Cincinnati Bearcats Football: Report Card Grades for the Miami (OH) Game

Cincinnati played perhaps their most sloppy game of the season on offense yesterday against Miami (OH), but the defense was up to the task and the Bearcats came away with a 27-0 win. 

The Bearcats had hardly turned the ball over at all the entire season, but gave it to Miami four times yesterday and dropped numerous easy catches. 

After a close first half, they dominated the third quarter and went on to an easy victory. 

Here are position-by-position grades for the Bearcats. 

Collaros struggled slightly in the first half but had a nice 30-yard touchdown pass to tight end Travis Kelce midway through the second quarter. 

He finished the game 16 for 30 with 251 yards and two interceptions to go along with his lone touchdown. He also ran for 89 yards on 15 carries with one fumble.

The Redhawks came into the game with an excellent game plan and bottled up Collaros for most of the game.

Overall grade: B- 

Despite two rushing touchdowns, star running back Isaiah Pead was held in check for most of the day. He finished the game with 49 yards on 18 carries. He also caught two balls out of the backfield. 

Miami came into the game looking to stop the vaunted Cincinnati rushing attack and for the most part did so. 

Cincinnati did manage 147 yards rushing as a team, but averaged less than four yards per carry for the game. 

Overall grade: C

Kenbrell Thompkins led all Bearcats with 73 yards on five catches. Fellow wideout Anthony McClung had six catches for 64 yards. 

The Bearcats tight end duo of Adrien Robinson and Travis Kelce had big games. Robinson had a 72-yard catch and Kelce had a 30-yard touchdown. 

A few dropped passes hurt the receivers and this was clearly not their best game of the season.

Overall grade: C+ 

Like the rest of the offense, this was not the best game of the year for the Bearcats' offensive line. 

Quarterback Zach Collaros had to scramble throughout the day and was sacked three times. 

They also failed to open up any holes for the running game. 

Overall grade: C

The Bearcats defensive line was dominant and played perhaps their best overall game of the season. 

A goal line stand early in the third quarter changed the momentum of the game. They totaled five sacks and held the Redhawks to -3 yards rushing. 

Tackle Derek Wolfe was constantly in the backfield disrupting Miami quarterback Zac Dysert. 

Overall grade: A+

J.K. Schaffer and the rest of the Bearcats linebackers continue to prove themselves. 

Schaffer had seven tackles and a fumble recovery he took 17 yards for a touchdown after a botched punt attempt. 

The group also helped control the run the entire game. 

Overall grade: A

The secondary was solid for the third consecutive week. The pressure the front seven got on the quarterback helped the secondary, who had one interception by receiver Kenbrell Thompkins. 

While they allowed 252 yards passing, Miami quarterback Zac Dysert could never really get comfortable. 

Safety Drew Frey was all over the field once again, with five tackles, as was fellow safety Wesley Richardson. 

Overall grade: A-

The special teams side of the ball had its ups and downs for Cincinnati. After their first touchdown, kicker Tony Miliano missed an extra point. 

A touchdown by J.K. Schaffer on a snap that flew over the head of punter Anthony Kokal more than made up for that. 

Return man Ralph Abernathy IV continues to give the Bearcats great field position. 

Overall grade: B+

Butch Jones continues to put an emphasis on the run and it has paid off big time for Cincinnati. 

The ability to run the football keeps the defense off the field and has led to success for the Bearcats. 

The play calling and blitz schemes the defense has used since being picked apart by Tennessee in Week 2 has paid off. 

Overall grade: A-