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Marvin McNutt continues climb up Iowa's record book
Sep. 24, 2011 6:25 pm
IOWA CITY -Marvin McNutt successfully made the transformation from quarterback to wide receiver. Now, McNutt is transforming Iowa's record book.
McNutt, a senior wide receiver, hauled in seven passes for 100 yards and two touchdown catches Saturday in Iowa's 45-17 win against Louisiana Monroe. McNutt now has 20 touchdown catches - one behind career co-leaders Tim Dwight and Danan Hughes - and sits in sixth place on the all-time receiving yardage list (1,959). He's 213 yards from second place and ranks 12th in catches with 113.
But McNutt said he doesn't worry about records right now. He'd rather concentrate on winning games.
"Right now it's about winning," McNutt said. "Regardless of what I do individually, if it doesn't help our team win, it's not helpful."
Both of McNutt's touchdowns Saturday came on fade routes when he was lined up one-on-one with a shorter cornerback. The first was a 13-yard catch late in the first quarter. His second touchdown was a 17-yard pass near the end of the second quarter.
"They did a good job of picking on some of our smaller guys on our football team with some of their bigger receivers," Louisiana Monroe Coach Todd Berry said.
McNutt switched from quarterback to wide receiver during the 2008 season and since has started 22 games. Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz also praised McNutt for his work ethic and attitude as much for his production.
"We saw good things early and the big thing is he's really learning how to play that position and using what he has," Ferentz said. "He has great size and he's making plays, which is good."
McNutt's roommate, starting safety Jordan Bernstine, said McNutt's intensity has helped him become one of the Big Ten's top receivers.
"He's not one of those prima donna receivers or anything like that," Bernstine said. "He's going to go out there and compete every play. Any time the ball's going his way, he wants to catch it."