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The University of Mississippi Athletics
McCluster Earns J. Curtis Sanford Trophy
1/2/2009 | Football
As the Ole Miss players addressed the red-and-blue sea of jubilant fans who had cheered them on to a thrilling 47-34 victory over Texas Tech in the 73rd annual AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic, Rebel wide receiver Dexter McCluster was hoisted to the shoulders of two of elated teammates as they faced the crowd still roaring its collective approval in the stadium's north end zone. It seemed to be an effortless task, thanks, in part, to McCluster's 5-foot-8, 165-pound frame.
Minutes later, the diminutive playmaker was the one doing the hoisting ... happily lifting the gleaming J. Curtis Sanford Trophy that signified his distinction as the game's most outstanding offensive player.In a game dominated by offensethe two teams' combined 81-point total set a new Cotton Bowl Classic recordMcCluster proved to be one of the biggest difference-makers on the field. The junior sped his way to 180 all-purpose yards, rushing 14 times for a career-high 97 yards and hauling in six passes for 83 more as Ole Miss posted its second-most total yards in a bowl game with 515.
McCluster also put the finishing touch on the Rebels' mark for points scored in a bowl game, rushing over left end from four yards out with 4:34 left in the game.
"By me being a little guy, all I need is one little crease and I'm going to hit it," he matter-of-factly offered in the post-game press conference, as the trophy awarded for his latest crowd-pleasing performance rested nearby.
Fortunately for Ole Miss and its legion of devoted fans, McCluster proved especially prolific at finding just the right spots when the game was in jeopardy. After Texas Tech raced out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter, the Rebels' offenseand its tiny but explosive playmakerclicked into gear.
Down 21-14 in the second period, McCluster picked up 32 yards off a screen pass from Ole Miss quarterback Jevan Snead. The highlight-reel run energized the Ole Miss crowd, and evidently McCluster's teammates, who promptly cashed it in three plays later to tie the game.
McCluster's 34-yard romp during the Rebels' next drive led to a field goal and the team's first lead of the game during a 17-point second-quarter explosion by Ole Miss. The Rebels, and McCluster, never looked back.
For Texas Tech head coach Mike Leach, the wide receiver played "as advertised" ... and then some. Unfortunately for Leach and his staff, however, that assessment proved to be quite a dilemma as they tried to prepare their team for the unpredictability of the versatile McCluster, especially during the times when he would be running out of Ole Miss' highly touted Wild Rebel formation.
"He's really impressive, whether he's running side to side or bursting out of cuts," Leach said, somewhat in awe, afterward. "Sometimes, I think that's more important than speed. But that guy did both, and he was definitely better than I thought he would be."
McCluster has been proving that over and over throughout his entire football career. Because of his small size, he almost didn't get a chance to play. His mother especially worried that he would get hurt. But apparently she wasn't the only one who was in doubt.
"A lot of people looked down on me; they thought I was in the wrong sport," McCluster said. "But I just play with heart and give 110 percent on every play for my team, because they would do the same for me. And when I'm out there, I feel the same size as everyone."
Although hampered by injuries during his first two years at Ole Miss, McCluster nonetheless provided an offensive spark whenever he was in the lineup. After Houston Nutt was named head coach prior to the 2008 season, he injected his unpredictable Wild Rebel formation into the offensive playbook ... a formation that seemed custom fit for the multitalented wide receiver.
McCluster has thrived in the system, and Ole Miss has benefitted from his resourcefulness and game-changing exploits. His big plays helped contribute to the Rebels' 31-30 upset victory over then No. 4 Florida on September 27, as well as Ole Miss' six-game winning streak heading into the 73rd annual Cotton Bowl.
"Dexter's a difference-maker, whether he's playing tailback, split out as a wide receiver or at quarterback," said his quarterback, Snead. "Anytime you can get the ball in his hands, something big can happen. I'm fortunate to have him on my team."
It's a sentiment echoed loudly by the appreciative Rebel fans who witnessed McCluster's difference-making performance in a game mired in history ... the last Cotton Bowl played at the historic stadium in Fair Park.
"They're going to remember Ole Miss football and, hopefully, they will remember me," McCluster said humbly before picking up the Sanford Trophy and heading back to a jubilant locker room to celebrate with his teammates.
