Tony Pike Named BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week

Nov. 30, 2009

CINCINNATI - Coming off a school-record performance, University of Cincinnati quarterback Tony Pike was named the BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week, the league office announced Monday.

Pike returned to the starting lineup for the first time since Oct. 15 and showed no signs of rust as he completed 32 of 46 passes for 399 yards and a school-record six touchdowns in the Bearcats' 49-36 win against Illinois.

Pike threw four touchdown passes as part of a 35-point first half that effectively put the game out of reach. Despite missing three games due to injury this season, Pike has thrown for 2,048 yards and 23 touchdowns against just three interceptions.

The No. 5 Bearcats can clinch the outright league championship with a win at No. 14/15 Pittsburgh on Saturday Dec. 5. Kickoff is scheduled for noon at Heinz Field with ABC set to televise the game nationally. A win against the Panthers also would earn UC the BIG EAST's automatic berth into the Bowl Championship Series.