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In a record-setting performance, former Cincinnati running back Isaiah Pead garnered national recognition at the Senior Bowl Saturday, being named the game’s Most Valuable Player.

The 5-foot-10-inch tailback posted a bowl record-best 98 yards on two punt returns. The previous high was 73 yards, set back in 1971.

Pead returned only eight punts this season, but with quick, nimble movements and little real-estate in a game featuring the nation’s best seniors, Pead showed scouts how versatile he can be at the next level.

The UC alum netted a team-high 31 yards on eight rushes, as the North defeated the South 23-13.

“A win caps off the week,” Pead said. “You want to go in and practice hard, interview well and meet fans, but going away with a loss — as a competitor — I wouldn’t like that. We’re all out here competing, and for the North side to come in and get a win caps off everything. I got everything I wanted out of this week. I got good work done at practice, and I got a win for this game.”

The Big East Offensive Player of the Year continues to build a stout resume for the NFL, as his hardware includes first team all-Big East, second team all-Big East as a junior and the 2011 AutoZone Liberty Bowl MVP award.

In his senior season, Pead led the Big East with 1,259 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns.

The last running back to earn MVP honors at the Senior Bowl was Chicago Bears’ standout Matt Forte.

Former Bearcats’ defensive tackle Derek Wolfe also suited up for the North. This past year, he was Big East co-Defensive Player of the Year, while also making first team all-Big East. He was also selected for four other all-America teams.

Wolfe was fifth in the nation, averaging 1.65 tackles for a loss per game. He was No. 3 in the conference with nearly one sack a game.

The pair of UC alums participation in the game brings the program’s total to 33 players who have lined up for the annual spectacle for departing seniors.