Tusculum had five honorees named to the All-SAC First Team Offense, including Cordell, Deonte' Gist, Hannibal Ruiz, Skylar West and Gareth Rowlands. Michael Rodriguez and Terrence Smith were named to the All-SAC Second Team by the league's head football coaches.
Cordell becomes only the second player in program history to be named the SAC Offensive Player of the Year, joining All-American quarterback Corey Russell, who earned the honor in 2008.
Cordell, a 6-1, 195-pound sophomore from Cincinnati, Ohio, has recorded one of the finest passing performances in NCAA history. He has passed for a school and SAC record 4,657 yards this season, which are the most by any quarterback in the country (NCAA - all divisions). His passing yardage tally is also the third highest in NCAA II history. Cordell threw for 38 touchdowns, a new school and league single-season mark and the 19th most in NCAA II history. He has also established school and SAC records with 394 completions (2nd in NCAA II history), 605 pass attempts (2nd in NCAA II history) and 702 total offensive attempts (2nd in NCAA II history).
In 2010, Cordell averaged 425.45 total offensive yards per game, which is currently the best in NCAA II. He passed for over 400 yards in nine consecutive games this season, which is new TC, SAC and NCAA II record. He also leads the nation in completions per game (35.82 cpg) and points responsible for per game (26.00 ppg). Cordell has been named SAC Offensive Player of the Week four times this year and twice honored as national offensive player of the week by D2football.com and D2 Sports Insider. He is also one of 24 national candidates for the Harlon Hill Trophy, which recognizes the Division II College Football Player of the Year.
Cordell becomes on the second player in league history to be named SAC Offensive Freshman of the Year and followed the next season with SAC Player of the Year accolades. The only other time was Presbyterian College signal caller Todd Cunningham, who was the 1998 Freshman of the Year and followed with three-straight SAC Player of Year titles (1999, 2000, 2001)
Gist, a 5-9, 170-pound junior from Wellford, S.C., accounted for one of the greatest seasons for a receiver in league history. His 1,183 receiving yards are a new school record and the third most in conference history. The Byrnes High School graduate also established school records with his 96 receptions and 1,713 all-purpose yards. Gist averaged a league-best 107.55 receiving yards per game, which are 15th best in the nation this year. His 8.73 receptions per contest were also tops in the league and fifth in the country. Gist tallied 10 or more catches in five games and posted over 100 receiving yards in seven of his 11 contests. He established a school single-game record with 279 all-purpose yards at Catawba, including a 79-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Gist finished the year with nine touchdowns, including eight TD receptions.
Ruiz, a 6-2, 310-pound senior offensive lineman from Atlanta, Ga., earns All-Conference recognition for a second straight year, but his first appearance on the All-SAC First Team. Ruiz graded out at 80 percent for the season, while recording 75 knockdown blocks and allowed just two sacks on the year. He anchored an offensive line that allowed just .056 sacks per pass attempt (641 total pass attempts).
Rowlands returns as the All-SAC First Team after enjoying one of the finest seasons ever by a SAC kicker. He established school and league single-season records with his 111 points and 21 field goals made. Rowlands currently leads the nation in field goals made per game (1.91) and is seventh for scoring (10.09 ppg). His 111 points are the most this season by a NCAA II kicker. He went 21-for-43 in field goals, including a string of 10 in a row towards the end of the season, which is a new school record. His streak of 53 consecutive made extra points is also a new school record. His 270 points are the most in school history by a kicker and second amongst all Pioneers. His 45 career field goals made are a new Tusculum record and tied for 25th most in NCAA II history. He is on the Fred Mitchell Award Watch List, which recognizes the top kicker in the country. Rowlands is also a two-time ESPN Academic All-District selection.
West, a 6-5, 215-pound sophomore long-snapper from Oneida, Tenn., is a two-time All-Conference First Team selection at his position. West graded out at 100 percent on his 120 special team snaps as the Pioneers didn't have a single punt, field goal or extra point blocked on the season. West becomes only the second multi-All-Conference long snapper in school history, joining three-time All-SAC performer Robby Kelly (2005, 2006, 2007).
Rodriguez earns a spot as the All-SAC Second tight end. The 6-2, 190-pound junior from Columbia, S.C., finished third on the team with his 70 receptions, averaging seven catches per game, which is the 19th best average in the country this year. Rodriguez tallied 727 yards and a school single-season record nine TD receptions.
Smith rounds out the All-SAC honorees for the Pioneers. The 6-6, 230-pound defensive end from Riverdale, Ga., led the Pioneers with 16 tackles for loss, which are tied for the third most in school history. Smith finished with 48 tackles (5th on the team), including three sacks, four pass break-ups, forced two fumbles, recovered one and blocked an extra point.
The Pioneers finished the year with a 6-5 record for the program's 10 winning season in the last 12 years.
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