Miami Blitz - Rivalry

Rivalry History

On September 8, 2018, Miami University and the University of Cincinnati football teams will compete for the 123rd time in the Battle for the Victory Bell. What better place for this historical rivalry game than at Paul Brown Stadium—an iconic Queen City landmark. 

Did you know….58341
  • The “Battle for the Victory Bell” between Miami and Cincinnati is the longest-lasting collegiate football rivalry west of the Allegheny Mountains, first being played in 1888. 
  • It is also the fifth-most played rivalry in Division I (FBS only) with 122 all-time meetings and is the oldest non-conference rivalry in the nation.
  • The first Miami/Cincinnati game was played in Oxford on December 8, 1888 as the teams played to a scoreless tie. The game was the first college football game played in the state of Ohio.
  • Miami controls the all-time series 59-56-7, but the Bearcats have won the last 12 meetings. Miami’s last win versus UC was back on September 28, 2005 in a 44-16 win in Oxford. 
  • The two teams have played every year since 1945, not playing in 1943 or 1944, but Miami and UC also played every year from 1909 through 1942. Of the 122 meetings, 54 have been decided by seven points or less, including the seven ties in series history.
  • 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).
  • 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.
  • 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.