Cincinnati CB Mickens to miss two games

Nov 25, 2008 - 8:40 PM CINCINNATI (Ticker) -- Cincinnati cornerback Mike Mickens will miss the 16th-ranked Bearcats' last two regular-season games with a knee injury, coach Brian Kelly said Tuesday.

Mickens, the Bearcats' top defensive back, underwent surgery Monday to repair a torn left meniscus.

Kelly said that Cincinnati hopes to have Mickens back for the Bearcats' bowl game.

Cincinnati (9-2) will win the first Big East Conference title and secure the first BCS bowl bid in school history if West Virginia loses to Pittsburgh on Friday.

If the Mountaineers beat the Panthers, the Bearcats still can clinch the league crown with a win over lowly Syracuse on Saturday.

Mickens has a team-leading four interceptions this season. The senior has a school-record 14 interceptions in his career.

The 5-10 Mickens suffered the injury in last Thursday's practice and missed last weekend's 28-21 victory over Pittsburgh.

"(The injury) is disappointing," Mickens told the Cincinnati Enquirer. "But things happen for a reason. I've got faith in my teammates that they'll go out and get the job done."

The Bearcats close their regular season at Hawaii on December 6.