Bedlam and bowl games remain to be played, but for the most part college football in Oklahoma is in the books for 2014. Â Here are the top 10 memorable performers and performances in November:
No. 10 – Derek Serowski, Oklahoma Baptist
The junior receiver stood out as the Bison closed a historic season with a 63-21 win over Wayland Baptist. Â Serowski had just three receptions on the day, but made the most of them, picking up 108 yards – 36 yards per catch – and taking two of them in for scores, from 43 and 41 yards out.
No. 9 – Christian Hood, Central
This one might be considered a lifetime achievement award, but it warrants recognition that Hood, a senior from Tulsa, became the all-time leader in receptions at UCO. Â He had five catches, including one for a touchdown, against rival NSU to take over the top spot in the Broncho record book. Â Hood now has 181 career receptions with an opportunity to add to that number at the Mineral Water Bowl on Dec. 6.
No. 8 – Trevor Knight, Oklahoma
The sophomore quarterback had his best rushing day as a Sooner with 146 yards and ran in three touchdowns. Â This came on a day in which he fired for 230 yards passing and three touchdowns through the air as well.
Northwestern’s Alex Hemberger. Photo courtesy NWOSU Sports Info.
No. 7 – Alex Hemberger, Northwestern
Hemberger closed out his career at NWOSU on a high note. Â Not only did the Rangers beat rival Southwestern for the first time since 1995, but also Hemberger recorded 20 tackles in the win, giving him 134 tackles on the year.
No. 6 – Southeastern defense
Rivalry week saw the Savage Storm head up to Ada and hang on for a win, blocking two field goal attempts in the closing seconds. Â SOSU had an 18-9 lead late in the fourth when ECU closed to within three at 18-15 and less than two minutes remaining. Â The Tigers got the ball back with :52 on the clock and drove to the Storm 21 to attempt a FG with five seconds on the clock. Â The attempt was blocked, but Southeastern was penalized for running into the kicker. Â After moving the ball up about five yards following the penalty, Trevor Hunt’s attempt was blocked again as Thomas Curry blocked and recovered the football.
No. 5 – Sheldon Augustine, Langston
The Lions closed the regular season with six straight wins again. Â Augustine had a big game against SAGU in that stretch as he caught seven passes for 147 yards, averaging 21 yards per catch.
No. 4 – Karl Hodge, Southwestern
Hodge wrapped up his senior campaign with 980 yards on the season. Â He had three touchdown runs in the Bulldogs’ last win in 2014, an overtime victory over Southern Nazarene. Â Hodge posted a career-high 172 rushing yards and TD carries of two and 19 yards, before the game-winning 25-yard sprint on the Bulldogs’ first play in the overtime session to give SWOSU the 27-24 win.
No. 3 – Dane Evans, Tulsa
The Golden Hurricane picked up its second win of the season, by getting up early on SMU and holding on for the 38-28 win. Â Evans passed for all five TU touchdowns, a career-high, and was 16-of-25 on the day for 286 yards.
Central’s Cody Jones. Photo courtesy UCO Photo Services.
No. 2 – Central defense
The Bronchos’ found themselves in a tight contest against Lindenwood, leading just 14-13 at the half. Â UCO blew it open in the second half on the strength of a defense that forced five turnovers. Â Levonte Douglas, Riley Gaylon, Logan Orso and Addison Staggs each had an interception, with Orso running his pick back 43 yards for six. Â Chass Glaspie forced a fumble in the fourth that was recovered by Thomas Hill. Â Kenny Allen also had two sacks and seven tackles for UCO on the afternoon. Â Central shut out the Lions in the second half went on to win, 45-13.
No. 1 – Semaje Perine, Oklahoma
This is likely the most impressive performance of the year. Â The freshman set the new NCAA single-game rushing record – breaking a record only seven days old – with 427 yards on 34 carries and four touchdowns in a 44-7 win over Kansas. Â Perine averaged 12.55 yards per carry and he wasn’t even the starting running back against the Jayhawks. Â He has been named one of 16 semifinalists for the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, which recognizes the top FBS offensive player that exhibits quality characteristics, and is the only true freshman on the list.