Vickers Named PAC Newcomer of the Year
Greenville, Pa – Ten Bethany College Football players were named to Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) All-Conference Teams released by the league this afternoon. Leading the Bison in awards was freshman defensive back, Dadrick Vickers who was named this season's PAC Newcomer of the Year.
Vickers' seven interceptions lead the PAC and are tied for the second-most in Division III this season. With his seven interceptions, the freshman became the first Bethany player with seven interceptions in a season since Chuck Grosso in 1976.
Vickers intercepted three passes against Thiel College on Nov. 9, becoming the first Bethany player with three interceptions in a game since Daulton Freeman at Ursinus College on Sept. 3, 2016.
His 11 passes defended are tied for the second-most among league leaders. In nine games this season Vickers totaled 19 tackles (14 solo), 1.0 tackle for loss and a fumble recovery.
Bethany seniors, Greg Avent, Carlin Bason, and Daniel Gibson took All-PAC First Team honors this season, while seniors Chas Blango, Kiandre Murphy, and Raekwon Wright earned All-PAC Second Team Honors. Rounding out the honors for the Bison were Bryce Rohrbaugh and Phil Taylor who earned All-PAC Honorable Mention.
Senior Greg Avent earned All-PAC First team honors this season as a TE/HB/FB and appeared in all 10 games for the Bison. He rushed for 412 yards and scored two touchdowns, along with five receptions for 108 yards and one receiving touchdown.
Senior quarterback Carlin Bason earned All-PAC First Team honors this season for AP (All purpose). Bason led the Bison with 923 all-purpose yards this season. He rushed for 866 yards and seven touchdowns for the Green and White. Bason made eight receptions for 57 yards this past season while throwing 45.5% (71 for 156), 868 yards, and two touchdowns.
Senior defensive linemen Daniel Gibson earned All-PAC First Team honors this season. Gibson earned PAC Defensive Player of the Week honors this season after registering four sacks for 30 yards and six tackles for a loss of 34 yards against Thiel on Nov. 9. Gibson finished the season with 62 tackles, 5 sacks, 12.5 tackles for loss, while forcing three tackles, and recovering one.
Senior defensive linemen Chas Blango earned All-PAC Second Team honors for the second straight year. Blango was named PAC Defensive Player of the Week, D3football.com Team of the Week, and ECAC Player of the Month this season. He tallied 55 tackles, 10.5 sacks, 14 tackles for loss, forced four fumbles, two recoveries, and made one interception. He also broke up two passes and blocked two field goals. Against Carnegie Mellon he tallied 3.5 sacks and totaled 4.0 sacks against Thiel.
Senior defensive back, Kiandre Murphy earned All-PAC Second team honors finishing the season with a team high 68 tackles. He forced one fumble, recovered two fumbles, and one interception. His four broken up passes is good for third on the team.
Senior Raekwon Wright earned All-PAC Second Team honors as a RET (kick/punt returner) and All-PAC Honorable Mention in the All-Purpose slot. Wright finishes his career with 2,022 rushing yards, 1,890 kick return yards, and a total of 4,632 all-purpose yards for the Bison. Wright finishes his career seventh on the all-time rushing list, third on the all-purpose career yards list, and holds the record for career kickoff return yards.
Phil Taylor and Bryce Rohrbaugh both earned All-PAC Honorable Mention honors this season for their roles on the Bison defense. Taylor finished fourth on the team with 56 tackles. He forced two fumbles and recovered two along with two interceptions for the Bison. Rohrbaugh finished the season with 39 tackles, 7.5 sacks, and 10.5 tackles for loss while forcing one fumble.
Senior fullback, Keven Thomas rounded out the PAC honors for the Bison by being named to the PAC Football Sportsmanship Team.