Rock Hill, S.C.----The SAC champion Wingate University Bulldogs piled up the awards Thursday afternoon, when the conference announced the South Atlantic Conference regular season award winners. Marquise Fleming is the SAC Defensive Player of the Year for the second straight year, while Erwil Anthony has won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the league's top offensive lineman. In addition, Rashaan Jordan has been named the SAC Coach of the Year. The Bulldogs had 16 players earn All-SAC and All-Piedmont accolades.

Joining Fleming and Anthony as All-SAC selections are Porfirio Acosta, Donotrian Best, Kai Russell and Daniel Morrison. The All-Piedmont Offensive honorees include Brooks Bentley, O'Brien Barnett, Evan McCray, Caleb Bonesteel, Everett McLaughlin and Jake Snapp. The All-Piedmont Defense squad includes Darius Randolph, Brandon Perry, Dequan Mosley and Mark Burks.

Fleming is only the third player in league history to repeat as the Defensive Player of the Year. With Fleming going back-to-back, the Bulldogs have now had the SAC Defensive Player of the Year five of the last eight seasons. Prior to Fleming, DJ Horne won the honor in 2022, with Cardell Rawlings taking home the hardware in 2018 and Ray Edwards in 2016. A consensus first team All-American in 2023, Fleming was also the D2CCA Region Defensive Player of the Year. The defensive end has had another monster season, anchoring one of the nation's elite defenses. Fleming leads the nation with 19.5 tackles for loss, adding 8.0 sacks and 14 QB hurries. Fleming has forced a pair of fumbles on the season. In his career, Fleming is fourth in SAC history with 71.5 TFLs, ranking second in league history with 37 sacks, just one off the record.

Anthony is the third Bulldog in the last four seasons to earn the prestigious Jacobs Blocking trophy, joining Evan Surgeon in 2022 and Andrew Strickland in 2021. Daniel Owens earned the honor in 2017. Anthony started every game at right tackle for the Bulldogs, helping Wingate put up 29.1 points per game on the season. Anthony has helped Wingate's balanced attack produce 170 rushing yards and 183 passing yard per contest.

Jordan earns SAC Coach of the Year honors in his first season as the Bulldog head coach, after serving as the Defensive Coordinator for over 15 years. While guiding the 'Dogs to their third SAC title in program history and a top-20 ranking, Jordan's defensive unit ranks second in the nation in total defense and fifth in scoring defense, while leading the nation in third down defense and red zone defense. The 'Dogs have a program-record three shutouts this season, allowing just one opponent to score over 15 points in a game. Wingate will be making its fifth play-off appearance in the last seven seasons, earning the two seed in the NCAA Super Region 2, tied for the highest seed in program history.

Acosta is another key player on the Bulldog offensive line. He has started every game at center this season for the SAC champion Bulldogs. His work on the offensive line helped the 'Dogs pick up league honors at quarterback and running back this season. The 'Dogs have five different players that have gone over 100 rushing yards this season thanks to the work up front.

Russell has been a key factor in the overpowering Wingate defensive line. He has piled up 51 tackles with 11 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. HE has eight QB hurries, two forced fumbles and a pass break-up on the season. Russell had a monster game in the SAC championship contest with 10 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, a sack and a forced fumble to earn SAC Defensive Player of the Week honors.

Best has started every game at linebacker for the elite defensive unit, leading Wingate with 70 tackles on the season. He has 5.5 tackles for loss and 0.5 sacks while adding three pass break-ups and an interception to go along with a fumble recovery.

Morrison is another star on the defensive line. He has registered 41 tackles on the season, with 8.0 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. He has nine QB hurries on the season, adding two pass break-ups and a forced fumble.

Bentley follows up his SAC Freshman of the Year campaign by earning All-Piedmont honors as a sophomore. He has completed 136 of 243 passes on the year, throwing for 13 touchdowns while averaging 177 yards per game. Bentley has also run for 41 yards and a TD. He threw for 245 yards and two TDs at Carson-Newman, while going for 147 yards and three touchdowns at Limestone. He threw for 145 yards and three more TDs against Newberry. Bentley threw for 248 yards and a score in the win at #12 Lenoir-Rhyne.

