Sunday Update: Gunner Kiel Has Bruised Ribs, Hank Hughes Still Employed

Amid the almost unacceptable defeat at the hands of the Memphis Tigers last night, the Cincinnati Bearcats feared they had lost much more than just the game in quarterback Gunner Kiel. He was walloped in the chest by linebacker Tank Jakes on the final play of the first half, leaving him clutching his chest while writhing on the ground in pain. UC fans feared the worst when Kiel didn’t return to the field after halftime.

Cincinnati’s quarterback underwent an X-ray today and the results were encouraging. Kiel only has bruised ribs, according to Fox19’s Joe Danneman. Obviously that’s less than ideal than him being 100% healthy but at least he didn’t break anything, which would have surely sidelined him for the remainder of the season. A bruise will probably keep him out of the Miami (FL) game this weekend. Tommy Tuberville will make a decision later this week. However the fact that Gunner Kiel will optimistically be sidelined for only a few weeks is good to hear.

Less encouraging was the fact that Tuberville continues to entertain the idea of employing defensive coordinator Hank Hughes, who will continue to call plays into the near future. Under his incompetent eye, Cincinnati’s defense is on pace to be one of the worst in school history. They’re allowing the most first downs to opposing teams in college football and the 5th most rushing yards per game. Yet Hughes and Tuberville don’t seem to care, hoping that status quo in terms of preparation and schemes will yield different results.

Hang tight, everyone, there’s a very strong chance we’ll be gritting through the rest of the season since it sounds like no wholesale changes on defense are coming.