Topic: Rakeem Cato: The Next Lengendary Marshall Quarterback

[jbailey1858]

http://www.takingbadschotz.com/?p=10714


Rakeem Cato: The Next Lengendary Marshall Quarterback
Posted by: Schotz Posted date: December 17, 2012 In: Featured, NCAAF | comment : 0
First there was Chad Pennington, then there was Byron Leftwich, and now there’s Rakeem Cato.


Photo Credit: Mark Webb/The Herald-Dispatch
Marshall fans have been waiting for the third coming and he has finally come. This season with the help of their slinger, a great receiving core, and former Marshall slinger and Assistant Head Coach Tony Peterson Marshall’s offense ranked 6th overall; first in passing with 365.1 yards per game and 55th in rushing with 169.3 yards per game. Unfortunately Marshall’s defense is quite the opposite ranking 102nd overall contributing to a 5-7 record (4-4 conf).

Cato, a sophomore out of Miami, FL led the country in passing yards with 4,201 beating out Colby Cameron, Nick Florence, Geno Smith, and Landry Jones. Granted he also led the nation in passing attempts, but held a 69.5 completion percentage to justify Marshall’s consistent passing attack. Cato also finished third in passing touchdowns with 37 only trailing Geno Smith and Seth Doege. Considering Cato threw the ball 584 times his 11 interceptions seems more than acceptable.

His unbelievable stats earned him Conference USA’s MVP as he sealed his name in Marshall’s record book. Cato set the record for most completions in a season (375) and most completions in a game (45). He now ranks 2nd in completion percentage in a season (69.5%), and 3rd in touchdowns thrown in a season (37), passing yards gained in a season (4,201), and passing attempts in a season (584).


via wowktv.com
Now there are two things we need to address. The first thing is his competition. Of course he’s at an advantage playing in the C-USA compared to a BCS conference, but let’s look at what he did against bowl teams. In the opener against West Virginia, Cato went 38-54 for 413 yards two touchdowns and an interception. We know WVU has no defense, but there still a Big 12 school. Against Ohio (51st against the pass) who was once ranked this season, he went 44-65 with 432 yards three touchdowns and a pick. Against Rice on the road he went 28-39 with two touchdowns (zero interceptions). On the road again vs. Purdue (48th against the pass) he struggled with a season-high three interceptions, but still managed to go 45-68 with 439 yards and five touchdowns. Against Tulsa (54th against the pass) he went 31-44 with 391 yards and three touchdowns and an interception. Against UCF who has the best pass defense on their schedule (39th), he was inconsistent going 35-62, but still totaled 298 yards and two touchdowns. And finally against Eastern Carolina who struggles with the pass to begin with, Cato went 31-40 with 318 yards and five touchdowns. Overall against bowl teams Cato averaged 364.3 yards (his average on the total season was 365.1) with 22 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Now Chad Pennington and Byron Leftwich may have lit up, but they also won games, and unfortunately Cato went 1-6 against bowl teams this year.  But we have to remember Cato is only a sophomore and can’t control his own defense.

The second thing we need to address is Cato’s height. It’s about time I tell you he’s only six feet tall. This little detail is most likely what’s barring him from being drafted early or at all after his junior or senior seasons. However, it makes these stats that much more impressive considering it’s a lot harder to see over the offensive and defensive lines.

Now we can have a huge debate on if Cato is better or will be better than both ex-NFL starters, but I don’t think we can until it’s all said and done.  But just for kicks, let’s compare sophomore years.

As a sophomore Leftwich wasn’t too special yet with 3,358 passing yards with 21 touchdowns along with nine interceptions and a 61.1CMP%. It was his next two years that Leftwich caught NFL attention throwing back-to-back 4,000/30 seasons with less than 500 passing attempts. We can definitely argree that Cato was statistically the much better sophomore. On the other hand, Pennington killed it as a sophomore throwing for 3,480 yards with 39 touchdowns (Marshall record) with 12 interceptions and a low 59.1 CMP%. It seems that as a sophomore Pennington was more effective considering he had 39 touchdowns and only needed 428 attempts to do so compared to Cato’s 584. However Cato was by far the more accurate passer as he had less interceptions and a much better completion percentage in far more attempts.

I’m not sure who will end up being the best, but I’m pretty comfortable stating that Cato will break nearly every Marshall record except for most passing yards in a season (4,902) held by one of his very own coaches, Tony Peterson.

