Rock Hill, S.C.----Wingate University senior defensive end Marquise Fleming has been named the WePlayed Sports South Atlantic Conference Football Defensive Player of the Week, league officials announced Monday afternoon. Fleming earns the honor for the first time this season and second time in his career.

Fleming had a huge day Saturday as the Bulldogs posted their second shutout of the season, blanking UVA Wise 27-0 in the season finale. The victory gave Wingate eight victories for the seventh straight season, finishing up the year 8-3 overall.

Fleming piled up the stats Saturday, with a team-best 11 tackles including six tackles for loss and three sacks. The All-SAC and All-Region honoree also forced a fumble on the day, as Wingate held the Cavaliers to just 160 yards of total offense.

After his huge performance Saturday, Fleming is now the national leader with 14 sacks on the season. He ranks fifth nationally with 22.5 tackles for loss. He also leads the Bulldogs with 63 tackles on the year.

WINGATE UNIVERSITY

Wingate University is a lab of difference-making that serves more than 3,400 students in North Carolina and offers 60 degree pathways, including 37 undergraduate majors, 10 pre-professional tracks and five dual-degree programs. Graduate students choose from seven master's and five doctoral programs. 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.
 
Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a leader in healthcare education where nearly one in five 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 the past 15 times it has been awarded. The University's motto is "Faith, Knowledge, Service." View current news and videos at www.wingate.edu.