TicketsCINCINNATI – The No. 20-ranked Cincinnati football team hits the road again this Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET for a clash with UCF with plenty of American Athletic Conference implications on the line.
Cincinnati is coming off a 29-27 win at SMU where special teams and running back Charles McClelland led the way.
The Bearcats will look to move to 7-1 and 4-0 in the league against the Knights, while also setting the conference-record for consecutive AAC wins.
UC is currently tied with the 2017-19 edition of UCF for the league-record of 19 consecutive victories.
This season, UCF ranks first in the AAC in points (37.3) and yards (511), and also has the nation's top-ranked red-zone defense, allowing opponents only seven touchdowns on 26 red-zone trips.
The Knights are coming off a 34-13 loss to ECU, but scored 70 points on Temple in their last home game at the FBC Mortgage Stadium.
Fickell and the Bearcats expect a sold-out, hostile crowd at the "Bounce House" in the latest installment of the rivalry between the two teams that have been the standard-bearers for the American Conference. UC and UCF have combined to win four of the last five AAC Championships, while creating a fun rivalry that has featured packed stadiums, Sauce Gardener pick-six's and 50-point games on both sides.
The rivalry will continue into the Big 12 when both teams join the conference this summer.
Fickell, who became UC's all-time winningest coach with his 54th win at SMU, talked about the milestone, the challenge of facing UCF on the road and much more during Tuesday's press conference, which also features sophomore punter and reigning AAC Special Teams Player of the Week Mason Fletcher and McClelland, who rushed for 100 yards for a third time this season against the Mustangs.
Here are five takeaways:
1. Just Win, Baby
Fickell may be an Al Davis fan. The sixth-year Bearcats leader harkened back to the famous line from the longtime Oakland Raiders owner when opening his press conference.
"I think Al Davis said it best, right? Just win, baby," he said.
The Bearcats are 6-1 and ranked No. 20 in the Associated Press poll, but have won their last two games by two and four points.
Fickell knows winning isn't easy. He's built a culture that thrives in big moments and close games. And it's why Cincinnati is 50-8 since the 2018 season – among the top five best marks in the nation during that span.
"We have to find ways to win so we make sure that we enjoy that," Fickell said. "We recognize that and we have done that. We have done it in many different ways, but finding ways to win is a little bit of what 'us' looks like right now this year. With that being said, we also know that we have got to develop consistency in all that we do."
2. It's Been a Rivalry Since Year 1
Fickell will never forget facing UCF in his first year with the Bearcats in 2017. The Knights won 51-23 in a game that prematurely ended due to a storm at the start of the fourth quarter.
"To me, any team that has beaten us, any team that has embarrassed us as they did in year one, that was something that will never go away for me," Fickell said. "So, in my own mind and my own heart, it's been a rivalry since that."
The series became more of a rivalry in the ensuing years.
After falling in 2018 in Orlando, as well, the Bearcats haven't lost to the Knights since, picking up three-point victories in 2019 and 2020 before a massive 56-21 win inside Nippert Stadium last fall.
"I do think obviously as everything moves forward you are going to see that this one is going to stay (entering the Big 12)," Fickell said. "This one that is going to be created. The only thing that's different from maybe the rivalry I have grown up with is when you recruit against each other those rivalries grow as well so it's year-round."
3. Legendary Perseverance from Cincinnati's Back
Redshirt senior running back Charles McClelland has emerged as Cincinnati's lead back this season. His 631 rushing yards rank second in the conference, while his robust 6.86 yards per carry is 10th nationally among players with at least 50 carries this season.
McClelland's path to lead back did not come easy. The Homerville, Ga., native flashed as a true freshman in a crowded backfield in 2018, totaling 485 yards and four touchdowns on 63 carries for a 7.7 ypc average. However, he suffered an ACL injury prior to the start of the 2019 season and another knee injury four games into the 2020 campaign.
Still, he battled back and his hard work and perseverance will serve as reminders for current and future Bearcats.
"As he gets done and wraps up, he'll be a legend in our program just about how he's handled things, and how he's done them," Fickell said. "The guys that are going along with him will be impacted no matter what it is, from what he's done, and not just because he's having success, not just because he's got three 100-yard games, but because of how he's done it too. Because of what he means inside that locker room whether he only had 50 or 60 yards, or he was the change of pace back because he's done it in the best way possible with the right attitude."
McClelland has three 100-yard games this season, including back-to-back century mark tallies he will take into the UCF contest on Saturday.
