Rock Hill, S.C. – Four members of the Lenoir-Rhyne University Football Team garnered 2017 All-South Atlantic Conference accolades, league officials announced earlier today.

Lenoir-Rhyne sophomore running back Nelson Brown (Salisbury, Md.) was named to the all-league first team after garnering second-team accolades in 2016.  Brown finished with 1,071 yards on the ground in addition to 10 rushing touchdowns.

Brown rushed for 256 yards against Tusculum (a 23-7 victory) on September 30 – fourth-best in school single-game history – and finished second in the league in rushing yards (107.1 per game).

Three Bears – junior center Jalen Soto (Vacaville, Calif.), sophomore linebacker Sherrod Williams (Edison, Ga.) and sophomore safety Kyle Dugger (Fayetteville, Ga.) – were named to the All-SAC Second Team.

Dugger led the team in tackles with 87 in addition to six pass break-ups, two forced fumbles and an interception.  Dugger, the 2015 league defensive freshman of the year, was an outstanding return specialist as well and returned one punt for a touchdown.

Williams was second on the team in tackles (72) to go along with two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble while Soto started all 10 games at center for the Bears and anchored the offensive line.

Lenoir-Rhyne finished 3-7 on the year including a 2-5 mark in league play and fell short – 24-20 - in the season finale this past Saturday against Catawba (9-2) in Salisbury, N.C.

2017 All-South Atlantic Conference
Football Teams

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
Quarterback – Patrick O'Brien, Catawba
Running Back – Jared Dillingham, Carson-Newman
Running Back – Nelson Brown, Lenoir-Rhyne
Running Back – Lawrence Pittman, Wingate
Wide Receiver – Sam Mobley, Catawba
Wide Receiver – Keshaun Taylor, Mars Hill
Wide Receiver – Craig Rucker, Mars Hill
Offensive Line – Phil McDowell, Carson-Newman
Offensive Line – Quinzavious Sands, Catawba
Offensive Line – Brandon Berridge, Mars Hill
Offensive Line – Dakota Mozingo, Newberry
Offensive Line – Daniel Owens, Wingate
Tight End – Jourdan Osinskie, Catawba
Placekicker – Lee Brackman, Catawba
Long Snapper – Will Brasington, Limestone
Return Specialist – B.J. Muckelvene, Wingate

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE
Defensive Line – Montel Presley, Carson-Newman
Defensive Line – Jamarcus Henderson, Newberry
Defensive Line – Keito Jordan, Newberry
Defensive Line – Auntrell Mack, Wingate
Linebacker – Sha'Heem Stupart, Carson-Newman
Linebacker – Trey Evans, Catawba
Linebacker – Joe Blue, Newberry
Linebacker – Kyle Kitchens, Catawba
Defensive Back – Darius Williams, Carson-Newman
Defensive Back – Desmond Fairell, Carson-Newman
Defensive Back – Cris Page, Catawba
Defensive Back – Martez Thompkins, Tusculum
Punter – Hunter Cantrell, Tusculum AND Alex Haynes, Limestone

SECOND TEAM OFFENSE
Quarterback – Derrick Evans, Carson-Newman AND David Salmon, Mars Hill
Running Back – Eamon Smart, Catawba
Running Back – Jerko'ya Patton, Limestone
Running Back – Blake Hayes, Wingate
Wide Receiver – Dorren Miller, Carson-Newman
Wide Receiver – Markell Castle, Newberry
Wide Receiver – Vyncint Smith, Limestone
Offensive Line – Jordan Seal, Carson-Newman
Offensive Line – Brandon Floyd, Catawba
Offensive Line – Jalen Soto, Lenoir-Rhyne
Offensive Line – Tyler Anderson, Newberry
Offensive Line – Connor Baroniunas, Wingate
Tight End – Jake Jensen, Wingate
Placekicker – Nick Smith, Limestone
Long Snapper – Ian O'Grady, Tusculum
Return Specialist – Jay Boyd, Tusculum

SECOND TEAM DEFENSE
Defensive Line – Brian Bembry, Carson-Newman
Defensive Line – Omar Staley, Catawba
Defensive Line – Jordan Hemingway, Catawba
Defensive Line – Kelvin Atkins, Limestone AND Cardell Rawlings, Wingate
Linebacker – Sherrod Williams, Lenoir-Rhyne
Linebacker – Evan Patrick, Limestone
Linebacker – L'Keith Brown, Tusculum
Linebacker – Robbie Wallace, Wingate
Defensive Back – Kyle Dugger, Lenoir-Rhyne
Defensive Back – Jawanza Adams, Newberry
Defensive Back – Dee Alford, Tusculum
Defensive Back – Kam Johnson, Wingate

OFFENSIVE FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR – Jerko'ya Patton, Limestone
DEFENSIVE FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR – Earl Adams, Mars Hill
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR – Lawrence Pittman, Wingate
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR – Kyle Kitchens, Catawba
JACOBS BLOCKING TROPHY – Daniel Owens, Wingate
COACH OF THE YEAR – Joe Reich, Wingate

Statistical Champions
Rushing Yards Per Game: Lawrence Pittman, Wingate (114.7)
Passing Yards Per Game:  David Salmon, Mars Hill (276.6)
Total Offense Per Game: David Salmon, Mars Hill (267.7)
Receptions Per Game: Keshaun Taylor, Mars Hill (6.4)
Receiving Yards Per Game: Keshaun Taylor, Mars Hill (128.1)
All-Purpose Yards Per Game: Keshaun Taylor, Mars Hill (152.20)
Passing Efficiency Rating: Patrick O'Brien, Catawba (157.7)
Punt Return Avg.: BJ Muckelvene, Wingate (25.1)
Kick Return Avg: Chance Walker, Newberry (26.9)
Punting Avg: Alex Haynes, Limestone (42.1)
Scoring Average (TDs): Derrick Evans, Carson- Newman (9.8)
Scoring Average (K): Freddy McCollum, Wingate (7.4)
Field Goals Per Game: Freddy McCollum, Wingate & Nick Smith, Limestone (1.2)
Field Goal Percentage: Lee Brackman, Catawba (.800)   
Tackles Per Game: Robert Wallace, Wingate (9.5)
Sacks Per Game:  Kyle Kitchens, Catawba (1.14)
Tackles for Loss Per Game: Kyle Kitchens, Catawba (1.6)
Interceptions Per Game:  Darius Williams, Carson-Newman (0.5)
Team Scoring Offense:  Carson-Newman (33.1)
Team Scoring Defense: Catawba (17.6)
Team Passing Offense: Mars Hill (302.9)
Team Passing Defense: Tusculum (170.1)
Team Rushing Offense:  Carson-Newman (274.5)
Team Rushing Defense: Carson-Newman (95.7)
Team Total Offense: Mars Hill (413.5)
Team Total Defense: Carson-Newman (277.9)