The Cincinnati Bearcats' defensive staff came to a realization in the early going of Thursday's 24-14 win against UCLA.
They didn't need to call blitzing plays. No extra defenders were necessary to win the battle at the line-of-scrimmage.
That's because the UC defensive front was more than holding its own against the Bruins and coach Chip Kelly's once-prolific offensive attack, a pleasant confirmation after the group entered this season as perhaps the team's biggest question mark.
"We felt like those guys were starting to wear on them," said Bearcats' coach Luke Fickell.