By the time Cato’s college career is over he will one of the most legen…wait for it….dary quarterbacks to represent Marshall.

-Schotz

[Booherd]

I don't care how many attempts he has 11 ints, that's roughly one a game not counting fumbles. It's hard to be a consistent WINNER when your QB averages 1 turnover a game.  This and the deep ball my only criticisms of the lil feller. 

[Greg H]

Dude.  11 INTs against that many completions is MIRACULOUSLY low.  GOD would have a hard time matching that.  OK, maybe not, but you get the point.

Agree re deep ball.

[Scottyo614]

I don't care how many attempts he has 11 ints, that's roughly one a game not counting fumbles. It's hard to be a consistent WINNER when your QB averages 1 turnover a game.  This and the deep ball my only criticisms of the lil feller. 

http://www.ncaa.com/stats/football/fbs/current/individual/1002/p1

Check his stats man compared to others then judge. 11 picks was pretty good for the amount of attempts. There are first and second round QBs who have lesser stats.

[ed swain]

He is the most positive thing Marshall sports has going for them now.Lets be positive about somthing!

[SuperAnjario]

I don't care how many attempts he has 11 ints, that's roughly one a game not counting fumbles. It's hard to be a consistent WINNER when your QB averages 1 turnover a game.  This and the deep ball my only criticisms of the lil feller. 

There is a lot of stupid and uninformed crap posted on message boards, but this is an absolute award winner.  Do you have any idea how amazingly great 11 picks is against how many times Cato put the ball up in the air?  He almost had a 4/1 TD to INT ratio.  He attempted more passes than anyone in the nation.  Moreover, interceptions occur due to tips and drops, not just bad throws.  Rakeem Cato just turned in one of the finest statistical throwing years in the history of Marshall football and he gets this complete bull$hit.  Truly unbelievable.  He could have had 20 picks and it still wouldn't have been that bad with that many attempts and TD's.

For the love of god man.  Think before your post. 

[Booherd]

Hey genius thats the point. Too many passes, leads to lots of problems. But being as smart as you are you know this.

Btw just think if Byron or chad had that many throws? Silly to put him in their league at this point. They were winners! Hopefully cato can be the same, not yet though so quit pretending.

P.s. the name dave kingler comes to minde or kingsberry. Neither the qb chad or Byron was, numbers predicated on system.

[Greg H]

Well.  Let's just sit him in favor of mr. Post-surgical shoulder guy!

[SuperAnjario]

Hey genius thats the point. Too many passes, leads to lots of problems. But being as smart as you are you know this.

Btw just think if Byron or chad had that many throws? Silly to put him in their league at this point. They were winners! Hopefully cato can be the same, not yet though so quit pretending.

P.s. the name dave kingler comes to minde or kingsberry. Neither the qb chad or Byron was, numbers predicated on system.

This post is the runner up for worst internet post of the month.  I can't wait to see what you come up with next.  Usually, I'd just leave this alone, but these are more entertaining than I initially thought. 

For the love of God man.  "Too many passes, leads to lots of problems" to the tune of ONLY 10 picks.  What problems did we have?  One of the lowest interception per throw rates in the nation?  That was a problem?  Cato threw less picks than Chad or Byron did AT ANY POINT IN THEIR CAREERS last year on more throws.  In other words, he protected the ball better than they did.  No one is saying Cato is as good as Chad, Byron, Cliff Kingsberry, David Klingler, or anyone else that was a great QB.  No one claimed anyone was or wasn't a winner, though I'm certain Cato will prove he is this year.

The argument was basically "Cato throws too many interceptions" which is so far beyond false it's almost hard to comprehend someone would even attempt to argue it. 

Shocking stuff. 

[Booherd]

Alabamas qb had 7 turnovers all year. Thanks

[HerdnClt]

Cato one of Marshall's brightest stars in years. If you can't find positive here not certain you ever will find positive in Marshall athletics.

[marshallz13]

Another thing you have to take into account is that his freshman year he was not good on his feet, however this year I saw him moving around and extending plays with his feet, I know he did get sacked a little bit much than we want but he's shown so much potential and more leadership in two seasons with the team.

The guy was one of the top passers in the NCAA and you guys want to sit here and take shots at this kid, BTW he's the best QB we've had in years, ill take the 11 picks because he attempted so many passes its bound to happen.

