River City Rivalry The River City Rivalry was an annual game played between Big East rivals University of Pittsburgh and University of Cincinnati . The rivalry itself was relatively brief , played annually from 2005 , during which season the rivalry trophy was introduced through the 2012 season , Pitt ' s last year in the Big East . Before the rivalry was titled , the two teams played each other in 1921 , 1922 , 1979 , and 1981 . The game has only been played as a regular season matchup in either Cincinnati or Pittsburgh at each respective University ' s home football stadium . Paddlewheel Trophy . The Paddlewheel Trophy is the rivalry trophy that was created in 2005 when the Bearcats joined the Big East Conference to which the Pittsburgh Panthers already belonged . Prior to 2005 , the teams had met previously on only four prior occasions , most recently in 1981 . However , the teams decided to create a trophy that would help their new conference rivalry grow and reflect the sports rivalry that already existed between the cities ' professional football and baseball teams . The trophy is designed and named in honor the historic link between the cities from the days in the 19th and early - 20th centuries when Paddle wheel - powered boats traveled between the two cities along the Ohio River . The trophy stands tall and weighs . Mounted on the base is an authentic brass , engine - room telegraph that is a working model that was set for use on a ship in Seattle , Washington . The face of the trophy ' s telegraph was redesigned with logos from both teams on either side that can light up . The lever can be pulled to the side of the school who has won which also causes the ringing of bells . The front includes a steel plate featuring a carved outline of Allegheny , Monongahela River s and Ohio River as it runs from Pittsburgh to Cincinnati . The base is made out of Ipê wood . The trophy was designed by the architectural firm of Robert Busch and Karl Wallick , the steel plate was manufactured by Vulkane of Cincinnati , and the remaining trophy was manufactured by Trophy Awards Manufacturing . Over 175 man - hours of design and labor went into its construction . History . 2009 . The 2009 matchup between Cincinnati and Pittsburgh was described by one national columnist as the most " fascinating game I ' ve ever seen . " The game functioned as a Big East championship game , with Cincinnati entering first in the conference , and Pittsburgh at second . Additionally , the Bearcats entered the game undefeated and trying to earn a spot in the BCS National Championship Game , while the 9 – 2 Panthers were trying to secure their first BCS bowl since the 2004 season . The Panthers had an early 31 - 10 lead , however , the ensuing kickoff was returned for a touchdown by Mardy Gilyard to make it a 31 - 17 game at halftime . Cincinnati completed the comeback , tying the game at 38 late in the 4th quarter . Pittsburgh running back Dion Lewis scored a touchdown with 1 : 36 left in the game , but a mishandled snap by Andrew Janocko prevented the Panthers from converting the extra point . The Bearcats then drove down the field and scored on a 29 - yard touchdown pass from Tony Pike to Armon Binns with 33 seconds remaining . Bearcats kicker Jake Rodgers converted the extra point attempt , and Cincinnati held on to win 45 - 44 . Following the game , Cincinnati rose to a # 3 ranking in the final BCS standing while Pitt dropped to # 17 . The game has been described as " one of the most crushing losses in the history of Pitt football . " Game results . " Pittsburgh leads the all - time series 8 – 4 . "