The public was fed before practice, then the Cincinnati Bearcats “ate” at Nippert Stadium Saturday, Aug. 8, in an open presentation less than a month before the team’s first game, at home against Boston College Sept. 5.
With the annual Spring Showcase being moved indoors in April, the UC administration held the public practice as a make-up of sorts. Included on this morning was a pancake breakfast to celebrate the Bearcats’ offensive line, who hope to lay numerous pancake blocks on the opposition in the coming months.
As such, Preseason All-American Evan Tengesdahl and Preseason Big 12 selections Taran Tyo and Joe Cotton have been featured in chefs’ hats cooking pancakes. UC’s staff distributed boxes of mix and syrup to select media this summer to build up the hype. On their Saturday morning show on Aug. 8, ESPN’s Ryan McGee of “Marty and McGee” mentioned the promotion of UC’s offensive line.
“They deserve it (promotion),” UC head coach Scott Satterfield. “One of the top offensive line units in the country last year and you’ve got a bunch of them back. Most of the time, you don’t give O-linemen much love. They never get to score, they don’t get to make catches or carry the ball. They get their joy in seeing running backs score or blocking for the quarterback.”
5 takeaways from UC’s ‘Pancakes With Us” open practice Aug. 8
1. Pancakes may turn out to be Bearcats tailgate staple
Over 1,000 fans arrived on the Sheakley Lawn to be served by UC’s “Pancake Trio” of Tengesdahl, Cotton and Tyo. Numerous other Bearcats came out to mingle and pose for pictures.
Once inside Nippert Stadium, it was time to go to work and offensive line coach Nic Cardwell’s troops paved the way for some good runs, particularly one by Zylan Perry that caught Satterfield’s eye.
Many schools don’t promote their offensive lines, and this group appears ready to eat, be it a pancake or a defender.
“They come out here and dominate every day and they get pissed off when they don’t,” Satterfield said.
Judae Milon and Xavier Lozowicki look to be manning the right side of UC’s line as Tyo moves to center with Cotton and Tengesdahl on the left. The right side may be new, but discounting them may prove wrong.
“Whatever we can do, they can do also,” Tengesdahl said. “I feel like our whole line plays at an elite level with Cardwell behind us. There’s no question marks over there. Lozowicki’s another crazy athlete. Whenever they get caught in a bad scenario, they’re such a freak, they can get out of it. There’s no worries.”
Tengesdahl mentioned that defensive coordinator Nate Woody brings so many looks that it can only help the offensive line once games begin.
“He’s going to be the hardest defense we face in the Big 12,” Tengesdahl said.
2. UC Bearcats brought, dealt with heat
The temperature reached the upper 80s and climbed into the 90s, considering the “feels like” figure, which takes into account humidity. UC had several misting water fans that became increasingly popular by early afternoon.
Several hydration breaks were taken, and fans who stayed were rewarded with the opportunity to meet the players on the field afterward.
3. UC Bearcats’ ballhawking defense affects practice
Many pass plays continue to be hotly contested, with the defenders trying to bat the ball loose after the catch if they can’t break up the pass. Washington State transfer Kenny Worthy had an interception on the day and the secondary appears to be more aggressive.
“Kenny’s a much improved player from the spring,” Satterfield said. “He’s much more confident out there. He feels that he can make these plays. He’s taken some chances and it’s paid off.”
4. UC Bearcats QB JC French delivers some long-range missiles
French mentioned he feels safe with UC’s offensive line this season. That’s important as he was sacked 29 times at Georgia Southern last year, including seven against James Madison. UC’s line allowed only eight sacks all season in 2025.
With added protection, Aug. 8, French hit sophomore tight end Ka’Maurri Smith on a flea-flicker for big yards and Central Arkansas transfer Malachi Henry for a long touchdown.
“That was a big-time play by him,” Satterfield said of Henry. “He’ll be in the rotation.”
Satterfield is trying to get more from the receivers, who he says have been “kind of average” in the first three days. If not, quarterback French is comfortable handing off the ball to a back to run through a well-plowed hole.
“I think that running back room is really deep,” French said. “They’re going to get rotated and get a lot of carries.”
5. UC transfer portal safety out for year
Junior Ty Goodwill went down in practice Aug. 6 and he was on the sidelines on crutches with a boot on his lower left leg Saturday. Satterfield said he will have surgery and miss the season. The injury is believed to be to the Achilles tendon, where rehabs tend to run 8-to-12 months. The 6-foot-3 safety from South Alabama hopes to return and would have two more years of eligibility.
“He was going to help in the secondary and all the special teams,” Satterfield said. “It’s a big loss for us.”
Who steps up?
“There are several young guys that are vying for that,” Satterfield said. “CJ Crite, CJ Jones, KK (Meier) is a guy we brought in (UTSA) who could play safety, but is working at corner. The next few practices will get a gauge on who’s the next guy.”
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: 5 things to chew on from Cincinnati Bearcats pancake practice Aug. 8
Reporting by Scott Springer, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Scott Springer, Cincinnati Enquirer | USA TODAY Network
