The UC Football All-Decade Team: Power Conference Era, 2005-2014

Quarterbacks

QB1: Tony Pike – Led the team two back-to-back BCS bowl game appearances, and threw for over 2,500 yards and 29 TDs in 2009, despite missing four games with a broken arm.  He also tossed a school-record 6 TDs in a single game against Illinois, a mark that was later matched by Kiel.  If this team is re-picked in two years, maybe Kiel challenges for the starting job, but Pike will always be a UC legend.

QB2: Gunner Kiel – As just a sophomore, Kiel tied Ben Mauk’s single-season passing TD record (31), and threw for the third highest single-season yardage total in UC history (3,254).  He is the most talented QB to wear a UC uniform since Greg Cook, and could be the greatest Bearcat QB ever with two more great seasons.

QB3: Zach Collaros – In addition to putting together a solid career as the full-time starting QB for two years, Collaros saved the 2009 perfect season in relief of an injured Tony Pike, and put up monster numbers in the process.  Collaros is now enjoying a great career in the Canadian Football League, and is the starter for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (which is the next best thing to a Bearcat).

QB4: Ben Mauk – After transferring from Wake Forest and having his throwing arm completely reconstructed, Mauk played one memorable season at UC, setting the aforementioned single-season record in passing TDs.  There’s no need for a 4th QB on the roster, but I couldn’t leave him off.  The ’07 season was really the coming out party for UC football.

Next: Running Backs