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The Bearcats have retained the Keg of Nails for the fourth straight time, regardless of what Randy Martinez is doing with his hand there. It was by no means a pretty thing, it was actually quite ugly if you think about it twice. The amazingly inconsistent offensive play continues on unabated by the bye week. Still, as I said in the immediate aftermath of the game if UC intends to complete for the Big East crown you have to win games when not at your best, and UC was not at their best at all and the box score dictates that.
- The Bearcats gained just 330 yards on the day, which is the lowest offensive output of the season and the 5.3 yards per play is the second lowest total of the season.
- One of the developments of the day was Sean Hooey being held out. Eric Lefeld started in his stead and was shaky early but settled down and performed quite well.
- The offensive line, much like the offense itself, took its sweet time to get the Cardinals Defense sorted. But once they got a bead on the blitz packages late in the second quarter they took over.
- The Bearcats fumbled 4 times on the day two on special teams, one apiece for Ralph Abernathy IV and D.J. Woods in the return game. The Bearcats recovered all four of them, but that isn't exactly encouraging.
- Zach Collaros is still falling victim to his own hubris with alarming regularity. The pick 6 he threw should never have been throw. Zach seems to be under the impression that no window is to small and that he can always fit it in there, and he is mistaken. Throughout the offseason and well into camp we all heard constantly how Zach was playing much smarter. Through the first three games he was, but lately 2010 Zach is back. And I don't know about you, but I don't like 2010 Zach. 2010 Zach is 100 per cent Britta Perry, 2011 Zach is more like Troy Barnes, and everyone likes Troy better.
- In positive offensive news Isaiah Pead remains amazing. Louisville has a legit good to great defense, particularly against the run. For most of the game they played aggressive, slanting and blitzing to overload the point of attack and slow Pead down. But UC kept going throwing punches and eventually iPead knocked them out.
- This defense is far better than I ever expected them to be, and it all starts up front. This is a deep, nasty bunch up front and they just keep coming at teams. I will fully admit that the Cardinals line is at best patchwork and at worst abhorrent. But the defensive line took over in the second half
- Speaking of taking over Derek Wolfe was unblock able today. He has the look of someone who knows he is playing for money and his draft stock has to be soaring
- J.K. Schaffer continues his long methodical march to the Big East Defensive player of the year award. 11 more tackles, 2 TFL, a sack and a pass breakup.
- Walter Stewart continues to be a difference maker, and he is really coming into his own as a defensive end
- Alex Chisum was the surprise standout among the receivers to me
- Speaking of receivers here is this weeks targeting data.
| Player | Targets | Catches |
| Kenbrell Thompkins | 8 | 5 |
| Alex Chisum | 4 | 4 |
| D.J. Woods | 4 | 2 |
| Anthony McClung | 4 | 2 |
| Isaiah Pead | 3 | 3 |
| Traivs Kelce | 2 | 2 |
| Adrien Robinson | 1 | 1 |
Gameballs
Offense: Isaiah Pead; 20 carries, 151 yards, 1 TD, 3 catches for 4 yards, 7.75 yards per touch
Defense: Derek Wolfe, 11 tackles, 3 TFL, 1 Sack, 2 QB hurries
who gets your gameball?