Down The Drive - Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Miami RedHawks StreamA Cincinnati Bearcats blog for the moderately intelligenthttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48741/downthedrive-fave.png2014-09-23T12:00:02-04:00http://www.downthedrive.com/rss/stream/58886842014-09-23T12:00:02-04:002014-09-23T12:00:02-04:00Brad Harrah Makes An Impact At Defensive Tackle
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/UddFzl_jEC_KrA3RqYf_YPcMqMc=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/39590526/20140920_tcb_db4_153.JPG.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>In the middle of camp there were rumblings that Brad Harrah had made a position change from <a href="http://www.downthedrive.com/2014/8/19/6046793/brad-harrah-cincinnati-bearcats-football-2014-Mark-Wilson" target="new">defensive end to defensive tackle</a>. That change appeared to be short lived as Harrah was playing as a defensive end in the Toledo game, but it was rendered more complete during the week as Harrah is now a full time defensive tackle. </p> <p>Coaches never like to move starters, or guys with starting potential around unless they absolutely have to. After the Bearcats were gashed on the ground against an admittedly top shelf back in <span>Kareem Hunt</span> and an outstanding offensive line for Toledo the Bearcats needed to make a change. One of those changes was to move strongside defensive end <span>Brad Harrah</span> to defensive tackle.</p>
<p>In his first game at that spot Harrah had a tremendous impact on the game notching 6 tackles and 2.5 sacks playing as a three technique defensive tackle. He is a bit undersized for the gig, though not as much as his listed weight* would suggest. But his history at end gives him the ability to make an impact as a pass rusher.</p>
<p>*<i> Which is 258 pounds and about 20 pounds under what his true weight is</i></p>
<p>Harrah did not start for the Bearcats against Miami at defensive tackle, <span>Camaron Beard</span> did. But Harrah was used extensively on passing downs and was effective. Having Harrah at defensive tackle allows the Bearcats to get more creative with their pass rush in obvious passing situations. A sparingly used lineup that included Beard at the nose tackle, Harrah at the three technique, <span>Silverberry Mouhon</span> and Terrill Hartsfield at the ends was devastating. That group is basically four defensive ends, and it had positive effects for a pass rush that struggled to get traction against Toledo. Without going back to study it in depth, only looking at <a href="http://www.downthedrive.com/2014/9/21/6800529/miami-game-highlights" target="_blank">the highlights</a> the group was on the field for at least three of the Bearcats eight sacks, both forced fumbles and <span>Zach Edwards</span> interception.*</p>
<p>* <i>Possibly more, I will update this after charting the Miami game later this week</i></p>
<p>That package was one that the Bearcats used in short bursts against Miami, but its effectiveness could be intoxicating to some fans who view the Bearcats as a smoldering crater of ruin after the Toledo game. That view was understandable a week ago, but is less so now after holding a relatively explosive* if inconsistent offense to 5.2 yards per play.</p>
<p><i>* You can laugh at that characterization because MOOOO or whatever, but actually <a href="http://www.cfbstats.com/2014/leader/national/team/offense/split01/category30/sort01.html" target="_blank">look</a> <a href="http://www.cfbstats.com/2014/leader/national/team/offense/split01/category30/sort02.html" target="_blank">at</a> <a href="http://www.cfbstats.com/2014/leader/national/team/offense/split01/category02/sort04.html" target="_blank">the </a>numbers. There are plenty of offenses in the country who would kill for even the middling level of explosive plays that Miami has produced this year</i></p>
