All Decade Team - Offense

Whenever anyone starts talking about all-star teams, there is always room for argument, and taking on the task of naming an all-decade team is even more imposing. But here is the BCL All-Decade team for the Cincinnati Bearcat offense.

1st team

Quarterback- Gino Guidugli

Running Back- DeMarco McCleskey

Tackle- Josh Gardner

Tackle- Jeff Linkenbach

Guard- Kyle Takavitz

Guard- Trevor Canfield

Center- Doug Rosfeld

Wide Receiver- LaDaris Vann

Wide Receiver- Dominick Goodman

Wide Receiver- Mardy Gilyard

Tight End- Brent Celek

Kicker- Jonathan Ruffin

Kick Returner- Mardy Gilyard

2nd team

Quarterback- Tony Pike

Running Back- Richard Hall

Tackle- Clint Stickdorn

Tackle- Digger Bujnoch

Guard- Jason Kelce

Guard- Kirt Doolin

Center- Chris Jurek

Wide Receiver- Jon Olinger

Wide Receiver- Tye Keith

Wide Receiver- Hannibal Thomas

Tight End- Doug Jones

Kicker- Kevin Lovell

Kick returner- Dominick Goodman

Quarterback

The nominees were Gino Guidugli, Tony Pike and Ben Mauk. Guidugli had a decided edge for a few reasons. First, he was a four year starter and still owns many of UC's career passing records. He also played for a head coach that wasn't nearly as offensive minded as Brian Kelly, but Guidugli still got himself inducted into the Ring of Honor. Lastly, Gino was extremely durable missing only one game due to injury. Tony Pike got the edge over Ben Mauk primarily due to playing in more games and completing a higher percentage of his passes, but neither UC signal caller could touch Mauk's 31-9 touchdown to interception rate in 2007.

Running Back

There were only two horses in this race since DeMarco McCleskey and Richard Hall are the only Bearcat running backs to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season in this decade. McCleskey is second in career rushing yards with 3,487 while Hall ranks ninth with 2,053 in only two seasons.

Offensive Line

It can be tough choosing offensive linemen since they don't have many statistics to help in the process so good arguments can be made to move a number of these players up or down. But here's the rationale for the picks. Jeff Linkenbach earned one tackle spot with starts in all four years of his career. Being named 2nd team all-conference and being recognized as the best offensive lineman this season at the banquet put him over the top. Some might disagree with Josh Gardner over Digger Bujnoch, but Gardner started EVERY game in his career at UC.

At the guards, Trevor Canfield was an all-league 2nd team pick for three years, and Kyle Takavitz was a two-time 1st team All-CUSA performer, who edged out Kirt Doolin for 1st team honors. Doug Rosfeld edges out Chris Jurek at center although both were first team selections in their respective leagues and multi-year starters. Even though Rosfeld graduated in 2000, I couldn't ignore his 1st team all-league selection in 1999 as the tie-breaker.

Wide Receivers

The selection of Mardy Gilyard, Dominick Goodman and LaDaris Vann was easy. This trio ranks 1st, 2nd and 3rd in career receptions and career receiving yards. Anyone that would argue these picks has never tried to cover those guys.

Tight End

Once again the 1st team selection was easy. In fact, Brent Celek might be Cincinnati's best tight end ever.

Specialists

Winning the Lou Groza Award in 2000 gave Jonathan Ruffin the place kicker's nod over Kevin Lovell's impressive three year body of work, and no one would dare argue with the selection of Mardy Gilyard as the kick returner.