11 Facts You May Not Know About the Battle for the Victory Bell

With a 27-20 victory last season, the Cincinnati Bearcats won their 11th-straight Battle for the Victory Bell. The long standing rivalry between UC and the Miami (Ohio) RedHawks has been around for forever and a day, first kicking off in 1888. Since then, there have been 121 total meetings. In honor of the winning streak and the 122nd meeting, which takes place this Saturday night in Oxford, Ohio, let’s run through 11 lesser known facts about the rivalry.

1. Miami Ohio actually leads the all-time series 59-55-7

It wasn’t always blowouts and parties for the Bearcats in this rivalry, with the RedHawks still owning a record above .500 against UC. However, Miami has never had a winning streak as long as the current one from UC. It won six-straight twice.

2. The Victory Bell trophy is a replica of a bell that used to be in Miami’s Harrison Hall

The replica trophy bell is painted different colors on each side, representing the Bearcats on one (red and black) and Miami on the other (red and white).

3. The most combined points scored in a game between UC and Miami was 94

In the 1999 meeting, the Bearcats won 52-42 right in Miami’s faces, taking the victory in Oxford.

4. Jimmy Nippert died from an injury sustained during a game

The namesake for the Bearcats’ home stadium suffered a spike wound injury in the 1923 showdown and died of blood poisoning weeks later.

5. Miami has three of the five single game records in rushing attempts against UC

The RedHawks rushed the ball 79 times in 1972, 76 in 1967 and 74 in 1968. They went 2-1 in those games.

6. The Victory Bell is one of three rivalry trophy games for the Bearcats

UC also has the rivalry for the Keg of Nails with Louisville and the River City Rivalry with Pittsburgh, Unfortunately, due to the break up of the Big East, the other two are now dormant.

7. UC has punted zero times against Miami twice

It happened in 1954 and 2008. During the latter, Tony Pike thrrew for 241 yards and three touchdowns on 20-of-24 passing.

8. Daryl Royal rushed for the most yards in a single game by a Bearcat since 1923 against Miami

The 282 yards that Royal accumulated marked the second most by a Bearcat in a single game, trailing only Bob Hynes’ 306 in 1923 against Case Western Reserve.

9. The longest field goal in UC history was kicked against Miami

Jon Bacon made a 58-yarder during the 1994 edition of this rivalry contest.

10. The last three UC head coaches are all at least 3-0 in this game

Brian Kelly, Butch Jones and even Tommy Tuberville never lost to the RedHawks. Take notes, Luke Fickell.

11. Rick Minter, Tommy Tubereville and Sid Gillman are tied for the most wins by a UC coach against Miami

All three head coaches won four games in the rivalry. Tuberville never lost a game while Minter’s 4-5-1 record from 1994 to 2003 was worse than Gillman’s 4-2 mark from 1949 to 1954.