Cardinals, Bearcats renew old rivalry at Fenway Park
Cincinnati running back Ryan Montgomery carries the ball for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Tulane, Friday, Nov. 25, 2022, in Cincinnati. Tulane won 27-24. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Louisville safety M.J. Griffin, middle top, and defensive back Kei’Trel Clark tackle Kentucky wide receiver Dane Key during the second half an NCAA college football game in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Clubb)
Cincinnati running back Ryan Montgomery carries the ball for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Tulane, Friday, Nov. 25, 2022, in Cincinnati. Tulane won 27-24. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Cincinnati running back Ryan Montgomery carries the ball for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Tulane, Friday, Nov. 25, 2022, in Cincinnati. Tulane won 27-24. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Louisville safety M.J. Griffin, middle top, and defensive back Kei’Trel Clark tackle Kentucky wide receiver Dane Key during the second half an NCAA college football game in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Clubb)
Louisville safety M.J. Griffin, middle top, and defensive back Kei’Trel Clark tackle Kentucky wide receiver Dane Key during the second half an NCAA college football game in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Clubb)
Cincinnati (9-3, American Athletic), vs Louisville (7-5, ACC), Dec. 17, 11 a.m. ET, ESPN
LOCATION: Boston.
TOP PLAYERS
Cincinnati: LB Ivan Pace Jr. was named the conference’s defensive player of the year after making 120 tackles, 19. tackles for a loss and nine sacks.
Louisville: QB Malik Cunningham has battled injuries, but has still rushed for 12 touchdowns while throwing for 1,568 yards and eight touchdowns.
NOTABLE
Cincinnati: The Big 12-bound Bearcats lost head coach Luke Fickell to Wisconsin.
Louisville: The Cardinals have won five of their last seven games after talk that coach Scott Satterfield was on the hot seat.
LAST TIME
Louisville won, 31-24, in 2013. The now-dormant “Keg of Nails” series dates to 1929 and the Bearcats lead 30-22-1.
BOWL HISTORY
Cincinnati: 9-11 overall, with two consecutive losses to powerhouse teams: Alabama in a CFP semifinal last season and to Georgia in the Peach Bowl the previous season.
Louisville: Louisville is making its 25th postseason appearance, posting an 11-12-1 all-time record.
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