Cincinnati Bearcats 2015 Fall Football Practice Report: Session 14

As rain clouds cast shadows on Cincinnati’s 14th Fall practice, threatening to bring it to a halt and the scissor lifts crashing to the ground, the Bearcats pushed through and got in a full session today.

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I’ve got to say, this is the best the defense, and particularly the secondary, has looked in my visits to practice. Not only did they hit the field a full hour before any other unit but they were tremendous in 7-on-7 drills. If they weren’t knocking away passes from the first and second team receivers, they were blanketing them and forcing UC’s quarterbacks to throw dump off passes near the sidelines. The Bearcats’ high flying offense was grounded by an extremely motivated and confident secondary.

After they were torched several times last season, that was very encouraging to see.

Gunner Kiel did get some revenge though. When they pushed up the drill to the redzone, his first three passes went for touchdowns. Even so, the secondary as a whole had an excellent morning practice. At best, the defense dominated the offense. At worst, they were dead even with them.

Here are some other note from today’s session.

• On the injury front, starting nickelback Leviticus Payne was in a boot for the secondary’s pre-practice workouts. Ever the leader, he was working with the younger defensive backs on stances and form. By the end of practice he had shed his boot and was trotting lightly on the sidelines. Perhaps this is a sign of him getting healthy enough to strap on pads again.
• Unfortunately freshman running back Joshuwa Holloman was absent due to a shoulder injury. He’s apparently walking around in a sling back on campus. Plus scat back/receiver Frank Labady went down with what appears to be a right hip flexor or a hamstring strain. Hopefully that isn’t anything to worry about long term.
• Mark Barr was on the field today working with the wide receivers. He was in warm up gear but it was nice seeing the player who has been forced to come back from that horrific car accident two years ago still trying to make the other Bearcats better.
• One of the most exciting moments of the day came on a Gunner Kiel pooch punt, of all plays. A simulated fourth down forced the Bearcats’ quarterback to kick it downfield. Chris Moore, the horse that he is, caught up to the ball just before it crossed the goal line. He was able scoop  and throw it behind him as he flipped into the endzone to the cheers of the receivers around him.
• The best catch of the day goes to third string wide receiver Brayden Beard. The slot man ran an in-route in 7-on-7’s and plucked a pass off the turf as he was sliding to the ground. He’s going to be a quarterback’s best friend once he rises up the depth chart.
• Defensive line coach Robert Prunty was in a great mood to start practice, even though he was screaming at players near the end. As his linemen approached his station for the first drill of the day, he was putting on his best dance moves to the blaring music. I wish I had recorded that.
• LSU transfer Avery Peterson is in fact working with the team and wearing the #13 jersey. Unfortunately he’s basically where Jamil Kamara was two weeks ago, new to the system and still catching up.
• It looks like Shaq Washington and Chris Moore are the front runners to return kickoffs this season with Johnny Holton and Tion Green their backups.
• One thing they don’t prepare you for at Camp Higher Ground is the bugs. I was a breakfast buffet for those flying demons this morning.
• Receiver Braxton Neal and defensive back Christian Angulo got in a bit of a scuffle during 7-on-7’s. Angulo was in tight coverage on Neal, who was frustrated when he was unable to catch a pass. As the play drew to a close he threw Angulo to the ground, who retaliated by slapping the receiver in the helmet. The coaches were all over it, though, as they gave each player a tongue lashing and sent them to their respective sidelines. And just like that it was dealt with.
• Like yesterday, a couple of NFL Scouts were on hand to take in the practice. Representatives from the Jets and Eagles were keeping a close eye on the receivers as well as Silverberry Mouhon. There’s a ton of talent on this team.