Strategy And Personnel

THIS WEEK'S GAME: Delaware State at Cincinnati, Sept. 15 -- It's the first meeting between the two schools.

KEYS TO THE GAME
Coming off its well-played, emotional Big East Conference win over Pitt, few could blame Cincinnati for lacking some motivation in Saturday's game. But as Butch Jones says often: "Every game counts", and UC's head coach likely will remind them of this point repeatedly this week.

Delaware State (1-1) ranks 99th nationally with 69 rushing yards per game. UC, which ranks second nationally in sacks after one game, will keep the pressure on DSU.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

The versatility of Ralph David Abernathy IV was among the most impressive aspects of UC's season-opening win over Pitt. Abernathy had 115 all-purpose yards last week with four catches for 71 yards and a TD, 20 rushing yards and a 24-yard kick return. Look for Butch Jones to get RDA IV involved in the game as much as possible this week.

What will senior LB Greg Blair do for an encore coming off his impressive first career start? Blair had a team-leading 10 tackles and his first career interception last week.

Junior QB Munchie Legaux rushed for a career-high 117 yards and passed for 205 yards and two TDs. But Legaux wasn't satisfied, grading himself a C-plus for what he called some "easy" throws that he missed.

ROSTER REPORT

--DB Dominique Battle did not play in Thursday's opener, and according to head coach Butch Jones will not be available this week. Battle was hoping to be 100 percent for the in time to play after undergoing three knee surgeries last year. Jones said Battle, who tore his right ACL in a game against South Florida last October, was making tremendous strides in his recovery.

--WR Dyuan Lewis, a four-star recruit who has been cleared to play, but Jones was uncertain if he would play in this week's game. The sophomore receiver suffered a foot injury in the spring.

--DL Adam Dempsey, a junior walk-on, continues to draw rave reviews from the coaching staff. Dempsey is among 14 walk-ons who played in the season opener. Dempsey and OL Sam Longo started the game.

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