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UCLA Football Early 2018 Schedule Preview: Cincinnati Bearcats

By Mike Regalado

OXFORD, OH - SEPTEMBER 16: Head coach Luke Fickell of the Cincinnati Bearcats looks on against the Miami Ohio Redhawks during the first half at Yager Stadium on September 16, 2017 in Oxford, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
OXFORD, OH - SEPTEMBER 16: Head coach Luke Fickell of the Cincinnati Bearcats looks on against the Miami Ohio Redhawks during the first half at Yager Stadium on September 16, 2017 in Oxford, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 29: Phillip Walker #8 of the Temple Owls runs the ball against Marquise Copeland #44 and Sione Tongamoa #50 of the Cincinnati Bearcats in the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on October 29, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 29: Phillip Walker #8 of the Temple Owls runs the ball against Marquise Copeland #44 and Sione Tongamoa #50 of the Cincinnati Bearcats in the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on October 29, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Cincinnati Defense

Cincinnati might have had a hell of a time getting their offense going, but their defense remains competitive. Unfortunately, they had to endure a lot as they were on the field, on average, just over five minutes longer than the offense.

UCLA fans know that all too well. If your offense cannot control tempo and the time of possession, then your defense, no matter how good, is going to get gassed.

Cincinnati 2017 Defensive Stats

Total Defense Passing Defense Rushing Defense Scoring Defense
 428.5 (6th)  236.2 (5th) 192.4 (8th) 31.8 (7th)

( ) – denotes ranking in the American Athletic Conference

Still, what they put out on the field helped them in several games last season and that is something the defense can build on, especially with several players returning in 2018.

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On the line, Marquise Copeland and Kevin Mouhon are big guys that can get around blocks and penetrate the gaps. Last season, they combined for 126 total tackles, 15 tackles for a loss and 5.5 sacks. In the linebacking unit, Perry Young looks to take on a leadership role in both the locker room and the field. Last season, as a sophomore, he had 101 total tackles (2nd on the team), nine of which went for a loss (1st on the team). He also added three pass breakups, one fumble recovery and one forced fumble.

The secondary is in a spot of trouble as they had a lot of departures since the end of last season. Also considering they had a middle-of-the-road passing defense, it does not bode well for this team unless safeties Chris Murphy and Tyrell Gilbert take a leap in development as they are going to be required to do a lot, especially since UCLA will be mixing up runs and passes.

So how should they fare against UCLA’s offense? They are going to have to be on ether toes all game long. Despite the fact that UCLA has a long way to go before they are a well-oiled machine, Kelly will have enough to penetrate the Bearcat defense on all three levels. If running is the basis of Kelly’s offense, then they need to run it down Cincinnati’s throat.