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Cincinnati Bearcats Football A Powerhouse in the Classroom as Well!

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: OCT 04 UCF at Cincinnati Photo by James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Luke Fickell has transformed the Cincinnati Bearcats into one of college football’s top programs. Over the past three seasons, the team has lost just 6 games.

Cincinnati’s success under Fickell has extended well beyond the field.

The Bearcats are also excelling in the classroom. Cincinnati football was one of five Bearcats athletic programs cited by the AAC for its academic excellence. For the fifth consecutive year, Cincinnati earned top academic honors among AAC football programs. Collectively, Bearcats football players earned 72 individual academic honors from the conference.

Just this week, Bearcats quarterback Desmond Ridder and punter James Smith were named First-Team Academic All-District by the College Sports Information Directors of America.

In addition, Bearcats players have shown a commitment to service under Coach Fickell.

Last season, sophomore defensive end Blake Bacevich was named to the national watchlist for the Wuerffel Trophy, which honors college football players for the commitment to community service. Bacevich has volunteered with youth service groups and taken part in events at Cincinnati-area schools and hospitals during his tenure with the Bearcats.

Luke Fickell has created a culture of citizenship at Cincinnati which should be lauded alongside the program’s success on the football field.