Bearcats improve to 11-0
UC downs Illinois on Senior Day
November 27, 2009, 11:48 p.m.
STAFF REPORT
The University of Cincinnati Bearcats celebrated Senior Day by downing Illinois 49-36 on Friday afternoon at Nippert Stadium.
Senior quarterback and Reading High School grad Tony Pike passed for a school-record six touchdowns and 399 yards in his first start since reinjuring his non-throwing arm.
Cincinnati improved to 11-0 and remained one of six unbeaten Bowl Subdivision teams. Ranked fifth in the BCS standings, the Bearcats finish their regular season Dec. 5 in Pittsburgh, which lost to West Virginia Friday night.
Pike hadn't started since Oct. 15, when he damaged a protective plate in his left arm, an injury that required surgery.
He was one of 16 seniors honored before the game.
Another was Mardy Gilyard, who ran back a kickoff 90 yards for the Bearcats' first score - the third kick return for a touchdown of his career. He also had seven receptions for 102 yards, including a one-handed touchdown grab in the back of the end zone.
The Bearcats and Fighting Illini met for the first time.
The Illini fell to 3-8 on the season.