Ahmad Gardner
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart celebrates winning the College Football Playoff Championship game against Alabama, getting a hoist from outside linebacker Bolan Smith, early Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, in Indianapolis. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: Final rankings and future prospects

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 11, 2022 12:11 PM EST

Alabama's Jahleel Billingsley (19) leaps over Cincinnati's Ja'von Hicks (3) during the first half of the Cotton Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff semifinal game, Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Run Tide! No. 1 Bama over non-P5 Cincy 27-6 in CFP semi

By Stephen Hawkins Dec. 31, 2021 07:14 PM EST

FILE - Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) looks to pass from the pocket during the first half of the American Athletic Conference championship NCAA college football game against Houston Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Cincinnati. The fourth-ranked Bearcats (13-0) get their shot in the CFP semifinal Cotton Bowl on Friday, Dec. 31 against No. 1 defending national champion Alabama. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean, File)
Non-P5 Cincy takes CFP journey to Cotton semi against Bama

By Stephen Hawkins Dec. 30, 2021 02:38 PM EST

FILE - Cincinnati cornerback Ahmad Gardner (1) celebrates an interception of a Murray State pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game Sept. 11, 2021, in Cincinnati. Gardner, an Associated Press All-American who hasn't given up a touchdown in his college career, still has to declare for the draft. But he generally projects higher than any of his teammates, so that decision seems clear. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean, File)
Cincinnati showcases names to keep in mind for NFL draft

By Schuyler Dixon Dec. 30, 2021 02:05 AM EST

Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher walks the sideline during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game against LSU in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Derick Hingle)
Amid signing day chaos, SEC powers grab top recruits

By Eric Olson Dec. 15, 2021 06:38 PM EST

Iowa State running back Breece Hall (28) carries the ball up field during the first half an NCAA college football game against TCU, Nov. 26, 2021, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, file)
2021 AP All-America Team, List

Dec. 13, 2021 12:13 PM EST

FILE - Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) runs toward the end zone for a touchdown against Georgia during the second half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game, Dec. 4, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, file)
AP All-America team: Young and Tide lead with 3 1st teamers

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 13, 2021 12:02 PM EST

Georgia Tech quarterback Jordan Yates (13) is tackled by Georgia defensive lineman Travon Walker (44) in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: Unanimous No 1 UGA chasing record

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 29, 2021 02:32 AM EST

East Carolina's Ryan Jones (13) runs the ball and is challenged by Cincinnati's Ja'von Hicks (3) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
No. 4 Cincinnati stays unbeaten, beats East Carolina 35-13

Bob Sutton Nov. 26, 2021 07:31 PM EST

Cincinnati's Curtis Brooks (92) grabs the arm of East Carolina quarterback Holton Ahlers (12) for a sack during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
Cincinnati at East Carolina 11/26/2021

Nov. 26, 2021 05:31 PM EST

Cincinnati wide receiver Tre Tucker runs for a score on a 1-yard touchdown pass quarterback Desmond Ridder against South Florida during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 12, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Cincinnati at South Florida 11/12/2021

Nov. 12, 2021 07:25 PM EST

The Cincinnati student section reacts during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Temple, Friday, Oct. 8, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Clifton Style: Blue-collar Bearcats pushing CFP ceiling

By Ralph D. Russo Oct. 29, 2021 03:38 AM EDT

Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder looks to pass against Navy during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, in Annapolis, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Cincinnati at Navy 10/23/2021

Oct. 23, 2021 01:37 PM EDT

FILE - Iowa offensive lineman Tyler Linderbaum (65) looks to make a block during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Indiana in Iowa City, Iowa, in this Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, file photo. Lindenbaum was selected to The Associated Press Midseason All-America team, announced Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
Young, Davis headline AP Midseason All-America Team

By The Associated Press Oct. 19, 2021 01:15 PM EDT

UCF quarterback Mikey Keene (16) throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Cincinnati, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Jerome Ford's four TDs lead No. 3 Cincinnati over UCF 56-21

By Jeff Wallner Oct. 16, 2021 03:46 PM EDT

Cincinnati's Leonard Taylor (11) is chased by Notre Dame's JD Bertrand (27) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in South Bend, Ind. Cincinnati won 24-13. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Desmond Ridder, No. 7 Cincinnati beat No. 9 Notre Dame 24-13

By Ralph D. Russo Oct. 02, 2021 06:10 PM EDT

Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) tries to leap over Notre Dame's Clarence Lewis (6) and Houston Griffith (3) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Cincinnati at Notre Dame 10/2/2021

Oct. 02, 2021 04:17 PM EDT

A Cincinnati fan holds a sign during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Murray State, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
No. 7 Cincinnati starts slow, then routs Murray State 42-7

By Jeff Wallner Sep. 11, 2021 07:04 PM EDT

Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell, left, and Ahmad Gardner (1) lead players onto the field prior to an NCAA college football game against Murray State, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Murray State at Cincinnati 9/11/2021

Sep. 11, 2021 05:19 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 21, 2020 file photo, Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder looks for a receiver as Central Florida defensive back Corey Thornton (14) pursues during the first half of an NCAA college football game, in Orlando, Fla. The defending American Athletic Conference champions are the overwhelming favorite to repeat. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)
Present-day AAC focus for No. 8 Cincinnati over future talk

By Stephen Hawkins Aug. 23, 2021 01:36 PM EDT