Even though the Bearcats came up short against Arkansas last Saturday, senior linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. was a bright spot on defense as he showed a lot of potential in his first game with the program en route to receiving All-AAC honors.
Pace was included as an honorable mention on the American Athletic Conference’s weekly awards that were released on Monday. Due to his constant energy and physicality, he could be a regular recipient of the conference’s acknowledgement.
Despite having to defend multiple positions and replace senior Wil Huber at middle linebacker in the first half, Pace racked up a team-high 12 tackles including six solo tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and one sack in the 31-24 season-opening loss.
Huber reacted to Pace Jr’s performance against Arkansas per Bearcat Journal:
"“You have to love playing next to a guy like Ivan Pace. He brings a confidence to the defense. He’s one of those guys that doesn’t say much on the field but just the way he plays, brings guys along with him and I think he did a really good job with that today.”"
The Week 1 @TicketSmarter Honor Roll includes:
— American Football (@American_FB) September 5, 2022
QB John Rhys Plumlee | @UCF_Football
LB Ivan Pace Jr. | @GoBearcatsFB
QB Tanner Mordecai | @SMUFB
RB Tyjae Spears | @GreenWaveFB
QB Davis Brin | @TulsaFootball #AmericanFB pic.twitter.com/WX8rJ9g3ZK
Cincinnati Football: Ivan Pace Jr. receives All-AAC weekly recognition
The other players that received All-AAC recognition for Week 1 include Houston quarterback Clayton Tune, Tulane safety Macon Clark, Tulane running back Tyjae Spears, SMU quarterback Tanner Mordecai, UCF quarterback John Rhys Plumlee and more.
Tune was announced as the AAC Offensive Player of the Week after going for 257 total yards and four touchdowns, while Clark compiled seven tackles, a forced fumble and an interception before being named the Defensive Player of the Week.
Luke Fickell discussed Pace’s impact as well via Cincinnati Athletics.
"“He’s an aggressive football player. We had to move him around a bit when Wil Huber went down early. I give him a lot of credit. He is a football guy with really good instincts. We’re going to find way to keep moving him around and giving him opportunities to make plays.”"
In the season-opening loss, the #Bearcats had several players make a significant impact. Some performances were more positive than others but there was an impact nonetheless. Here are a few player grades from the loss including @ivan_pacejr and @Quan813.https://t.co/0nQXw66rRd pic.twitter.com/SHLXflNNKv
— Cincy on the Prowl (@CincyOnTheProwl) September 5, 2022
Pace decided to transfer from Miami (Ohio) during the offseason and join his younger brother Deshawn on Cincinnati’s defense. In three years with the RedHawks, Pace recorded 170 total tackles, 21 tackles for loss and one interception in 22 games.
The Cincinnati native will get a chance to play his former school when in-state rival Miami comes to Paycor Stadium on Saturday, September 17. I’m sure Pace will have plenty of motivation for that matchup as he attempts to dominate on every down.