QB Mike Teel
The fifth-year senior has taken plenty of flak this year, but he had two touchdown
drives against West Virginia last week where he seemed to take the team on his
shoulders. Teel's best play this season was a 4-yard quarterback draw that cut
WVU's lead from 14 to 7. Teel could not lead RU to a tie on its final drive,
but you could sense a different attitude from the team's signal caller, and
he had zero interceptions for the first time this season. We'll see if he can
keep the intensity up this week.
WR Kenny Britt
The Big East's leader in receptions per game (8.25) was the focus of WVU's defensive
efforts last week but still hauled in 12 catches for 151 yards. Britt is 10th
nationally with 103.25 yard per game and has been able to grab at least 100
yards in two contests this year. He goes against a Cincinnati club that allows
241.8 yards per game through the air.
LB Kevin Malast
RU's linebacking crew has been playing with consistency over the past few games,
and Malast is the anchor and is second in the Big East with 40 tackles. He had
2 1/2 tackles for loss against West Virginia last week.
DE Jamaal Westerman
One of RU's defensive leaders has been quietly consistent this season, even
though he does not often appear on the stat sheet. Westerman has a chance to
disrupt Cincinnati's offense this week.
PLAYERS TO WATCH (CINCINNATI)
CB Mike Mickens
Not only is the senior a fantastic cover corner, he is also a great tackler
who leads UC with 35 total tackles this year. He is the career interception
leader for Cincinnati with 12, including two this season. Mickens grabbed a
pair of interceptions versus Rutgers in 2006.
WRs Mardy Gilyard and Dominick Goodman
You can't really separate the pair this year, just as Britt and Tiquan Underwood
were RU's 1-2 punch last season. Gilyard and Goodman have combined for 10 touchdowns
and nearly 1,000 yards already, and each player is threat for RU's secondary.
QB Zacch Anderson
He wasn't fantastic, but he wasn't bad in his collegiate debut. Anderson was
15-for-26 for 158 yards, two touchdowns and one interception against Marshall
last week. He faces a defense that is ninth best against the pass this season,
one that has improved in recent weeks.
P Kevin Huber
Yes, the punter is a player to watch in this game. Huber has the ability to
change a game with one boot, and he is second in the nation with a 45.6 yards
per game average. Five of his 19 kicks have gone at least 50 yards.