The Cincinnati Bearcats’ offense is putting up points and yards at a torrid pace this season. Through three games, UC is averaging 353 yards (9th best nationally) and 39 points per game (30th best). The Bearcats are on pace to score a full touchdown more per game this season than in 2013.
A big part of that has been the exceptional play of quarterback Gunner Kiel. The 6’4″ 208 lbs signal caller boasts a QB rating of 185.6, which is 6th best in the country. Despite just three games of work, most other quarterbacks have had four or five, Kiel is tied for 5th in touchdown passes this year. His 65.7% completion percentage is also among the best in college football which has resulted in a stellar 7-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Not even Tony Pike could sniff those numbers.
Additionally, Kiel’s receivers have been outstanding, making it easy on him to put up such video game-like stats. Really, like so many defensive coordinators have struggled with this season, it’s difficult who to focus on first.
Mekale McKay’s 6’6″ frame is the ideal target on the outside, using his long legs and arms to get behind defenses with little effort en route to a 13 reception, 266 yard, 3 touchdown performance this year. He was stymied by Ohio State on Saturday but all it did was give fellow stud wide receiver Chris Moore a chance to shine. The Tampa product hauled in 221 yards (73.7 average) for 3 touchdowns against the Buckeyes. Moore now leads all receivers in scores this season. Then there’s Max Morrison, Johnny Holton, and Shaq Washington who have been as steady as can be this year.
But one player who we haven’t heard much about is Ralph David Abernathy. After being such an essential part of the offense in 2013, mistakenly at times, the one they call RAD4 has just 4 touches this year for 21 yards and 0 touchdowns this season. I can’t be certain that he even saw the field against Ohio State.
The complete 180 in his role has been remarkable.
Just last year, Abernathy was not only Cincinnati’s leading rusher in terms of carries per game but was also the team’s primary option in the return game. Over the course of the last offseason, the senior has passed the torch to Hosey Williams and Tion Green in the backfield and Johnny Holton and Shaq Washington for returns.
The idea of Abernathy playing the role of every down running back was laughable at best last season. You could hear the collective groans from the crowd at Nippert Stadium every time his rushes up the middle were met with a dog pile of opposing defensive linemen, generally for loss. So it was welcomed news when Eddie Gran announced he was moving Abernathy to wide receiver this year, where his athleticism in the open field would certainly be boon for the offense as a whole.
But it’s gotten to the point where the senior can’t even get on the field in any capacity. The 5’7″, 161 lbs shifty receiver’s best bet was in the slot. However, Shaq Washington and the taller Max Morrison and Johnny Holton have performed well there, effectively anchoring Abernathy to the sideline. He’s on pace for 16 total touches this season just a year after accounting for 172, a staggering reduction of 91%.
At the end of the day this is a discouraging storyline for a senior who burst onto the scene as a true freshman in 2011 when he basically won the Liberty Bowl for Cincinnati with this 90-yard touchdown return. It’s especially so when most other skill position players are thriving in UC’s pass-happy system with Kiel and his live arm running the show. You’d think this combo had the makings of another Pike-Gilyard, whose tunnel screens devastated defenses in 2009. Unfortunately, it appears this wasn’t meant to be and a player who was once such an integral member of this team has been relegated to the shadows.