BEVERLY, Mass. - Senior Dylan Rushe (Palos Verdes, Calif.) came just one point and one field goal shy of tying two NCAA Division III records for a kicker in a 43-7 Endicott win over Castleton State on Saturday. For his efforts, Rushe was named NEFC Special Teams Player of the Week for week two.
Rushe converted five field goals and four extra points for a total of 19 points against the Spartans, both for career-highs. He accounted for all of Endicott's points in the first quarter as the Gulls trailed 7-6 heading into the second, but his third field goal of the game put the Blue and Green ahead for good over Castleton State.
The NCAA Division III record for most points in a game for a kicker is 20 and field goals made in a game is six by Jim Hever from Rhodes College. Hever, back in 1984 against Millsaps College, converted six field goals and two extra points to set the record.
Rushe was 5-for-5 on field goal attempts, converting from 42, 27, 25, 42, and 44 yards.
When Rushe was called on to punt against Castleton State, the senior averaged 50.5 yards on his four attempts with one landing inside the opponent's 20-yard line. On 10 kickoffs, Rushe average 59.5 yards with one touchback.
Endicott also saw two players placed on the NEFC Honor Roll for their performances against Castleton State this weekend. Junior quarterback Drew Frenette (New Bedford, Mass.) was 23-of-32 for 272 and two touchdowns in his season debut for the Gulls. He connected with receivers Jamison Craft (Phillipston, Mass.) and Greg Dellorco (Franklin, Mass.) for touchdowns.
On the defensive side, junior defensive back Jake Cox (Wrentham, Mass.) picked off the Spartans quarterback twice on Saturday which matched his season total from 2012. His first interception resulted in one of Rushe's field goal makes and his second ended a Castleton State scoring threat as he intercepted the ball on Endicott's own 12-yard line, returning the ball 20 yards back the other way.
Rushe and the rest of the Endicott football team return home next weekend for their final non-conference game of the regular season. The Gulls host Kean University (0-2) out the NJAC conference on Saturday, September 21st at 1:00 pm.
