Cincinnati vs. OSU Preview Part 1

Cincinnati vs. OSU, September 16, 12:05, ESPN Regional 

Series History

This is the 15th meeting between these two schools, that are separated by just over 100 miles. The series between these schools dates back to 1893. In the years 1893 through 1931 the schools played 11 times, but the series was not renewed until 68 years later in 1999. OSU has a 12-2 lead in the series and has won the last nine matchups. The only two wins by the Bearcats were in 1896 and 1897. The Bearcats visited Ohio Stadium in 2004, and the score of 27-6 does not indicate how close it was for over half of the game. OSU scored 17 points in the last 17.5 minutes of the game to take control and finish with a victory.

 

Check the blog later this week for Buckeye History, in which I will visit the nail-biting matchup between the schools in 2002.

 

Coaches

Coach Jim Tressel has a record of 52-13 in his sixth year as head coach at Ohio State. For you non-math people that comes out to 80%, which is quite impressive. His career record is 187-70-2 (72%) in 21 years. He is 2-0 against Cincinnati.

 

Head Coach Mark Dantonio may look familiar to you. He was the defensive coordinator at Ohio State from 2001-2003, which includes the National Championship season. Dantonio also spent some time at OSU under Coach Earl Bruce in 1983 and 1984 as a graduate assistant. In total he has 27 years of college coaching experience and Cincinnati is his first head coaching position. He is in his third season as head coach with a 12-13 record, 0-1 against Ohio State. His career highlight at Cincinnati would most likely be in 2004 when he guided the team to a 7-5 record, second in Conference USA and a victory at the Plains Capital Fort Worth Bowl. He was born in Texas, but he graduated from Zanesville (OH) High School. He went to college at South Carolina.