By Bob Hertzel
CINCINNATI — Brian Kelly, the mad scientist who has built this Frankenstein of a monster that is the University of Cincinnati offense, has been having a little bit of fun this week at West Virginia University’s expense, the kind of fun that only a man knee deep in quarterbacks can have.
See, Kelly is the puppeteer pulling the strings on both Zach Collaros and Tony Pike, and no one now is quite sure which quarterback he will see during tonight’s game at Nippert Stadium. Collaros is the announced starter, which makes some sense, considering that he accounted for three straight victories and more than 500 yards of total offense in his last game.
But Pike will play, and considering that until he was hurt a month ago he was being considered a Heisman Trophy candidate, that gives the Mountaineer coaching staff a whole lot to think about.
Bill Stewart, the Mountaineers’ head coach, has been trying not to play that game of cat and mouse, at least not if he has to be in the role of the mouse.
“I do not know who is going to play at quarterback, and that is none of my business,” Stewart said, early in the week. “That will be decided by Brian, and he is a sharp guy and has a great staff. I don’t really have any comment on the quarterback situation.”
In truth, Stewart had to get ready for both quarterbacks anyway, and while the results the two quarterbacks get are similar, they get them in different ways.
Pike is the old-fashioned dropback quarterback who has an ability to run.
Collaros is more the 21st century model quarterback who runs and has an ability to pass.
This is something for a coach to ponder, and ponder is what they have done deep into the night at the Puskar Center.
About the only guy who doesn’t seem to care what’s down the “Pike” for West Virginia is the man who has to chase the two quarterbacks — Mountaineer defensive end Julian Miller.
Whichever guy has the ball, he’s after him.
Miller is looking forward to this game, being from Ohio and having something of a history with the Bearcats.
He was recruited by Mark D’Antonio before Kelly came on the scene, even paid an unofficial visit to the school, but never seriously considered the Bearcats.
Then last year he had what he refers to as “my coming-out game” against Cincinnati, recording a pair of sacks, including the first of his college career that now shows 12 sacks.
It is a career that is now beginning to reach orbit. Last week, against Louisville, Miller had three sacks, including two consecutive sacks to kill the Cardinals’ last drive, giving him 8.5 for the season, high on the team and second most in the conference.
“I knew what I could do. Everyone knew what I could do. Sooner or later, it was bound to come,” Miller said.
“Julian always had it in him,” said safety Robert Sands. “He’s finally getting a chance to showcase it. After a while, guys are going to have double him and that’s going to free up Chris Neild or Scooter Berry. See, Julian is a cool cat, a speed rusher who is also a finesse guy.”
“A force” is the term Neild, the nose guard, used in defining Miller.
“He’s a mix of quickness and stability,” Neild continued. “Playing him one on one, he doesn’t have that much weight, but he uses it to his fullest. He plays to his highest potential, and not many players can say that.”
What makes this matchup between Miller’s pass rush and Collaros’ escapability so interesting is that they each come off games in which they were the Big East’s Defensive and Offensive Players of the Week.
What’s more, Miller and Collaros know each other well, the two having been teammates in the Pennsylvania vs. Ohio Big 33 game, a game won by Pennsylvania, 28-10, despite a touchdown pass by Collaros.
Make no doubt, Miller’s ability to disrupt the Cincinnati offense will be crucial if there is to be an upset.
“Julian Miller is vital,” Stewart said. “He is vital to our team. He could have a tip, a sack or an interception that would be very important in this game.”
E-mail Bob Hertzel at bhertzel@hotmail.com.
