Cincinnati
Bearcats

? When Pike, who passed for more than 1,600 yards and 15 touchdowns in six games, is fully recovered from his injured left forearm, he would return to the starting role.

? Correct?

? "I had to spend the weekend thinking about this," Kelly said. "I reexamined the pluses and minuses. If Tony is healthy, he's our starter. If you take Zach's body of work and his body of work, Tony is the starter. No question. But, Zach made it a difficult decision."? ? ?

? Collaros earned Big East Offensive Player of the Week honors after establishing a Big East Conference record with 555 yards of total offense in last week's 47-45 win over UConn. Collaros was 29-of-37 for 480 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 75 yards and two more scores.?

? Collaros has completed 76 percent of his passes with 10 TDs and just one interception.

? "We recruited him for a reason," said Kelly, when asked if he was surprised by the sophomore's performance. "We thought he could be a legitimate contributor in our program. We've got a pretty good eye for finding quarterbacks."?

? Pike's status is day-to-day. If he can't go on Friday against West Virginia, Collaros will make his fourth consecutive start for the fifth-ranked Bearcats.

? But, despite Collaros' eye-popping?numbers, Kelly says Pike was never left to question his status as Cincinnati's starting quarterback.

? "Communication is never an issue with our players," Kelly said. "Tony and I talk every day. He understands his role on this team."? ?

? --Cincinnati has won 10 consecutive games at Nippert Stadium and 15 straight regular-season games dating back to last season. The Bearcats' 9-0 start is its best since 1951.?

? --The Bearcats' nationally-televised 47-45 thriller last week against UConn drew a 22.4 rating on ABC with 35 percent of the audience.

? SERIES HISTORY: West Virginia leads the series 14-2-1 (Cincinnati won the last meeting, 26-23 in overtime at Morgantown).? ?

? SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: Cincinnati's 711 yards of total offense last week against UConn were a school record. Sophomore QB Zach Collaros, making his third start for the injured Tony Pike, passed for 480 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 75 yards and two scores. Mardy Gilyard had 172 yards receiving. Armon Binns added 108 yards receiving and a touchdown. When UConn rallied in the second half, the Bearcats' running game helped seal the win. Jacob Ramsey had 91 rushing yards, and Isaiah Pead added 67 yards and two touchdowns. In nine games, the Bearcats have thrown just four interceptions and have no lost fumbles.? ?

? SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: Cincinnati's defense is still smarting from the second half against UConn during which the Huskies burned them for 322 yards. Most disconcerting for UC was the 201 rushing yards allowed, including 162 and four TDs from Jordan Todman. The Bearcats now must prepare for West Virginia's Noel Devine, who ranks 13th nationally with more than 112 yards per game. But, turnovers are the game's great equalizer, and UC ranks third in the nation in turnover margin. Cincinnati leads the nation in tackles for loss and is third in sacks.? ?

? QUOTE TO NOTE: "He can make plays on the perimeter, but he's savvy enough to throw the ball away. He's got the knowledge of a more seasoned player." --?Bearcats head coach Brian Kelly on sophomore QB Zach Collaros.

? PLAYERS TO WATCH:

? QB Zach Collaros -- If Tony Pike is unable to play, Collaros will make his fourth consecutive start for the Bearcats. Can the sophomore's remarkable run continue? Collaros passed for 480 yards and a touchdown last week against UConn. He also rushed for 75 yards and two TDs.? ?

? WR Mardy Gilyard -- The senior has been pestered in recent weeks by opposing defenses. But last week against UConn, the Bearcats' top playmaker managed to eclipse the 100-yard receiving mark for the first time since September with 12 catches for 172 yards. He's equally dangerous as a kick returner.? ?

? PK Jake Rogers -- He earned Big East Special Teams Player of the Week honors after scoring 17 points last week and averaging 43 yards on three punts. He kicked field goals of 27, 34, 35 and 41 yards and was 5-for-5 on extra-point attempts. His four made field goals in a game tied the school record.

? ROSTER REPORT:

? --Senior QB and once-Heisman Trophy hopeful Tony Pike, who's missed three games with an injured forearm, has been medically cleared to play. His status remains day-to-day. Head coach Brian Kelly has said that Pike is the starter if healthy. Pike has 1,633 yards passing and 15 touchdowns in six games.?

? --Junior TE Ben Guidugli left the Oct. 31 game at Syracuse with what was later diagnosed as a minor concussion. Guidugli did return last week, making his 23rd consecutive start.

? --Junior OL Samuel Griffin, who missed one game due to illness, started at right tackle last week against UConn. Alex Hoffman moved back to right guard.