UCF beats UConn, leaves 'rivalry' trophy on the field
When Bob Diaco arrived as head coach at UConn back in 2014, he sought out a rival for the Huskies.
For some reason, he chose AAC foe UCF and the “rivalry” was dubbed “The Civil ConFLiCT” (FL for Florida, CT for Connecticut). It has a trophy and everything. The only problem for Diaco — and it’s a big one — is that UCF doesn’t really seem to care. Like, at all.
First day back on campus for #UConnFootball! And just 130 days until the next Civil Conflict with @UCF_Football ! pic.twitter.com/RgOkXiob0T
— UConn Football (@UConnFootball) June 1, 2015
Diaco admitted last year that he didn’t even reach out to UCF to see if it would be receptive to the idea and then-UCF head coach George O’Leary said he “didn’t know about it” and “it’s hard to be a rival when you’re nine states away.”
Nonetheless, the rivalry (in Diaco’s mind, at least) marches on and the trophy was on display when the teams met Saturday in Storrs. After UConn won the past two seasons, UCF prevailed 24-16. Here’s how the Knights celebrated the big rivalry win:
UCF players and coaches leaving the field without the Civil ConFLiCT trophy.
— Neill Ostrout (@NeillOstrout) October 22, 2016
UConn staffer just picked up the trophy, looked around for advice on what to do with it, and placed in on the UConn bench.
— Neill Ostrout (@NeillOstrout) October 22, 2016
Same UConn staffer just shrouded the trophy with a towel
— Neill Ostrout (@NeillOstrout) October 22, 2016
The trophy wasn’t even brought to the podium for coach Scott Frost’s postgame press conference!
No ???? on the podium yet. UCF beats UConn 24-16. pic.twitter.com/v9aZhTcQ5H
— Shannon Green (@osknights) October 22, 2016
No one really addressed the trophy. RIP to the Conflict.
— Shannon Green (@osknights) October 22, 2016
That’s what a rivalry is all about right there.
For more UCF news, visit UCFSports.com.
For more Connecticut news, visit UConnReport.com.
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Sam Cooper is a writer for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