4. We've Got a Weapon
If the secret already wasn't out that Cincinnati had one of the nation's top punters, it was certainly everywhere following sophomore Mason Fletcher's school- and AAC-record 84-yard bomb at SMU that went viral on Saturday.
Fletcher ranks third in the nation in punting average (47.7) and UC is second in net punting average (45.45). The Melbourne, Australia native has all three of his punts against the Mustangs go at least 50 yards. He has 10 50+ punts in 2022 and 16 of his 31 attempts have landed inside the 20.
"We've definitely got a weapon there," Fickell said of his punter. "And even against the wind, you know what you need to do to give us a chance and to put us in the best situation possible. But they know what our goal and our objectives are."
5. It was Really a Proud Moment for A lot of Guys
Fickell picked up his school-record 54th win against SMU, breaking a tie with Rick Minter. Following the game, Cincinnati Director of Athletics John Cunningham presented Fickell with a personalized football featuring "54" written on it inside the visiting locker room, which prompted the entire team to loudly celebrate its coach.
A humble, no-nonsense coach who often deflects praise, Fickell admitted he appreciated the support from his current players as well as former players and coaches who sent texts – and some who were featured in the below social media video.
"Well, it was awesome," Fickell said. "I needed it I guess, not that I needed a celebration for wins. But, in my stomach, there was this pit, when games end like they do, and the way that which you do them, and you have this vision of what it is that you want, and then you become selfish because you didn't get that vision. And not that a celebration changes it, but to see those guys not just excited about winning, but obviously what our program has done. Gave me a good shot of reality, reminding myself how hard it is to win, and you got to enjoy the things that we have created."
Perhaps, Fletcher said it best:
"It was awesome in the locker room after the game, we might not have won the way we wanted to but stuff like that is special. Coach Fickell has just done everything this program needed and a lot of people were probably nervous at the beginning but has been everything and more. I think when he has a relationship like he does with his players, it is not just a coach- player relationship it is a personal relationship. I think that just means so much more for everyone else. It was just a really proud moment for a lot of guys."
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Cincinnati is coming off a 29-27 win at SMU where special teams and running back Charles McClelland led the way.
The Bearcats will look to move to 7-1 and 4-0 in the league against the Knights, while also setting the conference-record for consecutive AAC wins.
UC is currently tied with the 2017-19 edition of UCF for the league-record of 19 consecutive victories.
This season, UCF ranks first in the AAC in points (37.3) and yards (511), and also has the nation's top-ranked red-zone defense, allowing opponents only seven touchdowns on 26 red-zone trips.
The Knights are coming off a 34-13 loss to ECU, but scored 70 points on Temple in their last home game at the FBC Mortgage Stadium.
Fickell and the Bearcats expect a sold-out, hostile crowd at the "Bounce House" in the latest installment of the rivalry between the two teams that have been the standard-bearers for the American Conference. UC and UCF have combined to win four of the last five AAC Championships, while creating a fun rivalry that has featured packed stadiums, Sauce Gardener pick-six's and 50-point games on both sides.
The rivalry will continue into the Big 12 when both teams join the conference this summer.
Fickell, who became UC's all-time winningest coach with his 54th win at SMU, talked about the milestone, the challenge of facing UCF on the road and much more during Tuesday's press conference, which also features sophomore punter and reigning AAC Special Teams Player of the Week Mason Fletcher and McClelland, who rushed for 100 yards for a third time this season against the Mustangs.
Here are five takeaways:
1. Just Win, Baby
Fickell may be an Al Davis fan. The sixth-year Bearcats leader harkened back to the famous line from the longtime Oakland Raiders owner when opening his press conference.
"I think Al Davis said it best, right? Just win, baby," he said.
The Bearcats are 6-1 and ranked No. 20 in the Associated Press poll, but have won their last two games by two and four points.
Fickell knows winning isn't easy. He's built a culture that thrives in big moments and close games. And it's why Cincinnati is 50-8 since the 2018 season – among the top five best marks in the nation during that span.
"We have to find ways to win so we make sure that we enjoy that," Fickell said. "We recognize that and we have done that. We have done it in many different ways, but finding ways to win is a little bit of what 'us' looks like right now this year. With that being said, we also know that we have got to develop consistency in all that we do."
2. It's Been a Rivalry Since Year 1
Fickell will never forget facing UCF in his first year with the Bearcats in 2017. The Knights won 51-23 in a game that prematurely ended due to a storm at the start of the fourth quarter.
