Dusty Bonner Dusty Bonner ( born October 27 , 1978 ) is a former American football quarterback . He was a standout Harlon Hill Trophy winner in 2000 and 2001 while playing for Valdosta State University , and was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2002 by the Atlanta Falcons . College career . University of Kentucky . At Kentucky , Bonner was the backup quarterback behind eventual # 1 overall NFL draft pick Tim Couch during the 1998 season in which the Wildcats ended up in the Outback Bowl after winning seven games . Couch went to the NFL after his junior season and Bonner became the starting quarterback in 1999 . In 1999 , Bonner started all 12 - games and led the Southeastern Conference in pass efficiency , total offense , and passing yards per game . He led Kentucky to six wins ( including victories over Louisiana State University and the University of Arkansas ) and a close loss in the Music City Bowl . After head coach Hal Mumme announced that freshman Jared Lorenzen would be the starting quarterback for the 2000 season , Bonner transferred to Valdosta State University . Dusty lists his most memorable collegiate moment as defeating Vanderbilt while playing for UK to become bowl eligible . Valdosta State University . A two - year letterwinner for Valdosta State University , Dusty Bonner established himself as one of the greatest Blazer gridironers of all time as he twice won the Harlon Hill Trophy as Division II ’ s top football player . Bonner completed 649 - of - 913 passing attempts and threw for 8 , 163 yards during his two - year career . Bonner tossed 107 touchdowns , against just 22 interceptions while leading Valdosta State University to playoff appearances during the 2000 and 2001 seasons . Bonner holds the VSU school record for passing yards in a game , touchdowns thrown for in a game , total offense in a game , touchdowns responsible for in a game , yards per game in a season , total offense in a season and touchdowns responsible for in a season . He is third overall in career passing yards and second in both career touchdowns and total offense . Professional career . af2 . Lexington Horsemen . Named Atlantic Conference Offensive Most Valuable Player in 2003 , finishing the season by completing 297 of his 450 pass attempts . Threw for 2 , 833 yards , 63 touchdowns and 18 interceptions . Finished second in the league in pass rating ( 109 . 1 ) , third in total offense ( 2 , 884 total yards ) , third in passing yards ( 202 . 4 per game ) and third in touchdown passes ( 63 ) . The Horsemen offense scored 53 . 1 points per game with Bonner as their signal - caller , which ranked third best in the league . In 2004 , Bonner led the Horsemen to the national championship , He threw for 2 , 695 yards and 72 touchdowns during the 2004 regular season . Bonner ' s 72 touchdowns rank as a league best in 2004 . He also compiled a quarterback rating of 108 . 54 , which also ranked first . Completed 18 - of - 28 passes in the championship game vs . Sioux Falls for 193 yards and five touchdowns . After a successful career on the field Bonner joined the front office of the Horsemen working under Andy Raaker as the General Manager . In this position he would be very helpful in continuing the dominance that had been started by Raaker . NFL . Atlanta Falcons . He signed with the Falcons on March 19 , 2003 but never saw regular season action .