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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Under Armour Senior Bowl Selects Three from Ole Miss
12/31/2009 | Football
MOBILE, Al.a -Saturday's Cotton Bowl against Oklahoma State won't be the final time three Ole Miss Rebels take the field together. Multi-threat standout Dexter McCluster, wide receiver Shay Hodge and offensive guard John Jerry have all accepted invitations to the 2010 Under Armour Senior Bowl, officials announced today. The game will kickoff at 3 pm (CT) on January 30th in Mobile's Ladd-Peebles Stadium and will be televised live by the NFL Network.
McCluster was literally Mr. Do-It-All for the Rebels this year, leading the team with 1,488 all-purpose yards. His 985 rushing yards was also tops on the team and he ranked second in receiving yards with 475 on the year. He also accounted for 10 touchdowns (six rushing, three receiving, one passing) on the year.
With 15 more rushing yards and 25 more receiving yards in the Rebels' bowl game, McCluster will become the first player in SEC history to have more than 1,000 yards rushing and 500 yards receiving in a single season. McCluster's best outing of the year came in the Rebels' 42-17 win over Tennessee. Against the Vols, he set new school records for single game rushing yards with 282 and all-purpose yards with 324.
Following the regular season, the Largo, Fla. native was named a third team Associated Press All-American, first team All-SEC selection as an all-purpose player (AP) and second team All-SEC selection as a running back (AP & Coaches). McCluster ranks second on the Ole Miss career all-purpose yardage list with 3,694.
"I'm excited about being selected to participate in the Senior Bowl," McCluster said. "It gives me a chance to showcase my talents for all 32 teams."
Hodge enjoyed the best season of his career in 2009, leading the Rebels with 63 catches for 1,023 yards. He caught eight touchdowns on the year and finished first in the SEC in receiving yards per game (82.25) and receptions per game (5.25). Hodge also led the league with four 100-yard receiving games in 2009, with his best effort coming against Northern Arizona (169 yards receiving, two touchdowns).
His breakout season landed him atop Ole Miss' record books for receiving yards in a single season (1,023) and he's tied for first in single season 100-yard receiving games (four). He also ranks second in school history in career touchdown receptions (22), career receptions (166), single season receptions (63) and is tied for fourth in single game receiving yards (169).
"Being selected for the Senior Bowl means a lot to me," Hodge said. "I've heard about the Senior Bowl since I was very young and I look forward to the challenge."
Jerry is a four year starter for the Rebels who can play multiple positions along the offensive line but will come to the Senior Bowl as a guard. The younger brother of Peria Jerry--who played in last year's Senior Bowl---John Jerry was a first team All-SEC pick by both the AP and league coaches this season. He was also named the SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week after helping the Rebels roll up 397 total yards of offense in the Rebels' win over Vanderbilt. He is part of an offensive unit that ranks fourth in total offense in the SEC, averaging 214.58 yards per game.
"Playing in the Senior Bowl will be a great experience," Jerry said. "It gives me the opportunity to go against the top players in the country."
Tickets for the 2010 Under Armour Senior Bowl are currently available for purchase at the Senior Bowl ticket offices (151 Dauphin Street and inside Bel Air Mall), select Regions Bank locations, online at www.seniorbowl.com or by calling (251) 432-4109.