Carson-Newman’s Wakefield, Tusculum’s Harrison, Gregory Named Football Players Of The Week

ROCK HILL, S.C. -- - The South Atlantic Conference Football Players of the Week have been announced for the week ending November 1, 2009. Carson-Newman College running back Buck Wakefield was named Offensive Player of the Week, Tusculum College defensive back Lyall Harrison was named Defensive Player of the Week, and Tusculum College punter John Gregory was named Special Teams Player of the Week.

Wakefield, a senior from Drummonds, Tenn. (Munford HS) set the Carson-Newman single-game record for rushing yards, gaining 303 yards on only 19 carries and leading the Eagles to a 45-7 win over Wingate and the outright South Atlantic Conference title on Saturday in Wingate, N.C.

Buck Wakefield

Lyall Harrison

John Gregory

He had touchdown runs of 68 and 64 yards as C-N racked up 496 yards, including 317 in the first half, on the ground. He also caught two passes for 36 yards. Wakefield broke former running back and SAC Player of the Year Heath Hawkins' record of 299 yards rushing in a single game with the performance. Hawkins set his record in 1998 in C-N's national semifinal win over Slippery Rock. For the year, Wakefield is averaging 112 yards per game. The Eagles are 7-0 since his return to the lineup after an early-season injury.

Harrison, a junior from Durban, South Africa (Scottsdale CC), recorded four tackles and two interceptions to lead the Pioneers to a 38-28 South Atlantic Conference win over Mars Hill. His first career interception stopped a MHC drive into the Red Zone. His second interception was a miraculous play as a MHC receiver slid for a low catch, but the ball deflected off his hands and was hauled in by a diving Harrison, who stayed in bounds to get the turnover. The pick set up the second of two touchdowns in the final two minutes of the half as Tusculum rallied from a 13-7 deficit. Harrison finished the game with three solo tackles and three passes defended.

Gregory, a senior from Ooltewah, Tenn. (Ooltewah HS) averaged 49 yards on his four puntsagainst Mars Hill. Gregory pinned the Lions (No. 5 in Super Region 2) inside their 20-yard line on all four of his punts, including two inside the 10-yard line. Three of his four punts were also for exactly 56 yards Gregory leads the conference averaging 41.8 yards per punt, which is the fourth-best average in school history. He is already Tusculum's all-time leader in punts (215), punting yards (8966) and average (41.70 avg.).