[Empire Lindy]

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/2...810310340/1064

Quarterback question gets settled - at least for now
By Ryan Ernst • rernst@enquirer.com • October 31, 2008

Tony Pike, in his first full game since breaking his left forearm, put a temporary moratorium on any quarterback questions the UC Bearcats have.

Yes, with a healthy Pike behind center, the Bearcats can beat a good team.

They did just that Thursday, as the one-time backup led them to a 24-10 victory over 24th-ranked South Florida at Nippert Stadium.

Pike, a junior, was 20-for-28 passing for 281 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

South Florida entered the game with the second-best pass defense in the Big East, allowing just 187 yards a game through the air.

Pike's numbers were impressive, but he made his most impressive throws on the most important downs. He was 5-of-8 on third-down completions - no small feat considering the Bearcats entered the game 0-for-their-last-25 on third-down conversions.

"That was a huge focus for us," Pike said. "... The biggest thing was we were able to execute the way we wanted to tonight, where the last weeks we weren't able to."

Pike, who left last week's loss to Connecticut at halftime with numbness in the arm, was officially announced as the starter minutes before Thursday night's kickoff. Redshirt freshman Chazz Anderson, who filled in for Pike at UConn, was out of the equation due to a strained knee.

Pike said he thought he'd be the starter as early as Tuesday. UC coach Brian Kelly said he wasn't comfortable starting Pike until Wednesday.

With the game in hand, redshirt freshman Zach Collaros took over on the Bearcats' last two possessions.

Despite the Reading grad's performance, the Bearcats' future at quarterback remains in question. Dustin Grutza, still recovering from a broken leg, Thursday was in uniform for the first time since the injury occurred in Week 2 against Oklahoma.