ELON, N.C. – In their performance at The Citadel Saturday, Elon senior Michael Mayers (Virginia Beach, Va./Landstown) and sophomore Terrell Hudgins (Rocky Mount, N.C./Rocky Mount) set a new NCAA record for the most passes caught by two teammates in a single season. Jerry Rice and Joe Thomas hauled in 183 catches for Mississippi Valley State in 1984 to establish the previous plateau 23 years ago.
Mayers hauled in nine catches for 90 yards while Hudgins caught nine passes for 191 yards and three touchdowns against the Bulldogs – a combined 18 catches for 281 yards – to boost their collective season total to 189 receptions and 2,294 yards. In the process, they also eclipsed the Southern Conference single-season record for the most receiving yards by two teammates of 2,241 yards by the Marshall tandem of Mike Barber and Sean Doctor in 1987.
“Terrell and Mike are enjoying an excellent season along with our freshman quarterback Scott Riddle,” Phoenix coach Pete Lembo said. “The productivity of our passing game has been a catalyst as we build the program into a contender in the Southern Conference. It is a tremendous honor for Elon football and these student-athletes to be recognized as NCAA record holders.”
Ranked No. 24 in The Sports Network’s new FCS poll this afternoon, the Phoenix currently leads the Southern Conference and ranks second in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision in passing offense (363.1 yards per game). Elon also ranks 15th in the nation in scoring offense (36.2 points per game), 16th in total offense (427.9 yards per game) and 19th in passing efficiency (145.9 rating).
Added to The Sports Network’s final Walter Payton Award watch list this afternoon, Hudgins leads both the Southern Conference and the FCS in receptions (10.8 per game). Mayers ranks second in the conference and fourth in the country in receptions (8.1 per game). Hudgins leads the league and ranks second in the nation in receiving yards with 137.5 per game.
Last Saturday, Hudgins set a new Southern Conference single-season record for the most receptions (108). He also tied the Southern Conference record for the most games receiving for 100 or more yards (seven) while Mayers broke the Southern Conference record for the most career receptions (214).
–ELON–
