No. 12 Buckeyes Taking Nothing for Granted against Bearcats – Ohio State Buckeyes
9/22/1999 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 22, 1999
Associated Press
After watching Cincinnati record the biggest upset in school history, Ohio State coach John Cooper can afford to take nothing for granted when his 12th-ranked Buckeyes meet the Bearcats on Saturday.
Cincinnati (2-1), coming off a loss to Division I-AA power Troy State two weeks ago, beat then-No. 8 Wisconsin 17-12 Saturday. The Bearcats allowed 231 rushing yards to Heisman Trophy hopeful Ron Dayne, but Robert Cooper answered with 20 carries for 143 yards, including a 51-yard scoring run.
“We have a lot of respect for Cincinnati,” said John Cooper, who is looking for his 100th career win. “It is not a fluke that they beat Wisconsin. They played extremely well and deserved to win. Cincinnati will come here with a lot more confidence after such an outstanding win.”
Though less than 100 miles apart, this is only the 12th meeting between the schools and the first since Ohio State’s 67-6 win in 1931.
The Bearcats needed just three weeks to match last season’s win total, but they are going to have a tough time exceeding that number this weekend. Cincinnati has not beaten Ohio State (2-1) since a 24-0 victory in Nov. 1897.
The Buckeyes have overwhelmed their opposition over the last two games, posting a 22-point victory over UCLA followed by a 40-16 rout of Ohio.
Cincinnati coach Rick Minter acknowledged that Ohio State’s ineffective first half against the Bobcats works against his team this week.
“They had a wakeup call from Ohio U. and they’re not going to want to let that happen again,” Minter said.
In a season-opening 23-12 loss to the Miami Hurricanes, Ohio State managed just 220 yards and 12 points. Ohio State’s offense, led by quarterback Steve Bellisari, has averaged 478 yards and 41 points per game since.
| Linebacker Na’il Diggs. |
The defense, spearheaded by linebacker Na’il Diggs (23 tackles, six for losses) will have to contain the Bearcats’ running game, which is averaging over six yards per carry behind Robert Cooper and freshman P.J. Mays.
The Bearcats also have quarterback Deontey
Kenner, who has continued from his record-setting season a year ago.
Kenner, a junior, already has 582 passing yards this season. Last year, he became the first quarterback in school history to throw for 2,000 yards.
-GO BUCKS!-
