UC Bearcats-Louisville: First look
Nov. 25, 2013 3:55 PM


Cardinals kicker John Wallace (45) was carried off the field by his teammates after kicking the game-winning field goal during overtime against the Bearcats last October. / Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports

Written by
Tom Groeschen

The final game in “old” Nippert Stadium could feature one of the most electrifying atmospheres in University of Cincinnati football history.

UC hopes to set a stadium record for attendance when the Bearcats (9-2, 6-1 American Athletic Conference) face regional rival Louisville (10-1, 6-1 AAC) on Thursday, Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN. It will be the regular season finale for both teams, with both ranked in various Top 25 polls and still contending for the AAC’s BCS bowl berth.

“I’m excited about playing our rival team, a team that we don’t play any more after this year,” UC coach Tommy Tuberville said Monday. “It’s my first time to coach against Louisville, and I know the Keg of Nails (traveling trophy) is always big. We’re fortunate to have it at home.”

Louisville won last year’s game, 34-31, in overtime at Louisville.

UC athletic director Whit Babcock said that less than 1,000 tickets remain for the game. Babcock said UC could approach the Nippert record crowd of 36,007 for the 2013 season opener against Purdue.

The Louisville game will be the last in Nippert until 2015. The stadium will be closed next season for renovation and expansion to 40,000 seats, and the Bearcats will play home games at Paul Brown Stadium in 2014.

Louisville next season will join the Atlantic Coast Conference. UC will stay behind in The American, and Babcock said there are no more football games scheduled with the Cardinals.

“We hope to (play U of L) in the future,” Babcock said.

UC senior quarterback Brendon Kay will duel Louisville junior quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, the latter a heavily hyped Heisman Trophy candidate. Bridgewater and Kay rank Nos. 2-3 nationally in completion percentage at 71.0 and 70.3, respectively.

“Quarterbacks are always the key in big games,” Tuberville said. “How they play, how they handle the pressure. Both quarterbacks are playing very well, they’ve got experience. Usually coaches put it on the back of their shoulders.”

The quarterbacks will earn whatever they get. Louisville is ranked No. 2 nationally in total defense and UC is No. 9.

“Defensively, I’ve just really been impressed with Cincinnati,” Louisville coach Charlie Strong said Monday. “Offensively, the quarterback is very accurate and they have some playmakers outside. We know we’ll walk into a hostile environment, but that’s the way you want it.”

UC and Louisville are tied for second in the AAC behind Central Florida (9-1, 6-0). Central Florida has games remaining against South Florida and SMU.

The Bearcats would earn the AAC’s BCS bid by beating Louisville and having Central Florida lose both of its remaining games. The Bearcats could win a tiebreaker with Central Florida for the title if UC ranks higher in the final BCS standings, which could be possible mathematically.

POLL WATCH: UC is No. 25 in the USA Today coaches poll, No. 27 in the Associated Press media poll and No. 28 in the BCS standings. Louisville is No. 16 USA Today, No. 21 AP and No. 20 BCS.

KAY HONORED: Kay was named AAC offensive Player of the Week after leading UC to a 24-17 win at Houston. Kay was 29-for-50 passing for 386 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, and he rushed for 38 yards and a TD.

- DE Silverberry Mouhon was named to the weekly AAC honor roll. Mouhon had six tackles, including two sacks and 2 ½ tackles for loss, and a forced fumble.

IRON BOWLING: With UC off this weekend, Tuberville will attend the Alabama-Auburn Iron Bowl game. Tuberville said it will be his first trip back to Auburn since he left the school following the 2008 season. Tuberville’s son, Tucker, is a walk-on QB at Auburn.

“I look forward to seeing some old friends,” Tuberville said. “I’ll try to stay out of the way. I look forward to going as a father.”

Quote:UP NEXT: UC vs. Louisville

When: Thursday Dec. 5, 7:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Radio: WLW-AM (700)
Records: UC 9-2 (6-1 American Athletic Conference), Louisville 10-1 (6-1 AAC)

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20131...Louisville