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Master Football Coaches Award MCS Game Balls
Rutgers' Ray Rice named offensive player of the week
By MCS Staff
Atlanta, Georgia (September 8, 2006) – Speaking about his new offensive coordinator, Tennessee quarterback Erik Ainge said, "If (David Cutcliffe) told me to play without a helmet or a mouthpiece with one cleat, I would do it. Anything (Coach Cutcliffe) tells me, I'm going to do. I think we've all bought in as an offense.” Cutcliffe’s offensive influence was obvious in the Volunteers’ dominating win over a highly rated California Bears team, and David Cutcliffe will receive an “MCS Game Ball” for his team’s great performance.
Each week during the 2006 college football season, the 17 Master Football Coaches will award an MCS Game Ball to the respective schools of an Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Player of the Week. The Master Coaches will also present a game ball to the offensive and defensive coordinator whose game plans made the biggest impact in their respective teams’ victory.
In addition to Cutcliffe, the Master Football Coaches also award MCS Game Balls to Rutgers running back Ray Rice, Arizona safety Dominic Patrick, South Carolina punter and kicker Ryan Succop, and Florida State defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews.
Offense
Ray Rice, RB Rutgers
While rushing for a total of 201 yards and his third consecutive performance of over 100 yards, Ray Rice led Rutgers to a 21-16 road victory at North Carolina. Rice rushed for a career-high in carries with 31 and rushed for all three of Rutgers’ touchdowns, another career-high.
Defense
Dominic Patrick, S Arizona
With a last second field goal by kicker Nick Folk, Arizona defeated BYU, holding the Cougars to only 13 points. Wildcats’ safety Dominic Patrick seemed to be all over the field, delivering punishing hits to any BYU player that dared to cross his path. Three of his 5 solo tackles were captured as “Lott Shots” (www.thelotttrophy.com), which is a collection of the biggest hits of the college football weekend.
Special Teams
Ryan Succop, K/P South Carolina
In the Gamecocks’ season opener at Mississippi State, sophomore Ryan Succop handled the punting and placekicking duties for the first time in his career. With his team struggling to score, Succop avoided a blocked punt and scrambled 16 yards for the first down. His magnificent play set up a score and was possibly the biggest moment of the game. He was
3-for-3 in field goal attempts, from 39, 35 and 47 yards. He also added six punts for an average of 48.7-yards per punt, including a long of 58 yards.
Offensive Coordinator
David Cutcliffe, Tennessee
Cutcliffe returned to Tennessee this year after leaving in 1998 for the head coaching position at Mississippi. Philip Fulmer is happy to have him back after the Volunteers demolished Cal 35-19. Cutcliffe’s offense was balanced, totaling 216 yards rushing and 298 through the air. The Volunteer offense averaged 8.4 yards per play and had three scoring plays over 40 yards. California did not have an answer for Tennessee quarterback Erik Ainge who threw for 4 touchdowns, just one less than he threw all of last year.
Defensive Coordinator
Mickey Andrews, Florida State
Facing archrival Miami, Florida State defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews knew that his team would have to stop tight end Greg Olsen and stuff the run. The Seminoles completed both objectives and more. Greg Olsen was held to two catches for a total of 8 yards and the Miami running attack was held to just 2 yards, and the Miami offense totaled just 134 yards for the entire game. Buster Davis led the FSU defense with 12 tackles and 2 sacks.
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