No. 5 Cincinnati tops Illinois 49-36
CINCINNATI - Tony Pike answered all the questions six times over.
The senior quarterback returned from a major injury to his non-throwing arm and had a record day Friday, passing for 6 touchdowns in a 49-36 victory over Illinois that kept fifth-ranked Cincinnati unbeaten.
And now, back at full strength.
"Words can't describe how amazing this feels," Pike said after carving up the Illini for 399 yards. On the season, he has thrown 23 touchdowns with only 3 interceptions.
The Illini couldn't handle a spread offense that's better than anything they'd see in the Big Ten. Cincinnati had 35 points in the first half alone - as many as the Illini allowed in any full Big Ten game this season.
"Historically, you think about a Big Ten team and the Big Ten conference - it's going to be a power running conference," Pike said. "Obviously we knew Illinois is a team that's built to stop the run. We felt we could exploit some things in the passing game."
Right from the start, Cincinnati's playmakers had their way.
"You go into a game trying to make them pass," Illinois defensive coordinator Dan Disch said. "That may be a mistake against them. We gave up too many big plays."
After missing most of the last two games with an injured left ankle, Juice Williams returned for the Illini and threw for 3 touchdowns and ran for another. But he couldn't match Cincinnati's breakneck scoring pace. Williams became only the sixth player in Big Ten history to top 10,000 career combined yards.
"It's a blessing," Williams said. "Not too many people have ever done it. There have been a lot of great players that played this game. I will sit back and enjoy that once my career is over."
Cincinnati (11-0) remained one of six unbeaten Bowl Subdivision teams, ranked fifth in the BCS standings. The Bearcats finish their regular season next weekend in Pittsburgh, playing for their second straight Big East championship.
"I wouldn't say it was easy to get to 11-0, but 11-0 is not going to matter if we lose to Pittsburgh, and the guys know this," said senior Mardy Gilyard, who caught 2 touchdown passes and ran back a kickoff for a score. "If we take care of business, the rest is up to the voters and the computers whatever else is out there, to figure out what we do with the postseason."
Pike had the biggest hand in the latest win.
He hadn't played since Oct. 15, when he damaged a protective plate in his left arm. He needed surgery to replace the plate, and didn't start any of the last four games. He got into a 24-21 win over West Virginia for four snaps, and threw for a pair of touchdowns in his very limited role.
Would he be sharp in his return as a starter? Could he take a hit? He answered the questions with one sensational half.
Yes, and yes.
Pike threw a career-high 4 touchdowns in the first half alone while leading the Bearcats to a 35-20 lead. He was knocked to the ground twice by the Illini (3-8), the second time when he stayed in the pocket long enough to get off an 11-yard touchdown pass to Gilyard.
"It felt fine today," Pike said of his arm. "It feels great now."