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Cincinnati Football: Healthy Gunner Kiel key to Bearcats spring practices

By Tanner Sperry

Nov 14, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Gunner Kiel (11) throws a pass in the first half against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane at Nippert Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Gunner Kiel (11) throws a pass in the first half against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane at Nippert Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Cincinnati football team seemed to run out of gas every other week in 2015, but now they have a new start to build more stability and consistency.

Although they were inconsistent last year, the Cincinnati Bearcats pulled off a victory against Miami (Florida) and nearly defeated Houston, Temple and Memphis–some of the American Athletic Conference’s best teams. They just couldn’t sustain anything more than a two game win-streak.

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Cincinnati head coach Tommy Tuberville hopes to change that, and has really focused on motivating the team this spring and has been pleased with the energy that has been brought.

Cincinnati returns its top quarterbacks Gunner Kiel and Hayden Moore, plus most of the defense, but each side of the ball could use some fine-tuning in the coming months before the 2016 season kicks off.

As a whole, the defense needs to show improvement. It allowed more than 31 points per game last year, which was 91st in the nation. In defense of the defense, the Bearcats did face some pretty tough competition.

The receivers need to be replenished for 2016, which is a work in progress. According to our sister site Cincy on the Prowl, some positives with junior college transfer Devon Grey and freshman Tyrin Summers as new faces who stood out during spring practices.

Regarding the run game, which has an argument to be the strongest aspect of the team, coach Tuberville said the offense will run the football first and has some good running backs. In fact, all of the top rushers return, which includes Mike Boone, who averages more than seven yards a carry, and Hosey Williams who averages more than five yards per carry.

Kiel dealt with injuries last year, which left the freshman Moore to take over, but both struggled with turnovers. Both players threw 11 interceptions, to offset some of the real positive things they did when healthy and in the lineup.

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With the run game expected to be strong and provide a balance to the offense, the hope for Tuberville and the offense is a healthy Kiel will limit his turnovers and make a case as the top quarterback in the AAC.

Overall, look for this team to improve on its 7-6 record and have some more consistency that they will have a win streak longer than two games in 2016.

The Bearcats close spring practices with their spring game on April 2, which is open to the public.

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