TicketsDec. 11, 2008
CINCINNATI - Mardy Gilyard (Bunnell, Fla./Flagler Palm Coast), Kevin Huber (Cincinnati, Ohio/McNicholas), AND Mike Mickens (Huber Heights, Ohio/Wayne), were named to the Rivals.com all-America squad Wednesday.
Gilyard was the first-team kick returner, Huber the first-team punter, and Mickens earned one of the cornerback slots on the third team.
Gilyard established himself as the conference's most dangerous kickoff return man with a 28.0-yard average and two touchdowns. He had a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the Bearcats' win against West Virginia and also scored on a kickoff return in a loss to Oklahoma. He set the school single-season record with 897 return yards in 2008.
Huber leads the BIG EAST and ranks seventh nationally with a 44.9 yards per punt average. He has a long kick of 64 yards in 2008, 21 punts inside the 20 and 18 kicks of 50 yards or more. Only two of his 56 kicks this season have been touchbacks. He was a First-Team All-BIG EAST selection on Wednesday and earned a spot on the American Football Coaches All-American squad last week.
Mickens put together a solid year despite missing the final three regular season games with a knee injury. He ranks third on the team with 65 tackles, including two for a loss. He has a team-high four interceptions, including a 72-yard runback for a touchdown against Miami (OH). He leads the BIG EAST with 13 passes defended. He holds the career school records for interceptions (14) and interception return yards (296). He had started 46-consecutive games at cornerback before being injured.
The Bearcats (11-2) will face No. 21/19 Virginia Tech in the 75th FedEx Orange Bowl at Dolphin Stadium on Jan. 1. The game is scheduled to be televised nationally on FOX. Tickets are available by calling 1-877 CATS-TIX or visiting CATSTIX.com.