Top-10 performances by local college football players from the weekend of Nov. 21
Corey Seargent, East Carolina- former Northwestern Shrine Bowl selection had a good game during ECU’s 44-7 win over Central Florida. Seargent intercepted a pass and broke up another, to go with two tackles. Seargent missed some games in recent weeks due to a leg injury but was solid last Thursday.
Gerald Dixon, South Carolina- South Pointe grad made 13 tackles during South Carolina’s loss to The Citadel Saturday. Dixon also had 1.5 tackles-for-loss during the defeat.
Deshaun McFadden, N.C. A&T- Rock Hill’s McFadden caught eight passes for 59 yards during A&T’s 21-16 loss to N.C. Central Saturday. The loss gave Central a share of the MEAC title, but it was still a big day for McFadden, a true freshman.
Mason Rudolph, Oklahoma State- the Cowboys’ shot at a Big 12 championship and spot in the College Football Playoff evaporated Saturday during a 45-35 loss to Baylor, but Rudolph played well in defeat. He completed 27-of-50 passes for 430 yards and three touchdowns, but Baylor sacked the former Northwestern standout six times and held Oklahoma State to just eight yards rushing on 23 attempts. Still, the game was Rudolph’s third straight with over 300 yards passing, and sixth this season.
Rylan Wells, Jacksonville- Jacksonville beat Valparaiso 58-13 on Saturday and Wells - the former Fort Mill Yellow Jackets QB - played well. Wells completed 15-of-26 passes for 280 yards and two touchdowns. Wells completed passes to nine different players as the Dolphins finished the season 9-2.
Tyrell Curry, Eastern Kentucky- Curry - the former Rock Hill High player - made one tackle but EKU fell 21-7 to Eastern Illinois. Curry returned a blocked punt 35 yards for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter but it wasn’t enough to spur the Colonels to a big comeback.
Russell Hubbs, The Citadel- The Citadel pulled off a 23-22 upset win over South Carolina Saturday, and Hubbs, the former Northwestern Trojan, made a pair of tackles in some of his first significant action of the season. Both stops were tackles-for-loss, and he also had a quarterback hurry. Hubbs took down Brandon Wilds for a 1-yard loss near the end of the first quarter, then dropped David Williams for a 3-yard loss that forced a punt in the third period.
Abri Tate, Bryant- Nation Ford’s Bryant made four tackles, including a tackle-for-loss, forced a fumble and broke up a pass during Bryant’s season-ending 21-20 loss to Robert Morris. The game was also the final of Tate’s career; he finished the season with 12.5 tackles-for-loss, sixth best in the Northeastern Conference.
Riley Hilton, Presbyterian- Hilton - another former Nation Ford Falcon - made one catch during Presbyterian’s 14-6 win over Kennesaw State Saturday, a 3-yard touchdown grab early in the second quarter. It was the sophomore tight end’s third catch of the season.
Xavier McFadden, Carson-Newman- Rock Hill High product made 10 tackles and broke up a pass, but Carson-Newman lost a barnburner in the first round of the NCAA Division II playoffs, losing 61-59 to Valdosta State on the final play of the game. McFadden hit Valdosta State receiver Greg Dent at about the 3-yard line but couldn’t keep him out of the end zone as time expired. The disappointment was slightly tempered for McFadden, who was named first team All-South Atlantic Conference earlier in the week.
Other notable performances
Andre Foulks, Wingate- senior defensive lineman’s season finished two weeks ago, but he was named first team All-South Atlantic Conference earlier in the week, after an excellent final campaign.
Alstevis Squirewell, Newberry- Squirewell finished with six tackles and a half tackle-for-loss, but Newberry was blasted 50-7 by North Alabama in the first round of the Division II playoffs. Squirewell - a defensive lineman from Great Falls - was named first team All-South Atlantic Conference earlier in the week.
Gerald Dixon, Jr., South Carolina- Dixon Jr. made three tackles during The Citadel’s win over the Gamecocks. He got good news earlier in the week, though, accepting an invitation to play in the East-West Shrine Game NFL draft showcase that will be held in January in California.
Manny McCord, Newberry- Indian Land’s McCord returned three kickoffs for a combined 58 yards during the Wolves’ 50-7 loss to North Alabama in the first round of the Division II playoffs.
Zeek Rodney, Wake Forest- The Demon Deacons fell 33-13 to No. 1 Clemson, but the former South Pointe Shrine Bowler Rodney made four tackles, sharing a tackle-for-loss. Rodney has started every game at defensive tackle in his sophomore season for Wake Forest.
Chris Bouyer, East Tennessee State- Bouyer and ETSU finished the season with a 42-27 win over Kentucky Wesleyan. Bouyer made two tackles and had a sack for a 7-yard loss in the Bucs’ win. Bouyer - the former Northwestern defensive end - finished the season with 30 tackles in 11 games.
Worth Gregory, East Carolina- Fort Mill’s Gregory punted six times during ECU’s blowout of Central Florida, averaging 41.2 yards with two kicks downed inside the 20.
Lee Wright, Youngstown State- York’s Wright made eight tackles during the Penguins’ loss to Indiana State.
Mitchell Jeter, The Citadel- former Rock Hill Bearcat made four tackles during The Citadel’s 23-22 upset of South Carolina. Jeter also recorded a quarterback hurry.
Jerome Pettiway, South Carolina State- the Bulldogs beat Savannah State 52-29 and Pettiway, the former York Cougar, hit three punts for a 41-yard average with two downed inside the 20-yard line.
Nate Casey, Davidson- Westminster Catawba’s Casey made three tackles as Davidson ended its season with a 20-17 win over Stetson.
Andrew Komornik, Gardner-Webb- Nation Ford’s Komornik punted six times during Gardner-Webb’s season-ending 23-9 loss to Monmouth, averaging 35 yards per kick.
Devin Pearson, Charlotte- the 49ers got thumped 58-10 by Kentucky, with Pearson making six tackles from his starting safety position.
Roderick Byers, Clemson- Northwestern grad made a pair of tackles in Clemson’s win over Wake Forest.
This story was originally published November 23, 2015 at 12:16 PM with the headline "Top-10 performances by local college football players from the weekend of Nov. 21."