TicketsWarren is the first UC player to declare early for the draft.
A two-time Second-Team All-American Athletic Conference honoree and the 2018 Military Bowl MVP, Warren rushed for nearly 3,000 yards (2,918) in 38 games with the Bearcats, tallying 37 total touchdowns, including 34 rushing scores.
Blessed, Thank You Bearcat Nation ❤️ pic.twitter.com/b48WSTs698
— MWII (@MikeWarrenII) January 11, 2020
"I want to say thank you to Mike and his whole family for having the "blind faith" in me, our program and this great University," Head Coach Luke Fickell said. "He and his family were one of the first to commit to our program when we came here, and for that I am forever grateful. Mike has been a pillar for us and our program since the day he stepped on campus. His work ethic, love of the game, and competitive spirit have been a big part of what's allowed us to develop a culture and atmosphere that has led to success on and off the field. Mike's energy about the game and everything that goes along with it will be very difficult to replace. Mike's success on the field has led him to this next journey of his life - the NFL! We're all proud and excited for Mike and his family! He will forever be a Bearcat and a part of this brotherhood!"
In 2019, Warren rushed 261 times for 1,265 yards and 14 scores, crossing the 100-yard plateau on seven occasions. He ran for a season-high 141 yards at ECU and scored three touchdowns twice. Warren rushed for 60 or more yards in each of last seven games for the Bearcats, breaking 100 yards on five occasions and scoring in six of seven games.The last seven times he donned the red and black, Warren averaged 109.5 yards per game and 5.2 yards per carry.
He tallied 1,329 yards on the ground in 2018, setting two UC single-season records with 20 overall scores and 19 rushing TDs. Warren rushed 20 times for a career-best 166 yards and two TDs in a driving rainstorm in the 2018 Military Bowl, helping lead the Bearcats to a win over Virginia Tech and collecting MVP honors in the process.
Warren closes out his UC career second all-time in total TDs (37) and rushing TDs (34) and tied for second in 100-yard rushing games (14). His 2,918 yards on the ground ranks fifth in the annals while his 559 rushing attempts is sixth. His 81-yard rushing score against Tulane in 2018 is the second-long scoring play on offense in school history.
UC (11-3) closed the 2019 season with an American Athletic Conference East Division Championship and a win in the TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl. The Bearcats won 11 games for only the fourth time in school history while the back-to-back 11-win seasons in 2018 and 2019 occurred for only the second time in UC's 132 seasons of football.
The Bearcats will open the 2020 season on Saturday, Sept. 5 against Austin Peay inside Nippert Stadium.
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