In this review, recapping a historic NFL Draft for the Cincinnati Bearcats. Along with the Flying Pig Marathon’s return to May. While the Cincinnati Cyclones’ Kelly Cup opening series reaches a deciding seventh game.

Cincinnati Bengals and Bearcats NFL Draft review

Defense emerged as a major theme throughout this year’s NFL Draft. The top overall draft pick is a defensive player. Five of the Cincinnati Bengals’ six draftees are defensive players. While the first player selected from the Cincinnati Bearcats’ draft class is a defensive player. Through Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner being selected fourth overall by the New York Jets. Gardner set a school record through his draft selection. No other Bearcats alum has ever been selected fourth or higher in an NFL Draft.

While Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Desmond Ridder was the second quarterback drafted overall. Ridder was selected in the third round by the Atlanta Falcons. Ridder and Gardner are part of a historic draft class for the University of Cincinnati. Setting a school-record with nine players selected in this draft. While they wont be teammates, Darrian Beavers joins Sauce Gardner in New York. Beavers was drafted by the New York Giants in the sixth round.

Wide Receiver Alec Pierce and defensive lineman Curtis Brooks were drafted by the Indianapolis Colts. Safety Bryan Cook was selected in the second round by the Kansas City Chiefs. Defensive end Myjai Sanders was selected in the third round by the Arizona Cardinals. The Seattle Seahawks selected Coby Bryant in the fourth round. While the Bengals might face UC running back Jerome Ford many times in the future. Ford was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round.

Shifting to the Bengals’ 2022 draft class, the team drafted Dax Hill from Michigan in the first round. Hill is one of three safeties drafted by the Bengals this year. They drafted Cam Taylor-Britt from Zac Taylor’s alma mater Nebraska in the second round. Along with Tycen Anderson from Toledo in the fifth. The Bengals drafted Florida defensive tackle Zachary Carter in the third round.

While the Bengals didn’t draft a player from the Group of Five powerhouse Cincinnati Bearcats. The Bengals drafted a player from another Group of Five program rising in national prominence. Drafting defensive end Jeffrey Gunther from Coastal Carolina in the seventh round. The lone offensive player the Bengals drafted is lineman Cordell Volson. He was drafted in the fourth round from FCS level powerhouse North Dakota State. Bengals fans hope Volson helps improve the offensive line. Considered among if not the biggest area of concern surrounding the Bengals.

Flying Pig Marathon review

Alexandria, KY’s Zac Holtkamp won yesterday’s 24^th Flying Pig Marathon. The 29 year old Northern Kentucky University and Bishop Brossart High School alum finished the race in 2:27:18. This was Holtkamp’s first time running in the Flying Pig Marathon. He finished second in his only other marathon; the 2020 Mesa Marathon in Arizona. Loveland resident Grace McCarron won the women’s division with a time of 2:50:00. This is McCarron’s first Flying Pig Marathon victory. Speaking of Flying Pig winners, last year’s women’s champion Caitlin Keen won this year’s women’s half marathon title in 1:21:08.

Alabama resident Josh Whitehead won the men’s half marathon. Doing so with a time of 1:12:14. Part of a remarkable physical recovery after surviving a 2020 car/bike accident. The quartet were part of the over 27,000 whom took part in Flying Pig-related events over the weekend. This year marked the marathon’s return to the first Sunday in May after being delayed to October last year.

Cincinnati Cylones face upcoming game seven against Toledo

It’s win or go home time for the Cincinnati Cyclones. Their Kelly Cup Playoffs opening series will feature a deciding seventh game. Taking place Tuesday at 7:35 PM Eastern against the hosting Toledo Walleye. Cincinnati took a 3-2 series lead into game six in Toledo last Saturday. After winning two out of three in Cincinnati last week. The Cyclones were shutout 3-0 in game six. A broadcast of game seven will be available on cycloneshockey.com and FloHockey.

The winner of game seven will face either the Wheeling Nailers or Fort Wayne Komets. In the Central division finals series; the schedule for that series will be announced later this week. Wheeling leads Fort Wayne 3-2 in that series going into game six tonight.

FC Cincinnati wins in Toronto

In the first of two matches within a week against Toronto FC. FC Cincinnati beat Toronto FC in Toronto 2-1 last Saturday. Marking the club’s first win at Toronto’s BMO Field and third win of the season. The orange and blue jumped out to a 2-0 lead. Rookie Ian Murphy got FC Cincinnati on the board first in the 44^th minute. Luciano Acosta got the ultimately decisive goal in the 52^nd minute. Jesus Jimenez scored Toronto’s lone goal in the 65^th minute.

FC Cincinnati will host Toronto FC this Wednesday at 7:30 PM Eastern. The orange and blue will face Minnesota on the road Saturday at 8 PM Eastern. This week’s matches can be seen in Cincinnati on WSTR-TV (64) and heard on WCKY-AM (1530).

Cincinnati Reds crash their way out of April

The Cincinnati Reds returned to their losing ways last week. After snapping a previous 11-game losing streak going into last week. The Reds were swept in a three-game home series by the San Diego Padres. Then swept on the road in a three-game road series by the Colorado Rockies. The Reds go into this week with a 3-19 record; marking the franchise’s worst record 22 games into a season.

Ultimately, the lone highlight of the week happened in the stands at Great American Ball Park. During the Reds’ series-opener against the Padres last Tuesday. Fan Jacob Kingsley caught a foul ball while bottle-feeding his infant son Shepherd. The catch quickly went viral on social media. While Shepherd got nourishment and a memorable souvenir from his first baseball game.

This week in Reds baseball (all times Eastern)

Reds at Milwaukee Brewers

Tuesday and Wednesday at 7:40 PM on Bally Sports Ohio.

Thursday at 1:40 PM on Bally Sports Ohio and MLB Network.

Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates

Friday at 6:40 PM on Bally Sports Ohio.

Saturday at 12:35 PM on Bally Sports Ohio and MLB Network.

Saturday at 6:40 PM on Bally Sports Ohio.

Sunday (Mother’s Day) at 1:40 PM on Bally Sports Ohio.

All games can be heard on WLW-AM (700) and other Cincinnati Reds Radio Network affiliates.

The 2022 Kentucky Derby

The biggest week of the year in Kentucky is here. Effectively culminating with the 148^th Kentucky Derby at Louisville’s Churchill Downs Saturday afternoon. Saturday’s “Run for the Roses” itself is set to start at 6:57 PM Eastern on NBC. Coverage of Friday’s Kentucky Oaks can be seen on USA Network from 1-6 PM Eastern. USA Network will also have Kentucky Derby coverage starting Saturday at Noon Eastern. Derby Day coverage will shift over to NBC at 2:30 PM Eastern. A full schedule of Derby Day festivities at Churchill Downs is here.