TicketsCINCINNATI – The Cincinnati football team returns to action at Historic Nippert Stadium on Saturday for a 7 p.m. ET clash with Miami (Ohio) in the 127th meeting between the two schools in the "Battle for the Victory Bell."
The Bearcats have won 16 straight in the series and hold a 60-59-7 edge in the oldest nonconference rivalry in college football with the first game being played in 1888.
The Redhawks are coming off a 41-28 win at UMass where veteran quarterback Brett Gabbert passed for 302 yards and wide receiver Gage Larvadain caught eight passes for 273 yards and three scores.
First-year head coach Scott Satterfield has leaned on assistant coaches Kerry Coombs and Walter Stewart to explain the importance of the rivalry ahead of Saturday's game.
"We're fully aware of what happens when we play Miami," said Satterfield. "For us, it's still about preparation, going out this week and practicing as hard as we can, putting a great plan together and then going and executing that plan. That's our focus and we know that the attention to detail has to be greater this week because of who we're playing."
The Bearcats will look to move to 3-0 after opening the season with a resounding 66-13 victory over EKU in their last game at Nippert Stadium before last weekend's 27-21 victory at Pitt. UC was led by running back Corey Kiner (career-high 153 yards) as the Bearcats' offensive line bullied the Panthers en route to a 216-83 edge on the ground.
Kiner, quarterback Emory Jones and defensive linemen Jowon Briggs and Dontay Corleone have received the bulk of the attention this season, but wide receiver Braden Smith and linebacker Jack Dingle may have been the most important players in the Pitt win.
"If everyone is doing their job, then a lot of guys are going to get accolades, a lot of guys are going to get noticed individually," Satterfield said. "That's why it's such a beautiful game. It can't just be one guy, it has to be everyone. I don't really think anyone is getting overshadowed."
Dingle was tabbed the Bearcats' defensive MVP for Week 2 after he tallied seven tackles, two TFLs and a game-clinching fourth-down sack in the Pitt win.
Smith tossed a 30-yard end-around pass on a trick play and caught a diving touchdown.
"He is playing with a ton of confidence," added Satterfield, of Smith, who is playing in his sixth season. "That's the thing about these extra years these guys are getting around the country. Those guys are really good players and you give them one more year, they are lights out. Now he has been fully healthy, he's playing fast."
BROADCAST INFORMATION The game will be televised on ESPN+ with Shawn Kenney (pxp) and Brad Hopkins (analyst) on the call. The matchup will air on radio via 102.7 FM WEBN and on Sirius XM Channel 387 with Dan Hoard (pxp), Jim Kelly (analyst) and Tony Pike (sideline) providing commentary.
WATCH TUESDAY PRESS CONFERENCE HERE
STATEMENT VICTORY AT PITT Running back Corey Kiner rushed for a career-high 153 yards and one touchdown to lead Cincinnati to a 27-21 victory at Pitt in the renewal of the River City Rivalry.
The Bearcats' defense held Pitt to just 10-of-32 passing and tallied five sacks and eight TFLs. Linebacker Jack Dingle matched a career-high seven stops and a game-clinching sack in the fourth quarter, the first of his career.
Redshirt senior cornerback Justin Harris made his first career start in his 35th career game, tying the school record with four pass breakups against the Panthers. He is tied for the national lead with six passes defended (five PBUs, one INT).
Cincinnati raced out to a 10-0 lead at Pitt thanks to explosive rushes and back-to-back three-and-outs from the defense as QB Emory Jones tossed a touchdown pass to TE Payten Singletary and Kiner had a career-long 68-yard rush.
UC led 27-7 with 9:38 left in the third and proved too tough down the stretch holding off Pitt, who closed the deficit to 6.
NATION'S OLDEST NON-LEAGUE RIVALRY RETURNS Saturday marks the 127th meeting in the "Battle for the Victory Bell" between Miami (OH) and Cincinnati. The Bearcats lead the RedHawks 60-59-7 all-time. UC has won 16 straight games in the matchup and hasn't lost to the RedHawks since 2005.
The "Victory Bell" is a traveling trophy that the winner gets to keep for the year.
UC's win last season at Paycor Stadium marked the Bearcats' first lead in the series since 1915.
