TicketsJune 23, 2011
CINCINNATI - Zach Collaros (Steubenville, Ohio/Steubenville) was named the BIG EAST Conference Preseason Player of the Year Thursday by the Blue Ribbon College Football Yearbook with four Bearcats earning spots on the magazine's All-BIG EAST Conference squad.
Along with the senior quarterback, punter Pat O'Donnell (Lakeworth, Fla./Palm Beach Central), running back Isaiah Pead (Columbus, Ohio/Eastmoor Academy), linebacker J.K. Schaffer (Cincinnati, Ohio/LaSalle) and wide receiver D.J. Woods (Strongsville, Ohio/Strongsville) all earned preseason All-BIG EAST accolades.
Collaros, a unanimous First Team all-BIG EAST selection in 2010, made 11 starts, missing one game due to injury. He was 225-of-383 for 2,902 yards and 26 touchdowns. He led the BIG EAST in passing yards per game (263.8), total passing yards (2,902), total offense (282.2), and was third in pass efficiency (137.5).
He needs 662 yards passing, 181 completions, and 14 touchdowns to become only the second QB in UC history, along with Gino Guidugli (2001-04), to pass for 50 touchdowns, complete 500 passes, and throw for over 5,000 yards.
O'Donnell is entering his second year as the starting punter, averaging just under 42-yards per punt a year ago along with 16 punts inside the 20, six of 50 yards or more and only five touchbacks.
Pead was a Second Team all-BIG EAST honoree in 2010 after rushing for 1,029 yards and six touchdowns on 157 attempts, despite missing almost two full games due to injury. He ranked third in the league in rushing, but led the conference for the second-straight year with his 6.6 yards per carry average. That average ranks him in the top-10 of all running backs nationally.
Schaffer, a Second-Team all-BIG EAST selection a year ago, led the defense with his 111 tackles and 67 solo stops. It was the second-straight 100-tackle campaign for the junior. He also added 9.5 tackles for a loss; five pass break ups, three sacks, two forced fumbles, an interception, and quarterback hurry.
Woods was one of the most productive players in the league a year ago, leading the BIG EAST in all-purpose yards, averaging 154.9 per game. Woods caught 57 balls for 898 yards and added 10 touchdowns while also serving as UC's primary punt and kick returner. He ranked in the Top-10 in the conference in receptions per game (3rd/4.8), receiving yards per game (2nd/74.8), punt return average (6th/7.7) and kick return average (7th/22.8). His 10 touchdowns (eight receiving, two rushing) tied for fourth in the BIG EAST.
The 2011 Blue Ribbon College Football Yearbook will ship during the first week of July. It can be purchased online for $22.95 by clicking HERE.