Six Ohio Football Student-Athletes Earn All-MAC Accolades

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CLEVELAND— After wrapping up their second consecutive nine-win regular season, six Ohio football student-athletes earned All-Mid-American Conference recognition.

Three of the Bobcats' five captains earned All-MAC First Team accolades. Graduate student wide receiver Sam Wiglusz represents the team on All-MAC First Team Offense while graduate student linebackers Bryce Houston and Keye Thompson were named to the All-MAC First Team Defense squad.

Graduate student quarterback Kurtis Rourke is the only representative on the All-MAC Second Team while graduate student defensive end Vonnie Watkins and redshirt senior defensive tackle Rayyan Buell earned All-MAC Third Team Defense recognition.

Wiglusz (Brecksville, Ohio) is second on the team in receiving yards (596), putting him among the top five receivers in the conference. On the season, he's scored three touchdowns on 51 receptions. Against Iowa State (Sept. 16), Wiglusz's third quarter touchdown gave the Bobcats a 7-0 lead, propelling them to a 10-7 victory over their Big 12 opponent.

Houston (Lewis Center, Ohio) leads the defense in total tackles (119) and is currently ranked 16^th among all NCAA FBS athletes. On the season, he's recorded a team-best solo tackles (54), assisted tackles (65), tackles for loss (12.5) and interceptions (3). In the MAC, Houston is fourth in total tackles and third in tackles for loss. The linebacker earned MAC East Defensive of the Week accolades twice this season.

Thompson (Barberton, Ohio) finished the regular season with 94 total tackles, highlighted by 42 solo stops. He also recorded 10 tackles for loss, one interception and led the team in fumble recoveries (3). Thompson scored his first career touchdown against Bowling Green (Sept. 23) after a 71-yard fumble recovery. This performance earned him the first of two MAC East Defensive Player of the Week awards this season. In the MAC, Thompson is 8^th in total tackles.

Rourke (Oakville, Ontario, Canada) became the second leading passer in program history this season, finishing the regular season with 7,650 career passing yards. On the season, the graduate student recorded 2,207 yards in the air, putting him second in the MAC, going 195-for-307 with 11 touchdowns. Rourke is also a threat on the ground, amassing 219 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 67 carries. After his performance against Akron (Nov. 24), Rourke earned MAC East Offensive Player of the Week accolades.

Watkins (Lusby, Md.) recorded 30 tackles, including 13 solo stops, six tackles for loss and three sacks. The defensive end currently leads the team in quarterback hurries (10) and forced fumbles (2).

Buell (Hornell, N.Y.) finished the regular season with 29 tackles, highlighted by a team-leading 4.5 sacks. He also finished second on the team in tackles for loss (11.5) and recorded three quarterback hurries.

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Six Ohio Football Student-Athletes Earn All-MAC Accolades

Players Mentioned

Rayyan Buell

Bryce Houston

Kurtis Rourke

Keye Thompson

Vonnie Watkins

Sam Wiglusz

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