Coby Bryant
FILE - Cincinnati quarterback Evan Prater drops back to pass during an NCAA football intrasquad scrimmage, Saturday, April 9, 2022, in Cincinnati. Prater, who threw just 11 passes in mop-up duty last year, is competing against Ben Bryant, who spent three years at Cincinnati before escaping Ridder's long shadow and transferring to Eastern Michigan last season. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster, File)
Short-timers Cincinnati, Houston, UCF expected to lead AAC

By Mitch Stacy Aug. 22, 2022 02:01 PM EDT

FILE - Cincinnati running back Ryan Montgomery (22) runs with the ball during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Tulsa Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Cincinnati. Another competition playing out in camp is to replace 1,300-yard running back Jerome Ford. The returning candidates are senior Ryan Montgomery, who's been a top-notch punt returner for the Bearcats for three years, and senior Charles McClelland, who has had some bad luck with injuries. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean, File)
After exodus of stars, No. 23 Cincinnati tries to reload

By Mitch Stacy Aug. 19, 2022 02:52 AM EDT

Kansas City Chiefs fans cheer during the third round of the NFL football draft Friday, April 29, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Howell, Ross, "Punt God" still available on Day 3 of draft

By Ralph D. Russo Apr. 30, 2022 02:49 AM EDT

FILE - Cincinnati coach Luke Fickell walks onto the field before the Cotton Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff semifinal game against Alabama, Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, in Arlington, Texas. Fickell has received a two-year contract extension through 2028 and a raise to $5 million per year after leading the Bearcats to the College Football Playoff. The university board of trustees approved the contract extension Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022, also increasing the football staff salary pool to $5.2 million per year. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth, File)
Key players gone, but Cincy's Fickell says 'run is not over'

By Mitch Stacy Mar. 09, 2022 02:59 PM EST

Alabama's Jahleel Billingsley (19) leaps over Cincinnati's Ja'von Hicks (3) during the first half of the Cotton Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff semifinal game, Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Run Tide! No. 1 Bama over non-P5 Cincy 27-6 in CFP semi

By Stephen Hawkins Dec. 31, 2021 07:14 PM EST

Cincinnati coach Luke Fickell watches his team warm up before the Cotton Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff semifinal game against Alabama, Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)
DB Hill starts Orange Bowl for Michigan after late arrival

Stephen Hawkins Dec. 31, 2021 04:54 PM EST

FILE - Cincinnati cornerback Ahmad Gardner (1) celebrates an interception of a Murray State pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game Sept. 11, 2021, in Cincinnati. Gardner, an Associated Press All-American who hasn't given up a touchdown in his college career, still has to declare for the draft. But he generally projects higher than any of his teammates, so that decision seems clear. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean, File)
Cincinnati showcases names to keep in mind for NFL draft

By Schuyler Dixon Dec. 30, 2021 02:05 AM EST

Cincinnati cornerback Ahmad Gardner (1) reacts after sacking Houston quarterback Clayton Tune during the first half of the American Athletic Conference championship NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Special 'Sauce': Bearcats' lockdown CB faces biggest test

By Eric Olson Dec. 29, 2021 02:06 PM EST

Iowa State running back Breece Hall (28) carries the ball up field during the first half an NCAA college football game against TCU, Nov. 26, 2021, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, file)
2021 AP All-America Team, List

Dec. 13, 2021 12:13 PM EST

FILE - Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) runs toward the end zone for a touchdown against Georgia during the second half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game, Dec. 4, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, file)
AP All-America team: Young and Tide lead with 3 1st teamers

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 13, 2021 12:02 PM EST

Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson celebrates with the trophy after the Big Ten championship NCAA college football game against Iowa, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Indianapolis. Michigan won 42-3. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
QB Bryce Young of Alabama voted AP Player of the Year

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 09, 2021 12:01 PM EST

Cincinnati wide receiver Tyler Scott, center, catches a pass for a touchdown during the first half of the American Athletic Conference championship NCAA college football game against Houston Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
No. 3 Cincinnati claims AAC crown, possible playoff spot

By Jeff Wallner Dec. 04, 2021 07:38 PM EST

Georgia Tech quarterback Jordan Yates (13) is tackled by Georgia defensive lineman Travon Walker (44) in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: Unanimous No 1 UGA chasing record

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 29, 2021 02:32 AM EST

Cincinnati's Curtis Brooks (92) grabs the arm of East Carolina quarterback Holton Ahlers (12) for a sack during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
Cincinnati at East Carolina 11/26/2021

Nov. 26, 2021 05:31 PM EST

Cincinnati tight end Josh Whyle (81) pulls in a touchdown reception during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Tulane in New Orleans, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021. Cincinnati won 31-12. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Ridder, Whyle, help No. 2 Cincinnati top Tulane, 31-12

By Brett Martel Oct. 30, 2021 03:36 PM EDT

The Cincinnati student section reacts during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Temple, Friday, Oct. 8, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Clifton Style: Blue-collar Bearcats pushing CFP ceiling

By Ralph D. Russo Oct. 29, 2021 03:38 AM EDT

Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder looks to pass against Navy during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, in Annapolis, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Cincinnati at Navy 10/23/2021

Oct. 23, 2021 01:37 PM EDT

UCF quarterback Mikey Keene (16) throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Cincinnati, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Jerome Ford's four TDs lead No. 3 Cincinnati over UCF 56-21

By Jeff Wallner Oct. 16, 2021 03:46 PM EDT

North Carolina State's Savion Jackson (90) tackles Clemson's D.J. Uiagalelei (5) as the left leg of Clemson running back Will Shipley (1) gets caught with North Carolina State's Tanner Ingle (10) also defending during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: Preseason perception v small sample

By Ralph D. Russo Sep. 27, 2021 03:30 AM EDT

FILE - Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Houston in Cincinnati, in this Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, file photo. Ridder returns for his senior season, looking to add to his 6,905 career passing yards and 57 career touchdowns, but also to take on more of a leadership role. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster, File)
Ridder and No. 8 Cincinnati hope to crash playoff party

By Jeff Wallner Aug. 20, 2021 12:48 PM EDT