Cato and Shuler had a hell of a year and the Running backs stepped up last year, I'm not dismissing docs horrible coaching or Rippons pathetic defense but this team can do some good things next year.

[mckayt]

No one is saying Cato is as good as Chad, Byron, Cliff Kingsberry, David Klingler, or anyone else that was a great QB. 

I'll say it.  Cato will go down as the best ever to suit up for The Herd.  He will break EVERY record.  Had we had a defense this year, I wouldn't be the only one saying this.  Some are so blinded by the losses that they can't see how great a player that Cato actually is. 

[Penn2moss]

Congrats to Cato. I saw him at the basketball game being honored for having a 3.0+ gpa.

There are tons of things you can complain about right now, however, this is for sure not one of them.  If there is any reason to have hope in Marshall athletics, it is because of number 12.

[mubowhunter]

Hey genius thats the point. Too many passes, leads to lots of problems. But being as smart as you are you know this.

Btw just think if Byron or chad had that many throws? Silly to put him in their league at this point. They were winners! Hopefully cato can be the same, not yet though so quit pretending.

P.s. the name dave kingler comes to minde or kingsberry. Neither the qb chad or Byron was, numbers predicated on system.

They also had a defense!

[SuperAnjario]

Alabamas qb had 7 turnovers all year. Thanks

And probably threw the ball 150-200 less times than Cato.  What else do you have?  Stop trying.  You can't win this argument. 

[iherdya]

In three of his 4 seasons here Chad had 11 or more interceptions.

Cato threw a pick in 11 of 584 attempts last year. Compare that to Chad and Byron:

Chad 95 estimated with 584 attempts: 25 interceptions
Chad 97 estimated with 584 attempts: 16 interceptions
Chad 98 estimated with 584 attempts: 10 interceptions
Chad 99 estimated with 584 attempts: 15 interceptions
Byron 00 estimated with 584 attempts: 12 interceptions
Byron 01 estimated with 584 attempts: 9 interceptions
Byron 02 estimated with 584 attempts: 12 interceptions

[jbailey1858]

In the words of Ron Burguny, "Boy, that escalated quickly... I mean, that really got out of hand fast."

[Scottyo614]

Alabamas qb had 7 turnovers all year. Thanks

AJ McCarron            Rakeem Cato
211-314 2933          406-584 4201 yards
26 TDs to 3 INT       37tds to 11 int
Sacked 22 times       Sacked 26 times

Regular season stats only... So just on stats alone what can we conclude?

Cato completed a better percentage. Threw the ball close to two times more and had only FOUR more sacks. So McCarron is slower to read defenses? I mean common what excuse will be next he had a worse OL than Cato? Lol considering all 5 Bama players on that OL will be drafted in the top 4 rounds at some point. Bama had a better run game to draw defenders in. Not like us who was having teams drop eight back... So um sure McCarron had less INTs but please factor in the WHOLE game next time.

[MOrsini]

AJ McCarron            Rakeem Cato
211-314 2933          406-584 4201 yards
26 TDs to 3 INT       37tds to 11 int
Sacked 22 times       Sacked 26 times

Regular season stats only... So just on stats alone what can we conclude?

That Darnell Dockett will hit on Cato's girlfriend?

[BSD]

I don't care how many attempts he has 11 ints, that's roughly one a game not counting fumbles. It's hard to be a consistent WINNER when your QB averages 1 turnover a game.  This and the deep ball my only criticisms of the lil feller. 

I nominate this for dumbest post ever in the history of the interwebs.  My gosh our fanbase can be moronic sometimes!

[Scottyo614]

That Darnell Dockett will hit on Cato's girlfriend?

Given how many sacks he took last year with that OL, Dockett might be able to sack him and her at the same time.

[GoHerd2010]

Great article, but did anyone notice at the basketball game last night when all the athletes with a 3.0 GPA walked across the floor at half time? Cato was the first in line for a very long football line, which is impressive. Cato is special. It's hard to believe he has two season left. Good things to come from Cato and the rest of the HERD team!!!!

[MarshallMatrix]

For those of you who read the entire article here, Please click the link so the author receives a "hit" for his journalism work. Thank you

[Greg H]

In my nearly 40 years, I have never dealt the race card on anyone.  Booherd is DAMNED close to deserving the race card at this point.  Would he be this critical of a white kid from Tennessee with the same numbers?  Just a thought.  Not trying to stir the pot or anything. ;D