CINCINNATI (AP) — In the world of college football, offensive linemen often operate in the shadows, seldom receiving the recognition they deserve. However, the University of Cincinnati is making a concerted effort to change that narrative as they prepare for their upcoming game against Boston College.
The Bearcats' offensive line, which boasts three potential NFL draft candidates—left guard Evan Tengesdahl, left tackle Joe Cotton, and center Taran Tyo—has been dubbed the "Football House of Pancakes." This trio is key to an offensive line that ranked among the best in the nation last season, allowing the fewest sacks and tackles for loss among Power Five teams.
As part of a unique promotional campaign, Cincinnati has launched a series of advertisements featuring the linemen on billboards throughout the city, as well as in television and radio spots. Coach Scott Satterfield highlighted the importance of this initiative, stating, "They deserve the promotion. They were one of the top offensive line units in the country last year, and you’ve got a bunch of them back. Most of the time, you don’t give O-linemen much love. They never get to score, they don’t get to make catches or carry the ball. They get their joy in seeing running backs score or blocking for the quarterback."
The promotional blitz, titled "Pancake with Us," kicked off during Big 12 media days in July, showcasing the linemen in chef outfits cooking pancakes. Additionally, the athletic department hosted a pancake breakfast that attracted over 1,000 fans prior to a morning practice last month, further emphasizing the connection between the team and its supporters.
With the departure of quarterback Brendan Sorsby, who transferred to Texas Tech and was ruled permanently ineligible by the NCAA due to gambling violations, the spotlight on the offensive line becomes even more critical. The Bearcats are looking to maintain their strong performance from last season, where they allowed only eight sacks.
Tengesdahl, who has been recognized as an AP Preseason All-America selection, expressed his excitement about the attention on the offensive line. "That doesn’t happen very often where the offensive line gets to be in the spotlight. We feel that pressure to be great and we love it. We love to have that expectation and have something to live up to," he said. Tengesdahl is also noted as Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded returning guard, having not allowed a sack last season.
Joining him, Cotton, who was the top-ranked offensive lineman in last year's transfer portal, also had an impressive season, earning All-Big 12 second-team honors. Tyo, who transitioned from guard to center this season, is stepping into the shoes of three-year starter Gavin Gerhardt, adding to the team's depth and experience.
Despite the high expectations, Tyo emphasized the importance of focusing on daily improvement, stating, "The expectation is high after last year, but as I’ve said before, it’s about coming into practice every day and competing at a high level and getting better with every rep."
New starters Xavier Lozowicki and Judea Milon, who both participated in 12 games last season, will also be crucial as the Bearcats look to build on their previous success. With JC French IV taking over as quarterback, he appreciates the strong foundation provided by the veteran offensive line. "In practice, workouts, and throughout this whole offseason, you can tell that they’re a group that’s connected. It shows on the field. They’re a very united bunch, and it gives confidence to everyone on this team," French IV noted.
As Cincinnati gears up for the season, the pancake theme will continue, including a buffet breakfast before games. However, once the game begins, the focus will shift to the linemen's performance on the field, where their hard work and dedication will be on full display. Cotton concluded, "We know how much work goes into playing offensive line, and a lot of what we do doesn’t always show up on the stat sheet. So to have the spotlight on us a little bit and have people recognize the importance of the position is really special."
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