CINCINNATI SPORTS LAST WEEK

St Xavier, rated #2 in the country, lost it's starting quarterback for the rest of the season. He tore a knee ligament (ACL) in last week's win.

I'm not surprised at the negative feelings about the hiring of Dusty Baker that were heard on local talk radio this week. As the week went along, it seemed to abate to some degree.

The city is in a state of depression over the Bengals. Its shocking how many fans who jumped off of their bandwagon are calling for Chad Johnson to be benched or traded.

Interesting article in the Enquirer Thursday. Johnny Bench's son, Bobby, is a senior back-up tight end on the highly rated St Xavier High School football team. Bobby is 6'7" and 225 lbs. He was cut in baseball tryouts both his freshman and sophomore years and gave it up. Other area players with pressure to perform because of famous dads; Marvin Lewis' son Marcus on the Indian Hill team and Chris Collinsworth's son Austin on the Highlands team.

In high school games on Friday night, Fenwick was crushed by Alter 56-7; Colerain stayed unbeaten with a 25-7 win over Hamilton; Wilmington beat Walnut Hills 35-6, St. X edged Cleveland St. Ignatious and Moeller topped Cleveland St. Edwards.

On Saturday, the Bearcats traveled up river to meet the Pitt Panthers at Heinz Field. After racing down the field and scoring the first time they had the ball, it all went south. The worst team in the Big East beat them in the trenches. Gone forever is the top 25 rating, gone forever is hopes of a Big East title, and likely gone is the idea of a bowl appearance. The final score was 24-17. I went out to cut grass.

On a beautiful Sunday afternoon in Cincinnati, the Bengals produced a lackluster first half before exerting themselves after the intermission and winning 38-31. It wasn't that close... but it still left you wondering if they could get out of there own way for an entire game.