TicketsJuly 17, 2009
CINCINNATI - University of Cincinnati quarterback Tony Pike (Cincinnati, Ohio/Reading) was named one of 21 preseason candidates for the 2009 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, which is given annually to the nation's most outstanding senior signal caller.
Pike entered UC's starting lineup in the third contest of last season, and despite missing two games due to injury, helped lead the Bearcats to the 2008 BIG EAST Championship and a spot in the FedEx Orange Bowl.
He was 199-for-324 (.610), good for 2,407 yards and 19 touchdowns, ranking third in the BIG EAST with a 136.4 passer efficiency rating. He is UC's career leader with a .610 completion percentage and was a second-team all-BIG EAST selection in 2008.
Pike is a preseason first-team all-BIG EAST selection by Athlon Sports and Sporting News.
The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award bears the name of who many refer to as the finest quarterback to ever play the game of football. Established in 1987, the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award has previously honored 22 outstanding young men. The award takes into consideration these candidates impressive collegiate careers to this point, as well as their off-the-field values of good character, citizenship, scholastic achievement, and strong leadership qualities.
The Bearcats will open the 2009 season on Monday, Sept. 7, in a 4 p.m. BIG EAST Conference game at Rutgers. Season tickets are available now by calling 1-877-CATS-TIX or visiting CATSTIX.com.
2009 JOHNNY UNITAS GOLDEN ARM AWARD CANDIDATES
Jarrett Brown, West Virginia
Daryll Clark, Penn State
Armanti Edwards, Appalachian State
Max Hall, BYU
Tim Hiller, Western Michigan
Mike Kafka, Northwestern
Dan LeFevour, Central Michigan
Thaddeus Lewis, Duke
Corey Leonard, Arkansas State
Colt McCoy, Texas
Tony Pike, Cincinnati
Patrick Pinkney, East Carolina
Todd Reesing, Kansas
Zac Robinson, Oklahoma State
Tyler Sheehan, Bowling Green
Riley Skinner, Wake Forest
Rusty Smith, Florida Atlantic
Tim Tebow, Florida
Chris Turner, Maryland
Joe Webb, UAB
Juice Williams, Illinois