TicketsNov. 28, 2008
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CINCINNATI - The University of Cincinnati football team clinched a berth in the Bowl Championship Series and a share of the BIG EAST Championship Friday.
No. 16/16 Cincinnati (9-2, 5-1 BIG EAST) can claim the BIG EAST crown outright with a victory over Syracuse at Nippert Stadium Saturday. The game is scheduled for a noon kickoff. Prior to the contest, UC will honor 20 student-athletes playing their final home game.
"We're excited to bring the BIG EAST title home to Cincinnati," UC head coach Brian Kelly said. "This is our second year and winning a league title was something we set out to do when we got here. It speaks volumes to the CATAPULT program and the vision of our Director of Athletics Mike Thomas.
"Our game against Syracuse tomorrow is still meaningful to us. We need the support of our fans at Nippert Stadium. We play to win, and finishing our season out right is important for our football team."
Thanks to No. 25 Pittsburgh's 19-15 win over West Virginia Friday, the Bearcats wrapped up their first BCS bid and a share of their first conference championship since 2002. UC was co-champions Of Conference USA along with TCU that year.
There remains a possibility that UC could end the season in up to a four-way tie for the conference title. According to BIG EAST policies, if more than one team has the same final winning percentage in conference games, the tied teams are declared co-champions. Regardless of ties for the conference title, UC has earned the BIG EAST's automatic berth to the BCS.
Cincinnati will learn its postseason destination on Dec. 7 at 8 p.m. during the BCS Selection Show on FOX.