Bearcats on break from title chase

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Pardon the interruption.

The Bearcats are 5-5 overall and 4-2 in C-USA, a game behind first-place Texas Christian. But instead of focusing on the C-USA race this week, the Bearcats are preparing for Saturday's game against Hawai'i at Aloha Stadium.

After that, the Bearcats close their regular season with conference games against Alabama-Birmingham and East Carolina.

"It's going to be tough, but we have to stay focused and try to win these three games," Bearcat quarterback Gino Guidugli said.

Cincinnati agreed to the UH game several years ago. Even a month ago, it did not appear the game would be a distraction. But after losing five of their first seven games, and dropping to 1-2 in C-USA, the Bearcats have won three in a row to move into title contention.

Because of a season-opening victory over Texas Christian, if the teams finished tied for first place, the Bearcats would be declared C-USA champion and earn an automatic berth in the AXA Liberty Bowl on New Year's Eve.

The Bearcats still could qualify for one of C-USA's other four bowl tie-ins if they win at least two of their final three games.

"We want to enjoy Hawai'i, but we also know (the trip) will be a big challenge," Guidugli said. "The pressure is on us to come out and play a good game."

The Bearcats also are aware that the toughest week is the one following a trip to the Islands. "We can't afford a letdown," Guidugli said.

The Bearcats had two full practices Monday and yesterday. They are scheduled to leave Cincinnati this morning and arrive in Honolulu this afternoon. Team spokesman Brian McCann said no practice is scheduled for today, but that the Bearcats will work out in Aloha Stadium tomorrow morning.

UH coach June Jones has cautioned his team about Cincinnati's strong offense and improved defense. The Bearcats' five defeats have been by an average margin of 7.8 points, including a 23-19 loss to second-ranked Ohio State.

"We had them on the ropes," Guidugli said. "We probably should have won that game. Ain't nothing you can do about it now."

But Guidugli has imagined the turmoil such an upset would have caused on the Bowl Championship Series standings.

"That would have twisted everything around," he said. "It was a great experience, but I would have rather won."

Comebacks are not unique to Cincinnati or Guidugli. In 20 career starts, Guidugli, a sophomore, helped the Bearcats overcome five fourth-quarter deficits. Against TCU this year, Guidugli rallied the Bearcats from a 29-14 deficit with 7:51 left.

The reputation for orchestrating comebacks "kind of happened in my first start" at UC, Guidugli said. "It gave me confidence."

It also turned Guidugli into a local hero, much to the dismay of the NFL's Cincinnati Bengals. During a recent on-line survey, Guidugli was voted "Cincinnati's best quarterback."