The 2024 tailgate season marks a decade of The Den Tailgate! What began as a small group of UC alumni gathering on Sigma Sigma Commons for the 2015 football season has blossomed into a vibrant community of over 200 tailgaters. The past ten years have been a rollercoaster for Bearcats fans, and The Den has been there through it all, celebrating the highs and weathering the lows. Here's our Top 10 list of the most significant Bearcats football games in The Den's history.

10

_{Alabama A&M, September 5, 2015 - The First Den Tailgate}

Result: Cincinnati 52-10 Alabama A&M 

A beautiful day in Cincinnati kicked off the 2015 season and The Den's first tailgate. Our setup was simple: a tent, table, grill, and a kiddie pool as a community cooler. We embraced a theme for each game, and this opener featured "Hoist the Colors," a pirate party complete with a hype video! Our first season's $10 donation attracted 110 supporters, and the Bearcats delivered a dominant win over their FCS opponent. More importantly, the tailgate set the tone for a decade of spirited gameday gatherings.

9

_{Purdue, September 10, 2016: First Road Win vs Big Ten Since 1957}

Result: Cincinnati 38-20 Purdue

In our second season, most Den tailgaters were young and carefree. Many fans made the trek to West Lafayette, Indiana for the weekend. We started early Saturday with the "Breakfast Club" at Purdue bars, while those driving from Cincinnati braved a fierce thunderstorm on I-65. We tailgated with our Republic of Cincinnati friends, cheered the Bearcats to victory over a mediocre Purdue team, and celebrated post-game at Harry's Chocolate Shop, Where Else, and The Tap. The next morning brought regret and questionable decisions, but hey, Go Bearcats!

8

Ohio U, September 22, 2018: A Wedding Day Comeback

Result: Cincinnati 34-30 Ohio U

This game isn't on the list for the football or the tailgate, but for the symbolism it holds. It was my (the author's) wedding day, and many loyal Den tailgaters were busy with wedding festivities, missing the pre-game excitement. During the reception, my dad mentioned in a speech that Coach Fickell rallied the players at halftime, reminding them they couldn't lose on our wedding day. The Bearcats' second-half comeback gave us all a little extra to celebrate.

7

Indiana, September 24, 2022: Hoosier Hospitality (Part 2)

Result: Cincinnati 45-24 Indiana

This entry is a two-parter. Part one dives back to the scorching hot 2021 win at Indiana, a crucial step towards the College Football Playoff. A handful of Den tailgaters braved the Indiana sun, while others opted for bar viewing. The Bearcats tamed the Hoosiers, then led by quarterback Michel Penix (now with the Atlanta Falcons).

Part two celebrates the home win the following season. Despite roster changes on both teams, the atmosphere resembled a Big 12 matchup. We welcomed a group of visiting IU fans to our tailgate, and securing the win felt like a test passed, proving our program's ability to sustain success in a more competitive conference.

6

Alabama, December 31, 2021: A Dream Run Ends 

Result: Alabama 27-6 Cincinnati

This marked the culmination of a three-year climb for the Bearcats. We fell short of the ultimate victory, but the journey was unforgettable. We tracked rankings, checked scores from other leagues, and rooted for chaos, culminating in the nervous anticipation at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Many Den tailgaters soaked in the Cotton Bowl festivities and cheered on the Bearcats. Though the loss left a temporary sting, we're all grateful for the experience.

5

Central Florida, October 4, 2019: Meet Sauce Gardner

Result: Cincinnati 27-24 UCF

This Nipp at Nite game in 2019 marked a turning point for the Bearcats program. The all-black-clad Bearcats snapped UCF's 19-game conference winning streak. This was the breakout performance for freshman cornerback Sauce Gardner. He'd just cracked the starting lineup and sealed the victory with a game-changing interception return for a touchdown in the 4th quarter. The electric atmosphere that night spilled over to Fifth Third Arena, where a few thousand fans celebrated with a "Midnight Madness" event for the men's basketball team. As Sauce Gardner's legend grew, so did the significance of this win.

