Collaros to start vs. West Virginia
Posted by GameSetMatch on November 12th, 2009
Quarterback Zach Collaros will start for fifth-ranked Cincinnati against West Virginia on Friday night, with Tony Pike expected to play as well for the first time since he hurt his non-throwing arm.
Coach Brian Kelly announced Tuesday that Collaros will be his starter. The sophomore backup has played spectacularly and kept the Bearcats (9-0) in the national title conversation while Pike heals from surgery to replace a metal plate in his left forearm.
Collaros threw for 480 yards — the second-highest total in school history — during a 47-45 win over Connecticut on Saturday night. Pike warmed up before the game but didn’t play. Kelly said the senior will run some plays against West Virginia (7-2).
“We’re going to try to put a couple different packages in and just go from there,” Pike said after practice Tuesday. “Obviously getting back out there and practicing is one thing, but in the game it’s a different speed. That’s the biggest thing.
Click here to read the full article – By Associated Press of ESPN.com
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November 13th, 2009 at 11:09 am
The debate between Pike and Zach Collaros is an interesting one. I’m on the side of going with Collaros for several reasons, including the dual run/throwing threat that Collaros provides, Collaros having the hot hand which is a huge factor especially at QB, and the reliability questions with Pike – you can’t count on his arm being able to take another big hit.
In my opinion you simply can’t take the ball out of Collaros’ hands – not after what he’s shown the past few games. Pike hasn’t played, the team is on a roll with Collaros, and even Louisville’s secondary coach was quoted as saying he was hoping Pike would play because he can’t make plays with his legs – Collaros is harder to stop.
And for anyone who’s concerned with taking the starting job away due to injury, you may not know that Pike got the job when the senior starter in front of him went down with an injury and he never relinquished the starting role after that. So Pike got it that way and unfortunately he may lose it that way. You hate to see that happen, but you have to give your team the best chance of winning, and right now I think Collaros is it.
I’ve got more details on my blog.
Twitter @GridironGeneral