Butch Jones: "If we weren't mentally ready, we wouldn't be singing"

What a weekend both on and off the field for Butch Jones and the Cincinnati Bearcats. After moving their “home” game against Virginia Tech to FedEx Field just outside of Washington DC, the Bearcats went into Hokie territory and came away with an improbable 27-24 victory. 

Trailing by four with 1:43 left in the 4th, the Bearcats started at their own 15 and quickly drove into Virginia Tech territory. With just 13 seconds left in the game, QB Munchie Legaux connected with Damon Julian for an incredible diving 39-yard touchdown pass to win it for Cincinnati as they improved to 3-0. 

The game was played in the Washington Redskins’ stadium just outside of DC, a chance for Coach Jones and his staff to showcase the Bearcats program in a recruiting hotbed. Add to the fact that the University pocketed an estimated $3 million for moving their home game, leaving with a W makes it all the more sweeter. 

We included a video below from Coach Jones’ blog, which has some great footage of the game winning touchdown and the rowdy locker room celebration which ensued afterwards. We also get a glimpse into his post game address to his team, where he confidently tells his players “if we keep training and you keep believing in the way we play football, we can’t be beat.” 

One of the best moments in the winning locker room is from Cincinnati interim President Dr. Santa Ono, who addressed the team and informed them of a little friendly wager he made before the season with Jones.  Dr. Ono had pledged to his head coach that if the Bearcats were to win 10 games in a row, he would shave his head. The Bearcats are 7 more wins away from that haircut but the UC President went on to tell the players “I want to lose my hair.” Time will tell if President Ono will sport a new haircut to another BCS bowl game for the Bearcats this season.