Indiana State safety Rylan Cole, a former standout at Mt. Vernon High School, was named the Missouri Valley Football Conference Defensive Player of the Week for the second time this season.
Rylan Cole, the sophomore defensive back at Indiana State University and former standout at Mt. Vernon, had another outstanding game for the Sycamores in their near upset of No. 1-ranked North Dakota State on Saturday.
For his performance, Cole was named the Missouri Valley Football Conference Defensive Player of the Week.
Cole had 19 tackles — nine solos — and a forced fumble in a 31-26 loss to the Bison.
This season, Cole has played in four of five games for ISU and has 44 tackles (24 solos), three tackles for loss, three interceptions and a forced fumble.
It’s the second time this season he was honored by the league as its top defensive player.
The sophomore safety picked up his first weekly recognition following the Sycamores’ Week One win over North Alabama. He recorded a then-career high eight tackles, while adding 2.5 tackles-for-loss, two interceptions, and two pass breakups against the Lions.
NP pair, G-C’s McKee play roles in win
Former New Palestine football standouts Eric Roudebush and Brody Luker were key contributors for Hanover College in a 63-21 win over Bluffton Saturday.
Roudebush, a junior wide receiver/punter had five receptions for 60 yards, with a long of 29 yards. He also had two punts for a 34-yard average.
For the season, Roudebush has 16 receptions for 188 yards and two touchdowns. He is average 34.6 yards per punt.
Luker, a junior defensive back, was key on the Panthers defense. He had five tackles, including two solos and .5 tackles for loss. He also broke up two passes.
On the season, Luker has 38 tackles, 21 solos, and two interceptions. He had 12 tackles at Adrian College earlier this season.
Lance McKee, who played quarterback at Greenfield-Central, is a sophomore wide receiver for the Panthers. He had a season-high four receptions, gaining 22 yards, in the victory over the Beavers. He also had a 28-yard kick return.
This season, McKee has 10 catches for 88 yards and 161 return yards on six attempts.
Area players in AU-FC game
A number of former Hancock County players were involved in Saturday’s Franklin College 54-14 victory over Anderson University.
For the victorious Grizzlies, former Mt. Vernon player Charlie Moore, a junior linebacker, had three tackles including 1.5 tackles for loss.
For Anderson, freshman returner/running back Travon Hegler-Wright, who played at Mt. Vernon, had 102 yards in kick returns. Kenny Dobbins, a frosh linebacker and another former Marauder, had three tackles.
Leading the AU defense was former Eastern Hancock Royal Cayden Sotelo. The sophomore defensive back had eight tackles, including seven solos, .5 tackles for loss and an interception with a 36-yard return.
For the Ravens, running back Gabe Lawler (Eastern Hancock) and wide receiver Caleb Byers (New Palestine) saw action, too.
Keele is D-II starter
Former New Palestine lineman Austin Keele is the starting center for the University of Indianapolis football team.
The NCAA Division II Greyhounds are undefeated (5-0). They defeated McKendree 38-23 Saturday.
King, Koziol contribute in BSU win
Sophomore defensive lineman Kyle King, a former New Palestine standout, had his first sack as a Ball State Cardinal in a 17-16 Ball State victory at Central Michigan Saturday.
Former Mt. Vernon receiver Tanner Koziol, a freshman tight end for BSU, had one catch for two yards in the victory.
Slunaker throws TD pass
In a 40-20 victory over Pikeville, Mt. Vernon’s Gehrig Slunaker, a freshman quarterback for Georgetown (Ky.) College completed 14 of 31 passes for 171 yards and one touchdown. He also had four interceptions.
Ewers has two stops for USF
In a 53-0 win over Madonna University Saturday, University of Saint Francis sophomore defensive back Aidan Ewers, who played at New Palestine, had two tackles.
