The River City Rivalry between Pitt and Cincinnati lacks the hate, intensity and longevity of the Backyard Brawl.
But in its day, the rivalry did have something the Brawl lacks: a trophy presentation for the winner.
The 95-pound Paddlewheel Trophy has been retired, but from 2005-2012, it symbolized the Ohio River link and mode of transportation between the two cities, going back to the early 1900s.
Of course, no trophy is on Pat Narduzzi’s mind this week while he prepares Pitt (1-0) for its game Saturday against Cincinnati (1-0) at Acrisure Stadium. The nonconference showdown will be contested in Cincinnati next year.
“I was worried about their personnel more than a trophy,” he said. “I don’t know if our kids know what it is.”
Cincinnati won the most recent football installment of the River City Rivalry, defeating the visiting Panthers of former coach Paul Chryst, 34-10, in 2012. The Bearcats have won four of their past five games against Pitt when both teams were members of the Big East. That famously includes the 45-44 Cincinnati victory in 2009 that crushed Pitt’s Big East championship hopes.
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There are other connections between the teams. Narduzzi was Cincinnati’s defensive coordinator when Pitt won both games in 2005 and 2006.
“Dave is 2-0,” Narduzzi said, referring to former coach Dave Wannstedt. “They had some great players and made plays, and we didn’t make plays back in the day.”
Also, Pitt linebackers coach Ryan Manalac was a Cincinnati linebacker, advancing from a walk-on to a two-year starter. He played under Narduzzi there, triggering a joke Monday that Pitt’s coach couldn’t resist.
“I told some of the O-linemen,” Narduzzi said, “you guys have to get after coach Manalac this week and find out if we can trust him or not.”
Cincinnati will present a serious and telling test for Pitt after its 45-7 yawner last Saturday against Wofford of the FCS. The Bearcats are Big 12 and Power 5 members for the first time this season after moving from the American Athletic Conference.
Coach Luke Fickell led Cincinnati to a 13-1 record into the College Football Playoff in 2021, where the Bearcats lost to Alabama, 27-6. Many elements of this year’steam are new, from coach Scott Satterfield, who had a 1-1 record against Pitt as Louisville’s coach, to quarterback Emory Jones, who has transferred from Florida to Arizona State to Cincinnati. “So much for one-time transfers,” Narduzzi said.
Pitt couldn’t solve Satterfield’s Louisville team last year in a 24-10 road loss.
Jones directs an offense that includes eight transfers.
“Which is amazing, and they are good players,” Narduzzi said.
Running back Corey Kiner, who rushed for 105 yards in a 66-13 victory against FCS member Eastern Kentucky last Saturday, came from LSU. Wide receiver Xzavier Henderson (seven catches, 149 yards) played at Florida. Pitt got a dose of wide receiver Dee Wiggins when he played at Miami.
After one week, Cincinnati is No. 5 in the country in total offense, with 667 yards.
Jones, who will make his 22nd career start Saturday, accounted for seven touchdowns (five passing) against Eastern Kentucky, completing 19 of 23 passes for 345 yards.
“Great player, athletic,” Narduzzi said. “I don’t know if he’s Malik Cunningham (former Louisville quarterback, who helped defeat Pitt last season), but really athletic.
“We’ll do a great job of self-scouting, (studying) every team (Pitt has played) that had an athletic quarterback. He likes to scramble. If he doesn’t like it, he’s taking off and he can run. A lot of quarterback draws. We’ve seen plenty of draws through the years. We’ll be OK there.”
The Bearcats player who could disrupt Pitt’s offense more than anyone is defensive lineman Dontay “The Godfather” Corleone, a third-team All-American last season. “He causes havoc in the backfield,” Narduzzi said.
In his three seasons on coach Mark Dantonio’s staff at Cincinnati, Narduzzi learned something about the city.
“Cincinnati is kind of like Pittsburgh. (Players are) tough, they’re physical. Their DNA is very similar to a Pittsburgh kid.”
He’ll prepare his players accordingly.
Jerry DiPaola is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Jerry by email at jdipaola@triblive.com or via Twitter .