End | Letters 1940-42, 1946
Before the Bearcats went on the best run (to that time) in program history under Sid Gillman the Bearcats fired a shot against the bow of the establishment. In 1946 the Indiana Hooisiers were flying high coming off the programs only Big 10 Championship (to date) after a 9-1 year that saw them take down Michigan, Minnesota and Nebraska. They had reason to be confident when UC traveled to Bloomington. That Hoosier confidence turned and Nickel had a huge part in the contest.
This is what coach and Bearcat Legend Ray Nolting had to say about Nickle after the game.
"He didn't do much. Just blocked a punt, kicked off like a howitzer, took a lateral pass for a touchdown, kicked a 31 yard field goal, and then threw an Indiana passer for a 20 yard loss at a crucial point of the game.
Master of the understatement Nolting was. Nolting went on to a long career with the Pittsburgh Steelers that included three Pro Bowl seasons and is regarded as one of the best, if not the best, Tight End in Steelers history.
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