Thursday, October 02, 2003

By Paul Zeise, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

Pitt quarterback Rod Rutherford said yesterday he was "embarrassed" by his role in an incident with a 19-year old North Side woman early Labor Day morning in the parking lot behind a Station Square bar and grill.

	Rod Rutherford talks with reporters for the first time in a month. (Lake Fong, Post-Gazette)

Rutherford, who met with the media for the first time since the incident, was charged with simple assault, indecent assault and criminal mischief after he allegedly tried to pull a woman out of the car through the window and then shattered the window by kicking it. Rutherford's attorney has denied the charges and said the woman provoked the incident when she threw a glass at him and hit his car.

Pitt coach Walt Harris disciplined Rutherford by not allowing him to start the Panthers' opener against Kent State. Rutherford was permitted to play and came off the bench to throw four touchdown passes and lead the Panthers to a 43-3 win. He also was subject to other unspecified measures of discipline.

Rutherford said the whole experience humbled him and he learned a lesson. He said the aftermath has made him think about the consequences of his decisions and has helped him realize that a reputation, no matter how impeccable, is one bad decision away from being stained or even ruined.

"It really brought me back to earth," Rutherford said. "It made me a better person because you think you are this and you think you are that, and then a situation like this happens and you lose all credibility. Everything you worked to build went out he window.

"I am going to do whatever it takes to get the respect back because I know that I am a respectable person. I regret that it happened and I am just going to do what I can to move on."

Rutherford said he has realized how many people support him and that he drew strength from his mother, Judith, who has been the one person who has always believed in him. He said football helped him maintain his focus through the self-inflicted adversity because the sport is something he enjoys.

"I appreciate the fact that coach let me play [in the opener], and it was a good feeling to run out there with people cheering," he said. "I have a lot supporters. I continue to be myself and I am going to go home and talk to my mom like I would any other day. And she is going to support me like she always does. And I know I have a family here that supports me both on and off the field."

The tumultuous beginning to Rutherford's season coupled with the fact that sophomore receiver Larry Fitzgerald has had a phenomenal season thus far, have overshadowed the fact that Rutherford also is putting together a spectacular season.

Rutherford has completed 74 of 120 passes (61.7 percent) for 1,171 yards, 16 touchdowns and 3 interceptions and is Division I-A's leading passer (182.6 rating). He has led the No. 15 Panthers to a 3-1 record and is on pace to break Alex Van Pelt's school record for passing yards in a season (3,163) and Pete Gonzalez's school record for touchdown passes (37).

Fitzgerald, who has emerged as a candidate for the Heisman Trophy, said Rutherford, not him, deserves the accolades.

"In my honest opinion, [voters and pundits] have the right team but the wrong man," Fitzgerald said. "Rod has been leading us all year. He has 16 touchdowns and three interceptions, and I can account for two of those interceptions because they were my fault. He has led us on and off the field. Before the [Texas A&M] game, he gave us a very inspirational speech and that is not really his demeanor because he is not a big talker.

"But he says things at the right time and we all look to follow his lead. He deserves the award."

Overcoming adversity is nothing new for Rutherford and his transformation into a top-flight Division I quarterback is remarkable given how far he has had to come. He was a highly recruited prospect coming out of Perry Traditional Academy, but most schools wanted him because of his athleticism and thought his passing skills were raw.

The whispers about him being out of position began again last season, his first as a starter, when he struggled in the Panthers' first game. But he kept his composure, kept working and turned in an excellent season.

Now Rutherford's viability as an NFL prospect is far more plausible than most people imagined. In fact, several NFL scouts that attended Pitt's game against Toledo said he might be one of the most improved players in the country and his stock continues to rise.

"I'd be lying if I said I didn't think about [the NFL]," Rutherford said. "But really, I think more about how fast high school and college went. I have a nephew who plays football and I always tell him to have fun where he's at because high school is the best time of your life.

"I think about how fast this time has passed and how much I've enjoyed it. I'm not worried about the future, but I am preparing for it.

NOTES -- Pitt athletic director Jeff Long had an informal meeting with Penn State athletic director Tim Curley Monday night in Dallas, where the two attended the Division I-A athletic director's annual meeting. One subject was reviving the football series between the two schools. "We had a good discussion," Long said. "I remain hopeful that we can work something out for the future."

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