This was Kelly's first complete season with the Bearcats, having coached them to a 27–24 win against Western Michigan in the 2007 International Bowl.

Wide receivers Offensive line Tight ends Fullbacks Quarterbacks Running backs Defensive line Linebackers Defensive backs Punters Kickers Deep Snapper Brian Kelly – Head coach Keith Gilmore – Assistant head coach/defensive line Jeff Quinn – Offensive coordinator/offensive line Joe Tresey – Defensive coordinator Kerry Coombs – Defensive backs coach Mike Elston – Recruiting/special teams/tight ends Greg Forest – Quarterbacks coach Tim Hinton – Linebackers coach Ernest Jones – Running backs coach Charley Molnar – Wide receivers coach John Widecan – Assistant AD/football operations Brad Bury – Student assistant Paul Longo – Strength and conditioning Jesse Minter – Defensive graduate assistant Michael Painter – Offensive staff intern Adam Shorter – Offensive graduate assistant Marty Spieler – Defensive staff intern Erin Clayton – Administrative assistant Jacob Flint – Assistant strength coach Maria Gruber – Administrative coordinator Matt Louis – Administrative coordinator John Sells – Video coordinator The games was the first regular season game for new coach, Brian Kelly.

[1] Dustin Grutza, who started in place of the injured UC quarterback Ben Mauk threw for two scores to lead the Bearcats to a 47-10 win over the Miami RedHawks.

However, for the majority of the game West Virginia used their punishing ground attack to build a 21-7 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

After UC's second touchdown and a failed two-point conversion, West Virginia recovered an onside kick attempt and managed to run out the clock, handing the Bearcats their third loss.

In the 2nd quarter, Cincinnati struck back when Mauk threw both touchdown passes to Goodman to end the half.