The University of Cincinnati Bearcats‘ football rivalry with Miami University is among the oldest in Division I, dating back to 1888 when the two squads played to a 0-0- tie.
Since then, they’ve played 128 times, with the Bearcats winning 61, the RedHawks 60, and the game ending in a tie seven times.
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The home-and-home series was canceled by both schools in 2023. Miami broke a 16-game skid by beating UC 31-24 in overtime that year, then pulled out of return trips to Nippert Stadium in 2025 and 2028. UC then backed out of games at Yager Stadium in 2027 and 2029.
The 2024 game in Oxford was the last one played with the Bearcats regaining the Victory Bell, 27-16.
“We all know what this means,” UC Bearcats head coach Scott Satterfield said. “The thing that’s interesting is you have a lot of new players and getting across to the new guys the importance of this game.”
Satterfield said he would rely on players like veteran linebackers Jonathan Thompson and Antwan Peek Jr. to school any newcomers on what it means to ring the Victory Bell when the clock hits triple zeroes.
This year’s game was slated to be the last and was initially scheduled for Paycor Stadium. The Enquirer reported the move to TQL Stadium in February, and the neutral site change was made official in June as the 129th “Battle for the Victory Bell” will be the first American football game played on FC Cincinnati’s natural grass.
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Should the Saturday, Sept. 19, event be economically successful, TQL Stadium could host again.
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Pro Football Network graded the UC Bearcats offensive line as the best in the Week 2 games at 92.3, with upcoming opponent Kansas State fourth at 89.4. Right tackle Judea Milon had the second-best grade in the nation at 90, left tackle Joe Cotton was ninth at 86.5, while UC’s offense as a whole was No. 12 among Division I teams, tied with Kansas State at 86.6.
Milon and linebacker Simeon Coleman both made Big 12 Team of the Week by Pro Football Focus.
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The RedHawks have 15 players from the Greater Cincinnati area (with more from the Dayton area), while the Bearcats have 12.
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Miami has Withrow wide receiver Quintin Simmons, Dixie Heights defensive lineman Brach Rice, Lakota West defensive back Ben Minich (Notre Dame transfer), Lakota West defensive back Mitch Bolden (Army transfer), Elder receiver Jackson Ruth, East Central defensive back Josh Ringer, Loveland kicker/punter Brady Stidham, St. Xavier defensive lineman Grant Lyons, St. Xavier defensive back Jake Britt, La Salle offensive lineman Max Kief, St. Xavier long snapper Nick Brady, Elder offensive lineman Jacob Schorsch, Mason receiver CJ Castner, Elder tight end Brayden Boeing and Wyoming defensive lineman Sam Williams. Their wide receivers coach is Turpin’s Andy Cruse who was head coach at Loveland and offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach is Moeller’s Gus Ragland; both are former Miami players.
UC has Indian Hill linebacker Antwan Peek Jr., Kings quarterback Will Kocher, Williamsburg quarterback JJ Miller, Reading safety Landon Schaefer, Moeller linebacker Drew Robinson, Elder long snapper Kenny Baker, Madeira offensive lineman Grant Edgington, Winton Woods tight end Lyviel Waters, Middletown tight end Kellen Davis, Williamsburg receiver Pierce Ayers, Elder kicker Max Lemasters and Mason defensive lineman Juan Bates.
Statsalt – UC 38-17
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Dimers – UC 33-19
YouWagerBlog –UC 35-20
Why UC has an advantage: The Bearcats’ defense has successfully kept in check two offenses that relied on quick, mobile quarterbacks. Miami redshirt freshman David McComb is 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, but has minus-1.2 yards rushing in two games. McComb is a Kansas transfer. Backup Caleb Heavner was Miami’s third-leading rusher with 33 yards in Miami’s victory over Holy Cross.
Given one less thing to defend, the Bearcats can focus on stopping Miami’s passing game and pressuring the quarterback.
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“He’s a big kind, he can throw it,” Satterfield said of McComb. “Last week he was 13-for-13. Being able to get him off the spot is huge. If you allow him to sit in the pocket, he’ll make you pay. We need to get him off the spot, itmake him try to move and try to cause a little havoc.”
UC is coming off a game in which it gained 690 total yards, the most for a Bearcats team since a 1970 game with Xavier, when the Musketeers still had football. In their 59-14 loss at Pitt and 45-7 win over Holy Cross, the RedHawks are allowing 413.5 yards of total offense. By land or air, UC should be able to move the ball at TQL Stadium like Lionel Messi.
“They’re an unbelievable rushing team,” Miami head coach Chuck Martin said. “They don’t throw it a ton, but they’re wildly efficient when they do throw it with a lot of chunk plays off their pass game.”
Martin also mentioned the Bearcats have at least three draftable NFL offensive linemen, a stable of tailbacks, fast receivers and a quarterback who’s completed 31 of his 38 passes.
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Why Miami RedHawks have an advantage: They have more local kids who don’t like UC because they’re now at Miami. Plus, the MAC is full of good football players, particularly those who feel they were snubbed by power conferences.
The odd thing with the transfer portal is that this rivalry is new to many.
“I’ve learned that it’s serious,” RedHawks freshman receiver Scoop Smith said. “I heard how rockin’ this place gets when we beat UC. I can’t wait to be in the atmosphere. I’m built for the big moment.”
The rivalry is not new to UC tackle Milon who has been on both ends and prefers ending his career by ringing the Victory Bell.
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“It would mean everything,” Milon said. “I was here in 2023 and got a bad taste in my mouth from losing. I will never want to feel like that again. The Bell means much more as the years passed since I’ve been here. That rivalry, I didn’t know too much about it. Now, I could never feel like that ever again.”
Starting with the Sept. 26 Big 12 opener vs. Kansas State at Nippert, the league requires player availability reports. Until then, updates are sporadic. Both teams have key players out for the season, with UC losing safety Ty Goodwill before the season and the RedHawks losing quarterback Thomas Gotkowski, which opened the door for current starter McComb.
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Moneyline: +525 Miami, -700 UC
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Spread: -14.5 UC
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Over/under: 50.5
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Payne became the first Bearcat since Corey Kiner to have back-to-back games over the century mark with his efforts vs. Boston College and Western Carolina. He can join Kiner as having three straight if he does it again. Kiner finished his UC career with 100-plus-yard games vs. Iowa State, Kansas State and TCU to finish with 1,153 yards in 2024.
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“I’ve never had four running backs score in one game,” Milon said of the Western Carolina game where Payne scored twice with Cole Tabb, Zion Johnson and Zylan Perry also finding the end zone.
The fifth-year player has run for three touchdowns and thrown for three. He’s had 16 games in his career where he threw for more than 200 yards, including four games over 300. He may not need to reach 300 with UC’s run game. Sack-wise, he was dumped 29 times a year ago, but just once so far as a Bearcat.
“It’s night and day,” French said. “Last game I had all the time in the world back there to see the defense.”
Miami’s given up only two sacks in two games, and McComb has yet to throw an interception. If UC’s sideline is hoisting defensive coordinator Nate Woody’s broadaxe, a multiple-sack game might take place. Or, some fumbles.
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“During the offseason, Coach Woody really emphasized punching at the ball,” UC linebacker Coleman said. “It’s great to see coming to life during the games.”
In the preseason game-by-game predictions, I favored UC 31-24. After two games of observation, I’m going to alter that somewhat, with the Bearcats winning by 17, 34-17.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Miami RedHawks Victory Bell predictions
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