Rod Rutherford Named to Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award Watch List

7/24/2003

Rutherford set a school record with 3,181 yards in total offense last year.

Rod Rutherford

      University of Pittsburgh senior quarterback Rod Rutherford has been named to the 42-player watch list for the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award.

      The O’Brien Award is the nation’s oldest award for college quarterbacks and is named in honor of the former Texas Christian All-American and Heisman Trophy winner.

      Coming off a highly successful first season as Pittsburgh’s starting quarterback, Rutherford (Pittsburgh, Pa./Perry Traditional Academy) is poised for national attention this year. He 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.

      Rutherford 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 will be at the helm of a highly regarded team again in 2003 as Pittsburgh has been a popular Top 15 team in the numerous preseason rankings.

      Boasting a strong and athletic frame at 6-3 and 225 pounds, Rutherford can whip passes with velocity or be a dangerous runner. Evidence of the latter came in the 2002 Miami game when he took off into the open field, put his shoulder down at the end of the run and knocked All-Big East linebacker Jonathan Vilma head over heels. The sequence was replayed time and again on ESPN and was selected as one of the all-sports network’s “Hits of the Year”

      Semifinalists for the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award will be announced in early November and narrowed to three finalists later that month by the O’Brien National Advisory Committee.  The committee is comprised of nationally known sportswriters, commentators and other members of the media. The winner of the 2003 O’Brien Award will be announced Dec. 11 on the ESPN College Football Awards Show from Orlando, Fla.  The winner will be honored at the 27^th annual O'Brien Awards Dinner in February 2004, at The Fort Worth Club in Fort Worth, Texas.

      Pittsburgh opens the 2003 season Sept. 6 at Heinz Field versus Kent State. Kickoff time is set for 7 p.m. The Panthers will also host home contests versus Ball State (Sept. 13), Notre Dame (Oct. 11), Syracuse (Oct. 25), Virginia Tech (Nov. 8) and Miami (Nov. 29). Season-ticket packages are available by calling (800) 643-PITT.