Tony Pike returned from an injury to his non-throwing arm and had a record day Friday, passing for six touchdowns in a 49-36 victory over Illinois that left fifth-ranked Cincinnati unbeaten and back to full strength.

The senior quarterback started for the first time since Oct. 15 and broke the school record for touchdown passes.

Two of them went to Mardy Gilyard, who also ran back a kickoff for a score.

Cincinnati (11-0) remained one of six unbeaten Bowl Subdivision teams. The Bearcats finish their regular season next weekend in Pittsburgh, aiming for their second consecutive Big East title.

The Illini (3-8) couldn’t handle a spread offense that’s different from anything they’d see in the Big Ten. Cincinnati had 35 points in the first half alone — as many as the Illini allowed in any full Big Ten game.

Click here to read the full article – By Associated Press of ESPN.com

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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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That’s right, the number 8 (or 9 depending on what poll you look at ) UC Bearcats are coming down to Tampa to take on your 21st ranked Bulls this Thursday night for a Big East tilt featured on ESPN.


The last time these teams met was also featured on ESPN. I’m sure Bulls fans can remember. It was a game that saw the Bearcats “upset” the number 23 team in the country at the time, 24-10. The Bearcats used that win to take five straight in route to the Big East Championship and a birth in the Orange Bowl. Following their loss, the Bulls lost two of three down the stretch but rallied to beat Memphis in the much anticipated magicJack St. Petersburg Bowl.

Regarding this year’s game; Bulls fans should remember who Tony Pike is. He was the guy who played last season with a soft cast protecting his surgically repaired broken left arm and threw for 281 yards and two touchdowns. After UC’s drubbing of Miami of Ohio two weeks ago, Pike has thrown a touchdown pass in 15 straight games.


Click here to read the full article – By Ian Preuth of abcactionnews.com

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Just finished with coach Riley briefing … no disrespect to those vaunted Ohio State Buckeyes, No. 11 in this week’s AP Top 25, but …

Asked if Oregon State might be playing the best team in Ohio on Saturday in the No. 17 Cincy Bearcats, Riley answered, “we might be. … this is a very good football team. A very good program.”

True.

Under offensive whizz Brian Kelly, defending Big East champ Cincy is unbeaten and untested, averaging 58 points and a gazillion yards in two games.

Riley said he and his coaches definitely feel an extra jolt of adrenalin this week, preparing for what should be a terrific game – one of the biggest non-conference games at Reser in years.

Click here to read the full article – By Paul Buker of The Oregonian

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