Kelly: Collaros to start against WVU
Sophomore is 3-0 in Pike's absence
November 10, 2009, 4:54 p.m.
STAFF REPORT
University of Cincinnati Bearcats head coach Brian Kelly said Tuesday that sophomore Zach Collaros will start at quarterback in Friday's game against West Virginia.
On Monday, Kelly had said senior Tony Pike would start if he was "fully healthy."
Collaros set a school and Big East record for total yards with 555 yards in UC's 47-45 victory against Connecticut.
"If Tony is fully healthy, he’s our starter," Kelly said Monday. "The issue is if this becomes day-to-day. There’s so much out of my hands relative to the risk factor. If that’s not an issue and you take Tony Pike’s body of work, Tony Pike is the starter. There’s no question about that."
Pike has not played since he reinjured his left, non-throwing forearm on Oct. 15 at South Florida. He underwent surgery the following week to repair a damaged plate that had been placed in the arm last year after he broke it.
The fifth-ranked Bearcats, who are 9-0 overall and 5-0 in the Big East, face the Mountaineers (7-2, 3-1 in the Big East) Friday night at Nippert Stadium.