UC Football First-Half Grades

MVPs, breakout stars, and more from the first six UC football games of 2022.

Alex Frank | Oct 12, 2022

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Cincinnati Bearcats

MACON — The Cincinnati Bearcats finished the first half of the season 5-1 and ranked No. 21 in the AP Top 25.

Today, we assess those first six games with grades for the offense, defense, and overall team. Plus, offensive and defensive MVPs, breakout players, and players I want to see more from in the second half.

Overall Team Grade: A

Considering the Bearcats lost nine players to the NFL Draft last year, the way they played in the first half exceeded my expectations. This program is still showing its ability to dominate opponents, and they played an SEC team on the road to a seven-point game. And what's driving this team right now are players from previous recruiting classes, showing they are coming to fruition.

Offense Grade: B+

I like what I'm seeing from this dynamic Bearcats offense. They can win with the running game and they can win by slinging it all over the field in the passing game.

There's depth in the running back room, and there's more depth at the wide receiver position than there has been in years past.

But the one thing this offense needs to remedy, and this was a problem last year, is long stretches in games where they don't score. Their defense has bailed them out more often than not, but there will come a game where the offense can't go long stretches where they don't put points on the board.

MVP: Ben Bryant

Breakout Player: Tyler Scott

Player I Want To See More From: Corey Kiner

Defense Grade: A+

Don't let what happened against USF Saturday fool you: this defense is REALLY good. It's good on all three levels, and every player you feel like is either established or breaking out.

You can be concerned about this team's ability to stop the run. I'm not. Not when you have Ivan Pace Jr. The only thing I want to see take a leap is consistency from the cornerbacks. They're doing an admirable job taking over for Sauce Gardner and Coby Bryant, but I need to see a bigger impact from them.

MVP: Ivan Pace Jr.

Breakout Player: Jowon Briggs

Player I Want To See More From: Noah Potter

Special Teams Grade: B

Just like the defense still occasionally struggles to stop the run, the kicking game still has its mishaps. Kicker Ryan Coe, a transfer from Delaware, is only four of seven on field goals this season. That has to improve because there will be a game where the Bearcats need a field goal to win.

On the flip side, punter Mason Fletcher has been fantastic. The second-year punter is averaging almost 46 yards per punt, while landing 14 kicks inside the opponent's 20-yard line, and has skied seven of his boots for 50 yards or more.

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