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Cutler Consensus Pick for Offensive Player of the Year 12/7/2005
Coaches Tab Commodore Quarterback Wednesday Cutler, the all-time leader in virtually every Vanderbilt passing and total offense category, also was named First Team All-SEC quarterback by both the coaches and media earlier this week. The coaches also announced Alabama linebacker DeMeco Ryans as Defensive Player of the Year, LSU’s Skyler Green as the top return specialist, and Arkansas running back Darren McFadden as Freshman of the Year. Commodore wide receiver Earl Bennett was considered as a serious contender for the freshman honor. The Coaches’ all-freshmen squad is expected to be announced Thursday morning. “It’s been a busy week for Jay, but I’m sure a very enjoyable time for an outstanding young man. The SEC coaches have voted for a very deserving player with this award,” Commodore Head Coach Bobby Johnson said. “On behalf of the Vanderbilt coaching staff, I’m truly thankful for Jay’s contribution over the last four years and I’m particularly proud of his decision to return for a fifth year and lead our team to more success. As his head coach, I could not have asked for more from a player.” Cutler becomes the first Vanderbilt player to earn SEC Offensive Player of the Year recognition from league coaches since the ballot began in 1984. Since the SEC was formed in 1933, Cutler becomes the seventh Commodore named for a top league individual award, joining end Willie Geny (MVP, 1935), fullback Jack Jenkins (MVP, 1941), quarterback Bill Wade (MVP, 1951), end Bob Goodridge (MVP, 1967) and linebacker Jamie Duncan (AP Defensive Player of the Year, 1997). A semifinalist for both the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award, Cutler came into his own this season, leading the SEC in total offense, passing yards, touchdown passes and completions. In doing so, he established new Commodore career records with 8,701 passing yards, 9,957 yards of total offense, 59 touchdown passes, 76 combined touchdowns, 710 completions and 1,695 total plays. Cutler’s impact on Vanderbilt’s 5-6 campaign was greatest in outcomes in doubt. In the Commodores’ first two games — road encounters at Wake Forest and Arkansas — Cutler guided Vanderbilt to come-from-behind victories with last-minute touchdown drives. In the season finale at Knoxville, Cutler again led a winning fourth-quarter rally, capping a late drive with a touchdown pass to Bennett giving the Commodores their first victory over Tennessee in two decades. Cutler’s importance to the Commodores was clear in narrow Vanderbilt losses. With a 4-0 record on the line versus MTSU, Cutler guided the Commodores 80 yards for a last-second field goal that would have provided the winning margin, only to have the attempt blocked. In two late-season road games, South Carolina and Florida, Cutler directed two-touchdown, fourth quarter comebacks to give the Commodores a chance to win. In the home finale versus Kentucky, Cutler threw for four second half touchdowns to narrow a 31-point deficit to five points. Cutler ended the season with a superb four-game stretch against South Carolina, Florida, Kentucky and Tennessee, averaging 352 passing yards while throwing for 13 touchdowns. Last week, Cutler became the first collegiate player named to the Senior Bowl, the most important postseason competition for NFL scouts and executives. |
