Rutherford Named Big East Offensive Player of the Week
9/15/2003
The 6-3, 225-pound quarterback leads the country in pass efficiency.
University of Pittsburgh senior quarterback Rod Rutherford, the nation?s most efficient passer, has been named the Big East Conference?s Offensive Player of the Week for his performance in the Panthers? 42-21 victory over Ball State.
Rutherford (Pittsburgh, Pa./Perry Traditional Academy) amassed 332 total yards versus the Cardinals. He completed 19-of-31 passes (61.2 percent) for 285 yards and threw for three touchdowns with no interceptions. Rutherford also rushed eight times for 47 yards (5.9 avg.).
During the third period alone Rutherford was 10 of 11 for 150 yards with two touchdowns. His performance helped Pittsburgh seize a 42-14 lead after being tied at halftime.
An All-America candidate, Rutherford has seven touchdowns with no interceptions this season and leads the nation in passing efficiency with a 191.5 rating. Over his last six games, he has thrown 14 TDs against just two interceptions. Through two contests this year Rutherford has completed 64.3 percent of his passes (36 of 56).
Rutherford earned All-Big East honors last season ? his first as a starter ? after throwing for 2,783 yards and 22 touchdowns. Rutherford compiled a school-record 3,181 yards in total offense last year, a total that ranks third in Big East history. He became the first Pittsburgh quarterback since Alex Van Pelt in 1989 to lead the Panthers to a bowl-winning season in his initial year as a starter. The Panthers routed Oregon State, 38-13, in the Insight Bowl to secure a 9-4 season and No. 18 national ranking.
Rutherford was named a preseason candidate for the Davey O?Brien National Quarterback Award and the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.
Pittsburgh (2-0) is ranked No. 9 by The Associated Press and No. 11 by USA Today/ESPN. The Panthers play at Toledo Saturday, Sept. 20. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
