My first game as a new Cincinnati Bearcat football season ticket holder was a huge success! Our group of at least a dozen met in a parking lot just off of campus between 3:30 and 4 for some tailgate food and drinks. After a few hours we were all ready for the season opening game against the Austin Peay Governors. It started with a few skydivers, the always entertaining traditional marching band charge down the steps, and a won coin toss for the Bearcats.

UC decided to receive the opening kickoff, which ended up being a great decision. Freshman Ralph David Abernathy returned the kick 60 yards, which set up a 40 yard run on the very next play by Isaiah Pead for a really quick score. Redshirt freshman Tony Miliano missed the extra point, but that was one of the very few mistakes the Bearcats had all game. Pead added another touchdown before the first quarter was even half over.

Nippert Stadium

Attendance was officially 23,282, which is pretty good for a season opening game against a non-conference division I-AA team. The student section was especially good considering that classes still don’t start for another couple of weeks. Every one in attendance was treated to quite a performance as the score was 41-0 at half time. The other four touchdowns of the half came on senior Zach Collaros passes to junior Kenbrell Thompkins, senior D.J. Woods, and twice to sophomore Anthony McClung.

The crowd thinned through the night, but we stayed through the end of the third quarter before heading out. At this time the Bearcats were using second and third string players for the most part, and doing a good job at spreading the scoring around. They were still able to add a field goal from Miliano as well as a running touchdown from sophomore quarterback Munchie Legaux, making it 51-0. Before the third was over Austin Peay got on the scoreboard with a 21 yard field goal.

After we left we listened on the radio as the Bearcats added three more touchdowns in the fourth quarter, while the Governors added one of their own. Scoring for UC were freshman running back Akise Teague, sophomore quarterback Jordan Luallen, and former practice squad member junior Adam Fearing. Final score of the game was 72-10. The season continues this coming Saturday as the Bearcats head to Knoxville to take on the Volunteers of Tennessee, which should be a much more challenging game.