Dec 31, 2006, 17:00 GMT
Toronto, ON - The inaugural International Bowl kicks off from the Rogers Centre in Canada, as the Cincinnati Bearcats square off against the Western Michigan Broncos.
This is the first bowl game to be played on foreign soil since the 1937 Bacardi Bowl in Havana, Cuba. With wins in four of their last five games, including a 30-11 upset of then undefeated and nationally-ranked Rutgers, the Bearcats earned their first bowl appearance since the 2004 season. Cincinnati compiled a 7-5 record during the regular season and finished fourth in the Big East with a 4-3 ledger. For the Bearcats, the game will feature the debut of new head coach Brian Kelly, who was named to the position on December 4th. Kelly, the former Central Michigan head coach, will guide Cincinnati in its ninth bowl appearance and its fifth in the past seven seasons. The Bearcats own an even 4-4 mark all-time in bowl games, including a 32-14 triumph over Marshall in the Fort Worth Bowl back in 2004.
As for Western Michigan, it posted an 8-4 ledger during the regular season, landing it in its first bowl game since 1988. The Broncos' bowl history consists of just two games, a 28-12 setback to New Mexico in the 1961 Aviation Bowl and a 35-30 loss to Fresno State in the 1988 California Bowl.
This game marks just the third all-time meeting between WMU and Cincinnati, and the first since 1950. The Bearcats won the previous two encounters by an identical score of 27-6.
The Bearcats by no means possess an overpowering offense, as they are averaging a modest 20.6 ppg and 339.9 total ypg. The team has done a decent job in rushing for 134.2 ypg and throwing for 205.7 ypg, but it has also committed 26 turnovers. Dustin Grutza started 11 of the team's 12 games under center this season, but Nick Davila is the one who led the squad to the big win over Rutgers in his lone start. Grutza has lacked consistency this season, throwing for 1,625 yards with nine touchdowns and 13 interceptions, while Davila has been a bit more effective in passing for 843 yards with six scores and just one interception. Whomever is under center will surely look the way of Derrick Stewart, the team's leading receiver in terms of yardage (666) and touchdowns (five). Tight end Brent Celek is another weapon the Bearcats will surely utilize, as he has pulled down 31 balls for 460 yards and three scores on the season. As for the ground attack, it is paced by the duo of Greg Moore and Butler Benton, and they have combined for 1,087 rushing yards and eight touchdowns.
On the defensive side of the ball is where the Bearcats' strength lies, as they are holding their opponents to 19.2 ppg and 303.0 total ypg. The unit has been at its best against the run (106.2 ypg), but it has also done a decent job defending the pass (196.8 ypg). The UC defense has even fared well in getting to opposing quarterbacks, posting 29 sacks thus far. The one knock on this group, however, is that it hasn't forced enough turnovers, generating just 21 in 12 games. Kevin McCullough is the team's top tackler at the moment with 68 stops, and he also leads the squad with 13.5 TFLs as well. Trevor Anderson is another player to keep an eye on as he has 13 TFLs and a team-high six sacks to this point.
Much like Cincinnati, the Western Michigan offense isn't going to strike much fear into its opponents as it is averaging a mediocre 22.9 ppg and 315.5 total ypg. The offense has relied primarily on the ground game (136.9 ypg), while airing it out for a modest 178.6 ypg. Mark Bonds is the team's most important player on this side of the ball, as he has rushed for 1,082 yards and seven touchdowns. He can also make plays in the passing game, posting 26 catches. Speaking of the aerial attack, it is paced by Ryan Cubit, who has completed 62.4 percent of his throws for 1,954 yards with 15 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Jamarko Simmons has been his primary target for most of the season, as he leads the squad with 48 catches and 496 receiving yards. Tight end Branden Ledbetter is another player that will surely get some looks in this contest, as he has posted 32 catches for 385 yards and a team-high six touchdowns.
The Broncos have excelled on the defensive side of the ball this season, holding their opponents to 19.3 ppg and only 269.4 total ypg. The unit has simply shut down the run, allowing a mere 71.9 rushing ypg. Through the air, WMU is giving up 197.5 ypg, but it has more than made for most of those yards by picking off an impressive 22 passes. Getting to opposing quarterbacks has been another strength of the WMU defensive unit, which has posted 42 sacks on the season. Ameer Ismail, the Mid-American Conference Defensive Player of the Year, is clearly this team's most important player, and he is in the midst of a tremendous season. Ismail not only leads the team in tackles (86), but he is also tops with a school-record 17 sacks and 25.5 TFLs. The senior tied an NCAA record with six sacks in a 41-27 win over Ball State earlier this season.
This should be a very good one, as both teams appear to be evenly matched. WMU, however, seems to have a few more capable players and the better defense and those are the primary reasons why the pick here is WMU.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Western Michigan 24, Cincinnati 20
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