"To me, any team that has beaten us, any team that has embarrassed us as they did in year one, that was something that will never go away for me," Fickell said. "So, in my own mind and my own heart, it's been a rivalry since that."
The series became more of a rivalry in the ensuing years.
After falling in 2018 in Orlando, as well, the Bearcats haven't lost to the Knights since, picking up three-point victories in 2019 and 2020 before a massive 56-21 win inside Nippert Stadium last fall.
"I do think obviously as everything moves forward you are going to see that this one is going to stay (entering the Big 12)," Fickell said. "This one that is going to be created. The only thing that's different from maybe the rivalry I have grown up with is when you recruit against each other those rivalries grow as well so it's year-round."
3. Legendary Perseverance from Cincinnati's Back
Redshirt senior running back Charles McClelland has emerged as Cincinnati's lead back this season. His 631 rushing yards rank second in the conference, while his robust 6.86 yards per carry is 10th nationally among players with at least 50 carries this season.
McClelland's path to lead back did not come easy. The Homerville, Ga., native flashed as a true freshman in a crowded backfield in 2018, totaling 485 yards and four touchdowns on 63 carries for a 7.7 ypc average. However, he suffered an ACL injury prior to the start of the 2019 season and another knee injury four games into the 2020 campaign.
Still, he battled back and his hard work and perseverance will serve as reminders for current and future Bearcats.
"As he gets done and wraps up, he'll be a legend in our program just about how he's handled things, and how he's done them," Fickell said. "The guys that are going along with him will be impacted no matter what it is, from what he's done, and not just because he's having success, not just because he's got three 100-yard games, but because of how he's done it too. Because of what he means inside that locker room whether he only had 50 or 60 yards, or he was the change of pace back because he's done it in the best way possible with the right attitude."
McClelland has three 100-yard games this season, including back-to-back century mark tallies he will take into the UCF contest on Saturday.
4. We've Got a Weapon
If the secret already wasn't out that Cincinnati had one of the nation's top punters, it was certainly everywhere following sophomore Mason Fletcher's school- and AAC-record 84-yard bomb at SMU that went viral on Saturday.
Fletcher ranks third in the nation in punting average (47.7) and UC is second in net punting average (45.45). The Melbourne, Australia native has all three of his punts against the Mustangs go at least 50 yards. He has 10 50+ punts in 2022 and 16 of his 31 attempts have landed inside the 20.
"We've definitely got a weapon there," Fickell said of his punter. "And even against the wind, you know what you need to do to give us a chance and to put us in the best situation possible. But they know what our goal and our objectives are."
5. It was Really a Proud Moment for A lot of Guys
Fickell picked up his school-record 54th win against SMU, breaking a tie with Rick Minter. Following the game, Cincinnati Director of Athletics John Cunningham presented Fickell with a personalized football featuring "54" written on it inside the visiting locker room, which prompted the entire team to loudly celebrate its coach.
A humble, no-nonsense coach who often deflects praise, Fickell admitted he appreciated the support from his current players as well as former players and coaches who sent texts – and some who were featured in the below social media video.
"Well, it was awesome," Fickell said. "I needed it I guess, not that I needed a celebration for wins. But, in my stomach, there was this pit, when games end like they do, and the way that which you do them, and you have this vision of what it is that you want, and then you become selfish because you didn't get that vision. And not that a celebration changes it, but to see those guys not just excited about winning, but obviously what our program has done. Gave me a good shot of reality, reminding myself how hard it is to win, and you got to enjoy the things that we have created."
Perhaps, Fletcher said it best:
"It was awesome in the locker room after the game, we might not have won the way we wanted to but stuff like that is special. Coach Fickell has just done everything this program needed and a lot of people were probably nervous at the beginning but has been everything and more. I think when he has a relationship like he does with his players, it is not just a coach- player relationship it is a personal relationship. I think that just means so much more for everyone else. It was just a really proud moment for a lot of guys."
𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘁'𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁.
— Cincinnati Football (@GoBearcatsFB) October 25, 2022
Messages from just a few of the many people @CoachFick has impacted throughout his football career as he etches his name in the Cincinnati history books once again.#Bearcats | #TEAM pic.twitter.com/xvuFOzYj0m
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For all the latest information on Cincinnati Athletics, please visit GoBEARCATS.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow Cincinnati Athletics on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.