Collaros shines as No. 5 Cats crush Cards

In a rivalry match for the Keg of Nails, the No. 5 Bearcats crushed the Louisville Cardinals, 41-10, Saturday, Oct. 24, in front of the largest crowd in UC football history.

Led by sophomore quarterback Zach Collaros, Cincinnati’s offense put up 468 total yards and marched down the field at will, scoring on seven of its 11 drives.

“I thought we were on top of it from the very beginning,” said UC head coach Brian Kelly. “Offensively we got into a very good rhythm with Zach, just a good mix of run and pass.”

Photos: UC vs. Louisville - 10.24.09

Collaros picked up where he left off against South Florida and his ability to run and pass caused matchup problems for the Cardinal defense. 

“Personally I think it adds a little bit more spice to our offence when we have Zach [at quarterback],” said senior wide receiver Mardy Gilyard. “It keeps the defense guessing because they don’t know if he’s going to throw the ball or run.”

Collaros threw for 253 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 58 yards on 11 carries.

“[Before the game] I had butterflies,” Collaros said. “But when I got onto the field, it was just like playing football again.”

Perhaps Collaros’s most impressive stat was his 88 percent completion rating, missing only two of 17 passes, one of them being a spike.

“The stats are good [but] I didn’t get touched all night, and the line [did an] awesome job protecting me,” Collaros said.

Gilyard also put up impressive numbers catching four balls for 82 yards and one touchdown. Gilyard’s touchdown was the 22nd of his career, tying him with Dominick Goodman (2005-08) for most career touchdown receptions in school history.

“It feels good tying the record with someone I know,” Gilyard said. “He put me under his wing ever since I switched to wide receiver in 2007.”

The Bearcats defense also played well recording three sacks, one interception, one forced fumble and gave up 275 total yards, 50 yards less then their average.

Freshman linebacker Walter Stewart had 10 total tackles and one interception, the first of his career.

“Walter is just an impressive young man,” Kelly said. “Wait until you see this guy in a year or two when he’s 230 to 245 pounds.”

Pike is still day-to-day and it is largely up to Pike to decide if he wants to play next week, Kelly said.

“We all know what situation is,” Kelly said. “It’s just a matter of getting the swelling out, [and] we don’t want to put him in a position where he can’t protect himself.”

The fifth-ranked Bearcats are now 7-0 and 3-0 in the Big East.

“It feels good that were making those proper stretches to be considered one of those good teams that you see on ESPN,” Gilyard said.

Next up, the Bearcats travel to Syracuse, N.Y., for a Big East Halloween matchup against the Orangemen. Kick off is set for noon Saturday Oct. 31.