4

UCLA, September 1, 2018: A Statement Win

Result: Cincinnati 26-17 UCLA

Following a rough 4-8 season in Luke Fickell's first year (2017), questions surrounded the 2018 Bearcats, particularly at quarterback. The season opener at the Rose Bowl against Pac-12 foe UCLA offered no FCS warm-up game – it was a baptism by fire. The Den, having recently partnered with Taft's Brewing Company, hosted away game watch parties at their Spring Grove Ave. taproom. A strong turnout witnessed a pleasant surprise: a dominant performance by the Bearcats out west. Freshman Desmond Ridder replaced struggling senior starter Hayden Moore, throwing for 100 yards and rushing for another 63. The rest, as they say, is history.

3

Notre Dame, October 2, 2021: Taking Over South Bend

Result: Cincinnati 24-13 Notre Dame

This game deserves the top spot, except it was an away game. Arguably the biggest win and most impactful matchup in program history, the victory in South Bend was a dream come true. Our Den tailgaters joined forces with our friends, the Republic of Cincinnati, who secured a tailgate spot near Notre Dame's campus. We braved pre-game rain before packing the south endzone of Notre Dame Stadium with a sea of red stripes, a stark contrast to the Fighting Irish's green. The echoes of "Down the Drive" and "Let's Go Bearcats" still resonate today.

2

Tulsa, November 6, 2021: College Gameday

Result: Cincinnati 31-21 Tulsa

We all knew it was possible that College Gameday would make a stop in Cincinnati during the 2021 season. Once it was announced, it was a frenzy of excitement from the fanbase in preparing for the show. It was an early start that Saturday with students starting to fill in on the Commons around 5:00 AM. Around 7:00 AM, our tailgate organizers were on the Commons and our tailgate spot on the Grid to set up shop. The athletic department allowed us space near the stage for College Gameday to set up an auxiliary tailgate. The show, starting at 9:00 AM, was wild. Cincinnati was READY for the moment and had an incredible showing on national TV. Den Tailgaters split time between our main tailgate on Sigma Sigma Commons and our space at College Gameday. At our main tailgate, we went all out for the event with $2,000 in Skyline Chili catered. Oh, and did we mention it was Homecoming? The stars had aligned and it felt like the eyes of College Football and the sporting world were on Cincinnati. The Bearcats struggled against Tulsa and needed a fourth-quarter goal-line stand to secure the win.

1

Houston, December 4, 2021: Punching Their Ticket

Result: Cincinnati 35-20 Houston

This day was unlike any other in college football history. The undefeated Bearcats, underdogs as a Group of Five program, were on the cusp of a College Football Playoff berth. A win against Houston was essential, but the fate wasn't solely in their hands. With a 4:00 PM kickoff, The Den tailgate buzzed with a nervous excitement. Every eye was glued to the Baylor-Oklahoma State game that started at noon. A win by Oklahoma State would jeopardize the Bearcats' playoff dreams.

Around 3:30 PM, the tension peaked as Baylor made a game-saving goal-line stand, defeating Oklahoma State. The Den erupted. The path to the playoffs was wide open. The mantra became a roar: "Win and you're in!"

Nippert Stadium crackled with electric energy from the opening kickoff. Despite a narrow one-point lead at halftime, doubts began to creep in. Could this be the end? The answer was a resounding no. The third quarter was a masterclass in dominance by the Bearcats. They unleashed an offensive flurry, putting up 21 unanswered points. The defense held strong, allowing only a single touchdown in the fourth. The final score: Cincinnati 35, Houston 20.

The undefeated regular season was secured. The AAC Championship trophy was theirs. That Monday's CFP selection show was a mere formality. The Bearcats, through grit, determination, and a touch of chaos, had reached the pinnacle of college football. They were in.

Preparing for The Den Season 10

The 2024 tailgate season marks a decade of The Den! It's been a journey filled with epic victories, shared defeats, and countless memories forged over pizza, beers, and Bearcats camaraderie. This Top 10 list barely scratches the surface, and we can't wait to add new chapters to our Den legend in the years to come.

Looking to join The Den? Head over to TheDenUC.com to find all of our upcoming tailgate events. We'd love to have you there as we cheer on the Bearcats and celebrate ten years of The Den!