1946 Cincinnati Bearcats football team

1946 Cincinnati Bearcats football
Roger Stephens broke UC rushing record in 1946
MAC champion
Sun Bowl champion
Sun Bowl, W 18–6 vs. VPI
ConferenceMid-America Conference
Record9–2 (2–0 MAC)
Head coach
CaptainElbie Nickel
Home stadiumNippert Stadium
1946 Mid-America Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Cincinnati $ 2 0 09 2 0
Western Reserve 1 1 04 3 2
Ohio 0 1 06 3 0
Wayne 0 1 04 5 0
  • $ Conference champion

The 1946 Cincinnati Bearcats football team was an American football team that represented the University of Cincinnati in the Mid-America Conference (MAC) during the 1946 college football season. In their second year under head coach Ray Nolting, the Bearcats compiled a 9–2 record, outscored opponents by a total of 221 to 93, and won the MAC championship. Their regular season highlights included victories over major college powers including Indiana (ranked No. 20 in the final AP poll), Kentucky (coached by Bear Bryant), and Michigan State.

Cincinnati closed its season with a victory over Virginia Tech, 18–6, in the Sun Bowl. The team tallied 276 rushing yards in the Sun Bowl while holding Virginia Tech to only 35 rushing yards. Hal Johnson, Al Sabato, and Don McMillan scored Cincinnati touchdowns.

Roger Stephens led the Bearcats and ranked sixth nationally with 774 rushing yards and led the nation with an average of 7.66 yards per carry.

Cincinnati was ranked at No. 42 in the final Litkenhous Difference by Score System rankings for 1946.