Cincinnati star: Coaches 'licking their chops' to play USF

As if Thursday night's game between No. 21-ranked South Florida and No. 8 Cincinnati wasn't big enough, it now has that time-honored ingredient guaranteed to put it over the top.

The inflammatory bulletin-board quote.

Wide receiver Mardy Gilyard told the Cincinnati Enquirer that Bearcats coaches are "licking their chops'' at the opportunity to face USF defensive coordinator Joe Tresey, who held the same position at Cincinnati the previous two seasons before getting fired by head coach Brian Kelly.

Gilyard said he has sensed the anticipation from wide receivers coach Charley Molnar and offensive coordinator Jeff Quinn, as well as Kelly.

The Bulls (5-0) and Bearcats (5-0) will meet Thursday night at Raymond James Stadium in a game televised by ESPN.

"They can't wait to face Coach Tresey down there," Gilyard said. "Coach Molnar, I've never seen the look in his eyes like he has this week. Coach Kelly, as well. Those guys are really, really ready to get us going for this game.

"Coach Molnar, he's a mad scientist. When he and Coach Quinn and Coach Kelly put their brains together, that's a dangerous combination."

Kelly said this week's fervor is more related to facing a top-flight Big East Conference opponent rather than a matchup against Tresey.

Kelly said Tresey's Feb. 9 dismissal was because of a difference in philosophy. In keeping with the counteraction for the proliferation of spread offenses, Kelly wanted Cincinnati to shift to a 3-4 defensive alignment, which runs counter to Tresey's beliefs.

The Enquirer reported that the dismissal may have also been related to Tresey's interview for the defensive coordinator position at the University of Miami. According to an Enquirer source, Tresey believed he had the job and told Kelly - only to have UM coach Randy Shannon go in a different direction.

By then, Kelly had moved on, looking to Virginia assistant Bob Diaco to run the Bearcats' defense, and Tresey was out.

Neither Kelly nor Tresey has gone into specifics on the dismissal. Both coaches have offered public praise for each other.

At Cincinnati, Tresey's 2007 defense led the nation in turnovers and interceptions. Last season, Cincinnati's defense was ranked 31st nationally.

Tresey has brought a new era of urgency to USF's defense, which has forced 16 turnovers through five games, including seven at Syracuse on Oct. 3.

Although the exact terms weren't used, USF players said Tresey may well be "licking his chops" at facing the Bearcats.

"Coach Tresey has brought a lot to the table here," USF linebacker Sabbath Joseph said. "We're making big plays, and that's what he emphasizes. He's not showing much emotion right now, but I know deep down, he really wants to beat those guys."

In previous interviews, Tresey was complimentary of Gilyard, a potential first-team All-American who has a team-leading 38 receptions and averages 103.4 receiving yards per game.

"We're aware of Mardy," Tresey said. "We know where Mardy is. Mardy can turn the rocket into a touchdown. He can turn a short drag into a 30-yard gain. He's a dynamic receiver."