The "Battle for the Victory Bell" is the nation's oldest FBS non-league rivalry and second-oldest FBS rivalry overall.
Last season, Cincinnati scored 31 straight points in a 38-17 win at Paycor Stadium - home of the NFL's Cincinnati Bengals. Tre Tucker and Tyler Scott both tallied 100 yards receiving. Jowon Briggs and Bryon Threats added sacks, while Mason Fletcher boomed a 67-yard punt and averaged 48.2 on five punts.
The last time the two teams played in Nippert Stadium, UC won 49-14 in 2021 as Desmond Ridder found Tyler Scott for an 81-yard TD bomb on the second play from scrimmage in the season opener.
BEARCATS CELEBRATE 100 YEARS OF NIGHT GAMES Cincinnati has a storied history of "Nippert at Night" games. In 1923, UC hosted the first-ever night game in the Midwest with Carson Field serving as the site for a 17-0 win over Kentucky Wesleyan on Sept. 29, 1923. It is believed to be the first major college football night game in the country. (Learn more on Page 5 of notes).
The Bearcats' victory over Pitt on Saturday marked the 14th straight overall night game (5 p.m. kick or later) win for UC. Cincinnati hasn't lost a night game since falling at UCF in 2018.
UC has won nine straight night games at Nippert Stadium, as well. The Bearcats haven't lost a night game at Nippert Stadium since a 35-24 loss to Temple on Nov. 10, 2017.
Since 2006, Cincinnati holds a 39-12 record in "Nippert at Night" games for a 76.5% winning percentage. NUMBERS AND NOTES ...
The Bearcats have won 16 straight in the series and hold a 60-59-7 edge in the oldest nonconference rivalry in college football with the first game being played in 1888.
The Redhawks are coming off a 41-28 win at UMass where veteran quarterback Brett Gabbert passed for 302 yards and wide receiver Gage Larvadain caught eight passes for 273 yards and three scores.
First-year head coach Scott Satterfield has leaned on assistant coaches Kerry Coombs and Walter Stewart to explain the importance of the rivalry ahead of Saturday's game.
"We're fully aware of what happens when we play Miami," said Satterfield. "For us, it's still about preparation, going out this week and practicing as hard as we can, putting a great plan together and then going and executing that plan. That's our focus and we know that the attention to detail has to be greater this week because of who we're playing."
The Bearcats will look to move to 3-0 after opening the season with a resounding 66-13 victory over EKU in their last game at Nippert Stadium before last weekend's 27-21 victory at Pitt. UC was led by running back Corey Kiner (career-high 153 yards) as the Bearcats' offensive line bullied the Panthers en route to a 216-83 edge on the ground.
Kiner, quarterback Emory Jones and defensive linemen Jowon Briggs and Dontay Corleone have received the bulk of the attention this season, but wide receiver Braden Smith and linebacker Jack Dingle may have been the most important players in the Pitt win.
"If everyone is doing their job, then a lot of guys are going to get accolades, a lot of guys are going to get noticed individually," Satterfield said. "That's why it's such a beautiful game. It can't just be one guy, it has to be everyone. I don't really think anyone is getting overshadowed."
Dingle was tabbed the Bearcats' defensive MVP for Week 2 after he tallied seven tackles, two TFLs and a game-clinching fourth-down sack in the Pitt win.
Smith tossed a 30-yard end-around pass on a trick play and caught a diving touchdown.
"He is playing with a ton of confidence," added Satterfield, of Smith, who is playing in his sixth season. "That's the thing about these extra years these guys are getting around the country. Those guys are really good players and you give them one more year, they are lights out. Now he has been fully healthy, he's playing fast."
BROADCAST INFORMATION The game will be televised on ESPN+ with Shawn Kenney (pxp) and Brad Hopkins (analyst) on the call. The matchup will air on radio via 102.7 FM WEBN and on Sirius XM Channel 387 with Dan Hoard (pxp), Jim Kelly (analyst) and Tony Pike (sideline) providing commentary.
WATCH TUESDAY PRESS CONFERENCE HERE
STATEMENT VICTORY AT PITT Running back Corey Kiner rushed for a career-high 153 yards and one touchdown to lead Cincinnati to a 27-21 victory at Pitt in the renewal of the River City Rivalry.
