NEWBERRY, S.C. --- Tusculum College senior quarterback Corey Russell was named the 2008 Daktronics Super Region 2 Offensive Football Player of the Year, as selected by members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

Russell was one of seven Pioneers garnering All-Region recognition this season. Joining Russell on the All-Region First Team are junior tight end Jarrell NeSmith and senior offensive lineman Danny Partida. The All-Region Second Team includes senior linebackers Justin Scott and Jarvis Littlejohn, senior free safety Jeremy Thompson and junior punter John Gregory.

The Pioneers posted a 9-4 record winning four of their last five outings to capture TC's second South Atlantic Conference title in five years. Tusculum also made its first-ever appearance in the NCAA Division II Playoffs, advancing to the Sweet 16 round.

Russell, a 6-4, 190-pound native from Speedwell, Tenn., smashed the record books in the finest season ever posted by a Pioneer signal caller. The 2008 South Atlantic Conference Offensive Player of the Year peppered his name throughout the Tusculum, SAC and NCAA II record books.

Russell, who finished as one of eight national finalists for the Harlon Hill Trophy (Division II Player of the Year), established 15 Tusculum records this season, including a pair of NCAA Division II bests. He recorded 300 or more total offensive yards on 11 occasions this season, which were the best in DII history. He recorded 674 total offensive plays, which are a new NCAA II record. The All-SAC First Team signal caller established league single-season records in total offensive yards (4907), passing yards (4097) and touchdown passes (37). He also set TC season records for completions (301) and pass attempts (505).

Russell caps one of the most successful careers in Division II history. His 11,315 total offensive yards are the most ever by a Pioneer, second in SAC history and ninth in NCAA II history. The Cumberland Gap High School graduate also set career marks in pass attempts (1382), completions (773), passing yards (9887), TD passes (82), touchdowns accounted for (103), interceptions (49) and total offensive attempts (1853). He also becomes the first Tusculum quarterback to earn NCAA II All-Region honors and the first player to be named Region Player of the Year.

NeSmith, a 6-2, 215-pound product from Russellville, Ala., earned All-Conference First Team honors this year, finishing second on the team and in the league with 67 receptions. His catch tally is the third-best in school history. He totaled 635 receiving yards, while making seven touchdown receptions, which are tied for the fourth most in TC history.

NeSmith was also recognized for his off the field success as he was named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America® College Division Third Team last week. The Russellville High School graduate has a 3.83 cumulative grade point average as a Pre-Medicine major. He is a two-time Academic All-District First Team selection, was also named the SAC Scholar Athlete for Football for a second consecutive year. He is a member of the SAC Commissioner's Honor Roll and the Tusculum Athletic Director's Honor Roll.

Partida, a 6-2, 27