Pike throws 6 TDs in return

Illinois led the Bearcats for exactly 13 seconds during Friday’s game.

After forcing the Cats into a quick three and out on the first possession of the game, Illinois marched right down the field and scored the first points of the game.

That’s when senior wide receiver Mardy Gilyard took the ensuing kickoff 90 yards to tie the game at seven. UC never looked back in its 49-36 win over the Fighting Illini Friday, Nov. 27, at Nippert Stadium.

Photos: UC vs. Illinois - 11.27.09

Even with a career-high 149 yards and two touchdowns from tight end Ben Guidugli, the day still belonged to Gilyard.

On senior day, UC’s top receiver scored three times including a catch that set a record at UC.

With a little more than four minutes remaining in the first half and UC with a comfortable 28-17 lead, quarterback Tony Pike found Gilyard in the middle of the end zone for the receivers’ 23rd career touchdown; a UC record.

“I just prayed and tried to keep my mind clear,” Gilyard said. “I knew [the record] was going to come eventually. I’ve been tied with Goody (former record holder Dominick Goodman) now for the longest it seems like.”

Then, with 4:19 remaining in the game, Pike hit Gilyard again in the back of the end zone for a 21-yard touchdown. Gilyard caught the ball with one hand and the play was originally ruled a touchdown on the field.

“Every time we catch the ball in the end zone as a receiver we know we’re in. That’s the answer we give coach. He ran up to me and was like, ‘Were you in?’ I was like ‘uhh, yeah coach.’” Gilyard said while laughing.

The replay seemed to show that Gilyard did not have a foot in bounds after the catch, but after the official review, the play stood as called on the field.

“It was a beautiful pass by Pike,” Gilyard said. “It just seems like when Pike puts that ball in the air, he just puts it where no one else can get it.”

Gilyard finished the game with 102 yards on seven catches.

It was also Pike’s first game back since being sidelined after sustaining a forearm injury against South Florida Oct. 15.

“It’s awesome to be back, it makes it a little easier when you have a guy like Zach [Collaros] step in for us the last few weeks,” Pike said. “When you have weapons like we do on offense, it makes it a little easier.”

The senior quarterback set a school record by throwing six touchdown passes while completing 32-of-46 passes for 399 yards.

“It’s indescribable just because of the journey that the seniors, especially me and Mardy, that we’ve been on here,” Pike said of his record. “Words can’t describe how amazing this feels.”

The offense wasn’t completely perfect though. UC rushed for only 21 yards on 15 rushes and had negative rushing yards until the 8:30 mark of the fourth quarter.

Gilyard also fumbled in the third quarter, which gave Illinois the ball deep in UC territory, which led to a field goal.

Illinois cut the UC lead to 12 after a touchdown with 10:03 left in the fourth quarter, but that was as close as it would get.

Armon Binns and DJ Woods were the recipients of Pike’s two other touchdown passes.

Up next, UC heads to Pittsburgh with the Big East Championship on the line Saturday, Dec. 5.

“[Pitt] has an excellent defensive line, very good pressure from their front four,” said UC head coach Brian Kelly. “They have balance on offense that they haven’t had in years past in terms of running it and throwing it.