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Pennington faces Leftwich, Jets visit Jaguars

Oct 3, 2006 - 11:24 PM NY Jets (2-2) at Jacksonville (2-2) Sunday 4:05 pm EDT

JACKSONVILLE, Florida (Ticker) -- Quarterbacks Chad Pennington and Byron Leftwich are Marshall University's most prolific quarterbacks. On Sunday, they face each other for the third time in four years when the New York Jets visit the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Pennington was the starter at Marshall from 1995-99 before being succeeded by Leftwich, who took over in 2000.

The 30-year-old Pennington remains the school's all-time leader in completions (1,026), attempts (1,619), passing yards (13,143) and touchdown passes (115). Leftwich is second in those categories - completions (939), attempts (1,442), passing yards (11,903) and touchdown passes (89).

Pennington was taken 18th overall in 2000 by the Jets while Leftwich was selected seventh overall in 2003 by Jacksonville.

Pennington would rather forget the last meeting on September 25, 2005. That's when Pennington tore the rotator cuff in his shoulder for the second time in a 26-20 overtime loss to the Jaguars at the Meadowlands.

The game ended when Leftwich connected with Jimmy Smith on a 36-yard touchdown pass 6:05 into overtime. Cornerback David Barrett was victimized on the play.

Pennington completed just 9-of-19 passes for 97 yards with two interceptions. He left the game in the third quarter with the injury, but was forced back into action when backup Jay Fiedler was knocked out with a dislocated shoulder.

Despite his ailing throwing arm, Pennington nearly led the Jets to a victory. Trailing 20-17, the Jets appeared to take the lead when Pennington found Wayne Chrebet in the back of the end zone with 1:24 to play in the fourth quarter. It was called a touchdown on the field but was overruled when instant replay showed that Chrebet did not have possession. New York had to settle for a 25-yard field goal by rookie Mike Nugent.

Pennington has overcome two surgeries on his shoulder and has passed for 1,015 yards and six touchdowns with two interceptions for a quarterback rating of 102.3 in New York's first four games.

Leftwich hasn't been as good, throwing for 893 yards and five touchdowns with five interceptions for a 79.1 rating.

The first meeting between the two was also at the Meadowlands on November 23, 2003 and Pennington rallied the Jets to a 13-10 win, engineering a 94-yard drive in the final minutes.

Pennington finished 25-of-39 for 236 yards and a touchdown with an interception while Leftwich completed 17-of-33 passes for 172 yards with an interception.

Both teams are coming off heartbreaking losses. The Jets fell at home to unbeaten Indianapolis, 31-28, after quarterback Peyton Manning scored on a one-yard run with 50 seconds left.

New York's Justin Miller set a club record with a 103-yard kickoff return for a touchdown with 2:20 left before Manning led the Colts on their winning drive.

Pennington was 17-of-23 for 207 yards and one touchdown with one interception.

The Jaguars fell to Washington, 36-30, when Santana Moss caught a 68-yard touchdown pass in overtime.

The Jets have had problems stopping the run. Last week, they allowed 160 yards on the ground to Indianapolis.

Fred Taylor was the workhorse for the Jaguars in last year's win over the Jets, carrying 37 times for 98 yards and a touchdown.