'Finally, we have the target on our back': Bearcats open fall camp at Higher Ground

WEST HARRISON, Ind. — The University of Cincinnati football team is no longer lurking in the shadows. After compiling 31 wins over the past three seasons, it's no secret the Bearcats are good. Really good.

Because of that, the target on the defending American Athletic Conference champions' collective back this season will be more prominent than ever. But the team's leaders, head coach Luke Fickell and fifth-year senior quarterback Desmond Ridder, are embracing that.

"For the past couple of years, we've been chasing, chasing, chasing, chasing championships, chasing teams, and now, finally, we have the target on our back," Ridder said. "That's kind of the message Coach Fick preaches. We've got…