An Ode to Isaiah Pead

To the University of Cincinnati running back, and the man who broke Archie Griffin’s high school rushing records, we salute you.

In a rivalry game that was sure to be a close contest, you pulled through.

In an offense where passing is the norm and running the ball often comes second, you continue to prove yourself when given the chance.

In an offense where a Heisman candidate plays quarterback and a backup quarterback makes just as much noise, you do your job selflessly.

You catch the ball out of the backfield as a check down option.

You run the ball when the defense knows it’s coming.

You played second fiddle to a senior running back until you were given your chance, and it the game that mattered, you shined.

You rushed for 175 yards against West Virginia, and scored a touchdown. You were consistent when the team needed it, and put the offense on your back when the passing game was not as electric as usual.

But your defining moment is why we salute you.

It wasn’t when you rushed for 100 yards in the first half.

It wasn’t your touchdown run in the second quarter.

It was when your offense took over possession after a failed fourth down attempt by the Mountaineers. You took the handoff on the next play and made an excellent cutback, rushing from your own 24 yard line to the West Virginia 33, a backbreaking 43 yard rush.

With excellent vision and impressive quickness, you effectively put your team in position to earn a two score lead on your own.

You rushed for another three yards on the next play, and caught a 10 yard pass on the third play of the drive. You were able to put your team in field goal range in a matter of three plays.

West Virginia may have reached the end zone on the next possession, but your play gave your team the cushion it needed on the scoreboard.

We salute you for coming through when your team needed you, and for making December 5 the most anticipated date of the year for UC football.