TicketsDec. 7, 2009
CINCINNATI - A pair of University of Cincinnati football players, quarterback Tony Pike and wide receiver/kick returner Mardy Gilyard were named BIG EAST Offensive and Special Teams Players of the Week, respectively, the league office announced Monday.
Pike was chosen as BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week for the second straight week after he overcame a slow start to throw for 302 yards and three second-half touchdowns to help Cincinnati to a 45-44 win at Pittsburgh, giving the Bearcats their second straight outright BIG EAST championship. Pike threw two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter, including the decisive score with 33 seconds left, as the Bearcats overcame a 21-point deficit to earn the BIG EAST's Bowl Championship Series bid.
Gilyard was honored as BIG EAST Special Teams Player of the Week after he set UC and BIG EAST records with 381 all-purpose yards and 256 kickoff return yards against the Panthers. Gilyard had a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the second quarter to start Cincinnati's comeback from a 31-10 deficit. He also had a game-high 118 receiving yards, including a 68-yard touchdown reception.
No. 3 UC will close out the 2009 season in the 2010 Allstate Sugar Bowl against No. 5 Florida. The game is set for Jan. 1, 2010 at 8:30 p.m. EST in the Louisiana Superdome, and will be televised by FOX.