Jacque LaPrarie was an American football player for the Rutgers University Scarlet Knights, born on July 6, 1963.[1] He was the Rutgers starting quarterback in 1982 and 1983, leading the team in passing yards in both years. He also set school records for interceptions in a season and interceptions in a career. He died on 23 December 2024.[1]

College career

LaPrarie started his Rutgers career in 1981 and became the Scarlet Knights' primary quarterback as a sophomore in 1982.[2][3] During the first game of the 1982 season, he completed 16 of 24 passes for 119 yards in a 31–8 loss to Syracuse.[4] He also had 58 rushing yards.[5] Rutgers' second game was against Penn State; they lost 49–14, and LaPrarie threw one touchdown pass.[6] On October 9, in a win over Army, he was 9 for 15 passing with 129 yards.[5] Two weeks after that, he was 12 for 19 with 196 passing yards and two touchdowns, as Rutgers defeated Colgate to move to 4–3 on the season.[3] The team finished with a record of 5–6.[5] Overall, LaPrarie completed 100 of 186 passes with 1,164 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions.[2][5] He led the team in both passing yards and total offense yards (1,333).[7] His 17 interceptions set a Scarlet Knights team record that stood for 19 years.[2]

LaPrarie remained the starting quarterback in 1983. In the first game of the season, against Connecticut, he led Rutgers to a 22–5 victory with 173 passing yards and one touchdown.[8] However, the team lost its next four games. LaPrarie threw one touchdown pass in a loss to Army, which sent the Scarlet Knights to 1–4.[5] They eventually finished the season at 3–8; LaPrarie was 104 for 203 passing and had 1,275 yards, 7 touchdown passes, and 15 interceptions.[2][5] He was Rutgers' leader in passing yards and total offense yards (1,328) for the second straight year.[7]

In 1984, LaPrarie played as a defensive back, as he was replaced at quarterback by Eric Hochberg.[5] That was LaPrarie's final season on the Scarlet Knights. He finished his Rutgers career with 35 interceptions, which broke Len Gasiencia's team record of 30.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b "Jacque "Jack" LaPrarie, Sr. (obituary)". Branch Funeral Homes. December 28, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Rutgers Football Passing Leaders" Archived November 6, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. scarletknights.com. Retrieved November 22, 2011.
  3. ^ a b "Rutgers Ends Colgate Win Streak". Toledo Blade. October 24, 1982.
  4. ^ "College Preview". Reading Eagle. September 17, 1982.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g Boyles, Bob and Guido, Paul (2009). USA Today College Football Encyclopedia 2009–2010. Skyhorse Publishing Inc. pp. 405–1231.
  6. ^ "Lewis, Turner Lead Bama Breeze, 42–14". Toledo Blade. September 19, 1982.
  7. ^ a b "Rutgers Football Year-by-Year Leaders" Archived 2011-10-07 at the Wayback Machine. scarletknights.com. Retrieved November 22, 2011.
  8. ^ "Pitt Punishes Temple 35–0". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. September 11, 1983.
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