Defensive lineman Brandon Mills shares a few words with quarterback Jordan Rogers following a hard tackle during the first quarter of the 53rd Annual AutoZone Liberty Bowl between the University of Cincinnati Bearcats and the Vanderbilt University Commodores at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tenn. on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011. (The News Record/Sam Greene)

Senior running back Isaiah Pead lifts the Liberty Bowl trophy following the 31-24 Bearcats win at the 53rd Annual AutoZone Liberty Bowl between the University of Cincinnati Bearcats and the Vanderbilt University Commodores at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tenn. on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011. (The News Record/Sam Greene)

A young Vanderbilt fan cheers on his teem before the beginning of the Liberty Bowl, Saturday afternoon, Dec. 31, 2011. The University of Cincinnati defeated Vanderbilt University 31-24 in the 53rd Annual AutoZone Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tennessee. (The News Record/ Eamon Queeney)

Cincinnati’s Jordan Steep (94) celebrates after Saturday afternoon’s game, Dec. 31, 2011.The University of Cincinnati defeated Vanderbilt University 31-24 in the 53rd Annual AutoZone Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tennessee. (The News Record/ Eamon Queeney)

Cincinnati head coach Butch Jones disputes a call during the second quarter of the 53rd Annual AutoZone Liberty Bowl between the University of Cincinnati Bearcats and the Vanderbilt University Commodores at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tenn. on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011. (The News Record/Sam Greene)

Defensive lineman John Hughes chases down quarterback Jordan Rogers as he scrambles out of the pocket during the first quarter of the 53rd Annual AutoZone Liberty Bowl between the University of Cincinnati Bearcats and the Vanderbilt University Commodores at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tenn. on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011. (The News Record/Sam Greene)

Head coach Butch Jones (center) stands with offensive play of the game Isaiah Pead (left) and defensive player of the game JK Schaffer (right) after the 53rd Annual AutoZone Liberty Bowl between the University of Cincinnati Bearcats and the Vanderbilt University Commodores at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tenn. on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011. (The News Record/Sam Greene)

Running back Isaiah Pead is brought down on a pass attempt by Javon Marshall during the fourth quarter of the 53rd Annual AutoZone Liberty Bowl between the University of Cincinnati Bearcats and the Vanderbilt University Commodores at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tenn. on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011. (The News Record/Sam Greene)

Vanderbilt quarterback Larry Smith (10) runs for a short gain in the second half of Saturday afternoon’s game, Dec. 31, 2011.The University of Cincinnati defeated Vanderbilt University 31-24 in the 53rd Annual AutoZone Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tennessee. (The News Record/ Eamon Queeney)

Wide receiver Alex Chisum reacts to dropping a pass in the end zone during the second quarter of the 53rd Annual AutoZone Liberty Bowl between the University of Cincinnati Bearcats and the Vanderbilt University Commodores at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tenn. on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011. (The News Record/Sam Greene)

Cincinnati fans cheer before the Saturday afternoon game, Dec. 31, 2011. The University of Cincinnati defeated Vanderbilt University 31-24 in the 53rd Annual AutoZone Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tennessee. (The News Record/ Eamon Queeney)

Quarterback Jordan Rogers scrambles to avoid offensive lineman Derek Wolfe during the second quarter of the 53rd Annual AutoZone Liberty Bowl between the University of Cincinnati Bearcats and the Vanderbilt University Commodores at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tenn. on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011. (The News Record/Sam Greene)

Kickoff team specialist Adrian Witty lays a stiff tackle on returner Steven Clark during the second quarter of the 53rd Annual AutoZone Liberty Bowl between the University of Cincinnati Bearcats and the Vanderbilt University Commodores at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tenn. on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011. (The News Record/Sam Greene)

The University of Cincinnati Bearcats celebrate their 31-24 win at the 53rd Annual AutoZone Liberty Bowl between the University of Cincinnati Bearcats and the Vanderbilt University Commodores at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tenn. on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011. (The News Record/Sam Greene)

Ralph David Abernathy IV returns a kickoff for a 90 yard touchdown during the fourth quarter of the 53rd Annual AutoZone Liberty Bowl between the University of Cincinnati Bearcats and the Vanderbilt University Commodores at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tenn. on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011. (The News Record/Sam Greene)

Umpire Douglas Wilson reacts as Cincinnati running back Isaiah Pead (23) catches a short pass from quarterback Zach Collaros in the second half of Saturday afternoon’s game, Dec. 31, 2011.The University of Cincinnati defeated Vanderbilt University 31-24 in the 53rd Annual AutoZone Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tennessee. (The News Record/ Eamon Queeney)

Cincinnati head coach Butch Jones points and thanks the Cincinnati fan section for their support at the 53rd Annual AutoZone Liberty Bowl between the University of Cincinnati Bearcats and the Vanderbilt University Commodores at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tenn. on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011. (The News Record/Sam Greene)

Running back Isaiah Pead tiptoes into the end zone on a handoff from quarterback Zach Collaros during the fourth quarter of the 53rd Annual AutoZone Liberty Bowl between the University of Cincinnati Bearcats and the Vanderbilt University Commodores at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tenn. on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011. (The News Record/Sam Greene)