Cincinnati Bearcats Depth Chart For Temple Owls Game Released

Nov 10, 2012; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats linebacker Greg Blair (51) after the game against the Temple Owls at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA. Cincinnati defeated Temple 34-10. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

It’s almost gameday! Cincinnati takes on Temple tomorrow night at Nippert Stadium in the annual Ring of Red football game. I’ve broken down most of the aspects of the game but the last piece is to evaluate the updated two-deep.

Starters are listed first with backups italicized.

[OFFENSE]

Quarterback: Brendon Kay, Bennie Coney
Runningback: Ralph David Abernathy, Hosey Williams
Fullback: Jared Golden, Kyle Nutter
Outside Receiver (X/Z): Max Morrison, MeKale McKay
Outside Receiver (X/Z): Chris Moore, Jeremy Graves
Slot Receiver (Y): Shaq Washington, Anthony McClung
Tight End: Blake Annen, DJ Dowdy
Right Offensive Tackle: Parker Ehinger, Justin Murray
Right Offensive Guard: Andre Cureton -or- Sam Longo
Center: Deyshawn Bond, Dominic Mainello
Left Offensive Guard: Austen Bujnoch, Kevin Schloemer
Left Offensive Tackle: Eric Lefeld, Corey Keebler

Analysis of Offensive Two-Deep

Not a ton of change within the two-deep on the offensive front.
I am incredibly curious about the situation at center. In the fourth quarter against South Florida the Bearcats swapped out Deyshawn Bond for Sam Longo. Cincinnati was noticeably more efficient. So I’m surprised to learn that 1) Bond is still locked in as the starter and 2) Dominic Mainello is listed as the backup. I would have thought Tuberville who have separated Bond and Longo by the “-or” statement to indicate an open position battle. I guess he’s not ready for a center controversy just yet.
MeKale McKay is listed as a backup and Tion Green isn’t on the depth chart at all. But I wouldn’t ready too much into this. Both will likely have more than their fair share of snaps on Friday night.
I’m not sure what to make of this. Even though Anthony McClung is as healthy as he’s ever been this year, Shaq Washington is still listed as the starter on the two-deep.

[DEFENSE]

Right Defensive End: Terrell Hartsfield, Brad Harrah
Defensive Tackle: Adam Dempsey, Brandon Mitchell
Nose Guard: Jordan Stepp, Marques Aiken
Left Defensive End: Silverberry Mouhon, Chad West
Strongside Linebacker (SAM): Nick Temple, Corey Mason
Middle Linebacker (MIKE): Greg Blair, Solomon Tentman
Weakside Linebacker (WILL): Jeff Luc, Clemente Casseus
Field Corner: Deven Drane, Leviticus Payne
Nickelback: Likely Zach Edwards
Strong Safety: Adrian Witty, Andre Jones
Free Safety: Arryn Chenault, Zach Edwards
Boundary Corner: Howard Wilder, Grant Coleman

Analysis of Defensive Two-Deep

Like the offense, there hasn’t been much moving and shaking within the defensive two-deep.
While the nickelback position isn’t explicitly listed on the depth chart, freshman Zach Edwards is the starter there. Just sayin’.
This is a couple of weeks old but with Trenier Orr again injured JUCO Howard Wilder has taken over the starting role. That’s not the most intriguing observation to me. The biggest call out is that walk-on Grant Coleman has emerged as the backup boundary corner. Either Cincinnati’s depth at cornerback is dangerously shallow or Tommy Tuberville found himself a diamond in the rough in Coleman. Hopefully it’s the latter.

[SPECIAL TEAMS]

Long Snapper: Kirk Willis, Kevin Hyland
Holder: John Lloyd, Sam Geraci
Place Kicker: Tony Miliano, Andrew Gantz
Kickoff Specialist: Likely Tony Miliano
Punter: John Lloyd, Sam Geraci
Kickoff Returner: Ralph David Abernathy IV, Shaq Washington
Punt Returner: Shaq Washington, Anthony McClung

Analysis of Special Teams Two-Deep

I mentioned after the South Florida game that I was pulling for a kicker controversy between Tony Miliano and Andrew Gantz. While right now it doesn’t appear that his role as the starting PK is in jeopardy, it’s unknown if Gantz is taking more of his reps in practice. Whatever levers the coaches pull, they need to do something to get Miliano to improve his play.