Game Balls Miami

Who were the top performers for the Bearcats as they downed rival Miami? Bearcat Insider hands out game balls for the following. Game MVP, Top Offensive Performer, Top Defensive Performer and Top Special Teams Performer and for the Top Play of the Game.

Game Ball Game MVP

QB – Tony Pike

The junior quarterback has sat and watched since arriving on campus but on Saturday night he took his first snaps as a college starting quarterback. And how impressive was the former Reading High School star.

Hitting 20 of 24 passes for 241 yards and three touchdowns gives Pike a great start and should help power the Bearcats in the coming week. Brian Kelly did a great job of putting the right plays in the game for Pike to execute and he did just that. Throwing no interceptions and hitting 83% of his passes can go a long way in Pike having confidence as well as his teammates.

Game Balls Offensive Top Performer

OL – Jason Kelce, Chris Jurek, Trevor Canfield, Khalil El-Amin, Jeff Linkenbach

The Bearcats offensive line gave first time starting quarterback Tony Pike good protection while also helping the running game average 4.9 yards per carry. This was a big game for the big guys up front and they came out and did their job when it mattered most.

Game Balls Defensive Top Performer

MLB: Ryan Manalac

The former walk-on continues to make tackles each and every week. On Saturday he posted 10 total tackles including 6 solos. The main clog of the Bearcats defense is keeping things together early in the season.

OLB: Andre Revels

Revels is vocal and emotional on the field while also being able to make plays when they are needed. Saturday he posted 8 total tackles and got the crowd and his teammates up and ready.

CB: Mike Mickens

The All-American senior was right behind the two linebackers but had the biggest defensive play of the night going 72 yards after intercepting a Miami pass. He also posted 7 total tackles.

Game Ball Special Teams Top Performer

K: Jake Rogers

After hearing head coach Brian Kelly laugh about his kickers performance the past week Rogers reclaimed the kicking job and was perfect on the night hitting his only field goal try of the night and 6 point after attempts.

Game Ball Top Play of the Game

WR: Mardy Gilyard

Mardy Gilyard continues to have a great early season as he made the Bearcat Insider Top Play of the Game when he caught Tony Pike’s 30 yard pass for a diving touchdown grab. On the night the Florida native pulled down 6 balls for 69 yards and the one touchdown.