BUFFALO, NY – JC Dixon (Niagara Falls, NY/Canisius) of the Buffalo State football team and Kate Rutigliano (Martinsville, NJ/Bridgewater-Raritan) of the Buffalo State women's volleyball team have been named Bengal Athletes of the Week, presented by UBMD Orthopedics & Sports Medicine.

Dixon, a senior economics & finance major, was a staple of the Buffalo State offense in their 39-27 win over Hilbert on Saturday. Dixon rushed for 149 yards with a pair of touchdowns including a 53-yard score on the Bengals' opening drive. The performance also marked his third 100-yard rushing day of the season.

The Bengals return to action on Saturday as they will host Ithaca at 3:00 pm for a Liberty League contest.

Rutigliano, a senior art & design major, was a key piece for the women's volleyball team as they improved to 5-0 in conference play over the weekend following sweeps over Canton and Potsdam. Rutigliano totaled 15 kills, averaging 2.50 kills per set, and a .433 hitting percentage. She also added four total blocks in the team's win over Canton and had 10 kills with a .500 hitting percentage in the contest.

The women's volleyball team returns to action on Friday as they will host Oneonta for another SUNYAC battle at 6:00 pm.