BOCA RATON, FL– Rakeem Cato and Tommy Shuler grew up together, playing backyard football and throwing passes all over their neighborhood in Miami. So it was only fitting that Cato and Shuler put on a clinic in their final collegiate game and final game as teammates. Cato connected with Shuler 18 times for 185 yards and a touchdown, as the childhood friends led Marshall to a 52-23 win in the Boca Raton Bowl.
“It was just pitch and catch,” said Shuler, who broke Marshall and Conference USA’s all-time receptions record. His 18 receptions gave him 322 for his career breaking Josh Davis’ mark at Marshall of 307.
“He’s a good player. He’s one of the best receivers I’ve ever coached because he’s got that it factor. A lot of guys get hung up on heights and weights and speeds but he’s got that it factor and he’s got that guy [Cato] right there and they have a great relationship,” said coach Doc Holliday.
Meanwhile, Rakeem Cato’s three touchdown passes set a new Marshall single-season record for touchdown passes in a season. Cato threw 40 scoring passes this season, besting Chad Pennington’s 39 in 1997. Cato leaves Marshall holding every major passing record, with three bowl wins and a Conference USA Championship.
“My message to him was that I love him and I’ll miss him. He’s a special kid. He means so much to me and he’s done so much for our program and I’m just so happy for him that he finished up the way he did. Whatever this kid gets, he deserves because he’s overcome so much adversity to be successful in life,” said Holliday.
When asked which of the accomplishments he was most proud of, Cato did not hesitate.
“The championship was what I wanted to bring here since I walked on campus and we finally got it this year,” Cato said.
For Cato and Shuler Tuesday’s game was more special than a bowl win. It was the finale for two special football players who have been teammates for 14 years.
‘It’s a blessing, not only to play with him and grow with him,” said Cato. “There’s so many guys I’ve came in, it’s been a fun ride and its’ just been a blessing to see us grow up and come together as a team and do what we came here to do. And that’s win a championship, be a 10+ win team back to back. It’s been an honor and blessing.
Herd fans have watched Cato and Shuler grow and develop into a dominant quarterback/receiver duo and play significant roles in restoring the winning tradition at Marshall. Shuler says it will sink in eventually that their run with the Herd is over.
“Tomorrow a lot of emotions are going to run, knowing we’re not on the football team, not having Doc calling us or getting on us, it is bittersweet tomorrow.”