Tony Pike
Template:Infobox CollegeFootballPlayer Anthony Steven Pike (born March 10, 1986 in Template:City-state) is an American football quarterback for the Cincinnati Bearcats.
Early years
Born to Steve and Cheri Pike, Tony attended to Reading High School where he was named Cincinnati Division II-III Player of the Year as a senior at football. Pike also played basketball, helping the team to win a state title as a junior and the regional finals as a senior.
College career
Pike enrolled at University of Cincinnati in January 2005. He was redshirted for the 2005 season. In 2007, he made his collegiate debut against Southeast Missouri State[1], Pike finished the night 6-of-9 for 57 yards and a touchdown. In 2008 college football season Dustin Grutza was the team starter who was named the team's starter at that position following Ben Mauk dismissal. In a 52–26 loss to Oklahoma Sooners, a team that would play for the national championship that season, Grutza broke his ankle and was replaced by Pike.[2]. the Bearcats traveled to Akron, Ohio to play the Akron Zips. Against the Zips, Pike broke his arm and was replaced by redshirt freshman Chazz Anderson, who was also injured during the game. Fellow redshirt freshman Zach Collaros then entered the game and led the Bearcats to a 17–15 victory.[3]. In the game against UConn Huskies 40–16, Pike returned and had the Bearcats leading at halftime, but he left the game at the half when numbness in his non-throwing foot prevented him from being able to take the snap[4]. In the two weeks that followed the loss to the Huskies, Cincinnati recovered to beat two top-25 opponents: No. 23 South Florida Bulls and No. 20 West Virginia Mountaineers. Against the Syracuse Orange, Cincinnati was assured at least a share of the Big East Championship, but a 30–10 win over Syracuse gave the Bearcats sole possession of the championship, the first Big East title in school history. After clinching the Big East Championship and a bid to a BCS bowl, on December 7, 2008, the Bearcats were selected to participate in the 2009 Orange Bowl.[5]. He finished the regular season 183-291 for 2,168 yards and 18 touchdowns. He completed 63 percent of his passes and finished second in the Big East passing efficiency list with 141.07. Pike was named to the 2008 All-Mayday Team by ESPN college football analyst Mark May[6]. He also was named to the Second-Team All-Big East Team.[7]
References
- ^ Cincinnati Wins Big In Season Opener
- ^ The Associated Press. "Oklahoma overpowers Cincy behind Bradford's 5 TDs", ESPN.com. September 6, 2008. Accessed December 8, 2008.
- ^ The Associated Press. "Pike breaks arm in Bearcats' victory over Akron", ESPN.com. September 27, 2008. Accessed December 8, 2008.
- ^ Huskies Score 20 in Fourth to Take 40-16 Win over Bearcats
- ^ Reynolds, Tim. "Cincinnati-Virginia Tech matched for Orange Bowl", The Associated Press. December 7, 2008. Accessed May 24, 2009.
- ^ Football's Tony Pike Named To All-Mayday Team gobearcats.com
- ^ Football Places 10 On All-BIG EAST Teams