REPORT: Tuberville on Thursday’s practice, conducted in sunny, hot and humid weather:

“Looking ragged. We’ve got a lot of work to do. Right now we’re struggling on offense, just getting an identity in practice. I think we’re feeling sorry for ourselves because this is what, 20 days in a row. We need to play somebody, see where we are.”

How has Hayden Moore reacted to being named the starting quarterback? And how are backups Ross Trail and Gunner Kiel doing?

“Hayden has got to get better,” Tuberville said. “He didn’t have a very good day today, nor did the other two. Whether we drop it or not, it’s still all on the quarterbacks. We’ve got to do a better job of putting the running game and the passing game together at the same time.”

Read UC's letter of interest to Big 12