– Ah, Keg of Nails week. I love the smell of nails and kegs in the air.
On Friday night we shall witness a battle for the coolest trophy in all of college sports: the KEG OF NAILS. The origins of this super masculine emblem of greatness are shrouded in legend, but some date the tradition all the way back to 1929. However, some say it originated in 1922. Due to a scheduling conflict, UC was supposed to play both Louisville and West Virginia on the same day. They decided the West Virginia game was more important and sent a JV squad to play the Cardinals. Louisville won, thus claiming the “first” victory however, UC does not recognize this game because its varsity team did not play.
The origin of the Keg of Nails moniker is somewhat murky but rumor has it fraternity members from the University of Cincinnati and the University of Louisville decades ago originated this funky name. As legend has it the keg, or barrel, of nails was used as an item of pride between the fraternities from opposing campuses to signify that the holder of the coveted award was as “tough as nails.” Essentially, the so-called keg of nails was a physical representation of the toughness embodied in the simile, “Our football team is as tough as nails.”
My favorite moment in this rivalry was on November 27, 2004. UC came in at 6-4, 5-2 in C-USA, Louisville at 8-1, 6-0. Before the game, the Bearcats decided it would be a great idea to jump on the Cardinal bird logo at midfield. What a mistake that turned out to be for the Bearcats. Louisville commenced the blowout immediately and would score on the first play of the game as Eric Shelton run up the middle for 80 yards. The Cards piled up 357 rushing yards and 491 total yards in the complete romp winning the game 70-7.
This year’s chapter in the battle for the keg could have been a special one as both teams would have been undefeated. But Cincy had to ruin the ultimate keg party by losing 29-23 to Toledo this past weekend. Cincy QB Legaux had arguably his worst outing of the season completing 15-36 passes for 227 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. The Bearcats rushing attack was solid the entire game as Legaux and running backs Ralph Abernathy and George Winn racked up 250 yards on the ground and one TD. Cincy’s defense also did a decent job as they limited a potent Toledo attack to 355 total yards. The Bearcats were done in by a defensive touchdown, a 91-yard kickoff return late in the game and 5 field goals from Toledo kicker Jeremiah Detmer. Louisville comes into this game having taken care of business against a South Florida team that gave them all they wanted. Beating them 27-25 to go to 7-0 on the season and 2-0 in the Big East. Teddy QB was a non-factor in the first half but displayed some serious heroics in the second half. After throwing a TD early in the third quarter, Bridgewater found his team behind 25-21 with 1:35 remaining when he hit wide out Eli Rogers with the game-winning touchdown. Bridgewater finished with 256 yards on an efficient 21-25 passing and two touchdowns. Senorise Perry and Jeremy Wright had solid performances. The Cards defense took a step back giving up nearly 200 yards on the ground to South Florida.
The Bearcats will have to put the Toledo loss behind them quickly as they prepare for Friday’s contest against our conference leading Cardinals. With still no losses in Big East play, the Bearcats have plenty goals left on the season. Cincy will try to put pressure on the Cardinals defense and will need to get pressure on Teddy Bridgewater in order to have a chance in this one. The UC defense has some potential, but like its offensive counterpart will need some younger players to step up. A lot of UC’s good fortunes rest on Legaux, who must become more accurate and reliable as a starting QB. Cincy is not considered a likely 10-win team, as it was in 2011, but coach Butch Jones is building a foundation for success that will serve UC for years to come. He has talent, and he is getting some leadership.
Coach Jones: “Everything is about building a foundation,” “Every year is a new challenge. It’s a different team. Each team has a different identity. But we have started the expectations and the formula for winning. A lot of players in the program understand the expectations.”
Our Cardinals boast two rushers ranked among the top seven in the Big East in Senorise Perry and Jeremy Wright. They will need to continue their season’s performance against Cincy. But perhaps the biggest key to getting that glorious Keg of Nails back in the Cardinal trophy case lies with Teddy QB’s ability to put the pressure on a Cincy defense that ranks third from the bottom in the Big East in passing yards allowed per game (229.8). Our defense will also have to meet the challenge of stopping a Cincy offense that is improving every game.
Coach Strong: “We’re going to have to play pretty good defense, because I know their quarterback is a runner and a thrower.”
I look for a close contest for most of the game then Teddy QB and company will take things over late as Louisville rides the momentum of a very loud Papa Johns Friday night crowd. Cards will move to 8-0 on the season and hoist the Keg of Nails high.
The Beak Prediction:
Louisville 33 Cincinnati 24