The following is an excerpt from former Cincinnati Enquirer University of Cincinnati sports writer and author Bill Koch's latest book, "This is What the Top Feels Like".
On December 5, 2009, In the game that would determine the Big East champion, the the fifth-ranked University of Cincinnati Bearcats fell behind No. 14 Pittsburgh, 31-10, at Heinz Field before UC’s Mardy Gilyard returned a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown just before halftime. As the players walked off the field, Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly turned to quarterback Tony Pike and told him he needed to apologize to his teammates for his poor play in the first half.