<p>In most situations against Ohio State the Bearcats will be in their base defense with <span>Brandon Mitchell</span> or <span>Alex Pace</span> at the nose, and Beard and Harrah manning the other interior spot. That gives the Bearcats more bulk at the point of attack against the Buckeye's power and inside zone game. But there is another package that Hank Hughes has only deployed sparingly to this point that could see extensive use against the Buckeyes. It's a hybrid 3-4 with three down linemen, a stand up end/OLB and two linebackers that could make an impact after being shown briefly in the Miami game. It's In that look that Harrah's versatility as a defender could become a big factor. He can play both end spots and as a defensive tackles. That could give the Bearcats the ability to stay in their base personnel while constantly moving him around and thus changing the look they show a struggling Ohio State offensive line. That is exactly the kind of wrinkle that former defensive coordinator Tommy Tuberville would want to show as little as possible of before springing it on an unsuspecting offense.</p>
https://www.downthedrive.com/2014/9/23/6831535/brad-harrah-cincinnati-bearcats-defensive-tackle-hank-hughes-tommy-tubervilleMatt Opper2014-09-22T17:00:02-04:002014-09-22T17:00:02-04:00Notes From Tommy Tuberville's AAC Conference Call
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/D_iEKDrs6WAGf7MK1nWnSj_xsv8=/0x1050:2672x2831/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/39512264/20140920_jla_db4_665.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Quick news and notes from today's AAC conference call with Tommy Tuberville.</p> <p><iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/VA8Aa1azSK0" frameborder="0"></iframe> <br id="1411415404904"></p>
<p>-- Opening thoughts: lamented the lack of intensity early on in the Miami game. The Bearcats had five players who started the Toledo game who did not play against Miami. That isn't true, only <span>Deyshawn Bond</span>, <span>Cory Keebler</span> and <span>Adrian Witty</span> missed the Miami game among Toledo starters.</p>
<p>-- Is really impressed with the depth of athletic ability of Ohio State. Very complimentary of T.J. Barrett. Really need to clean up the mental mistakes from the first two weeks.</p>
<p>-- Has an interesting history with Jim Tressel that I didn't know about. The coaching profession is a very small world with a lot of connections that often go unreported or commented on that are nonetheless surprising.</p>
<p>-- Didn't feel that <span>Gunner Kiel</span> improved from week 1 to week 2. Obviously its hard to improve on such a dominating debut performance.</p>
<p>-- Tuberville doesn't think that the size of Ohio Stadium will be a factor once the game is played. The Bearcats communication is all non verbal, and has been throughout the Eddie Gran era. I would imagine that it will take a series or two to get used to the volume, but after that its business as usual.</p>
https://www.downthedrive.com/2014/9/22/6828879/cincinnati-bearcats-football-tommy-tuberville-ohio-state-gunner-kielMatt Opper2014-09-22T11:34:59-04:002014-09-22T11:34:59-04:00The Best Part Of Beating Miami<img src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/9Fj05_yUKOxVP0eDxWNP40HtQyU=/410x410/cdn.vox-cdn.com/fan_shot_images/346902/ByJFmT5CAAIhMxY.jpg" />
<div class="source source-img"><p><p>Is putting it on the bell</p></p></div>
https://www.downthedrive.com/2014/9/22/6827329/the-best-part-of-beating-miamiMatt Opper2014-09-21T20:05:39-04:002014-09-21T20:05:39-04:00Postgame Fireworks<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/GEDO7xO6VRQ" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe>
<div class="source source-img"><p><p>I've <a href="http://www.downthedrive.com/2014/7/24/5933645/bearcats-season-opener-with-toledo-will-include-post-game-fireworks" target="new">said it before</a>, but this is a great idea.</p></p></div>
https://www.downthedrive.com/2014/9/21/6802447/postgame-fireworksMatt Opper2014-09-21T19:59:43-04:002014-09-21T19:59:43-04:00More Miami Highlights<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Fa69CLiEN5w" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe>
<div class="source source-img"><p><p>This time with behind the scenes access and a filter that would make Ridley Scott barf</p></p></div>
https://www.downthedrive.com/2014/9/21/6802163/more-miami-highlightsMatt Opper2014-09-21T19:24:18-04:002014-09-21T19:24:18-04:00Miami Game Highlights<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/sfGbcXo25A4" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe>
