UC faces Illinois, Pike to start

Tony Pike is set to make his return as the starting quarterback when the No. 5 Cincinnati Bearcats play host to Illinois on senior day Friday, Nov. 27.

Pike made a brief appearance in the Bearcats’ 24-21 win over West Virginia Friday, Nov. 13, completing two of his four pass attempts for 16 yards and two touchdowns.

It was the first time Pike had seen game action since fracturing his left non-throwing forearm against South Florida Thursday, Oct. 15

UC’s bye week gave Pike an extra time to heal, and head coach Brian Kelly says the senior has shown in practice that he’s nearly 100 percent healthy.

“[Monday] was the first day where there was a smooth continuity with Tony back out there,” Kelly said. “You can see the little things coming back to where he was before he got injured.”

For once, questions surrounding the starting quarterback position won’t be coming from the Cincinnati sideline.

Illinois senior quarterback Juice Williams has sustained injuries most of the season, most recently a left ankle injury in the Illini’s 35-32 win at Minnesota Saturday, Nov. 7.

Illini freshman quarterback Jacob Charest finished the game against Minnesota and started for Illinois Saturday, Nov. 14, against Northwestern.

Charest went 14 of 27 for 145 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions along with 19 yards on four carries and a rushing touchdown in a 21-16 loss to the Wildcats.

Head coach Ron Zook has not yet named a starter for the Fighting Illini, (3-7 overall, 2-6 Big Ten) leaving Kelly and his defense to prepare for both Illini signal callers.

“You have to prepare for both, and we have. Juice Williams is a spread option, zone read [player] and good on the perimeter, so you’ve got to prepare for that end,” Kelly said. “Charest is more of a tradition, pro-style quarterback.”

The thought of preparing for two quarterbacks doesn’t stress senior defensive end Alex Daniels, who said the UC defense goes through that every day of practice.

“Look at our situation. We play against Zach Collaros, who’s a spread type of quarterback that can run and can pass. Then we play against Tony, who’s a pro-style quarterback,” Daniels said. “So we go through everything everyday. We have the luxury of having two good quarterbacks on our team to prepare for anything.”

The Bearcats (10-0, 6-0 Big East) will also need to prepare to stop the three-headed Illini rushing attack, led by sophomore Mikel Leshoure, who on 88 carries this season has amassed 536 yards and three touchdowns.

Sophomore Jason Ford has run for 496 yards and three scores on 74 carries, and on 50 attempts, senior Daniel Dufrene has added another 243 yards and two touchdowns.

As part of senior day, Cincinnati will honor this season’s senior class in a ceremony beginning about 25 minutes prior to kickoff.

“Three consecutive ten [win], plus seasons for this senior class has obviously put them in a select group,” Kelly said. “What they’ve done more than anything else is shown a consistency in their approach to handling being a championship program and raising
that bar.”

Friday’s game is set to kick off at noon and can be seen nationally on ABC.