Nov. 3, 2014
Quarterback Johnny McCrary has been named the Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week after producing one of the most prolific passing games in Vanderbilt history last week in the Commodores’ 42-28 victory over Old Dominion.
McCrary, a redshirt freshman from Cedar Grove High School in Decatur, Ga., matched a Commodore team record by tossing five touchdown passes against Old Dominion. The performance came in McCrary’s second career start at Vanderbilt.
McCrary became the second Commodore recognized this season by the SEC Office. In late September, sophomore Darrius Sims was named SEC Special Teams Player of the Week after returning two kickoffs for touchdowns against South Carolina.
McCrary had competition from fellow Commodore Ralph Webb for the SEC weekly honor. Webb, a redshirt freshman back from Gainesville (Fla.) High School, earned consideration after establishing new Vanderbilt freshmen records with 166 rushing yards on 31 attempts.
McCrary’s effort matched the team single-game high for touchdown passes previously set by legendary Vanderbilt quarterbacks Jay Cutler and Bill Wade. Cutler threw for five touchdowns – all to freshman wide receiver Earl Bennett – against Kentucky in 2005. Wade tossed five touchdowns in a 41-0 win over Auburn in 1950.
McCrary became first SEC freshman to pass for five touchdowns since Maty Mauk of Missouri accomplished the feat at Kentucky in 2013. McCrary solidified his hold on the team’s starting role by completing 20-of-29 passes for 281 yards. The yardage total was the most by a Vanderbilt freshman since Nov. 16, 1985 when John Gromos threw for 316 yards against Virginia Tech. It was also the highest single-game yardage total by a Commodore quarterback since Austyn Carta-Samuel threw for 338 yards vs. Missouri in 2013.
McCrary connected with five different receivers for touchdowns – wide receivers Latevius Rayford and C.J. Duncan, and tight ends Steven Scheu, Nathan Marcus and Davis Dudchock.
McCrary’s 646 passing yards ranks seventh on Vanderbilt’s all-time freshman charts.
McCrary will lead the 3-6 Commodores against the Florida Gators this Saturday in Vanderbilt Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tickets remain available for the SEC Eastern Division matchup.