That was two years ago, when the 'Cats finished 7-5 and capped their season with a win over Marshall in the Fort Worth Bowl.

Last year wasn't a total wipeout -- Cincinnati WAS 4-4 with three games remaining. But then came three losses, by a combined 113-25 score, and a 4-7 finish, 2-5 in the Bearcats' first season in the new league.

The '06 Bearcats should be improved, but the schedule might not allow them to show much of it. How's this for a road slate -- Ohio State, Virginia, West Virginia and Louisville, to go along with Connecticut.

Dantonio, despite a number of injured players, liked what he saw from his guys in the spring.

"We were pretty banged up in some areas of our team," he said, adding, "but our attitude was outstanding this spring and we look forward to the 2006 season."

The coach entered the spring set with sophomore Dustin Grutza, a starter as a freshman last year, as his No. 1 quarterback. He saw senior Nick Davila and sophomore Tony Pike impress in camp, but Grutza, who had 11 touchdown passes and 11 interceptions last year, is the top guy heading into the fall.

"We need playmakers at all positions on offense," Dantonio said. "Dustin is still the starting quarterback, but the gap is closing. Nick Davila played well and Tony Pike is really making positive progress. We need to look at a lot of positions."

--In an unusual scheduling move, the Bearcats have moved their Oct. 21 home game against South Florida to Sunday, Oct. 22 to take advantage of a chance to play on national television. The Sunday night slot is usually the NFL's private domain, but the league eschews that Sunday night slot during baseball's World Series, and the Bearcats and Bulls are more than happy to compete with the national pastime.

--Cincinnati added a late signing, and he's an interesting one; wide receiver Lance Jeter, from Beaver Falls, Pa. A football-basketball star in high school, Jeter had a basketball scholarship from George Washington on the table and made a late decision to play football at UC. "Lance is an outstanding athlete with great skills at the wide receiver position," said Cincy coach Mark Dantonio. "He should challenge for playing time this fall and has the chance to be a playmaker for us at UC."

--The Bearcats allowed 38 points or more in five of their seven losses last season -- 44 each to Miami of Ohio and Rutgers, 42 to Penn State and 38 apiece to West Virginia (the only home game in this group) and Pittsburgh.

--The Cincy defense beat the offense, 76-39, in a spring game that used a point system for stops by the defense.

2007 DRAFT PROSPECT:

TE Brent Celek -- A John Mackey Award candidate, Celek is 6-4, 255 and could continue to rise with a big senior season.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "It's starting to happen for us slowly but surely. I believe we're in a transition phase." -- Coach Mark Dantonio on his team's progress

DT Adam Hoppel -- He had a huge spring game and has already forced his way into the mix in the fall.

SS Dominic Ross -- The senior, ready to start for a third year, had an interception, a sack and four tackles in the spring game.

CB Mike Mickens -- A freshman All-American and second team All-Big East last year, Mickens had a fumble recovery and four tackles (one for loss) in the spring game.

QB Nick Davila -- Entering his senior year, Davila is pushing sophomore-to-be starter Dustin Grutza.

LB Ryan Manalac -- He had an interception, sack and forced fumble in the spring game.

DT Tony Carvitti -- Standing just 6-feet tall and weighing in at a robust 240, Carvitti joined Hoppel as the talk of the spring as he moves inside on the line.

ROSTER REPORT: Talented linebacker Corey Smith, a freshman All-American and second team All-Big East last season, was held out of spring contact with a shoulder injury but should be fine for the fall. He wasn't the only key figure out. Bradley Glatthaar, the leading rusher last season, and Earnest Jackson, the leading wideout, joined hulking fullback Doug Jones on the sidelines with spring injury/recovery but all should be ready for the fall.

The Bearcats added a late recruit -- talented wide receiver Lance Jeter, who finally chose football over basketball and should vie for playing time as a true freshman.