Monday, November 13, 2006

TUSCULUM NAMES 10 TO ALL-SAC FOOTBALL TEAM

Patrick King	Michael Bujnak	Adrian Samples	Kenny Wells	John Gregory	Robby Kelly

ROCK HILL, S.C. --- Tusculum College placed a league-high 10 players on the 2006 All-South Atlantic Conference Football Team announced officials Monday. Patrick King, Michael Bujnak, Adrian Samples, Kenny Wells, John Gregory and Robby Kelly were named to the All-SAC First Team while Jamichael Caldwell, Gavin Mauldin, Glen Black and Octavius Love garnered Second Team recognition. Wingate and Newberry also placed 10 honorees each to the All-SAC Team.

Patrick King, a 6-0, 220-pound junior from Warner Robins, Ga., was selected as one of the three First Team running backs. King finished second in the conference averaging 61.2 rushing yards per game. He accounted for 612 yards on 140 carries including a pair of touchdowns. King also posted 14 receptions for 63 yards.

Michael Bujnak, a 6-6, 300-pound senior from Belleville, Ill., earns All-SAC recognition at offensive tackle. The Eastern Illinois transfer has started in every collegiate game he has played in, including the last two seasons at Tusculum. Bujnak was a Preseason All-American selection and this marks the third time he has earned All-Conference recognition in his career. While at EIU, he was named to the All-Ohio Valley Conference team on two occasions.

This marks the second straight year Adrian Samples has been named to the All-SAC First Team defensive line. The 6-2, 255-pound junior from Rome, Ga., tallied 35 tackles, including a team-best 12 tackles for loss, five sacks and nine quarterback hurries.

Kenny Wells joins Samples on the All-Conference First Team after finishing third on the squad with 52 tackles, including four for loss and a sack. The 6-2, 220-pound junior from Warner Robins, Ga. broke up three passes and recovered a fumble from his linebacker position.

Robby Kelly returns as the All-SAC First Team long snapper. Kelly, a 6-2, 230-pound junior from Thomaston, Ga., has excelled on TC's punt teams handling the snapping chores.

Redshirt freshman John Gregory had a fine debut season leading the SAC in punting, averaging 40.9 yards per kick. The 6-2, 210-pound native of Ooltewah, Tenn. accounted for 2,866 punting yards on his 70 attempts, both second all-time in a season at Tusculum while his average is fourth-best. Gregory was named SAC Special Teams Player of the Week three times this season and was selected as national special team player of the week by D2football.com and Football Gazette.

Jamichael Caldwell	Gavin Mauldin	Glen Black	Octavius Love

For a second consecutive season, Jamichael Caldwell was named to the All-Conference Second Team at receiver. The 6-1, 210-pound junior from Chattanooga, Tenn., was the Pioneers top receiver once again as he 43 catches for 647 yards and seven touchdowns. His yardage tally is the third most in school history, while his seven TD catches are second most by a Pioneer in a season. He has made 13 touchdown receptions in his TC career, which are tied for the most in school history.

Elba, Ala. senior Gavin Mauldin returns to the All-SAC Second Team offensive line. The 6-7, 300-pounder started in all 11 games this season as he and Bujnak helped orchestrate the Pioneers' improved running game.

Glen Black makes earns his first All-Conference honor with the Pioneers. The Bristol, Tenn. senior kicker led Tusculum in scoring with 43 points. Black leaves Tusculum as its all-time leader in extra points (69) and extra point attempts (77). His 111 career points kicking are the second most in school history. In 2006, Black went 22-for-24 on extra points and 7-for-11 on field goals. He was named SAC Special Teams Player of the Week twice, including once this year.

Octavius Love rounds out the list of All-SAC honorees. The 5-11, 195-pound corner back earns All-SAC recognition for the second time in his career, but first in the secondary. The Wellford, S.C. native accounted for 23 tackles, including two tackles for loss, two interceptions and three pass break-ups.

Tusculum posted its sixth winning campaign in the last seven years as the Pioneers went 6-5. The six victories were a three-win improvement from last season's club. The Pioneers also finished tied for fifth in the South Atlantic Conference.

- SAC -

2006 All-South Atlantic Conference Football Team
First Team Offense
QB - Josh Stepp, Newberry
WR - Tymere Zimmerman, Newberry
WR - Justin Durant, Presbyterian
WR - Dan Brooks, Wingate
RB - Ronnie Edwards, Lenoir-Rhyne
RB - Alex Haynes, Newberry
RB - Patrick King, Tusculum
TE - Chris Conklin, Wingate
OL - James Periminis, Carson-Newman
OL - Heath Benedict, Newberry
OL - Marchant Faustin, Newberry
OL - Michael Bujnak, Tusculum
OL - Brandon Manshack, Wingate
PK - Ryan Lukshis, Newberry
RS - Donald Brown, Wingate

First Team Defense
DL - Ron Ellington, Catawba
DL - Benjamin McDowell, Lenoir-Rhyne
DL - Adrian Samples, Tusculum
DL - Kenwin Cummings, Wingate
LB - Nathaniel Smith, Mars Hill
LB - Will Newell, Newberry
LB - Antwan Thomas, Presbyterian
LB - Kenny Wells, Tusculum
DB - Charles Mormon, Catawba
DB - Derrell Mills, Newberry
DB - Chad Burgess, Presbyterian
DB - Kevin Molony, Presbyterian
DB - David Jones, Wingate
P - John Gregory, Tusculum
LS - Robbie Kelly, Tusculum

Second Team Offense
QB - Anthony Metzelaars, Wingate
WR - Brent Johnson, Catawba
WR - Jamichael Caldwell, Tusculum
WR - Gary Tatum, Wingate
RB - Jamelle Cuthbertson, Catawba
RB - Deshon Rodell, Newberry
RB - S.J. Worrell, Presbyterian
TE - Shane Timmons, Catawba
OL - Nate Skellenger, Carson-Newman
OL - Will Reedy, Catawba
OL - J.P. Gunter, Lenoir-Rhyne
OL - Matt Vogel, Mars Hill
OL - Gavin Mauldin, Tusculum
PK - Glen Black, Tusculum
RS - Lance Johnson, Catawba

Second Team Defense
DL - Anthony Toribio, Carson-Newman
DL - Marcus Huntley, Catawba
DL - Aaron Cotteral, Lenoir-Rhyne
DL - Jonathan Breaux, Newberry
LB - Eric Rice, Carson-Newman
LB - Lester Sconyers, Catawba
LB - Justin Jones, Presbyterian
LB - Stuart Sheppard, Wingate
DB - Brandon Walden, Carson-Newman
DB - Octavius Love, Tusculum
DB - Donald Brown, Wingate
P - David Brentz, Carson-Newman
LS - Sean Foley, Presbyterian

SAC Offensive Player of the Year
Josh Stepp, Newberry

SAC Defensive Player of the Year
Ron Ellington, Catawba

SAC Offensive Freshman of the Year
Justin Sanders, Lenoir-Rhyne

SAC Defensive Freshman of the Year
Brian Brown, Carson-Newman

SAC Coach of the Year
Zak Willis, Newberry

Jacobs Blocking Trophy Award
Heath Benedict, Newberry