2008 OUTLOOK: After winning 10 games for the first time since 1951, and finishing 17th in the final AP poll, the Bearcats are thinking big. Kelly's squad returns 16 starters from a team which defeated ranked opponents Rutgers, South Florida and Connecticut. Losses to Louisville and West Virginia by a combined nine points prevented the Bearcats from remaining in the Big East Conference title race.

SCOUTING THE OFFENSE
The Bearcats' high-octane spread offense likely will feature a new starting quarterback to replace Ben Mauk. Dustin Grutza has experience and gets first crack at the job. Cincinnati, which set school records for scoring (472 points), touchdowns (63), and passing touchdowns (36), brings back six starters. Junior Jacob Ramsey will compete for time at running back with John Goebel.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE
Seven starters return on the Bearcats' aggressive defense, including linebackers Corey Smith and Ryan Manalac who combined for 156 tackles and 3.5 sacks. Mike Mickens, a unanimous All-Big East first-team selection, anchors the secondary. The Bearcats expect to see the same opportunistic defense which tied for first nationally with 42 takeaways, including a nation's best 26 interceptions.

SCOUTING THE SPECIAL TEAMS
Senior punter Kevin Huber set a school record with an average of 46.9 yards per punt. Senior Brandon Yingling will push sophomore Jake Rogers for field goal duties. Rogers was inconsistent as a freshman.

ROSTER REPORT

--DE Terrill Byrd, a second-team All-American, was demoted to second-team defense and suspended for the season-opener after an off-season arrest.

--WR Marcus Barnett, who had offseason surgery to repair a broken fibula, recovered in time to participate in spring practice.

--DE Craig Carey has moved from quarterback to defense.

--QB Ben Mauk launched an appeal of an NCAA ruling denying a sixth season of eligibility based on new information submitted regarding a foot injury he suffered at the beginning of his high school career.

Mauk said he required an operation in the spring of 2003. Upon failed attempts to track necessary medical documentation, the NCAA upheld its original ruling and denied Mauk an extra season, though the process could continue through the summer.

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