E&H's Newsome and Saxton, BC's Elliott also Honored

FOREST, Va. --- Guilford College quarterback Matt Pawlowski and Quakers defensive back Satiir Stevenson highlight the All-ODAC Football Awards, as the duo were named the J. Stokeley Fulton Offensive and Lou Wacker Defensive Players of the Year, respectively.  Emory & Henry College mentor Curt Newsome was tabbed the ODAC Coach of the Year, while Wasps' signal-caller Kevin Saxton earned ODAC Rookie of the Year accolades.  Bridgewater College defensive back Lucas Elliott earned ODAC/Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Scholar-Athlete honors.

Pawlowski, a junior from Greensboro, N.C., was recently announced as a finalist for the Gagliardi Trophy, which honors the top NCAA Division III football player in the country.  Pawlowski led the ODAC in all major passing categories, including completions (250), completion percentage (67.8%), yards (3,476), yards per game (347.6) and touchdown passes (38).  He threw just three interceptions in 369 passing attempts, marking the second straight year he has thrown it away only three times.  He is currently second in the country in passing yards, yards per game and touchdowns, and ranks sixth in passing efficiency (179.2).  He has also made his mark on the ODAC record books, with his passing touchdowns ranking second and his completion percentage sitting fourth in the league's single-season charts.  He threw for 300 yards and three or more touchdowns in eight games this season, earning three ODAC Offensive Player of the Week awards.  He guided the Quakers offense to the top of the ODAC scoring charts, averaging a league-high 40.7 points per game.

Stevenson, a senior from Roselle, N.J., is the Quakers first Lou Wacker Defensive Player of the Year honoree and first three-time All-ODAC First Team defensive player.  Helped lead the Quakers to the second-best scoring defense in the league at 24.0 points allowed per game.  The preseason All-American (by D3football.com) finished fifth in the ODAC in tackles with 92 stops, including four tackles for a loss.  He came away with four interceptions, his second straight year with as many takeaways.  He also broke up five passes.  He earned ODAC Defensive Player of the Week and D3football.com Team of the Week recognition for his 22-tackle one-interception performance against Washington and Lee University early this season.  He had five games of nine or more tackles this season.  The 2013 AFCA First Team All-American will graduate fourth in Guilford history with 14 interceptions.

Newsome, in his first year guiding the Wasps football program, helped Emory & Henry flip its conference record from 2-5 to 5-2 and a tie for first in the ODAC standings after being picked to finish eighth in the ODAC preseason poll.  The Wasps went 8-2 overall, marking their first eight-win campaign since 2000.  E&H won its first five games of the 2014 season, which afforded the Wasps consideration towards the D3football.com Top-25 poll in week six.

Saxton, a freshman from Monroe, N.C., adds this honor to an All-ODAC Third Team selection.  He stepped in under center and guided the Wasps' offense to 36.6 points per game, second-best in the ODAC.  His impact was felt in game one against Ferrum College where he threw for 366 yards and five touchdowns to earn ODAC Offensive Player of the Week honors.  He finished the season in the top-three in all major ODAC passing categories as he ranked second in completions (238) and third in completion percentage (61.5%), yards (2,707), yards per game (270.7) and touchdowns (25).

Elliott, a senior from King, N.C., stands out on and off the field for Bridgewater.  In the classroom, Elliott maintains a 3.784 grade point average as an Applied Physics major with a Mathematics minor.  A three-time All-ODAC Academic Team honoree, Elliott earned on a spot on the Capital One Academic All-District 5 First Team, which makes him eligible for Academic All-America consideration.  He also serves as a representative for the Eagles on their Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).  On the field, Elliott adds this honor to an All-ODAC Second Team laurel.  He racked up 56 tackles, including four for a loss and a quarterback sack. He was second on the squad with three interceptions and led the Eagles with seven broken up passes.  He helped BC finish as the top defense in the ODAC, allowing league lows of 21.4 points and 341.6 yards per game.

For more information on ODAC Football, visit the websites of any of the participating schools, or go to the ODAC's home on the Internet at www.odaconline.com.  Don't forget to become a fan of the ODAC on Facebook and follow @odacathletics on Twitter.

2014 ALL-ODAC FOOTBALL AWARDS
J. Stokeley Fulton Offensive Player of the Year: Matt Pawlowski, Jr., QB, Guilford
Lou Wacker Defensive Player of the Year: Satiir Stevenson, Sr., DB, Guilford
ODAC Coach of the Year: Curt Newsome, Emory & Henry
ODAC Rookie of the Year: Kevin Saxton, Fr., QB, Emory & Henry
ODAC/Va. Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Scholar-Athlete: Lucas Elliott, Sr., DB, Bridgewater