Coaches Clinic Week 1 Match-up: Cincinnati vs. Arkansas
Sep 03, 2022 3:59 pm
Coach ,
We are in for an exciting holiday weekend with great football!
Two teams who grabbed the national spotlight last year were Cincinnati and Arkansas. Cincinnati got over the top and into the College Football Playoff. The Razorbacks re-established themselves as a team to be reckoned with in the SEC.
This match-up is one that will provide a lot of excitement right off the bat in week 1. Let’s take a look at the teams and the coaches who presented at our clinics.
#19 University of Arkansas
With the pride of Arkansas finally back with the program, the Razorbacks are ready to build on their accomplishments of 2021 finishing 9-4 with an Outback Bowl win over Penn State. Head Coach Sam Pittman
Their mentality? “All we got is all we need” From their 3-0 record, the Razorbacks definitely have what they need.
The Hogs led the SEC in rushing, had the tenth-most efficient passing game in the country, and averaged 442 yards and 31 points per game overall.
KJ Jefferson turned into a star. The 6-3, 245-pound junior was a rushing threat – 664 yards and six scores – hit 67% of his passes, threw 21 touchdowns and just four picks, and now he’s got the experience to do even more.
Cody Kennedy impressed his peers to the point where he was asked to present at the prestigious COOL Clinic where he spoke on Gap Scheme Combos and GT Counter to a 3 Man Surface.
Cody Kennedy showed that the downhill run concepts can pave the way for the Arkansas offense.
Coach Kennedy uses the Duo play to get the. To him, it’s a play in which they utilize their gap scheme double teams “up” to the linebackers. They equate it to getting 600 pounds of offensive linemen on 300 pounds of a defensive lineman.
He explains it more in this clip:
(click on image for video)
Special teams play is a third of the game, and Arkansas has a SPECTACULAR special teams coordinator in Scott Fountain.
The punt & punt return teams for Arkansas have been an area of strength.
How do they do it? Scott Fountain with this easy, 3 drill rotation every day in practice to compete in special teams at the highest level
(click on image for video)
#23 Cincinnati Bearcats
The Bearcats made history in 2021 becoming the first non-power 5 team in the CFB Playoffs. Now Cincinnati has to prove it can keep it all going as it prepares for life in the Big 12 next year.
What won’t change is their style of play which Head Coach Luke Fickell calls Clifton Style. It is the tougher, hard-nosed style of play and mindset.
Coach Fickell says, “We may not have the best facilities or budget, but we got the Clifton style & that’s all we need...You have to be true to who you are.”
Cincinnati embraces the environment and specifically looks for players who embody the Clifton style of football. As an offensive and defensive line-driven program, the Bearcats will have a major advantage in the trenches. That’s Clifton baby! Coach Fickell explains it in this video:
(Click on image for full video)
There have been changes on staff as OC Mike Denbrock and OL Coach Ron Crook have moved on with Gino Guidugli assuming the OC role and Mike Cummings joining as OL Coach after serving in the same position for Central Michigan. Former Bearcat standout Walter Stewart comes home to be the Outside Linebackers Coach.
Pin and Pull is a big concept for many teams as it provides angles and numbers to get the ball to the perimeter. From the basics of the pin and pull scheme to the techniques used up front, Mike Cummings covered all aspects of teaching this perimeter run play in his clinic. In this video, he discusses the play against various fronts and illustrates the coaching points with drill, practice, and game film. This was one of the top-rated talks of the 2021 clinic season. (click on image for video):
Walter Stewart did the first live on-field virtual clinic for us when he was at Temple, demonstrating the drills and fielding questions as well. Here he is sharing two of the drills which he likes to use with his linemen (click on image for video):
Notable Game: #2 Ohio State adds a new face in Defensive Coordinator Jim Knowles, who looks to provide the Buckeyes with some stopping power. vs # 5 Notre Dame is led by new Head Coach Marcus Freeman who brought Cincinnati Special Teams Coordinator Brian Mason to South Bend to create chaos for opponents in the 3rd phase.
More Match-ups to study this week strait from their coaches:
Akron Zips HC ST - St. Francis (PA) DC 30-23 (OT)
Pitt Panthers DC LB DB vs. West Virginia DB 38-31
Tennessee OL vs. Ball State OC ST 59-10
FIU TE ST vs. Bryant OL OL 38-37 (OT)
Northern Illinois HC vs. Eastern Illinois OC OC 34-27
NC State HC DB vs. East Carolina DC
Virginia Tech HC HC vs Old Dominion OC/QB DL
Temple DC DL vs Duke HC HC DC/DL
Illinois HC LB DC vs Indiana HC OC
Colorado State QB vs Michigan ST
Rutgers HC vs. Boston College DC
BYU DL vs. South Florida ST OL
Army HC DC ST OC QB TE vs. Coastal Carolina HC OC OL LB
Kent State HC OC vs. Washington TE
Florida State DC OL vs. LSU ST ST OC OC DC
Clemson OC Tigers vs. Georgia Tech HC
Enjoy the long weekend full of great football!
Always be growing!
Coach Grabowski