– Ah, Keg of Nails week. I love the smell of nails and kegs in the air.
-Louisville at Cincinnati, Dec. 5, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN) – Forget being the biggest game on our schedule this season, this could end up being one of the biggest college football games period. Conference, and Bowl implications, and one last battle for The “Keg of Nails” will highlight this great Thursday night battle. U of L and UC have a football rivalry that has stretched over the span of 4 conferences from the Missouri Valley Conference, to Conference USA, the Big East and now the American. It is believed to be the oldest rivalry for the Louisville football team and the second oldest for UC. This game will be a fitting tribute to this great rivalry. There will be a lot of memories left on that field in Nippert Stadium and if its the last time we face our old foes from the north I hope it’s a win that I’ll have to remember.
On Thursday 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 would have been a special one if both teams could have been undefeated and it was a popular belief that they were going to be. Regardless of those early losses this still could turn out to be the ultimate keg party as these teams are both hungry to finish the regular season strong and both teams are now ranked with UC making their appearance in the coaches poll this week at #23. Louisville has won four straight and UC comes into this game on a six game winning streak. UC does hold the lead in this series 30 to 22, but the Cards currently have the Keg in the trophy case after a thriller overtime 34-31 victory last year at Papa Johns.
-Cincinnati Bearcats
2013 OVERALL FBS RANKINGS -PASSING YARDS 314.7 15th Overall, -RUSHING YARDS 172.5 62nd Overall, -POINTS FOR 34.2 35th Overall, -POINTS AGAINST 18.5 10th Overall
-Louisville Cardinals
2013 OVERALL FBS RANKINGS, -PASSING YARDS 307.3 17th Overall, -RUSHING YARDS 147.7 84th Overall, -POINTS FOR 35.5 29th Overall, -POINTS AGAINST 11.4 3rd Overall
These teams have very similar offensive production with a slight edge going to the Bearcats in total offense ranked 18th overall. While our Cardinals have struggle down the stretch to form an identity on the offensive side of the ball the Bearcats have been rolling and all of their pieces seem to be coming together at the right time. Once they established a one quarterback system with Brendon Kay they haven’t lost a game. He has thrown for 2,817 yards this season with 22 touchdowns. He is known for his excellent arm but also has good mobility to move around in the pocket and find the open receiver. Kay ranks 3rd in the country in completion percentage 70% right behind Teddy who ranks second at 71%.
They have several big time receivers and each of them has settled into their roles very nicely in this UC offense. The guys leading the way for this group are Anthony McClung who has 811 yards with 5 touchdowns, and Shaq Washington who has 736 with 1 touchdown. But emerging as a deep threat for this Bearcat’s passing attack is Mekale McKay. He is a long athletic player that loves to run past defensive backs for the long touchdowns. He has 405 yards with 7 touchdowns, his longest TD reception a 66 yard grab. Mckay takes the pressure off of the inside receivers and teams have to put safety’s over the top of him making them go one on one with guys like Chris Moore who has the most receiving touchdowns on the team with 9 and Max Morrison who has 3 touchdowns. It really is a very… very effective passing game.
The Bearcats have been running back by committee this season and that part of their offense hasn’t been as productive but they do use their parts well. Their leading rushers are Hosey Williams who has 575 yards with 4 touchdowns, and Ralph Abernathy who has 433 yards with 3 touchdowns. Abernathy is the fastest player on this team and he has the ability to go the distance every time he touches the ball. Their ace in the hole in the running attack is fullback Jordan Luallen. They will put this guy in to get those tough yards.
Protecting these skill players and making room for them to produce is one of the most talented offensive lines in the conference. Left Tackle Eric Lefeld and guard Austen Bujnoch are the anchors for this group that has only allowed 11 sacks this season and ranks 12th in the country in that category.
This will be by far the toughest test of the season for Louisville who ranks second in the country in total defense. The Cards also rank 1st in the country in pass sacks this season behind the play of the nations sack leader Marcus Smith and 14th ranked Lorenzo Mauldin. It will be critical that they get to Kay on Thursday night. Our DB’s will also have their work cut out for them with this UC teams ability to hit the deep pass. Folks this is going to be some match up.
When these teams take the field Thursday the game will feature the Cards #2 in total defense, and the Bearcats who are #8 in total defense. Yup they have a pretty solid group on the other side of the ball as well. Leading this group that has only allowed 25 points or less in the last 9 games is Senior linebacker Greg Blair. Blair who is the vocal leader on defense is a tackling machine and one of the best players on the team. He has 77 tackles on the season. The other guy holding it down on this Bearcats defense has one of the coolest names in college sports defensive lineman Silverberry Mouhon. He is 23rd in the country in sacks. He has 8 on the season. This group for UC is very solid. They are a quick, versatile and athletic bunch who like to fly around all over the field.
This will be one of the toughest defenses that our Cards have faced this season. And the Louisville offense is coming into this game with a few question marks. They have got the job done but have struggled to find any type of consistency. Hopefully Watson and Strong open up the passing game in this one and let Teddy and company do their thing. I think this group has some tricks left up their sleeve and are due for a big game. This could turn out to be a shoot out in the Queen City.
Don’t be surprised to see a few trick plays in this game by Cincinnati especially if it turns out to be a yardage battle. UC head coach Tommy Tuberville was a special teams coach under Jimmy Johnson at Miami and they ran trick plays a lot. Used to change or gain momentum and Tuberville has and will use them. This could be something that determines how this battle plays out on Thursday.
I can’t wait for this game folks. Probably as excited as I’ve been all season. I love the rivalry with Cincinnati and it is a game that features two of my favorite things a Keg and Football. I really hope this isn’t the last time we get to enjoy it and fully expect this one to be an instant classic. Expect both teams to play their best game of the season. Emotions will be at a all-time high and both schools want the Keg in the trophy case when this one is done. It is going to be a close one and I don’t even want to make a prediction. I’ll be there to capture all of the moments. If you can you should get to one of the ticket websites and make the trip up north for this one. Our Cards will need all the support they can get. Happy Keg of Nails week folks. Enjoy it because it might be the last. GO CARDS!!!