CINCINNATI — University of Cincinnati athletic director John Cunningham released a statement apologizing for a vulgar chant by Cincinnati fans directed at BYU during Saturday night’s football game between the Bearcats and Cougars.
Cincinnati fans shouted an expletive and “the Mormons” during the game, a three-word chant that has repeatedly been directed at BYU teams and fans during road games.
“On behalf of the University of Cincinnati and Bearcats Athletics, I want to sincerely apologize to the BYU community and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” Cunningham said via statement, adding that the “use of offensive or religiously derogatory language … was unacceptable and does not reflect our values.”
Statement from University of Cincinnati Director of Athletics John Cunningham pic.twitter.com/7Ql3ZTZNMq
— Cincinnati Bearcats (@GoBEARCATS) November 24, 2025
Numerous opposing schools have apologized to BYU after similar incidents in recent years, including fellow Big 12 members Arizona after a men’s basketball game in February and Colorado following a football game in September. The Big 12 also announced a public reprimand and $50,000 fine for Colorado in September for violating the conference’s Principles and Standards of Sportsmanship. The league did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the Cincinnati incident.
BYU — Brigham Young University — is a private institution located in Provo, Utah, that is sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The church “discourages” the use of the term “Mormon,” which originated from the Book of Mormon text used by the church.
The church and its mission are central to the university; more than 95 percent of BYU’s 35,000-plus students identify as followers. Ahead of the football game at Cincinnati this weekend, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints delivered a 27,000-pound donation to the University of Cincinnati’s on-campus food pantry that supports students facing food insecurity, according to Jackson Payne, who covers BYU athletics for the Deseret News.
Ahead of BYU’s game with Cincinnati on Saturday, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sent a 27,000 pound food donation for Cincinnati’s on-campus Bearcats Pantry to support students facing food insecurity.
It’s the largest single donation in the Pantry’s history. pic.twitter.com/pH0fOmhHL4
— Jackson Payne (@jackson5payne) November 21, 2025
BYU (10-1, 7-1 Big 12) defeated Cincinnati 26-14 to maintain sole possession of second place in the conference standings. The Cougars can clinch a spot in the Big 12 Championship Game with a home victory over UCF this weekend.