Tony Pike Earns BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week Honors

Sept. 8, 2009

CINCINNATI - University of Cincinnati senior quarterback Tony Pike (Cincinnati, Ohio/Reading) was named the BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week, the league office announced Tuesday.

The Bearcats (1-0) opened up the season with a 47-15 win over BIG EAST Conference foe Rutgers on Labor Day in Piscataway, N.J.

Pike threw for a career-high 362 yards and three touchdowns as Cincinnati gained an early lead in the BIG EAST race with a 47-15 win at Rutgers. Pike completed 27-of-34 passes, including two second-quarter TD passes that helped the Bearcats to a 31-7 halftime lead. Pike surpassed the 300-yard mark for the third time in his career.

Connecticut defensive end Lindsay Witten and West Virginia kicker Tyler Bitancurt were the other BIG EAST honorees for the opening week of the 2009 season.

The No. 23 Bearcats return to Nippert Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 12 at 7:30 p.m. to open up the home portion of the schedule against Southeast Missouri State. Tickets are available now by calling 1-877-CATS-TIX or visiting CATSTIX.com.