Barnett picks up All-Piedmont honors for the first time in his career. He leads the Bulldogs with 580 rushing yards on 102 carries, while also leading the 'Dogs with six touchdowns. Barnett is averaging 64.4 yards per game and 5.7 yards per carry. He ran for 107 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries at UVA Wise, while going for 101 yards and a TD at Limestone. He had 97 yards against Catawba and 70 yards on 13 carries against Carson-Newman in the SAC title game.

McCray is the leading receiver for the Bulldogs, hauling in 42 receptions for 569 yards and six touchdowns on the year, leading the team in all three categories. McCray averages 57 yards per game and 13.5 yards per catch. He had five grabs for 104 yards at Carson-Newman, while going for 56 yards and two TDs at Limestone. McCray had 10 catches for 140 yards and a touchdown in the LR victory. He had a pair of TD grabs in the Newberry win.

Bonesteel has connected on 14-of-22 field goals on the season, going 31-for-32 on PATs. His season includes connecting on nine field goals of over 30 yards including three of at least 40 yards. Bonesteel was named the MVP of the SAC title game, nailing all five field goals and a PAT on the night, including a career-best 48-yarder at the end of the first half. All five field goals in the contest were at least 36 yards. The contest also earned him D2Football.com National Special Teams Player of the Week accolades.

McLaughlin has handled the long-snapping duties in every game for the Bulldogs this season. In addition to helping Bonesteel earn league honors and national recognition as a kicker, he has helped punter Rivers Teeter earn SAC Special Teams Player of the Week honors twice this year, averaging 39.8 yards per punt with 13 punts inside the 20 on the year.

Snapp earns league honors for the first time in his career. He has handled the bulk of Wingate's kick return duties this year, piling up 304 return yards on 11 attempts, good for 27.6 yards per return. Snapp had 124 yards on five returns at Carson-Newman, while going for 121 yards on four returns against the Eagles in the SAC title game, which included a season-long 49-yard return.

Randolph is another key factor on the elite WU defensive line. He has registered 19 tackles on the season with 2.5 tackles for loss and a pair of sacks. He has also forced a fumble, recovered a fumble and blocked a kick on the year.

Perry has played a huge role in the WU secondary, leading the team with 10 passes defended while adding 12 tackles with a tackle for loss. Perry has eight pass break-ups and a pair of interceptions on the season, while also adding two forced fumbles and a pair of recoveries.

Mosley has also been big in the secondary for the Bulldogs, collecting 23 tackles with 4.5 tackles for loss. He has four break-ups and a pair of interceptions on the season.

Burks is another huge factor in the Bulldog secondary. He has piled up 39 tackles on the year, with 3.0 tackles for loss. He also has five pass break-ups on the season and has a blocked kick.
 
2024 ALL-SAC FOOTBALL 

ALL-SAC OFFENSE
QB – Dustin Noller, Limestone
RB – LJ Turner, Catawba 
RB – Kevin Lalin, Limestone
RB – Jordan Jackson, Emory & Henry
WR – DJ Black, Limestone
WR – Cam Abshire, Emory & Henry
WR – Songa Yates III, Lenoir-Rhyne
OL –  Erwil Anthony, Wingate 
OL –   Avery Swinton, Catawba
OL –   Porfirio Acosta, Wingate
OL –   Kanyon James, Catawba
OL – Deshaun Sharp, Emory & Henry 
TE –   Tre Williams, Limestone
PK – Bryce Earley, Newberry  
LS – Carson Keaton, Lenoir-Rhyne    
RS – Songa Yates III, Lenoir-Rhyne  

