BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University football team made waves in Head Coach Chris Hedden's first season at the helm, tying for 3rd place in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference. Senior Antonio Garrett and freshman Jaivon Hudson were both first-team honorees with Hudson being named the Newcomer of the Year! Jamarrion Banks, Tywuan Clark, Travion Curry, Devin Hogan, Kenny Johnson, Jaydon McBreen, Maxwell Moore, Niegel Payne and Jashawn Wyckoff were all rewarded as members of the second team, while senior Mason Brandon notched Honorable Mention All-HCAC.
For the first time since Montez Archer Jr. in 2020-21 and just the third time in school history, the Beavers have the HCAC Newcomer of the Year in Jaivon Hudson (Bedford). Leading a stable of young and talented backs, Hudson went for 616 yards on just 103 carries (6.0 ave.). His 616 yards were 2nd in the conference and his 6.0 yards per rush led the HCAC for runners who had over 60 carries this year. Hudson finished with five touchdowns, four on the ground and one receiving. He went over 85 yards in five of Bluffton's final seven games.
Antonio Garrett (Murfreesboro, Tenn./Stewart's Creek) paved the way for a ground attack that included four of the top 10 rushers in the Heartland Conference! Bluffton led the HCAC with 184.7 rushing yards per game, while the 376.5 yards of total offense per game ranked 4th in the conference. A four-year starter at Bluffton, Garrett was a key component in Bluffton's 21 rushing touchdowns which were second to HCAC-heavyweight Hanover College.
The fourth-leading rusher in the conference, despite just 83 carries, was freshman Jamarrion Banks (Garfield Heights) who powered his way to 473 yards (5.7 ave.) and five scores on the ground. Banks also hauled in 11 passes for 98 yards, including a season long of 40 yards. He went for a season-best 125 at Olivet and followed that up with 101 yards on just 11 touches in Bluffton's 39-23 HCAC-opening win over Manchester.
Two-way threat Tywuan Clark (Toledo/Central Catholic) spearheaded a Bluffton offense that piled up 3765 total yards and scored 29.2 points per game. Clark completed 130-of-212 passes for 1,910 yards and 15 touchdowns. On the ground, Clark ran for 399 yards (8th in the conference) and eight scores. Clark had a 56-yard run and his longest completion went for 71 yards. He rushed for over 100 yards twice and passed for more than 200 yards five times.
For the second straight year, junior Travion Curry (Thomson, Ga.) earned 2nd Team All-Heartland Conference. He finished with 52 tackles, including 39 unassisted. Curry forced a pair of fumbles, recovered a pair and blocked two kicks. He also chipped in with four TFL's.
Senior Devin Hogan (Warren, Mich./Fitzgerald) was a menace to opposing offenses, piling up 62 tackles with nine of those behind the line of scrimmage (6th in HCAC) for losses of 35 yards. He had two sacks for 19 yards, three breakups and a fumble recovery. Hogan finished his career with 135 tackles, 16.5 TFL's and eight breakups.
The second offensive lineman to earn All-HCAC honors this season was Kenny Johnson (Thompson Station, Tenn./Independence). The junior helped Bluffton lead the HCAC with 184.7 rushing yards per game, and the 376.5 yards of total offense per game ranked 4th in the conference.
Junior Jaydon McBreen (Portland, Ore./Westview) collected his second All-HCAC honor in three years. His 57 stops were 3rd on team, while McBreen's 40 solos led the Beavers. He picked off two passes and broke up five more. For his career, McBreen has 116 tackles and nine interceptions (tied for 13th all-time).
Standout defensive end Maxwell Moore (Chagrin Falls) was honored as All-HCAC for the second straight season. Five of his 25 tackles were TFL's, including four sacks (2nd on the team). Moore had an interception and 44-yard return, two breakups, a fumble recovery and a team-best four quarterback hurries.
Earning All-Heartland Conference honors for the third straight season in senior Niegel Payne (Detroit, Mich./River Rouge) who caught 25 passes for 420 yards (12th in the HCAC). His 16.8 yards per catch were 4th in the conference. Payne hauled in four touchdown catches, giving him 15 for his career (tied for 8th all-time). His 1,699 career receiving yards are 6th all-time and his 107 receptions are 7th all-time.
Payne's running mate on the other side of the field was freshman Jashawn Wyckoff (Cleveland/Cleveland Heights) who took the conference by storm. Wyckoff racked up 46 receptions for 786 yards, both 5th in the HCAC. His eight scores were also fifth in the league. He eclipsed 100 yards four times, including a career-high 153 on just three catches, all touchdowns, in Bluffton's 49-7 win at Anderson. Wyckoff had a season-long 71-yard catch against the Ravens.
Senior Mason Brandon (Louisville, Ky./Meade County) topped the Beavers with 66 tackles, including 38 solos. He tallied 3.5 TFL's, two sacks, a pickoff, three breakups, two hurries and a fumble recovery. Brandon wrapped up his career with 175 tackles, with 108 of those being the solo variety. He also chalked up eight TFL's.
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