Friday, September 21, 2001
Miami has back to wall against UC
Bearcats favored for third straight win at Yager Stadium
By Ian Duthie
Enquirer contributor
The Miami University football team returns to action Saturday when it renews one of college football's oldest rivalries against the University of Cincinnati.
The two teams will revive a tradition that dates to 1888 when Miami and UC meet for the 106th time, in Oxford.
“It is true with all rivalry games to expect the unexpected,” Miami coach Terry Hoeppner said. “The better team does not always win with all the added emotion and extra enthusiasm surrounding the game.”
Most important to the players is the coveted Victory Bell, awarded to the winning team.
“This game means a lot to me because I am from (Cincinnati) and know guys on the UC team,” LaSalle graduate Joe Costello said. “I haven't heard that bell ring in a long time. It used to sit in our locker room. Everyone would ring it, and it would annoy me. Now as a senior, I can't wait to hear it again and bring it back where it belongs.”
The tradition of the bell dates to the 1890s when it hung in Miami's Harrison Hall to ring in MU victories. The bell became a traveling trophy when some UC fans “borrowed” the bell, bringing it to Cincinnati and starting a rivalry that still runs deep.
As of late, UC has dominated, winning the teams' last two meetings by scoring a combined 97 points. Cincinnati's 52 points in 1999 marked the most given up by Miami in the series history. A loss Saturday would mark the first time in the 133-year history Miami would have lost three straight home games to its rival. Miami leads the series 55-43.
This is the oldest Division I-A rivalry west of the Alleghenies, and both teams
know the importance a win will have for a successful season.
“Our older players fully understand and respect the intensity of this rivalry,” Cincinnati coach Rick Minter said. “The younger guys quickly realize the importance of the game for the seniors.”
Adding to the importance of the game for Miami is its need for a win after opening the season with losses at Michigan (31-13) and Iowa (44-19). A loss to UC would drop Miami to 0-3 for the first time since 1990.
“Every game is the biggest game of the year,” Miami quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said. “Winning the Bell and beating a rival would make our first win even more special.”
Cincinnati avoided beginning the year 0-2 by rallying to beat Army 24-21 in the final minute after dropping its opener 19-14 to Purdue.
“This rivalry is great for the people who live in the Tristate,” Minter said. “Both schools have strong traditions.”
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Miami has back to wall against UC