''I'd like to think we're still worthy of bowl consideration,'' a dejected UC coach Rick Minter said. ''But at the same time, I won't sit up at night waiting for a phone call.''
UC had one last hope Thursday night when Tinker Keck, who returned four punts for touchdowns this year, nearly did it again. Keck made a 49-yard return to put UC at the East Carolina 23-yard line with 1:27 left, and UC was able to move to the Pirates' 10-yard line.
But, after three plays lost three yards, UC was down to fourth-and-goal from the 13-yard line with 48 seconds left. The last gasp, a pass from quarterback Chad Plummer to backup tight end Tony Smikle, went wide to Smikle's right and skidded onto the grass.
UC's players, soaked and muddy, either bowed their heads or threw up their hands in exasperation.
''It was kind of a bittersweet season,'' senior tackle Jason Fabini said. ''A 7-4 record is pretty good for Cincinnati, but I think we're better than 7-4. We just have to win these close games.''
The Bearcat offense slipped and slid as a day-long rain continued into the night. But then fullback Landon Smith put UC up 7-6 on a 1-yard plunge with 3:32 left in the third quarter.
ECU answered with a 5-yard touchdown pass and two-point conversion to go up 14-7 entering the fourth quarter.
East Carolina, despite the misty haze, came out throwing against UC's suspect pass defense. Footing, despite the damp conditions, was surprisingly good but still subpar. There were only two interceptions thrown (one by each team) and two fumbles lost (one by each).
''The footing was a little bit of a factor, but it's the same for both teams,'' Minter said.
The Pirates reasoned that their one-back, 110th-ranked rushing offense could not budge UC's No. 8 rushing defense, so they decided to throw. And throw. And throw.
ECU quarterback Dan Gonzalez wound up breaking school records for pass attempts and completions in one game, going 37-for-62 for 338 yards.
ECU outpassed UC 338-71, yet the Bearcats came up with several third-down stops and an interception to stay close.
UC, whose 103rd-ranked passing offense completed only 7-of-15 passes for 71 yards, lost because that passing game did not match the polish of ECU senior Gonzalez and an army of receivers. ECU had been throwing for 223 yards per game.
UC mostly went with its power running game, but needed 53 carries to get 192 yards, for just 2.9 per carry. Option quarterback Plummer found it tough to shake defenders on the slippery grass.
UC has been lobbying for its first bowl game since 1950. The Bearcats were seeking to win convincingly, to show skeptics that they belong in a bowl.
''If we won, it would've really helped us,'' Fabini said. ''Now, I don't know.''
The last time UC went 8-3, in 1993, the team was not invited to a bowl.
''I'm not closing the door, but people are going to look at the fact that we were 5-1 at one point this year,'' Minter said. ''And they're going to look at where we stand in our league.''
At 2-4, UC stands fifth in the seven-team C-USA.
''We've played as good a schedule as many teams that will finish 6-5. It's not in my control now,'' Minter said.
UC had three of its four losses go down to the final minutes, which leave several what-ifs.
''We were a close team, in terms of being a good team,'' Minter said. ''I congratulate our players on winning seven games . . . but we've got to find a way to start winning some of these games.''
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