Jerome Ford
FILE - Cincinnati coach Luke Fickell walks onto the field before the Cotton Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff semifinal game against Alabama, Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, in Arlington, Texas. Fickell has received a two-year contract extension through 2028 and a raise to $5 million per year after leading the Bearcats to the College Football Playoff. The university board of trustees approved the contract extension Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022, also increasing the football staff salary pool to $5.2 million per year. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth, File)
Key players gone, but Cincy's Fickell says 'run is not over'

By Mitch Stacy Mar. 09, 2022 02:59 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's Ford, Gardner departing early for NFL draft

By Mitch Stacy Jan. 04, 2022 01:48 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 - Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) warms up as offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien, left, watches before an NCAA college football game against Florida, on Sept. 18, 2021, in Gainesville, Fla. Young views the Heisman Trophy as about what he and Alabama have already done, not what the top-ranked Crimson Tide are still trying to accomplish in his first season as their starting quarterback. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
No. 1 Alabama faces upstart Bearcats in Cotton Bowl CFP semi

By The Associated Press Dec. 30, 2021 12:18 PM EST

FILE - Michigan defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald watches against Northern Illinois in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. Michigan head football coach Jim Harbaugh leaned on advice from his brother, Baltimore Ravens coach Jim Harbaugh, when he hired Mike Macdonald to be the Wolverines’ defensive coordinator. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)
Ties that bind: Some in CFP will face their former schools

By Tim Reynolds Dec. 29, 2021 05:07 AM EST

FILE - Cincinnati running back Jerome Ford (24) carries the ball as he breaks a tackle against UCF linebacker Jeremiah Jean-Baptiste, right, during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Cincinnati. For Cincinnati (13-0), a member of the second-tier American Athletic Conference, the planets aligned. The Bearcats landed as the No. 4 seed in the CFP, invading the domain of college football's blue bloods. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster, File)
Bearcats RB Jerome Ford sheds 'the Alabama transfer' label

By Stephen Hawkins Dec. 28, 2021 04:50 PM EST

Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell coaches his players during practice for the Cotton Bowl NCAA football game, Monday, Dec. 27, 2021, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
Breakthrough Bearcats ready for CFP semi against champ Bama

By Stephen Hawkins Dec. 27, 2021 07:37 PM EST

Michigan running back Blake Corum (2) runs from Iowa defensive back Jermari Harris (27) during the second half of the Big Ten championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Double duty: Lanning leads Georgia D, preps for Oregon job

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 27, 2021 05:26 PM EST

FILE - Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell prepares to take players onto the field prior to an NCAA college football game against Miami (Ohio) Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Cincinnati. For Cincinnati (13-0), a member of the second-tier American Athletic Conference, the planets aligned. The Bearcats landed as the No. 4 seed in the CFP, invading the domain of college football's blue bloods. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean, File)
Cincinnati climbs CFP mountain, but can it stay there?

By Mitch Stacy Dec. 23, 2021 11:34 AM EST

Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson celebrates with the trophy after the Big Ten championship NCAA college football game against Iowa, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Indianapolis. Michigan won 42-3. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
QB Bryce Young of Alabama voted AP Player of the Year

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 09, 2021 12:01 PM EST

Cincinnati running back Jerome Ford carries the ball during the second half of the team's NCAA college football game against SMU, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
COLLEGE FOOTBALL TODAY: Young leads Tide over Georgia

By The Associated Press Dec. 04, 2021 08:49 PM EST

Cincinnati wide receiver Tyler Scott, center, catches a pass for a touchdown during the first half of the American Athletic Conference championship NCAA college football game against Houston Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
No. 3 Cincinnati claims AAC crown, possible playoff spot

By Jeff Wallner Dec. 04, 2021 07:38 PM EST

Houston quarterback Clayton Tune (3) throws a pass as Memphis defensive lineman Morris Joseph (10) closes in during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Nov. 19, 2021, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
AAC title on line as No. 3 Cincinnati hosts No. 16 Houston

By The Associated Press Dec. 02, 2021 04:18 PM 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 quarterback Desmond Ridder celebrates with fans after the team's NCAA college football game against SMU, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
No. 4 Cincinnati's steps to historic CFP berth: Win, wait

By Pete Iacobelli Nov. 25, 2021 10:24 AM EST

Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder celebrates with fans after the team's NCAA college football game against SMU, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
No. 4 Cincinnati playing for perfect season, CFP spot at ECU

By The Associated Press Nov. 24, 2021 03:36 PM EST

Georgia defensive lineman Jordan Davis (99) is lifted into the air by running back Zamir White (3) and offensive lineman Justin Shaffer (54) after scoring a touchdown in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Charleston Southern, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Athens, Ga.. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: Places change but teams remain same

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 22, 2021 03:44 AM EST

Cincinnati defensive lineman Curtis Brooks yells after sacking SMU quarterback Tanner Mordecai during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Ridder does everything for No. 3 Cincinnati in rout of SMU

By Jeff Wallner Nov. 20, 2021 07:09 PM EST

Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) runs for a touchdown during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against SMU, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
SMU at Cincinnati 11/20/2021

Nov. 20, 2021 05:15 PM EST