The University of Cincinnati's cornerback Coby Bryant officially received the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award on Tuesday night. This award is given out to the nation's top defensive back. Bryant was announced as the winner back in December at the Home Depot College Football Awards. UC's football head coach, Luke Fickell, defensive coordinator Mike Tressel, director of athletics John Cunningham and the football chief of staff Greg Gillum were just a few among several who attended the 35th annual banquet in support of Bryant. "This has always been a dream for me as a football player, especially as a defensive back," Bryant said. "To actually hear my name called, it was a surreal moment. I can't give enough thanks to the people that have been in my corner since day one. It's a blessing."Bryant played in the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, then flew to Oklahoma City for three days of events leading up to Tuesday night's official presentation. Fickell introduced Bryant as a player that truly set the standard for the Cincinnati Football program. "You heard a little bit about his character and how he has grown up," Fickell said at a pre-banquet press conference. "The greatest thing I could say is he epitomizes what we want to be as a program. Every year you have to continue to establish that. Over five years, I would say there is no other person that has set the standard for what it is we want to be and what it is we want to get done."He was special for us and he is going to continue to be special."During the 2021 season, Bryant served as a captain at Cincinnati, leading the team to the greatest season in school history. The Bearcats finished with a 13-1 record and made it to the College Football Playoff Semifinals at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl classic. Bryant led UC with 11 pass breakups and three interceptions as Cincinnati won the American Athletic Conference for a second straight season. His achievements don't stop there as he was named All-ACC first team for a second straight year and received several All-American accolades, including first-team honors from the Walter Camp Foundation. Bryant is a Cleveland, Ohio, native who played at Cincinnati for five years. He won 48 games with the Bearcats and finished with 170 tackles and 35 pass breakups in his career to go along with 10 interceptions.

Cincinnati is energized around the UC Bearcats as they count the days to the Cotton Bowl in Texas.It's now just about nine days away.On Tuesday, there was an incredible show of support for the football team with a drone show and fireworks at Nippert Stadium.The excitement is also keeping businesses around campus booming.Fans chanted, clapped and rooted for the football Bearcats during the show.It was a phenomenal display in the sky that seemed to send a bit of a warning to Alabama: this team and its fans mean business."We have just been non-stop busy. Extended store hours. Tons of online orders," DuBois Book Store Operations Manager, Ty Bonawitz, said.Counting down the days to the Cotton Bowl and fans are getting geared up for the Bearcats at DuBois Book Store.Bonawitz said as soon as they put out new stuff, it's gone, and they have to restock again."The biggest problem we're having right now is the cotton shortage that we're dealing which is kind of ironic going to the Cotton Bowl," Bonawitz said.Even the dogs are rooting on these cats — well, the book store owner's dog — who wanders around as shoppers pick their next piece of gear.People said they're making a mad dash to get ready for Texas."Roll tide cool, but no, they ain't cool for us. We've got to beat them. We've got to beat them," fan, Jason Stewart, said.Fans have a hearty appetite to see undefeated UC conquer in this historic appearance in the College Football Playoffs.Over at Mio's, Rich Owens knows the team does, too.They fed them on Monday."We had a whiteboard that we had every player on the team sign and then we're going to laminate it. We haven't titled it yet. We're hoping to put national champs on it," Owens said.It's a moment in Bearcat history that will stick with the kids.As the sun went down on Tuesday, there was a bit of an incognito pep rally to "Light Up Nippert Stadium."There were fireworks and there was also a drone show with messages to root on the team."The programming that went into it and the messages up in the sky. They were really neat," fan, Kerri Todd, said.Of course, there were also the signature UC chants to let Alabama know UC means business."I was excited. I was actually up there and he can vouch for me, I was jumping up and down. I was like, 'Oh my God, I can't wait,'" UC employee, Alex Coleman, said.Fans said some people are driving to Texas and booking houses a couple of hours away so that they can still get close.Even still, businesses believe turnout locally will be good.According to officials, more than 150 synchronized drones were used in the show.They also said a video shot at the event will be featured at some point during the Cotton Bowl.

Bearcats fans are energized and ready to watch the team take on Alabama in Texas.It's a historic moment and fans said they've been waiting a long time.They said they are excited looking ahead to the Cotton Bowl.It's history in the making."We are going to cheer them on as hard as we can and it's so exciting," UC senior, Shannon Williams, said.UC students are fired up."I couldn't be more excited. It's been electric on campus and I'm ready to go to Dallas and see what we can do," UC senior, Nick Meinert, said.So are UC parents."Amazing. I'm so excited. I can't wait to see what they do. Go Bearcats," Debbie Conley said.They're all thrilled to seat the Bearcats not only undefeated, not only the AAC champs but number four in the College Football Playoff rankings.The team is set to take on Alabama in the Cotton Bowl on New Year's Eve.On Sunday, as the announcement echoed over the speakers in bars, people were elated with Bearcat pride.We even found former UC football Bearcat Jordan Roth beaming in the moment."We had the stars line up for us and not to mention, we took care of business with everybody giving us their best every single week and we're the last ones standing and the only undefeated football team in the country," he said.He's excited to see the showdown against Alabama in Texas and he knows this team is ready."Defense. They're going to have to go out. They're going to have to execute just like any time else out there, but I think our corners are the best in the game. I think our pass defense is going to be fantastic. I just think that hard edge style of play, man, we're going to bring it," Roth said.Fans were rowdy in the best way supporting the Bearcats and a fantastic win on Saturday night.Many people said they're already making travel plans to get to Dallas and do it all over again later this month for the hometown team.

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Now that Sunday's announcement of the UC Bearcats making the College Football Playoffs, the NCAA also announced matchups for this year's college football bowl season.The Tri-States of Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana have plenty of action throughout the coming weeks, so here are the notable games:Friday, Dec. 17: The University of Toledo Rockets will battle Middle Tennessee at noon on ESPN.Saturday, Dec. 18:Western Kentucky will battle Appalachian State in the Boca Raton Bowl at 11 a.m. on ESPN.Thursday, Dec. 23:The Miami RedHawks will battle North Texas in the Frisco Football Classic at Toyota Stadium in Frisco. The time and stream is TBD.Saturday, Dec. 25:Ball State University will battle Georgia State in the Camellia Bowl at 2:30 p.m. on ESPN.Thursday, Dec. 28:The University of Louisville will battle the United States Air Force Academy in the First Responder Bowl at 3:15 p.m. on ESPN.Thursday, Dec. 30:Purdue will battle Tennessee in the Music City Bowl at 3 p.m. on ESPN.Friday, Dec. 31:The College Football Playoff kicks off with the Cotton Bowl and the University of Cincinnati Bearcats battling against the Alabama Crimson Tide for the chance for a trip to the National Championship Game. This game starts at 3:30 p.m. on ESPN.The second game of the College Football Playoff will be the Orange Bowl between the University of Michigan and University of Georgia. this game starts at 7:30 p.m. and will also be on ESPN,Saturday, Jan. 1:The University of Kentucky Wildcats and the Iowa Hawkeyes will battle in the Citrus Bowl at 1 p.m. on ABC.The University of Notre Dame and new head coach Marcus Freeman will battle the Cowboys of Oklahoma State in the Fiesta Bowl at 1 p.m. on ESPN.The Ohio State University Buckeyes will battle Utah in the "granddaddy of them all," the Rose Bowl at 5 p.m.Monday, Jan. 10:The College Football Playoff National Championship Game will be at 8 p.m. on ESPN at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.