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On an offense featuring so many potent weapons someone was bound to get lost in the shuffle.
But Friday night at Paul Brown Stadium Cincinnati junior Shaq Washington made sure people recognized the impact he can deliver on game day just like teammates Chris Moore and Mekale McKay have already proven this season.
The wide receiver from Maple Heights, Ohio, was all over the field and all over the stat sheet in the Bearcats' 34-17 victory over visiting USF, compiling personal bests in receptions (12), receiving yards (163) and all-purpose yards (211). He almost found his way in the UC record book as well, coming one catch shy of tying the school record of receptions in a game.
Washington, who recorded his longest reception of the season - a 34-yard catch in the second quarter, even mixed in a couple of punt returns and took a pair of snaps at quarterback for good measure. His 46-yard punt return in the first quarter was the longest by a Bearcat since 2009.
According to his head coach, the key to Washington's big night was the receiver's ability to take advantage of USF's defensive game plan.
"If (defenses) play a lot of zones, he's going to get a lot of footballs thrown to him (as an inside receiver)," UC head football coach Tommy Tuberville said. "That's what they did. They ran a lot of zones at our offense. He's good on all the bubble routes."
With his 163-receiving-yard effort, Washington has resurfaced as viable receiving threat and becomes the third Bearcats receiver this season to register more than 150 receiving yards in a game, joining Moore (three catches for 221 yards against Ohio State) and McKay (nine catches for 175 yards against Toledo).
But Washington has always been in Cincinnati's game plan this year, catching at least three passes in each of the Bearcats' seven games. In fact, going back to the 2013 season opener against Purdue, he has pulled in at least one catch in each of the last 20 contests. Earlier this season, he eclipsed 1,000 career receiving yards against Miami (Fla.) when he pulled in six catches for 65 yards.
A year ago, fans started to take notice when Washington's 78 receptions tied former Bearcat Armon Binns (2010) for the fifth most in single-season history.
On Friday night he made sure UC followers didn't forgot how powerful his punch can be delivered.
"Shaq's just a football player," Tuberville said. "He loves it. We've got him for another year after this. I'm anxious to see what he can do for the next 17 to 18 games of his career."