Top performances by local college football players from the weekend of Nov. 28
Mason Rudolph, Oklahoma State- didn’t start Saturday against Oklahoma, further evidence that his injured ankle is a problem. Rudolph – the sophomore QB from Northwestern – did play sparingly in the game, completing none of his three pass attempts in the second quarter, one of which was intercepted and returned for a touchdown during the Cowboys’ 58-23 loss.
According to a Tulsa World story, Rudolph – who has thrown for nearly 3,600 yards this season, third best in school history – had surgery for a fracture on Monday. His status for the Cowboys’ bowl game will be determined. Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy wasn’t confident that Rudolph could be effective against Oklahoma.
“We didn’t really feel that Mason was healthy enought to play the game at full speed and protect himself,” Gundy to the paper.
Mitchell Jeter, The Citadel- former Rock Hill High Bearcat had a big game during The Citadel’s 41-38 last-second win over Coastal Carolina in the Football Championship Series playoffs. Jeter made two tackles, split a half-sack and forced a fumble in the third quarter that led to a field goal, and then recovered a separate fumble with 44 seconds left in the fourth quarter. That set up Eric Goins game-winning field goal. Jeter and the Bulldogs face crosstown rivals Charleston Southern this weekend in the second round of the FCS playoffs.
Worth Gregory, East Carolina- Fort Mill grad hit four punts during ECU’s season-ending 19-16 loss to Cincinnati for an average of 42.8 yards, with three of the kicks downed inside the 20-yard line. Gregory had a fine junior season, averaging 43 yards per punt, with 32 of his 60 kicks downed inside the opposing team’s 20. ECU’s opponents averaged just 3.3 yards per punt return.
Landon Ard, South Carolina- Ard hit all five of his kickoffs into the end zone for touchbacks during South Carolina’s loss to Clemson on Saturday. Ard - the former South Pointe Stallion - was kicking in his final college game.
Rod Byers, Clemson- Northwestern grad and senior defensive lineman made one tackle during the Tigers’ 37-32 win over South Carolina. Byers had 17 tackles in 12 games this season.
Gerald Dixon, South Carolina- South Pointe Stallion made four tackles in his final college football game, the Gamecocks’ loss to Clemson Saturday. Dixon made 41 tackles with four for a loss and an interception this season. His half brother Gerald Dixon Jr., - the former Northwestern standout - also wrapped up his career Saturday.
Zeek Rodney, Wake Forest- Rodney made one tackle as Wake Forest’s season came to an end with a 27-21 loss to Duke. A sophomore, Rodney had 22 tackles in 12 games from his defensive tackle spot.
Tay Hicklin, Georgia Southern- South Pointe’s Hicklin made a pair of tackles as Georgia Southern blew out South Alabama 55-17.
Corey Seargent, East Carolina- Seargent made three tackles and broke up a pass as his freshman year came to a close with a 19-16 loss to Cincinnati. The former Northwestern Trojan broke up six passes and defended seven more to go with an interception in nine games this fall.
Devin Pearson, Charlotte- Pearson - the former South Pointe standout - made four tackles and broke up a pass during Charlotte’s season-ending 28-7 loss to Rice. Pearson finished the season with 46 tackles, two interceptions and two forced fumbles in 12 games.
This story was originally published November 30, 2015 at 5:26 PM with the headline "Top performances by local college football players from the weekend of Nov. 28."