**Cincinnati's Historic Win over Colorado: A Stunning Upset in the AAC** **Contents:** - Introduction: The atmosphere and history - The game in summary: Highlighting the key moments and plays - Analysis - Cincinnati's resilience: Overcoming adversity - Colorado's struggles: Key mistakes and missed opportunities - Key takeaways: Lessons learned from the game - Conclusion: The significance of the win **Introduction: The atmosphere and history** On Saturday, September 17th, 2022, the University of Cincinnati football team made history by defeating the University of Colorado in a thrilling 31-23 upset. The game, which was played at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio, was a rematch of the 2020 Fenway Bowl, which Colorado won 49-28. The atmosphere at Nippert Stadium was electric, as the Bearcats faithful were eager to see their team avenge their loss from two years prior. The game was also a special occasion for Cincinnati, as it was the first time that the Bearcats had hosted a Power Five opponent since joining the American Athletic Conference (AAC) in 2013. **The Game in Summary: Highlighting the key moments and plays** The game started out slowly, with both teams struggling to move the ball. However, Cincinnati was able to take a 10-0 lead in the second quarter on a 34-yard field goal by Ryan Coe and a 1-yard touchdown run by Evan Prater. Colorado came back to tie the game in the third quarter on a 36-yard field goal by Blake Stenstrom and a 2-yard touchdown run by Deion Smith. However, Cincinnati answered back with a 75-yard touchdown pass from Ben Bryant to Tyler Scott to retake the lead. The Buffaloes tied the game again in the fourth quarter on a 28-yard field goal by Stenstrom. However, Cincinnati was able to drive down the field and score the game-winning touchdown on a 1-yard run by Prater with just 2:38 remaining. **Analysis: Cincinnati's Resilience, Colorado's Struggles** Cincinnati's win was a testament to the team's resilience. The Bearcats were able to overcome a number of obstacles, including a slow start and several key injuries, to pull out the victory. Colorado, on the other hand, struggled to find any rhythm on offense. The Buffaloes were held to just 278 yards of total offense and were unable to convert on several key third downs. **Key Takeaways: Lessons Learned from the Game** There were a number of key takeaways from the game. First, Cincinnati showed that they are a team to be reckoned with in the AAC. The Bearcats have now won three straight games against Power Five opponents, and they are currently ranked No. 24 in the Associated Press Top 25. Second, Colorado needs to find a way to improve its offense. The Buffaloes have struggled to score points all season, and they will need to find a way to generate more consistent production if they want to be successful in the Pac-12. **Conclusion: The Significance of the Win** Cincinnati's win over Colorado was a significant one for the program. The Bearcats proved that they are a legitimate contender in the AAC, and they have now set their sights on a conference championship.
