River City Rivalry

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River City Rivalry Pitt Panthers-Cincinnati Bearcats
History
1st Meeting	October 15, 1921 PITT: 21-14
Last Meeting	December 5, 2009 CIN: 45-44
Next Meeting	2010
Number of Meetings	9
All-Time Series	PITT: 7-2
Largest victory	PITT: 38-0 (9/30/1922)
Current Streak	CIN: Won 2
Longest PITT Win Streak	7 (1921-2007)
Longest CIN Win Streak	2 (2008-2009)

The River City Rivalry is an annual game played between Big East rivals University of Pittsburgh and University of Cincinnati. The rivalry itself is relatively new, played regularly only since 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 game has only been played as a regular season matchup in either Cincinnati or Pittsburgh at each respective University's home football stadium.

[edit] 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 (117 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 inches by 8.5 inches (56 cm × 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.^[1]

[edit] 2009 Game

The 2009 matchup between Cincinnati and Pittsburgh was considered as an "instant classic" and described by one national columnist as the most "fascinating game I've ever seen."^[2] The game was already important as it acted as a de facto Big East Championship game and the Bearcats entered the game undefeated, tryin to clinch a spot in the BCS National Championship Game, while the Pitt, at 9-2, looked to secure their first BCS Bowl since the 2004 season. The Panthers broke out to an early 31-10 lead, with good offensive and defensive play, coupled with poor play by Cincinnati quarterback Tony Pike. However the ensuing kickoff was returned for a touchdown by Marty Gilyard to make it a 31-17 game at halftime. Tony Pike turned it around in the second half leading Cincinnati to a tied game at 38 after a two-point conversion. Pittsburgh running back Dion Lewis scored a touchdown with 1:36 left in the game but a mishandled snap prevented an extra point for the Panthers. The Bearcats drove down the field and scored a touchdown with 33 seconds left and converted the extra point attempt to win the game 45-44 and clinched a BCS Bowl Birth, while Pitt dropped to the Meineke Car Care Bowl. The game was characterized by a strong second half for the Cincinnati offense and poor special teams play by the Panthers. Pittsburgh had several special team miscues including allowing Marty Gilyard to have over 250 kick return yards, touching the ball on a kickoff that was going out of bounds and the hold on the extra point. The game helped boost Cincinnati to a #3 ranking in the final BCS standing and dropped Pitt to #17. The game has been described as "one of the most crushing losses in the history of Pitt football."^[3]

[edit] Game results

Pittsburgh leads the all-time series with seven wins while Cincinnati has two wins.^[4]

[edit] References

1. ^ Berk, Dave (2005-10-06). "River City Trophy Breakdown". BearcatInsider.com. http://cincinnati.scout.com/2/448518.html. Retrieved 2009-07-08. 
2. ^ Doyel, Gregg (2009-12-05). "Cincy exits on high, Pitt crushed after fascinating game". CBSSports.com. http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/story/12619740/cincy-exits-on-high-pitt-crushed-after-fascinating-game. Retrieved 2009-12-07. 
3. ^ Starkey, Joe (2006-12-06). "Pitt's toughest loss in decades". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/college/s_656492.html. Retrieved 2009-12-08. 
4. ^ "Pittsburgh vs Cincinnati". College Football Data Warehouse. http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/bigeast/pittsburgh/opponents_records.php?teamid=698. Retrieved 2008-12-13. 

• http://media.www.pittnews.com/media/storage/paper879/news/2005/10/07/Sports/River.City.Rivalry.Makes.Its.Debut-1786295.shtml
• http://cincinnati.scout.com/2/448518.html
• Pitt vs Cincinnati series at College Football Data Warehouse

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