Last night Butch Jones named Zach Collaros the starting quarterback for the 2010 season, a move that surprised no one, especially those that watched the UC Bearcats play on Saturday evening in Bearcat Bowl IV—the team’s spring game.
Butch Jones named Zach Collaros as the Bearcats starting quarterback Monday (Cincinnati Enquirer file)
I got a chance to write a short story last night for FOX19’s sports website. Hopefully this isn’t the last time I get to produce some web content for Channel 19, where I began as a sports intern a little over one month ago. Here’s the story (you can view it and a short sound bite from Jones at: http://www.fox19.com/Global/story.asp?S=12379563)
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Cincinnati head coach Butch Jones named Zach Collaros as his starting quarterback on Monday. Collaros, who led the Bearcats to a 4-0 record while subbing for the injured Tony Pike last season, had a strong spring according to Jones.
“I thought (Zach) and Chazz Anderson did a great job all spring, but about the last week and a half of spring football you could really see Zach taking off, understanding the offense,” Jones said. “We talk about functional intelligence and he could now play comfortably and it looked like he was really in control. He could complete all the passes, he understood the offense, he had great command getting the ball to his second and third reads in his progression. You could see his play elevate over the past couple of weeks.”
On Saturday, in the team's spring game, Collaros gave fans a taste of what to expect. The Steubenville native completed 18 of his 20 passes for 218 yards and two touchdowns. Chazz Anderson completed 5 of 10 passes in rainy conditions for 61 yards and one touchdown. Fans got their first chance to see Jones's new style of coaching and offensive philosophy. Jones even ventured into the stands to let fans call plays, but reminded fans that the Bearcats will try to remain an offensive juggernaut.
“There's some differences and a few nuances but a lot of it is the same as well,” Jones said of his offensive style. “An uptempo offense, no-huddle, and we may be a little more balanced but the best coaches play to the strengths of their football team and we have to do a great job of getting the ball in the hands of our playmakers.”
Wide receivers D.J. Woods and Vidal Hazelton both had over eighty yards receiving on the evening, and Woods hauled in a touchdown pass at the end of the first half of play from Collaros. “I feel very comfortable and confident that we have some very good playmakers out on the perimeter and in the backfield as well,” Jones added.
The UC Bearcats will begin the season on Saturday, September 4 in Fresno, Calif., with a rematch against the Fresno State Bulldogs. Last season UC defeated Fresno State 28-20 at Nippert Stadium.
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Just a few more thoughts that I didn’t get to add to my story on FOX19.com…
I think this offense will be more balanced as Jones hinted at, but those who attended the spring game might question it. Collaros and Chazz Anderson threw for nearly 300 yards in the watered down version of the UC offense. Jones wasn’t willing to show off all his tricks in this game, but I’m definitely excited to see what tricks and fun schemes Butch Jones and offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian will cook up for the 2010 season.
Collaros will lead the first team offense into fall camp (Cincinnati Enquirer photo)
One thing that will happen a lot in this offense is seeing the tools Jones mentioned on the perimeter with the ball. Darrin Williams got a lot of carries in the spring game, D.J. Woods saw a few screen passes come his way, and with weapons like USC transfer Vidal Hazelton and new recruit Kenbrell Thompkins on the edge, Collaros and the offense will be in good shape.
I didn’t even mention Isaiah Pead and Armon Binns, both of whom contributed mightily to the offense last year and will contribute again this year as well. Binns and Pead sat out the spring game because of injuries, although Jones told the TV crew of Tom Gelehrter (aka Tommy G) and Jim Kelly Jr. that if the spring game was a league game in season, Binns would have played.
Binns (top) and Pead (below) didn't play on Saturday night, but will contribute to the UC offense during the season (Cincinnati Enquirer file photos)
Stay tuned throughout the offseason for Bearcats news and notes, I’m sure I’ll provide all that I can, especially in the weeks leading up to the season opener in September. Also, anything that I write for FOX19.com I’ll try to link up on here and through my Twitter page (@adamniemeyer). Have a great day, thanks for reading!
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