Kiel comes out strong in Bearcats' spring scrimmage
It was just one scrimmage, but University of Cincinnati sophomore Gunner Kiel looked very much like the player once rated the No. 1 high school quarterback in America.
Kiel was 16-of-20 passing for 185 yards and two touchdowns in leading the Bearcats' first-team offense Saturday, in UC's first spring intrasquad scrimmage at Paul Brown Stadium.
"We had a really good day today," Kiel said. "Everyone came out enthused. We've been working hard, and I'm really proud of these guys."
Both of Kiel's TD passes went to junior wideout Shaq Washington, who led UC last season with 78 receptions. Kiel also threw a 70-yard TD bomb to junior wideout Chris Moore in a two-minute situation, a separate drill not counted among final statistics.
Kiel is battling junior college transfer Jarred Evans for the starting job. Evans was 10-of-17 passing for 78 yards for one TD and also ran for a 32-yard score, as he mostly directed the second team.
Kiel sat out the 2013 season after leaving Notre Dame, where he spent one year. Kiel originally committed to Indiana, then to LSU, then finally signed with Notre Dame. Unhappy in South Bend, Kiel transferred to UC last spring.
College football columnists ripped Kiel for his many changes of mind, but Kiel said UC has proved to be the best fit.
"I definitely have been beat up through the process, but I came out and landed on my feet," Kiel said. "Now I'm loving life and I'm happy. I'm getting my confidence back. Everything's getting in line. God has a plan for me, and it definitely was to come to Cincinnati."
UC coach Tommy Tuberville said Kiel and Evans both had their moments Saturday. It was UC's first outdoor activity since spring ball began Feb. 27, with the Bearcats having worked exclusively at their indoor bubble on campus.
"I thought they did well for the first time being outside, having to adjust to the wind, throwing the football," Tuberville said of his quarterbacks. "They made a couple of mistakes, but you've got to remember we're starting from scratch basically with both of them."
Other highlights included running back Hosey Williams scoring on a 2-yard run, and running back Tion Green throwing a 25-yard halfback TD pass to Moore. Williams ran with the No. 1 offense to start the day.
The No. 1 offense scored five times against the No. 1 defense, before the defense regrouped and got some stops.
"It was a good day," Tuberville said. "We pretty much played base defense, so I don't judge them on how many points they gave up. I judge them on individual positions and how they played with technique and fundamentals."