When University of Cincinnati officials renovated and expanded Nippert Stadium almost a decade ago, they envisioned a day when the Bearcats would become such a gate attraction, the additional 7,000-plus seats would be a necessity.

        And if all went well, perhaps someday the stadium would have to be expanded again.

        But since Nippert reopened in 1992 with a new capacity of 35,000, it has hosted only five crowds in excess of 30,000. The Bearcats never have sold out a game there.

        Until now.

        UC officials announced Wednesday that the Sept.2 Purdue game is sold out. They expect the largest crowd in the 99-year history of the stadium. This is also the first time UC has sold out a home game in advance of game day.

        The Bearcats are coming off a 7-5 season and a Motor City Bowl appearance.

        “It's good for our program,” UC coach Rick Minter said. “Hopefully, it's a combination of everything, trying to build a program, Purdue being a regional draw, the excitement of a bowl game and the hype of a local recruit (quarterback Gino Guidugli). Hopefully, this is the start of something special.”

        UC sent 3,800 tickets to Purdue. Boilermakers fans bought all of those, plus an estimated 5,000 to 6,000 more through UC, according to John Sheffield, UC's senior associate athletic director.

        The sellout assures UC of setting a new single-game attendance record. The record of 32,924 was set Oct.28 in Cincinnati's 45-15 victory over Miami University.

        “We're going to pull out all the stops with extra bathrooms and concessions,” Sheffield said. “Hopefully, we can make this a positive experience for everyone and they'll come back.”

        Said Minter: “The doors of opportunity are right before us. We have to be able to walk through them.”

Guidugli making bid for QB job UC sells out Nippert for opener

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