The Bearcats' defense held Pitt to just 10-of-32 passing and tallied five sacks and eight TFLs. Linebacker Jack Dingle matched a career-high seven stops and a game-clinching sack in the fourth quarter, the first of his career.
Redshirt senior cornerback Justin Harris made his first career start in his 35th career game, tying the school record with four pass breakups against the Panthers. He is tied for the national lead with six passes defended (five PBUs, one INT).
Cincinnati raced out to a 10-0 lead at Pitt thanks to explosive rushes and back-to-back three-and-outs from the defense as QB Emory Jones tossed a touchdown pass to TE Payten Singletary and Kiner had a career-long 68-yard rush.
UC led 27-7 with 9:38 left in the third and proved too tough down the stretch holding off Pitt, who closed the deficit to 6.
NATION'S OLDEST NON-LEAGUE RIVALRY RETURNS Saturday marks the 127th meeting in the "Battle for the Victory Bell" between Miami (OH) and Cincinnati. The Bearcats lead the RedHawks 60-59-7 all-time. UC has won 16 straight games in the matchup and hasn't lost to the RedHawks since 2005.
The "Victory Bell" is a traveling trophy that the winner gets to keep for the year.
UC's win last season at Paycor Stadium marked the Bearcats' first lead in the series since 1915.
The "Battle for the Victory Bell" is the nation's oldest FBS non-league rivalry and second-oldest FBS rivalry overall.
Last season, Cincinnati scored 31 straight points in a 38-17 win at Paycor Stadium - home of the NFL's Cincinnati Bengals. Tre Tucker and Tyler Scott both tallied 100 yards receiving. Jowon Briggs and Bryon Threats added sacks, while Mason Fletcher boomed a 67-yard punt and averaged 48.2 on five punts.
The last time the two teams played in Nippert Stadium, UC won 49-14 in 2021 as Desmond Ridder found Tyler Scott for an 81-yard TD bomb on the second play from scrimmage in the season opener.
BEARCATS CELEBRATE 100 YEARS OF NIGHT GAMES Cincinnati has a storied history of "Nippert at Night" games. In 1923, UC hosted the first-ever night game in the Midwest with Carson Field serving as the site for a 17-0 win over Kentucky Wesleyan on Sept. 29, 1923. It is believed to be the first major college football night game in the country. (Learn more on Page 5 of notes).
The Bearcats' victory over Pitt on Saturday marked the 14th straight overall night game (5 p.m. kick or later) win for UC. Cincinnati hasn't lost a night game since falling at UCF in 2018.
UC has won nine straight night games at Nippert Stadium, as well. The Bearcats haven't lost a night game at Nippert Stadium since a 35-24 loss to Temple on Nov. 10, 2017.
Since 2006, Cincinnati holds a 39-12 record in "Nippert at Night" games for a 76.5% winning percentage. NUMBERS AND NOTES ...
- Opposing quarterbacks are completing just 40.4% (23-57) of passes against UC's defense - which is ranks first in the nation.
- Cincinnati ranks 12th in the nation in total offense (519.0) and 19th in rush offense (222.50).
- RB Corey Kiner leads the Big 12 and ranks sixth in the country in rushing yards per game (129.0).
- QB Emory Jones is completing over 75% of his passes and his 199.14 passer rating ranks No. 7 in the country.
- Jones has 57 career total TDs, two 7-TD games, two 300-yard passing games, 22 starts and two P5 conference POTW awards.
- The Bearcats went to back-to-back NY6 Bowls from 2020-21, and were the only G5 team to advance to the CFP (2021).
- Cincinnati is 661-599-50 (.524) all-time and is playing its 136th football season in 2023 (since 1885, one of 10 oldest in FBS).
- UC returned only one starter on offense: center Gavin Gerhardt, who started all 13 games in 2022.
- Fifth-year senior Jowon Briggs is married and just had his third child on Friday, Aug. 25, with his wife, Nyjae. He was a First Team All-AAC defensive tackle in 2022. A Cincinnati native, he started his career at Virginia before transferring to UC in 2021.