PITTSBURGH - Prosecutors dropped assault charges against Pittsburgh quarterback Rod Rutherford on Tuesday at the request of his accuser.

Rutherford, a two-year All-Big East player who is expected to go into the NFL draft next month, had been charged with assaulting the woman and kicking out a car window outside a Pittsburgh nightclub Sept. 1.

"They have since come to know each other," said James Wymard, Rutherford's attorney. "He's apologized and, you know, he's paid for the damage to the window and medical bills and they're happy."

Rutherford declined to comment on the alleged assault but said he's looking forward to the NFL draft.

"It's exciting. You always dream about this," Rutherford said outside the municipal courthouse. "To have this come true, you can't put it in words."

Pittsburgh police said Rutherford forced his way into the car after she refused his advances. Rutherford got out of the car and grabbed the 19-year-old woman through a partially opened window, causing her to strike her face, police said.

Rutherford was accused of kicking out the window as she drove away, causing the glass to cut her forehead, according to court documents. Two other women in the car were not hurt. Rutherford had said the woman threw a glass at him in the parking lot.

The woman and her family apparently asked prosecutors to drop the charges.

The city magistrate accepted the request from the district attorney's office that read: "Parties have reached settlement via non-criminal avenues. Victim does not wish to pursue criminal charges."

Wymard said Rutherford and the woman share mutual friends and the two have since attended the same parties.

"I think there was a lot of family discussion from the neighborhood and I think as a result of that, they felt they could just settle this without this having to go to court," Wymard said.

Rutherford was held out for the first quarter of Pitt's season-opening 43-3 victory over Kent State on Sept. 6 because of the charges, but returned to throw four touchdown passes in the second quarter.

The Panthers went 8-5 for the season that included a 23-16 loss to unranked Virginia in the Continental Tire Bowl. Rutherford threw 3,678 yards and 37 touchdowns for the season, setting a conference record and tying Dan Marino's 1981 school record.

The former Pittsburgh City League high school star led Pitt to a 9-4 record in his first season as a starter, throwing 2,783 yards and 22 touchdowns.