ALL-SAC  DEFENSE
DL – Marquise Fleming, Wingate
DL – Andre Jefferson, Lenoir-Rhyne
DL – Daniel Morrison, Wingate
DL – Kai Russell, Wingate  
LB – Dontorian Best, Wingate  
LB – Dexter Fitzpatrick, Mars Hill 
LB –  Luke Janack, Limestone
LB –  Kaleb Lundy, Emory & Henry
DB – Tristan Rankin, Mars Hill
DB – Major Williams, Carson-Newman
DB – Nic Cheeley, Lenoir-Rhyne
DB – Jarrell Harrison, Emory & Henry
P –   Stefaan Forbes, Tusculum  

ALL- MOUNTAIN OFFENSE
QB –  JR Martin, Mars Hill
RB –  Jayden Sullins, Carson-Newman 
RB –  Jon Gullette, Mars Hill
RB –  Ian Scammell, Virginia-Wise
WR – Cam Peoples, Emory & Henry
WR – Seth Fischbach, Virginia-Wise
WR – Jalon Warthen-Carr, Anderson
OL –   Turk Daniels, Carson-Newman
OL –   Christian Jones, Carson-Newman
OL –   Adrian Gumm, Tusculum
OL –   Noah Sage, Emory & Henry
OL –   Kamron Burris, Anderson
TE – Beau DeBerry, Mars Hill  
PK – Trace Butcher, Emory & Henry   
LS –  Andrew Bradshaw, Carson-Newman  
RS – Cam Peoples, Emory & Henry  

ALL- MOUNTAIN DEFENSE
DL – Elijah Harper, Emory & Henry 
DL – Ean Rhea, Emory & Henry 
DL –  Sakarri Morrison, Mars Hill
DL –  Jacorey Long, Carson-Newman
LB –  Christian Hicks, Carson-Newman
LB –   Jerrod Woods, Anderson
LB –  Mekhi Brown, Carson-Newman 
LB –  Josiah Jeffery, Anderson 
DB – Jacob Robinson, Emory & Henry
DB – Shawn Collins, Emory & Henry
DB – Addison Knicely, Emory & Henry
DB – Chendrick Cann, Emory & Henry
P –  Grayson Campbell, Carson-Newman   

ALL- PIEDMONT OFFENSE
QB – Brooks Bentley, Wingate  
RB –  O'Brien Barnett, Wingate 
RB –   Dwayne Wright, Newberry
RB –   Jackson Parrish, Barton
WR – Jalen Jones, Limestone
WR – Evan McCray, Wingate
WR – Adonis McDaniel, Lenoir-Rhyne
OL –   Dallas Foard, Catawba
OL –   Damari Joyner, Newberry
OL –   Christopher Wehnert, Lenoir-Rhyne
OL –   Luke Bond, Limestone
OL –   Cooper Trnavsky, Newberry
TE – Kobe Christian, Catawba  
PK – Caleb Bonesteel, Wingate  
LS – Everett McLaughlin, Wingate   
RS – Jake Snapp, Wingate   

ALL- PIEDMONT DEFENSE
DL – Colby Taylor, Newberry 
DL –  Maddox Aprile, Lenoir-Rhyne
DL –  Darius Randolph, Wingate
DL –  JT Black, Lenoir-Rhyne  
LB –  Jaelin Willis, Lenoir-Rhyne 
LB –   Matt Smith, Barton
LB –   Dereck Barringer, Barton
LB –   Luke Taylor, Newberry
DB – Brandon Perry, Wingate 
DB –  Dequan Mosley, Wingate
DB –  Mark Burks, Wingate
DB –  Jeremiah Lomax, Limestone
P –  Bryan Frey, Limestone   

Defensive Player of the Year
Marquise Fleming, Wingate

Jacobs Blocking Trophy
Erwil Anthony, Wingate

Ken Sparks Coach of the Year
Rashaan Jordan, Wingate

Offensive Freshman of the Year
Turk Daniels, Carson-Newman

Offensive Player of the Year
Dustin Noller, Limestone

Defensive Freshman of the Year
E'Lla Boykin, Barton