Rock Hill, N.C.----Wingate University senior punter/kicker Ethan Evans has been named the South Atlantic Conference Special Teams Player of the Week, league officials announced Monday morning. Evans earns the honor for the third time this season and fourth time in his career.

Evans played a key role in Wingate's 24-21 victory at Lenoir-Rhyne Saturday afternoon, as the 'Dogs knocked off the #22 Bears to move to 8-1 overall and 6-1 in the SAC.

Evans averaged 45.4 yards per punt on his eight punts, with five of those going inside the 20. He also made all three PATs and connected on his lone field goal attempt, a 35-yarder. Evans had touchbacks on four of five kickoffs on the afternoon. Evans had three punts that pinned the Bears inside their own 10, including one at the two yard line. He also had a 53-yard punt that set LR up at its own three in the fourth quarter that led to Dequan Mosley's interception, setting up Wingate's go-ahead touchdown. Evans capped his day with a 56-yard punt to set LR up inside its own 20 on the final drive of the day in the last minute.

Evans leads the nation, averaging 46.4 yard per punt, and has the 'Dogs ranked fourth in the nation in net punting. Evans has put 26 of his 53 punts on the season inside the 20, while 23 of his punts have gone for at least 50 yards. He also has touchbacks on 29 of his 42 kickoffs. Evans has made every PAT on the season, adding five field goals on the year including a 44-yarder against Emory & Henry.

Evans and the Bulldogs are back in action Saturday, hosting Newberry at 2 p.m. The winner of that contest will clinch the division title and host the SAC championship game on Nov. 12.

WINGATE UNIVERSITY
 
Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a laboratory of difference-making that serves more than 3,400 students in North Carolina. Wingate offers 38 undergraduate majors as well as seven master's and four doctoral degrees. The University is home to the Cannon College of Arts and Sciences; the Levine College of Health Sciences; the Byrum School of Business; the Thayer School of Education and the School of Sport Sciences. 

Wingate is a leader in healthcare education, and nearly one in five Wingate undergraduate students is preparing to be a pharmacist, physician assistant, physical therapist, occupational therapist or nurse. Student-athletes on Wingate's 25 teams compete in NCAA Division II and have brought home the SAC Echols Athletic Excellence Award for 14 years straight. The University's motto is "Faith, Knowledge, Service." View current news and videos at www.wingate.edu.