River City Rivalry

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River City Rivalry
Cincinnati University Bearcats textlogo.svg
Cincinnati Bearcats
Pitt Panthers wordmark.svg
Pittsburgh Panthers
First meetingOctober 15, 1921
Pittsburgh, 21–14
Latest meetingSeptember 6, 2012
Cincinnati, 34–10
Next meetingSeptember 9, 2023
TrophyPaddlewheel Trophy
Statistics
Meetings total12
All-time seriesPittsburgh leads, 8–4[1]
Largest victoryPittsburgh, 38–0 (1922)
Longest win streakPittsburgh, 7 (1921–2007)
Current win streakCincinnati, 2 (2011–present)
Locations of Cincinnati and Pittsburgh

The River City Rivalry is the name given to the Cincinnati–Pittsburgh football rivalry.[2][3] It was an annual game played between former Big East rivals University of Pittsburgh and University of Cincinnati. The rivalry itself was relatively brief, played annually from 2005, during which season the rivalry trophy was introduced. Before the rivalry was titled, the two teams played each other in 1921, 1922, 1979, and 1981. The rivalry went on hiatus, like many others throughout the country, in the aftermath of the 2010–14 NCAA conference realignment, which left the programs in separate leagues. However, the two teams are scheduled to meet in a home-and-home series for the 2023 and 2024 seasons.[4][5]

Paddlewheel Trophy[]

The Paddlewheel Trophy is the rivalry trophy that was created in 2005 when the Bearcats joined the Big East Conference to which the Pittsburgh Panthers already belonged. Prior to 2005, the teams had met previously on only four prior occasions, most recently in 1981. However, the teams decided to create a trophy that would help their new conference rivalry grow and reflect the sports rivalry that already existed between the cities' professional football and baseball teams. The trophy is designed and named in honor the historic link between the cities from the days in the 19th and early-20th centuries when Paddle wheel-powered boats traveled between the two cities along the Ohio River. The trophy stands 46 inches (120 cm) tall and weighs 95 pounds (43 kg). Mounted on the base is an authentic brass, engine-room telegraph that is a working model that was set for use on a ship in Seattle, Washington. The face of the trophy's telegraph was redesigned with logos from both teams on either side that can light up. The lever can be pulled to the side of the school who has won which also causes the ringing of bells. The front includes a steel plate featuring a carved outline of Allegheny, Monongahela Rivers and Ohio River as it runs from Pittsburgh to Cincinnati. The 22 by 8.5 inches (56 by 22 cm) base is made out of Ipê wood. The trophy was designed by the architectural firm of Robert Busch and Karl Wallick, the steel plate was manufactured by Vulkane of Cincinnati, and the remaining trophy was manufactured by Trophy Awards Manufacturing. Over 175 man-hours of design and labor went into its construction.[6]

History[]

Cincinnati and Pittsburgh have been historic rivals in many facets, first as economic centers along the Ohio River as mass migration in the United States headed westward. Within the sports world, the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates have maintained a heated rivalry at times, frequently facing off in the MLB playoffs during the 1970s. In the NFL, the Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers have been division rivals and have had a fiery rivalry since their first game.

When Cincinnati joined the Big East in 2005 the theoretical rivalry with Pittsburgh was pounced upon. Assisted in this was the comparative talent between the two programs during this time, which came to a peak in what was essentially the Big East Championship Game when the teams met in 2009.

Notable Games[]

October 20, 2007: The No. 23 Bearcats entered the matchup at 6–1 fresh off a tough loss to Louisville. The Panthers' run game was tenacious with two players rushing for over 100 yards and Cincinnati QB Ben Mauk's 3 turnovers in the 4th quarter leading to a second straight loss and drop out of the rankings for the Bearcats.[7]

