Jacob Ramsey didn’t know to expect next for his team.

Cincinnati’s junior tailback had just watched quarterback Tony Pike break his arm during the Bearcats’ game against Akron Sept. 27. Ramsey’s team had already suffered the loss of its first starting quarterback to injury, and now this.

Ramsey would be expected to step up and use his experience to lead an injured-riddled Bearcats offense. He’s done his best to fill the void, leading the team in rushing in four of its six games and developing into a more consistent performer.

‘I didn’t know what to expect after Pike went down,’ Ramsey said. ‘It was really surprising that we were going to have to use another quarterback. … But we don’t let it affect us. We just gave Chazz (Anderson) a shot to see what he can do.’

This season, Ramsey and the rest of the offensive line has been forced to adjust to three different quarterbacks. First, the Bearcats lost senior Dustin Grutza, who broke his leg against Oklahoma Sept. 6. Pike took over, but two games later suffered an injury against the Zips. Then redshirt-freshman Chazz Anderson stepped in.

As the starting quarterbacks have continued to change for the Bearcats, Ramsey has become more efficient.

While Grutza was starting, Ramsey averaged 30.5 yards per game. But during the two games Pike started at quarterback, Ramsey noticeably improved. Ramsey rushed 57 yards and 54 yards against Miami (OH) and Akron, respectively.

His most impressive performances have come with Anderson at quarterback. Ramsey began to flourish in the Bearcats’ 33-10 win over Marshall Oct. 3. He rushed 99 yards on 17 carries against the Thundering Herd. On Oct. 11, Ramsey rushed 85 yards with 14 carries in the Bearcats’ 13-10 win over Rutgers (2-5, 1-2 Big East).

Ramsey currently averages 59.3 rushing-yards per game, ranking seventh in the Big East.

‘It’s very important to have someone like Jacob in your game when a freshman quarterback is running the show,’ Cincinnati head coach Brian Kelly said Oct. 13 during a teleconference. ‘Jacob and the rest of the offensive line has helped us stay afloat in our quarterback situation.

‘If he can continue to put up numbers like 85 yards per game, it’s huge. That will be huge.’

Kelly said he tries to tailor the offense to his quarterback. Anderson does not have the arm Pike had, so the running game was emphasized more. Kelly said the offensive line has shown its talent by adjusting countless times to several quarterbacks in only five games.

Ramsey and the rest of the offensive line will have to readjust again this weekend, when Pike, who sat out three games, reclaims his role as starting quarterback against Connecticut Saturday.

Ramsey has been a vital part of the Cincinnati attack since the end of last season, when he took over as the Bearcats starter the last three games.

‘Because of the experience I had my sophomore year I learned that you just have to keep moving forward through adversity,’ Ramsey said. ‘I just try to let the rest of the team know that no matter what, we can move the ball down the field and continue to win football games.’

Despite helping advance Cincinnati’s running game, Ramsey has failed to score a touchdown in six games.

Last season, Ramsey finished fourth on the team with 362 rushing yards and three touchdowns. He’s already rushed 356 yards this season, tops on the team.

‘I am trying to become a more powerful runner than I was last season,’ Ramsey said. ‘I am trying to become more effective in my game than I was last season for the good of the team.

‘We just try to run the ball more and not let things we can’t control affect us,’ Ramsey said. ‘There has been a lot more detail in my assignment as a player, and I just try to do that the best I can.’

McCoy reaches 100-yard rushing mark for 10th time

LeSean McCoy led No. 17 Pittsburgh to a 42-21 win over Navy Saturday, rushing for 156 yards and scoring three touchdowns. The sophomore tailback eclipsed the 100-yard mark for the 10th time in his career.

McCoy ranks second in the Big East in rushing yards, behind Connecticut’s Donald Brown. McCoy averages 114.8 yards per-game and has scored 10 touchdowns this season, ranking 13th nationally in average rushing yards and 12th nationally in scoring. He also ranks ninth in total offense in the Big East, with 689 rushing yards and 135 plays.

The Panthers (5-1, 2-0 Big East) are riding a five-game winning streak, and sit atop the Big East standings. Pittsburgh will host Rutgers Saturday for a 3:30 p.m. contest.

South Florida will host AFC Champion for Super Bowl XLIII

South Florida will play host to the AFC Champion for Super Bowl XLIII this January. The AFC Champions will use the Bulls’ training facilities and practice fields prior to the game for Jan. 25-31, 2009.

The Super Bowl returns to Raymond James Stadium, home to South Florida and the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers, for the second time Feb. 1. This is the fourth time the city of Tampa will host the Super Bowl.

mkgalant@syr.edu

Published on October 21, 2008 at 12:00 pm