Cincinnati Football: Chuck Martin takes a shot at Bearcats before rivalry game

As both programs continue to prepare for the rivalry game, Miami head coach Chuck Martin spoke to the media and seemed to have a few issues with the Bearcats taking advantage of the transfer portal in recent years including linebacker Ivan Pace Jr.

During a press conference this week, the RedHawks head coach brought up Ben Bryant and his decision to transfer back to Cincinnati after spending a year at Eastern Michigan. Martin described the situation as bizarre during a statement via Miami Athletics.

"“Bryant was the back up two years ago then we played him at Eastern Michigan and now he’s a starter at Cincinnati. So very bizarre. It’s college football. All you need to know is Ben Bryant is the back up at Cincinnati in 2020, the starter at Eastern Michigan in 2021 and the starter at Cincinnati in 2022. There’s a time where that wasn’t possible and now that’s very possible. I don’t know but he could go start some place else next year. Welcome to college football. Unlimited free agency.”"

Despite being on the Bearcats for most of his career, Bryant has only played Miami once and it was last season when Eastern Michigan escaped in a 13-12 win. Even though his path has been unconventional, Bryant just took advantage of the transfer portal like thousands of other athletes have lately.

Cincinnati Football: Chuck Martin takes a shot at Bearcats before rivalry game

Later in the press conference, Martin discussed Pace and how his transfer to Cincinnati made an impact on his team. Martin mentioned the former Miami star and his recruitment per Miami Athletics.

"“Ivan was a great player for us for a couple of years. It’s the way of the world. We knew he was waiting on an offer and he never got the offer because he wasn’t good enough to play at Cincinnati. Then he comes here and plays incredible football and now he’s good enough to play at Cincinnati. Which isn’t shocking to us because we know how good Ivan is. I knew he could play at any level of football out of high school. That’s the tough part of where we’re at in college football. We’re the ones that did the good job recruiting on the front end.”"

Pace transferred to Cincinnati during the offseason and has made an immediate impact with 23 tackles and one sack in two appearances so far this season. The Cincinnati native will get a chance to face many of his former teammates this weekend.

During three seasons at Miami, Pace recorded 125 total tackles, four sacks and one interception en route to earning 2021 MAC Defensive Player of the Year from Pro Football Focus. Martin continued to talk about Pace’s transfer per Miami Athletics.

"“We wanted him for two years. He was waiting for the Power Five offers. I don’t know why they didn’t come. In my opinion, he was the best player in Ohio his senior year. It was great for us, we got him and he did some great things for us. Obviously now you have to play against him. It’s a tough one because I still love Ivan. He’s a great kid, comes from a great family and did great things at Miami. Now he’s playing with his brother Deshawn, who was already at Cincinnati and a lot of it makes sense for why he moved. I’m not disappointed, biter or upset with Ivan. I don’t want to play against Ivan. I would rather have him playing for us. That’s the reality of it.”"

Martin might not like the current direction of college football or the transfer portal’s impact but it seemed unnecessary to take a small jab at Bryant and Pace. All rivalries need a little extra incentive though so this is nothing new with kick off just days away.