FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Muleriders Land Three on Daktronics All-South Region Football Team

MAGNOLIA, AR ----- Southern Arkansas University placed three players on the 2002 Daktronics NCAA Division II All-South Region Football Team, which is selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). Representing the Muleriders on the first team were Nik Lewis on offense and Brian Davis on defense.

Lewis, a 5-10, 190-pound junior from Jacksboro, Tex., was named as a wide receiver on the first team offense. Lewis set four school records this year and tied another. He led SAU’s offense in scoring this season with 84 points, caught 14 touchdown passes and had 65 receptions for 1,239 yards. Lewis also led the team in punt returns with 14, averaging 12.8 yards per return, and finished with 1,429 all-purpose yards.

Davis, a 6-0, 167-pound junior from Longview, Tex., was named as a safety on the first team defense. Davis led the Muleriders in total tackles this season with 111, 63 solos and 48 assists. He had one tackle for a one-yard loss, had a team-high five interceptions, broke up five passes, and had two fumble recoveries and forced three fumbles. Davis was the GSC defensive player of the week for November 16 when he made 23 tackles, 20 of them solo, had an interception, forced two fumbles and broke up one pass.

The ‘Riders starting cornerback, Carl Bucknor, was named to the All-South Region second team on defense. Bucknor, a 5-10, 190-pound senior from Augusta, Ga., finished the season with 42 tackles, 27 solo and 15 assists, had two tackles for three yards in loss, had two interceptions, broke up eight passes, and had one fumble recovery and forced one fumble.

Nine Gulf South Conference football teams placed at least one player on the Daktronics All-South Region Team. GSC Champion Valdosta State led all schools with seven honorees, Harding, West Alabama and SAU each placed three members on the team, Delta State and Central Arkansas had two, and Arkansas-Monticello, Arkansas Tech and Henderson State each had one member on the team. First team honorees now move on to the national ballot for All-America consideration.