Pike’s Peaking
Cincinnati won the Big East title last year, but they lost 10 of their starting defensive players last year.
Tony Pike, University of Cincinnati
Hence, they went into New Jersey last week as ‘dogs to a resurgent Rutgers Scarlet Knights squad.
The result was an unexpectedly easy 47-15 win over Rutgers.
“We just got whooped,” said Rutgers coach Greg Schiano.
Pike Drives Cats Offense on Expressway
Bearcats quarterback Tony Pike led the way for a dominating Cincinnati offense that rolled up 564 yard and 8.1 yards per play against the overmatched Scarlet Knights. Pike was 27-34 (79.4%) and rolled up 362 passing yards while throwing for 3 touchdowns against 1 interception.
Pike, a 23-year-old redshirt senior history major, has a college football legacy; his father played at Kent State. Pike is 6′ 6″ and 230 pounds. He has always had a weight problem–in reverse. Pike put on 20 pounds last season to fill out a relatively skinny frame by drinking two 2200 calorie protein milk shakes per day.
Pike is regarded as the best passer in the Big East this season. He was named the second team Big East quarterback last year behind West Virginia’s Patrick White. That’s a terriffic feat considering he didn’t earn a starting job until late September when Dustin Grutza broke his leg against Oklahoma. Pike ended the season with 2407 yards and 19 passing touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He completed 61.4% of his passes. Pike, unfortunately, threw 4 picks in the Bearcats loss to Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl.
NFL Scouts Won’t Be Pikers with Tony
The NFL loves tall quarterbacks and at 6′ 6″, Pike is a tall drink of water. NFL scouts say that Pike is “more NFL ready than Tim Tebow” and “has a stronger arm than Colt McCoy.” Plus, unlike returning Heisman winner Sam Bradford, Pike has two good shoulders–shoulders that could be strong enough to carry him to the NFL.
The lanky Bearcat is also surprsingly elusive for a big man and he has wheels. He’s been timed at 4.7 in the
Mardy Gilyard, Bearcats WR
40. Most have him projected as a third or fourth round pick next year, but one scout said that he even “could be a first round pick by the end of the year.”
Pike’s favorite target last weekend was wide receiver Mardy Gilyard who snared 8 passes for 89 yards and a TD. Pike certainly spread it out, however; 10 Bearcat receivers caught passes.
Quincy is No Cincy
If Tony Pike is available in your college fantasy football league this weekend, he is a must pickup and a must start. After drubbing Rutgers, the Bearcats play their home opener against lowly Southeast Missouri State. The Redhawks ran up a 72-3 win in its home opener against NAIA Quincy.
But, Quincy has nothing in common with Cincy. The last time these two schools met was in 2007. Cincinnati won 59-3. Expect more of the same on Saturday night at Nippert Stadium.