<div class="source source-img"><p><p>¯\_(ツ)_/¯</p></p></div>
https://www.downthedrive.com/2014/9/21/6800529/miami-game-highlightsMatt Opper2014-09-20T23:41:32-04:002014-09-20T23:41:32-04:00Bearcats Top The RedHawks 31-24
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/u_r13v2lN5k75XEo95_4YrGmK0Q=/0x460:2672x2241/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/39211482/20140920_tcb_db4_142.JPG.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Much like last year's game, this one was not pretty, but it was a win. The defense cleaned up a lot of the mistakes from the Toledo game, but certainly not all of them. Still this year I will usually take the defense giving up just 24 points on the assumption that the offense will comfortably score more than that. It is there that my logic failed me tonight.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.downthedrive.com/">Cincinnati Bearcats</a> prevailed against the Miami RedHawks tonight behind four touchdown passes from Gunner Kiel and 99 yards on the ground from Tion Green. It was a game where the Bearcats reworked offensive line, down starters <span>Deyshawn Bond</span> and <span>Cory Keebler</span> struggled until the end to find consistent traction on the ground. The Bearcats biggest problem was, without question, first down.</p>
<p>In 31 first down plays the Bearcats averaged just 4.4 yards per play on first down. Against Toledo the corresponding figure was 6.6 yards. More than that both of <span>Gunner Kiel's</span> interceptions came on first down's, on throws he never should have made. Miami had a total of 3 tackles for loss, and two of them came on first down runs in obvious running personnel. The offense was wildly inconsistent and averaged just 5.4 yards per play.</p>
<p>Meanwhile the much maligned defense played much, much better against Miami. Now the RedHawks offense isn't Toledo's, not as much depth of talent at the skill spots, much worse offensive line, but it was competent. Competence alone is enough to field an offense that is better than some the Bearcats will face this year in conference play. That isn't a dig on the conference, OK it is a dig at the AAC, but its also a recognition that this kind of performance is going to be good enough to win some games.</p>
<p>Miami scored touchdowns on a spectacular throw and catch from <span>Andrew Hendrix</span> to <span>David Frazier</span>, a run where <span>Paul Moses</span> broke two poor tackle attempts against an 8 man front and waltzed into the end zone and a long pass where Hank Hughes gave everyone their wish and blitzed 6 leaving cover zero behind. <span>Howard Wilder</span> got behind, gambled, missed and Frazier again rumbled for a score. Those three plays accounted for 115 yards and 18 of the RedHawks 21 points. Without them the RedHawks averaged just 3.72 yards per play.</p>
<p>I know that you can't take back plays, but this early in the season with sample sizes that are this small what you are looking for is evidence of down to down consistency. In this regard the Bearcats took a giant leap forward on the defensive side of the ball. It took a few drives for the defense to get its footing, but once it was the RedHawks offense rode the struggle bus. Consider this on the RedHawks first four drives, all in the first quarter, they put up 157 yards on 6.3 yards per play scoring two touchdowns. On the 9 drives that followed Miami had 192 total yards on 4.4 yards per play with a touchdown and a field goal.</p>
<p>That's fine, not great, but acceptable. I say it again, that level of defense will win a lot of games for the Bearcats this year. It might not be enough to withstand a bad offensive night against ECU, Ohio State or Miami. It almost wasn't enough to survive this bad night of offensive football, but tonight it was.</p>
https://www.downthedrive.com/2014/9/20/6684781/cincinnati-bearcats-beat-the-miami-redhawks-31-24Matt Opper2014-09-20T18:13:07-04:002014-09-20T18:13:07-04:00The Homecoming Parade<img src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/y0n3_0YDChmnBbOAEWU0yv1Sb-U=/410x410/cdn.vox-cdn.com/fan_shot_images/346394/ByAOuqQIIAAQbHV.jpg" />
<div class="source source-img"><p><p>earlier today.</p></p></div>
https://www.downthedrive.com/2014/9/20/6664361/the-homecoming-paradeMatt Opper