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Cutler Named SEC Player Of The Week After Leading Commodores To Victory Over Kentucky 11/17/2003
Cutler Named SEC Player Of The Week After Leading Commodores To Victory Over Kentucky 11-17-03
Birmingham, Ala. – Vanderbilt sophomore quarterback Jay Cutler was named Southeastern Conference Offensive Player of the Week after leading the Commodores to a 28-17 victory over Kentucky by throwing for four touchdowns and rushing for 129 yards, SEC officials announced Monday. Cutler, a native of Santa Claus, Ind., is the first Commodore offensive player honored by the SEC since quarterback Greg Zolman was selected on Sept. 20, 1999. Two other Commodores – sophomore defensive end Jovan Haye and senior punter Abtin Iranmanesh, were also nominated after Vanderbilt’s first conference victory of the year. Cutler completed 14 of 17 passes, including 12 of his last 13 attempts, against the Wildcats. He threw a pair of touchdowns to sophomore receiver Erik Davis, and also connected with sophomore fullback Matthew Tant and freshman receiver Marlon White. Only one Vanderbilt QB (Bill Wade, 5 TDs vs. Auburn in 1950) has thrown more TDs in a game. Cutler’s 129-yard rushing total was the second-best performance ever by a Commodore quarterback against an SEC opponent. Marcus Wilson (136 yards vs. LSU, 9/22/1980) is the only Commodore QB to rush for more yards versus an SEC opponent. Remarkably, the Commodores’ last 11 touchdowns, dating back to the closing minutes of the Navy game on Oct. 11, have been touchdown tosses by Cutler. Cutler continues to move up several Vanderbilt all-time and single-season charts after he played arguably the finest game of his collegiate career Saturday, leading the Commodores to victory over Kentucky. Cutler’s 18-touchdown passes on the season is the second-highest total in Vanderbilt history. Only Whit Taylor, with 22 TD passes in 1982, threw for more in a single season. The sophomore has netted 2,553 yards in total offense, second in the SEC. It is the fifth highest total in school history. Cutler has passed for 2,281 yards this season, eighth on the VU all-time list. He also jumped above Damian Allen (1994-97) into fifth all-time in career passing yardage with 3,714 yards. Cutler owns every significant VU sophomore record, including passing yardage (2,281), total offense (2,553 yards), touchdown passes (18), completions (178) and attempts (302). Cutler’s passing accuracy is improved greatly from his freshman season. This year, he is connecting on 58.9% of his attempts. In 2002, his accuracy was 48.6%. VU Career Passing Yardage Leaders Name Yards 1. Greg Zolman, 1998-2001 7,981 2. Whit Taylor, 1979-82 6,307 3. Kurt Page, 1981-84 6,233 4. Eric Jones, 1986-88 5,029 5. Jay Cutler, 2002- 3,714 6. Damian Allen, 1994-97 3,704 7. John Gromos, 1985, 87-89 3,514 8. Bill Wade, 1949-51 3,397 VU Career Total Offense Leaders Name Yards 1. Greg Zolman, 1998-2001 7,607 2. Whit Taylor, 1979-82 6,727 3. Eric Jones, 1986-88 6,240 4. Kurt Page, 1981-84 6,008 5. Jay Cutler, 2002- 4,379 6. Damian Allen, 1994-97 3,888 Vanderbilt Sophomore Records Topped by Cutler in 2003 ? Passing Yardage 2,281 ? Passing Touchdowns 18 ? Completions 178 ? Attempts 302 ? Total Offense 2,553
Vanderbilt All-time Single-Season Passing Leaders Name/Year Att/Comp Yards TDs 1. Kurt Page, 1983 493-286 3,178 14 2. Eric Jones, 1988 360-195 2,548 11 3. Greg Zolman, 2001 357-186 2,512 14 4. Whit Taylor, 1982 406-228 2,481 22 5. Greg Zolman, 2000 354-187 2,441 13 6. Kurt Page, 1984 350-203 2,405 16 7. Whit Taylor, 1981 357-209 2,318 13 8. Jay Cutler, 2003 302-178 2,281 18 |
