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The Bleacher Report, in picking the , ranks ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ's fiesty Peruna at .

The ranking announcement — made July 16 by columnist Carl Stine — noted the following:

Peruna is one of the most underrated little mascots in the college football universe.

He was for a medicine popular in the early part of the last century, "Peruna Tonic" which was known for its "kick."

While one does not necessarily associate a Shetland Pony with "Mustangs," as that name evokes images of large horses running wild with flowing manes and tails, this mascot has plenty of spirit.

Legend has it that Peruna I kicked the Fordham Ram mascot,

While that was another horse from the one that is currently roaming the sidelines, ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ fans will tell you that he is still a tough little pony — just don't call him that to his face.

Among his other notable accomplishments, according to The ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ , he also took down Texas' mascot with one kick, and defecated at midfield of rival TCU's new field surface.

Stine writes that Peruna is among only a few in college football who are the "real deal," also including Georgia's Uga, a bulldog who had a part in the movie Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, and LSU's Mike the Tiger, who can be seen .

Peruna IX became ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ's current mascot at halftime on Oct. 15, 2011, at the ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ vs. Central Florida football game at ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ’s Ford Stadium.

Four-year-old Peruna IX had been groomed for the job since his selection as a colt. The rough-and-tumble stallion attended summer band practices to become adjusted to game noise and has been clocked galloping across the football field at a record pace. Sources say his feisty character and strong personality make him well suited for the strenuous job. He runs free at a secret location when not representing the Mustangs.

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