In 2009, Shaun Rutherford captured an NJCAA national championship with the Blinn Buccaneers. Now he’s got a Central European Football League (CEFL) championship to add to his trophy case.
The former Buccaneer quarterback/wide receiver and his Belgrade SBB Vukovi teammates defeated the Ljubljana Silverhawks 27-17 last week in the CEFL Bowl. Starting at quarterback, Rutherford was named the game’s MVP after throwing for one touchdown and running for two more.
Prior to the game, Rutherford was named the league’s offensive player of the year, throwing for 1,045 yards and running for 464 in six games. He totaled 17 touchdowns, including nine rushing the ball.
A product of Bay City High School, Rutherford came to Blinn as a quarterback, but moved to wide receiver after future Heisman Trophy winner Cameron Newton transferred in from the University of Florida. Rutherford caught 37 passes for 407 yards and one touchdown his sophomore year, earning All-Southwest Junior College Football Conference honors.
Rutherford returned to quarterback at Texas State University, throwing for 1,227 yards and 12 touchdowns and running for 449 yards and three more scores in 2011. As a senior, the team captain threw for 2,137 yards and 15 touchdowns and ran for 597 yards and five more scores.
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 29 NJCAA national championships since 1987. For more information on Blinn football, visit www.buccaneersports.com.
