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Cutler, Bennett Earn SEC Accolades After UT Win 11/21/2005
Birmingham, Ala. – A pair of Commodores who played huge roles in Vanderbilt’s 28-24 victory over Tennessee in Knoxville last Saturday, quarterback Jay Cutler and wide receiver Earl Bennett, were honored by the Southeastern Conference Monday for their individual Cutler, a senior who put together arguably the greatest season ever by a Commodore signal caller, was named SEC Offensive Player of the Week after throwing for 315 yards and three touchdowns against the Volunteers. Two other Vanderbilt standouts, senior linebacker Moses Osemwegie and junior offensive tackle Brian Stamper, were nominated for SEC player of the week honors following the first Commodore victory over Tennessee in 23 years. Osemwegie notched a career-high 16 tackles while Stamper had five knockdown blocks and allowed no quarterback hurries. In the closing minutes, Cutler and Bennett were an incredible tandem, playing pass and catch down the Neyland Stadium field during the game-winning drive. The four-play, 63-yard touchdown march featured Cutler-to-Bennett connections of 15 and 31 yards, a pass interference on Bennett by Tennessee, and a 5-yard Cutler-to-Bennett touchdown strike. Cutler finished 27 of 39 with no interceptions. It was Cutler’s seventh game this year to surpass 275 passing yards. He set Vanderbilt senior records for touchdown passes (21), passing yards (3,073), completions (273) and total offense (298.9 yards per game). Cutler also holds virtually every Vanderbilt career mark for quarterbacks, and ranks among the SEC all-time Top Ten in most passing categories. As the season endured and key Commodore receivers fell victim to injury, Bennett stepped forward as Cutler’s leading receiver. In Vanderbilt’s final four games, Bennett amassed remarkable stats — 49 receptions, 545 receiving yards, nine touchdown catches. As he did in the Commodores’ three previous games, Bennett was superb in the final quarter Knoxville, catching seven passes from Cutler for 85 yards. During the game, Bennett became the all-time leading freshman receiver in SEC history with 79 catches, eight more than the previous record of 71 receptions set by Florida Gator Jabar Gaffney in 2000. The 79-catch total is also tied for the second most receptions ever by a Commodore receiver. In addition to the receptions record, Bennett holds Vanderbilt freshman marks with 876 receiving yards and nine touchdown catches. It marks the second time this season that Cutler has earned SEC Offensive Player of the Week honors. He was previously recognized for his play in Vanderbilt’s season-opening win at Wake Forest. Three other Commodores — Stamper (Sept. 10 vs. Arkansas), Osemwegie (Sept. 17 vs. Ole Miss) and freshman placekicker/punter Bryant Hahnfeldt (Nov. 5 vs. Florida) also were honored by the SEC this season. |
