Pike Not Ready, Collaros Will Start Friday

A day after saying that Cincinnati senior Tony Pike would be his starting quarterback when "100 percent" healthy, Bearcats coach Brian Kelly told Cincinnati radio station WEBN-FM that back-up Zach Collaros would start Friday against West Virginia.

Collaros started for Pike the past three games, and has completed 80 percent of his passes. Saturday against UConn, Collaros set a Big East and school record with 555 yards of total offense, including 480 yards passing.

Despite Collaros' impressive showing the past 3 1/2 games, Kelly said Pike would regain his starting position when healthy. Kelly's announcement means that Pike still hasn't fully recovered from his left arm injury.

Kelly said after the Bearcats' 47-45 victory, that he wasn't sure if Collaros had won the starting job from Pike, who reinjured his left arm -- which he initially broke last season -- on Oct. 15 at South Florida. Pike underwent surgery on the arm a couple weeks ago and was cleared to play Saturday, but didn't play against the Huskies.

"I went back and thought about clearly the pluses and minuses -- a lot of pluses with both guys," Kelly said. "After careful consideration, Tony's our guy [when he is healthy]. We've got to make sure he's at the level he needs to be [physically]."

In the first 5 1/2 games before the injury, Pike threw for 1,633 yards and 15 touchdowns. Collaros replaced an injured Pike in the second half at USF, leading the Bearcats to the 34-17 victory.

Collaros is 3-0 as a starter, completing 80.5 percent (66-of-82) for 1,028 yards and eight touchdowns.

"I don't think I should start," Collaros told FanHouse after blistering UConn for a Big East 555 yards of total offense. "Tony's my guy. We've played really well as of late, but there's no reason to think we couldn't have done the same thing with Tony.

"Tony's our guy. Tony's the starter. He's a great quarterback and he's our leader. Whenever he's ready to go he should start."

Pike is the stronger passer and has a stronger arm, but Collaros' accuracy and running ability makes him a better all-around threat.

"I had to spend the weekend thinking about it," Kelly said. "Generally, I'm pretty good about making decisions. It's a difficult one."

Last week, Pike had a specially made splint for his left forearm, allowing him to practice. Kelly said Pike wouldn't play until he had completely healed -- whenever that might be.

"If Tony's fully healthy, he's our starter," Kelly said. "The issue is [that] this becomes day to day. There's X-rays and so much that's out of my hands medically. And the risk factor -- what's the risk factor in putting him out there?"

West Virginia coach Bill Stewart said Monday his club would prepare for both quarterbacks, but wouldn't comment on which one he prefers to face.

"I'm not going there," Stewart said.

"Brian Kelly has the tough decision. All we have to do is try and stop them," Stewart joked.

Stewart said he's been impressed with Collaros and said he's similar to West Virginia quarterback Jarrett Brown and former WVU quarterback Pat White.

"These guys that have their running ability, they have the innate ability to pull the down," Stewart said. "These guys just tuck it and go. That's what makes Zach, Jarrett, Pat [so difficult to defend], they're athletes playing quarterback."

Louisville coach Steve Kragthorpe, who said he rather would have faced Pike instead of Collaros after losing to Collaros and UC 41-10 on Oct. 24, said Kelly has a tough decision.

"I guess that's the question of the week in the Big East," Kragthorpe said Monday.