ESPN Tabs Mardy Gilyard’s 2009 Season Best In Bearcats History

ESPN has taken on the monumental task of naming the players with the best overall seasons in the history of all 128 FBS schools regardless of position. The Worldwide Leader tabbed Mardy Gilyard’s 87 catch, 2,100+ total yard 2009 campaign for Cincinnati.

"Gilyard was Big East Special Teams Player of the Year and a first-team all-league selection at both receiver and kick returner. His 99-yard kickoff return against Pitt helped the Bearcats clinch a BCS bowl berth."

I’d agree with that assessment. I mean, it’s not wrong to say Mardy did everything in his power to propel the Bearcats to an undefeated regular season and a birth in the Sugar Bowl. He was nearly impossible to cover on the outside and his ability to take kickoffs and punts to the house was unmatched. The one ESPN alluded to above immediately comes to mind:

But is he really the optimum choice as the player with the best individual season in Cincinnati football history? ESPN does name Greg Cook (1968), Antwan Peak (2001), and Isaiah Pead (2011) as honorable mentions but I think they might be forgetting a few guys.

• Tony Pike, 2009: 2,520 passing yards in 10 games, 149.8 quarterback rating, 29/6 touchdown-interception ratio.
• Reggie Taylor, 1986: 1,325 rushing yards, 11 touchdowns, 121 yards per game.
• Gino Guidugli, 2002: 3,543 passing yards, 124.2 quarterback rating, 22 touchdowns.
• George Winn, 2012: 1,334 rushing yards, 13 touchdowns, 103 yards per game.
• Anthony Hoke, 2008: 13 sacks, 16.5 tackles for loss, 7 quarterback hurries, 1 forced fumble.
• DeMarco McCleskey, 2002: 1,361 rushing yards, 15 touchdowns, 124 yards per game.

Just to name a few…

But what do you think? Was Mardy’s 2009 campaign the best individual single season performance in Bearcats football history? Vote below and drop us a note in the comments section on your selection.