TicketsAug. 19, 2007
CINCINNATI - FOX 19 (WXIX-TV) in Cincinnati, the official television partner of UC Athletics, is replaying "Bearcats Classics" of all-time great UC football games.
The three-week series began Aug. 11th with the replay of last year's 27-24 victory over Western Michigan in the Inaugural International Bowl in Toronto, Canada. The game involves a piece of history as Brian Kelly, coaching his first game at Cincinnati, became the first coach in college football to beat the same team twice in a season coaching two different teams. Kelly knocked off Western Michigan earlier in the year as the coach at Central Michigan. He replaced Mark Dantonio at Cincinnati who left in December to become the head coach at Michigan State.
"As Cincinnati football is on the rise, we need to remember the great games of our past," says Director of Athletics Mike Thomas. "The program has posted monumental wins over nationally-ranked opponents such as Wisconsin and Rutgers that have been televised from Nippert Stadium. Just this past January, we ushered in a new era in the history of UC football with Brian Kelly's debut in the International Bowl. We are proud to join with our TV partner FOX 19 to help our fans relive those moments."
The second week's broadcast on Aug. 18 featured the 1999 classic which pitted UC versus then-No. 8 Wisconsin and eventual Heisman Trophy winner Ron Dayne at Nippert Stadium. The Bearcats used the legs of Robert Cooper, who ran for 143 yards and a touchdown, to defeat the Badgers and Dayne for one of the biggest upsets in college football that year and one the biggest in UC football history.
The series wraps up this weekend with last year's upset over then-No. 7 Rutgers in the 2006 home finale. Senior quarterback Nick Davila, making his first start in a Bearcat uniform led UC to a 30-11 win, completed 11-of-15 passes for 277 yards and score, but it was the UC defense that solidified the win. The defense held one of the nation's top rushing offenses to just 50 yards on the ground while causing four interceptions.
"FOX19 has enjoyed a tradition of airing some of the most exciting Bearcat moments and we are delighted to revisit three of UC's best football performances ever as part of our new "Bearcats Classic" franchise," says WXIX-TV Vice President/General Manager John Long.
The three "Bearcats Classics" will give the UC faithful a taste of college football leading up to this highly anticipated 2007 season of University of Cincinnati football. Fans interested in becoming a part of the next "Bearcat Classic" can do so by purchasing season tickets or mini-plans today by logging on at CATSTIX.com or by calling 1-877-CATS-TIX. Don't miss a minute of CAT ATTACK 2007!