MIAMI, Fla.—When quarterback Rakeem Cato was asked about his storybook scenerio for breaking Russell Wilson’s record of 38 straight games with a touchdown pass, Cato said if he were writing the script, it would be a 99-yard bomb. And it would probably be to his lifelong friend, Tommy Shuler.
The record-breaking touchdown pass was the exact opposite, a 1-yard touchdown pass to true freshman Ryan Yuracheck.
Not exactly how would have played out on the silver screen.
“It’s amazing. That kid deserves everything he gets. Being able to come home in front of friends and family, just 15 minutes from where he grew up, I can’t be more proud of a player,” said head coach Doc Holliday.
Cato broke the record in his hometown with dozens of family and friends in the stands making the moment even more special for the scrawny kid from Miami who has developed into one of the best quarterbacks in the country.
“It’s just a blessing to come out here and perform,” said Cato. “I still shocked to see tons of family members come to watch me for the first time. I saw faces I haven’t seen in four years, since I was in high school.”
Cato also continued his ascent up Marshall’s record books with his 212 yards passing and four touchdowns. He now has 110 career touchdown passes, moving past Tajh Boyd for No. 15 on the FBS all-time list and leaving him just five shy of Marshall’s record of 115 career touchdown pass set by Chad Pennington.
And that’s not all.
His 212 yards gives him 12,086 yards passing for his career, moving him into second all-time at Marshall past Byron Leftwich’s 11,903. Chad Pennington holds the all-time Marshall record with 13,143 yards passing.
When Pennington’s career concluded at Marshall no one thought another quarterback would come close to his numbers. The same was said after Byron Leftwich’s legendary career. Now, 11 years after Leftwich last stepped on the field for the Herd, Rakeem Cato continues to cement himself in Marshall quarterback lore.
“Coming in as a freshman, speed is different, everything is new, just coming from my freshman year to now, it’s a blessing,” stated Cato.
Even with the record and all the passing yards, the number Cato was most proud of Saturday night was seven, as in Marshall’s 7-0 record.
“That’s the goal, just come out here and find a way to get seven points. All we’ve been talking about is finding a way to get the ‘W’ and finding some way to get seven points on the board whether I’m throwing it or rushing it,” said Cato.