CINCINNATI - Cincinnati used Big 12 Media Days in Frisco to put its offensive line front and center, and the Bearcats made sure nobody missed the message.
The program handed out pancake-themed gift boxes to reporters, complete with syrup and pancake mix, as a nod to the line led by Evan Tengesdahl and Taran Tyo. The setup fit the moment: Cincinnati is leaning hard into the idea that its front can be a real strength this season.
“It’s really good seeing them get the recognition they deserve,” said QB JC French IV. “The way they’re displaying it with the pancakes is hilarious. They’re all poised for a great season.”
French added, “We know we can go and be one of the best offensive lines in the country if not the…”
That belief starts with continuity. Tengesdahl, Tyo and Cotton announced in mid-December that they were coming back instead of chasing offers in the transfer portal, a decision that drew praise from those around the program. Writer and podcaster Andy Staples was among the people who received the gift box, and he pointed to the value of keeping experienced linemen together in a sport where rosters change fast.
“In this era of college football it’s very hard to judge how good teams are going to be because the rosters change so much,” said Staples. “When people bring back experienced offensive lineman who you know…”
Tengesdahl arrives in Frisco as a Preseason All-American after earning AP Third Team All-America honors a year ago, but he isn’t treating that as a finish line.
“You can’t be satisfied with that,” Evan said. “I’ve got to elevate from there and get one percent better every day. That’s what I’ve been working on this offseason.”
Tyo is also drawing preseason attention, with Athlon Sports and Phil Steele naming him to their Preseason All-Big 12 teams. He is expected to shift from guard to center this year after transferring to Cincinnati from Ball State before last season.
“It means a lot,” said Tyo.
The Bearcats also brought Antwan Peek Jr. to represent the defense, and it was an easy fit. His father owns Cincinnati’s all-time sacks record, and Peek said the family connection still means everything to him.
“Words can’t even describe how much it means to me,” said Peek. “My family is here,…”
Peek was PFF’s highest-graded safety in the Big 12 last season, but he’s moving closer to the line of scrimmage under new defensive coordinator Nate Woody. Woody arrives after helping Army finish with the top-ranked defense in the AAC in each of the last two seasons, and Scott Satterfield made it clear he wants that unit to create more pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
“The thing that we have to be able to do to improve our team and…”
Satterfield also praised French for how quickly he settled into the program. This was French’s second media day appearance in as many years after representing Georgia Southern at Sun Belt media days in New Orleans last year. He remains Georgia Southern’s all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns, and he completed 70% of his passes in spring practices at Cincinnati.
“He’s a guy that fit in here right off the bat,” said Satterfield. “Every time I would see another player or coach it was like,…”
Satterfield also said French didn’t get much attention in the transfer portal market, but he believes the quarterback will prove people wrong.
“He didn’t get a lot of accolades in the transfer portal market and all that, but I do think he’ll be able to…”
Cincinnati opens the season at home against Boston College on September 5. The Bearcats have gone 94-32 at Nippert Stadium since 2000, and Satterfield said that kind of home setting should matter right away.
“That home field advantage is going to be huge for us in our first game.” said Satterfield. “It should be a sold-out, packed stadium and an…”
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