All-American duel

Citadel receiver Andre Roberts spends most of his film-room time looking at opposing defenses, picking apart the tendencies of cornerbacks and trying to find ways to get open.

But earlier this week, Roberts found time to watch tape of a fellow All-American receiver -- Elon's Terrell Hudgins.

"A little bit," Roberts admitted when asked if there is a personal rivalry between two of the best receivers in Southern Conference football history. "Just because we are the top two. He beat me out my sophomore year (in total catches), and I beat him out last year. So there is a little personal rivalry."

Roberts and Hudgins, both seniors, will share the field for the final time as college rivals Saturday when The Citadel visits ninth-ranked Elon.

But who knows? The two Facebook friends may well play together again in postseason college all-star games, or even in the NFL.

"We talk some on Facebook," Roberts said. "But I'm sure we'll talk more after this game and after this season. We both have aspirations for the NFL, so we'll have a lot to talk about."

Hudgins, 6-2 and 236 pounds, holds the SoCon record for career receptions (331), yards (4,367) and touchdown catches (42). With last week's monster game against Furman (16 catches for 209 yards and a TD), Hudgins became the all-time leading receiver in NCAA Division I history.

Not bad for a guy who first went to East Carolina as a quarterback, then was assigned to defense after he transferred to Elon five years ago. After a redshirt season and the arrival of coach Pete Lembo, Hudgins moved to receiver, and the rest really was history-making.

For Lembo, the game ball he awarded to Hudgins after the Furman game meant just as much as all those records.

"I've never seen him play so hard and fight for extra yards the way he did in that game," Lembo said. "All the catches and records are exciting, but the way he competed in that game was more impressive to me. I think he senses with each game that he's getting closer to the end."

Citadel coach Kevin Higgins is impressed with the chemistry between Hudgins and junior quarterback Scott Riddle, who already is the SoCon's career passing leader.

"When Riddle gets to the line, if there is single coverage on Hudgins, he will give him the signal," Higgins said. "If it's press coverage, he will throw a deep ball and let Terrell jump. If it's soft coverage, he'll throw a hitch and let him run for it. They know each other so well at this point."

Roberts, who has caught most of his passes from Duran Lawson and Bart Blanchard, stands second to Hudgins in SoCon history in receptions (239) and TD catches (33) and third in career yards (3,268). After Hudgins set a SoCon record with 117 catches in 2007, Roberts hauled in 95 passes last season to edge him out for the SoCon lead.

The two differ in style, of course, with Hudgins having the edge in size and Roberts in quickness. Roberts' ability to return punts and run the ball out of "Wildcat" formations should help him with NFL scouts, as well.

But each receiver plays a huge role for his team. Hudgins has 59 catches for 750 yards and six TDs this season, dwarfing the numbers of Elon's No. 2 receiver (Sean Jeffcoat with 19 catches). Roberts has 31 catches for 317 yards and four TDs, well ahead of teammate Scott Harward (16 catches for 176 yards).

In head-to-head matchups during their careers, The Citadel has won two of three games over Elon. Roberts has 20 catches for 421 yards and four TDs in those games, while Hudgins has 28 catches for 480 yards and five scores.

The bottom line? Let's go to Citadel cornerback Cortez Allen, who covers Roberts in practice and Hudgins in games.

"Andre is not as big, but is a lot more athletic," Allen said. "I would say Andre is more difficult to cover, with his agility and quickness. But we'll have our hands full with Hudgins."

NEXT GAME

Who: The Citadel at No. 9 Elon

When: 1:30 p.m. Saturday

Where: Rhodes Stadium, Elon, N.C.

Records: Citadel 2-2, 0-1; Elon 4-1, 2-0

TALE OF THE TAPE

How the careers of Citadel WR Andre Roberts and Elon WR Terrell Hudgins match up:

Roberts Category Hudgins

5-11, 185 Ht., Wt. 6-2, 236

Columbia Hometown Rocky Mount, N.C.

21 Age 22

239 Receptions 331

33 TD catches 42

3,268 Receiving yds 4,367