BLAINE GAUTIER, LOUISIANA

Before the start of last season, many people (except the people who saw him play in high school at Lutcher like me) probably didn't know who Gautier was.

But after what he accomplished at Louisiana-Lafayette last season, Gauthier is now on the college football map.

He set school single season records for passing yards (2,958), passing touchdowns (23), completion percentage (.628), passing efficiency (153.6), total offense (3,444) and total touchdowns (26) in staring 11 of 13 games for the Cajuns.

He also went 24-for-40 for 470 yards and three touchdowns in a New Orleans Bowl win over San Diego State in which he led his team down the field (3-for-3, 44 yards) for the game-winning field goal as time expired.

It was the first bowl win for the Cajuns since 1944 and its first in Division I competition.