Bearcats marching on

A trio of former Bearcats will be venturing south later this month to compete in the 2010 Under Armour Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., Saturday, Jan. 30.

Quarterback Tony Pike, wide receiver Mardy Gilyard and long snapper Mike Windt have all been invited to participate in this year’s edition of the college football all-star game in
Ladd-Peebles Stadium.

While the announcement of Pike and Gilyard shouldn’t come as a surprise to Cincinnati fans, Windt’s invitation might surprise those outside of the program.

“[The Senior Bowl] was one of my goals. I was expecting to go, but you never know with these things. You either get invited or you don’t,” Windt said. “I was expecting to go because, personally, I don’t know anybody better than me in college right now.”

Pike can’t remember Windt delivering one bad snap throughout his UC career, and said Windt is one of the best long snappers in football.

“He’s just a guy that’s solid at his position. At long snapper, you’re judged at a whole new level,” Pike said. “One bad snap and you’re scrutinized and looked at in a different way.”

For Pike, the Senior Bowl presents an opportunity to showcase his abilities in an NFL-style system while going up against other top prospects.

“Obviously a lot of the big-name quarterbacks are out there. I just want to go out there and have a solid showing,” Pike said.

Gilyard is preparing for the game by training with former Cincinnati Bengals strength coach Cliff Marshall in Naples, Fla. Marshall also trained former Bearcat Connor Barwin before he was selected in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans.

Gilyard said the level of competition set to be on hand should make for a playing experience unlike anything he’s seen.

“The thing I think I’m going to take away from the Senior Bowl is just the experience of playing with a whole bunch of different guys,” Gilyard said. “We’re the best of the best that are going to be out there. Playing with the best of the best, it’s almost like you’re playing in your first NFL game.”

The teams in the Senior Bowl are divided into north and south squads. Pike, Gilyard and Windt will be playing for the north team, which will be coached by the staff of the Detroit Lions.

The coaching staff of the Miami Dolphins will lead the south team.

The Senior Bowl announced Monday, Jan. 18, that tickets for the game have sold out. The game kicks off at 3 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 30, and will be televised nationally by NFL Network.