ˈæftɚ ɹˈɛdʃɜːɾɪŋ dˈʊɹɹɪŋ hɪz fɹˈɛʃmən sˈiːzən ɹˈʌðɚfɚd wʌz stˈɪl fˈoːɹθ ɔnðə dˈɛpθ tʃˈɑːɹt æt kwˈɔːɹɾɚbˌæk, bˌʌt hɪz æθlˈɛɾɪsˌɪzəm ænd dɪzˈaɪɚɹ ˈɜːnd hˌɪm plˈeɪɪŋ tˈaɪm æz ɐ kˈɪk ɹᵻtˈɜːnɚ, ɹᵻsˈiːvɚ, ænd ɹˈʌnɪŋ ɐ fjˈuː ˈɑːpʃən plˈeɪz fɹʌm bᵻhˌaɪnd sˈɛntɚ.
After redshirting during his freshman season Rutherford was still fourth on the depth chart at quarterback, but his athleticism and desire earned him playing time as a kick returner, receiver, and running a few option plays from behind center.