December 5, 2009: The 2009 matchup between Cincinnati and Pittsburgh was described by one national columnist as the most "fascinating game I've ever seen."[8] The game functioned as a Big East championship game, with Cincinnati entering first in the conference, and Pittsburgh at second. Additionally, the Bearcats entered the game undefeated and trying to earn a spot in the BCS National Championship Game, while the 9–2 Panthers were trying to secure their first BCS bowl since the 2004 season. The Panthers had an early 31–10 lead, however, the ensuing kickoff was returned for a touchdown by Mardy Gilyard to make it a 31–17 game at halftime. Cincinnati completed the comeback, tying the game at 38 late in the 4th quarter. Pittsburgh running back Dion Lewis scored a touchdown with 1:36 left in the game, but a mishandled snap by Andrew Janocko prevented the Panthers from converting the extra point. The Bearcats then drove down the field and scored on a 29-yard touchdown pass from Tony Pike to Armon Binns with 33 seconds left. Bearcats kicker Jake Rodgers converted the extra point attempt, and Cincinnati held on to win 45–44. Following the game, Cincinnati rose to a #3 ranking in the final BCS standing while Pitt dropped to #17. The game has been described as "one of the most crushing losses in the history of Pitt football."[9]

Game results[]

Cincinnati victoriesPittsburgh victories
No.DateLocationWinning teamLosing team
1 October 15, 1921 Pittsburgh, PA Pittsburgh 21 Cincinnati 14
2 September 30, 1922 Cincinnati, OH Pittsburgh 38 Cincinnati 0
3 October 13, 1979 Pittsburgh, PA Pittsburgh 35 Cincinnati 0
4 September 19, 1981 Pittsburgh, PA Pittsburgh 38 Cincinnati 7
5 October 8, 2005 Pittsburgh, PA Pittsburgh 38 Cincinnati 20
6 September 8, 2006 Cincinnati, OH Pittsburgh 33 Cincinnati 15
7 October 20, 2007 Pittsburgh, PA Pittsburgh 24 #23 Cincinnati 17
8 November 22, 2008 Cincinnati, OH #19 Cincinnati 28 Pittsburgh 21
9 December 5, 2009 Pittsburgh, PA #5 Cincinnati 45 #17 Pittsburgh 44
10 December 4, 2010 Cincinnati, OH Pittsburgh 28 Cincinnati 10
11 November 5, 2011 Pittsburgh, PA #23 Cincinnati 26 Pittsburgh 23
12 September 6, 2012 Cincinnati, OH Cincinnati 34 Pittsburgh 10
Series: Pittsburgh leads 8–4[1]

Source:[10]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b "Winsipedia - Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Pittsburgh Panthers football series history". Winsipedia.
  2. ^ Keeley, Sean (November 4, 2011). "Cincinnati Vs. Pitt 2011: River City Rivalry Series History". SB Nation. Archived from the original on September 22, 2018. Retrieved September 10, 2018.
  3. ^ "Pitt and Cincinnati Battle For "River City" Bragging Rights". University of Pittsburgh Athletics. October 3, 2005. Retrieved September 10, 2018.
  4. ^ The PSN Staff (June 18, 2015). "Pitt schedules home and home with Cincinnati; other notes". Pittsburgh Sporting News.
  5. ^ Wilmer, Brian (June 17, 2015). "Pitt, Cincy schedule 2023, 2024 football series". FBSchedules. Retrieved September 22, 2018.
  6. ^ Berk, Dave (October 6, 2005). "River City Trophy Breakdown". BearcatInsider.com. Archived from the original on May 17, 2009. Retrieved July 8, 2009.
  7. ^ "McCoy rushes for 137 yards as Pitt tops Cincinnati". CBSSports.com. December 5, 2009. Retrieved Oct 20, 2007.
  8. ^ Doyel, Gregg (December 5, 2009). "Cincy exits on high, Pitt crushed after fascinating game". CBSSports.com. Retrieved December 7, 2009.
  9. ^ Starkey, Joe (December 6, 2009). "Pitt's toughest loss in decades". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Archived from the original on December 9, 2009. Retrieved December 8, 2009.
  10. ^ "Winsipedia - Pittsburgh Panthers vs. Cincinnati Bearcats football series history". Winsipedia. Retrieved September 22, 2018.
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