Cole Smith won't have to buy a drink in the city of Cincinnati for the rest of his life.
The junior kicker nailed a 34-yard field goal as time expired and the University of Cincinnati football team defeated Tulsa 27-24 Saturday at Nippert Stadium to win the 2020 American Athletic Conference championship.
"I was just visualizing the ball right down the pipes," Smith said. "Good snap, good hold and a great line to block for me. We do it so much during the week and at camp during the offseason, it's just routine at this point."
After hoisting the trophy and quarterback Desmond Ridder being named the game's Most Outstanding Player, the Bearcats raced to the home stands to celebrate with the 5,831 soaking wet fans who braved the pouring ran to see Cincinnati win its first outright conference championship since winning the Big East title in 2009.