The Bearcats' climb into the national rankings holds particularly sweet significance for one UC alumnus.

Kent Stephens, CCM '76, has waited 13 years for an opportunity to hang his alma mater's helmet and pennant in the foyer of the College Football Hall of Fame. Today, he got that chance.

As curator and historian of the South Bend, Ind., museum, Stephens says his Monday-morning duties during football season include updating the display to reflect the latest USA Today/ESPN Coaches Poll.

"The first thing our visitors encounter when visiting the College Football Hall of Fame is our display of the weekly top 25 helmets and pennants," says Stephens, who has worked in the position since 1995. "I was thrilled when I had the opportunity of placing the Bearcats in the exhibit. I've been waiting all these years to do that."

UC, winners of five straight to start the season, is currently ranked 24th in the Coaches Poll and 20th in the Associated Press Poll, the team's best start in decades.

"My fellow employees are all Notre Dame fans," Stephens laughs. "You know life is really good. UC is 5-0, Ohio State (his grad school) is 5-0, and Notre Dame is 0-5."

The broadcast alum, who returned for UC's game against Marshall, is excited about his school's prospects under new coach Brian Kelly.

"Until recent years, the whole idea of UC going to bowl games and things like that was just a pipe dream," he says. "Now there is not a team on our schedule we can't beat. We may be talking about a big time New Year's Day bowl game."

UC Bearcats football
College Football Hall of Fame

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