PITTSBURG, Kan. --- Tusculum College had five players named to the 2010 Don Hansen Division II All-America Team.

Gareth Rowlands was named the First Team placekicker, Michael Rodriguez was the Third Team tight end, while quarterback Bo Cordell, offensive lineman Hannibal Ruiz and wide receiver Deonte' Gist earned All-America honorable mention recognition.

Rowlands, a 6-1, 215-pound senior from Benllech, Wales, enjoyed one of the finest seasons ever by a Tusculum kicker. The consensus All-American established school and league single-season records with his 111 points and 21 field goals made. Rowlands finished tied for sixth in scoring averaging, 10.09 points per game. His 111 points are the most this season by a NCAA II kicker.

He went 21-for-26 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. He was one of the 10 national finalists for the Fred Mitchell Award, which honors the college division (FCS, DII, DIII, NAIA) placekicker of the year.

Rowlands was named to the Daktronics NCAA II All-America First Team and the Associated Press Little All-America Second Team last month. His 270 career points are the most in school history by a kicker and second amongst all Pioneers. The two-time All-Region and All-South Atlantic Conference standout has accounted for 45 career field goals made, which are a new Tusculum record and tied for 25th most in NCAA II history. Rowlands is also a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-District selection and was selected to play in the Cactus Bowl, the Division II senior all-star game.

Rodriguez, a 6-2, 190-pound junior, becomes the second tight end in school history to garner All-America honors (Jarrell NeSmith, 2008 & 2009). The Hargrave Military Academy graduate finished tied for 21st in the country in receptions per game, averaging seven catches per outing, while earning a spot on the All-Conference and All-Region squads. The Columbia, S.C. native also posted a school single-season best nine TD receptions and finished with 727 yards in his 10 starts.

Cordell, a 6-1, 195-pound sophomore from Cincinnati, Ohio, led all NCAA divisions (FBS, FCS, II, III) in total offensive yards per game, passing yards per game and completions per game. He was named the 2010 South Atlantic Conference Offensive Player of the Year and finished fourth in the voting for the Harlon Hill Trophy, which recognizes the Division II National Player of the Year.

Cordell was named the NCAA II National Statistical Champion for total offensive yards per game (425.45 ypg), passing yards per game (423.36 ypg), completions per game (35.82 cpg) and points responsible for per game (26.00 ppg).

The 2010 Daktronics All-Super Region 2 First Team honoree passed for a school and SAC record 4,657 yards, which was third in NCAA II and fifth most for all NCAA divisions. Cordell threw for 38 touchdowns, a new school single-season mark and the 25th most in NCAA II history. He also established school and SAC records with 394 completions (3rd in NCAA II history), 605 pass attempts (3rd in NCAA II history) and 702 total offensive attempts (3rd in NCAA II history).

The Indian Hill High School graduate passed for over 400 yards in nine consecutive games this season, which is a new TC, SAC and NCAA II record. He was 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 becomes the second TC signal caller to earn All-America distinction (Corey Russell in 2008).

Gist, a 5-9, 170-pound junior from Wellford, S.C., accounted for one of the greatest seasons for a receiver in SAC history and becomes the third TC wideout to be named an All-American (Kevin Wolcott in 2003; Ryan Tallent in 2008). Gist's 1,183 receiving yards are a new school record and the third most in conference history, earning him a spot on the Daktronics Division II All-America Second Team. The Byrnes High School graduate also established school records with his 96 receptions and 1,713 all-purpose yards. His 154.64 all-purpose yards per game average is 15th in the nation.

The 2010 All-Region and All-SAC First Team honoree averaged a league-best 107.55 receiving yards per game, which are 16th in the nation this year. His 8.73 receptions per contest were also tops in the league and fourth in the country. Gist tallied 10 or more catches in five games and posted over 100 receiving yards in seven of his 11 contests. The 5-9, 170-pound receiver 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 season with nine touchdowns, including eight TD receptions.

Ruiz, a 6-2, 310-pound senior guard from Atlanta, Ga., joins former TC greats Matt Shults (1994), Alan Dunn (2002 & 2003) and Felix Perez (2003) as the only TC offensive linemen to earn All-America distinction. The two-time All-Conference honoree graded out at 80 percent for the season, while recording 75 knockdown blocks and allowed just two sacks on the year. The 2010 All-SAC First Team and Daktronics All-Region Second Team pick anchored an offensive line that allowed just .056 sacks per pass attempt (641 total pass attempts).

The Don Hansen All-America Team carries out the legacy of long-time small college football advocate Don Hansen, who passed away at age 75 on Aug. 29, 2010. Hansen started and published Don Hansen's National Weekly Football Gazette for three decades, selecting NCAA Division II All-America teams for the first time in 1988. Don Hansen's Football Gazette began selection NCAA Division II All-Region squads in 2003.

- TC -

2010 Don Hansen NCAA II All-America Football Team
First Team Offense
QB - Eric Czerniewski, Central Missouri
FB - Bobby Humphries, Shepherd
RB - Phil Milbrath, Michigan Tech
RB - Franklyn Quiteh, Bloomsburg
WR - Thomas Mayo, Concord
WR - Jamorris Warren, Central Missouri
WR - Fred Williams, St. Cloud State
TE - Ryan Travis, West Liberty
C - Brian Fusco, Slippery Rock
OG - Dennis Bergland, Nebraska-Omaha
OG - Kyle Thornton, North Alabama
OT - Cameron Bradfield, Grand Valley State
OT - Michael Tribue, Carson-Newman
PK - Gareth Rowlands, Tusculum
AP - Josh Renel, Wayne State (Mich.)

First Team Defense
DE - Malcolm Jenkins, Elizabeth City State
DE - Marc Schiechl, Colorado Mines
DG/DT - Jim Kuntz, Minnesota Duluth
DG/DT - Derrin Nettles, Morehouse
LB - Larry Dean, Valdosta State
LB - Nate Dreiling, Pittsburg State
LB - Matt Freed, East Stroudsburg
CB - Stevie Harden, Valdosta State
CB - Ryan Jones, NW Missouri State
S - Cody Eich, Minnesota Duluth
S - Ron Parker, Newberry
P - Ronnie Partridge, Stillman
RS - Garrett Tidwell, Angelo State

Second Team Offense
QB - Zach Amedro, West Liberty
FB - Tim Schmalz, Michigan Tech
RB - Isaac Odim, Minnesota Duluth
RB - Akeem Satterfield, Slippery Rock
WR - Edmund Gates, Abilene Christian
WR - Joe Hastings, Washburn
WR - Justin Johnson, Fort Lewis
TE - DeMarco Crosby, Central Missouri
OC - Matt Webber, Abilene Christian
OG - Pat Casey, Bloomsburg
OG - Matt Desotell, Michigan Tech
OT - handler Rearden, Lenoir-Rhyne
OT - Larry Wreidt, West Liberty
PK - Steve Ivanisevic, Washburn
AP - Alfonso Hoggard, Clarion

Second Team Defense
DE - Courtney Harris, North Alabama
DE - Daniel Webb, Emporia State
DG/DT - Jacob Crossman, Fort Hays State
DG/DT - Maurice Harris, Mars Hill
LB - Kiel Fechteclkotter, Minnesota Duluth
LB - Chad Kilgore, NW Missouri State
LB - Shawn Loiseau, Merrimack
CB - Tae Evans, West Texas A&M
CB - Keon Robinson, Shepherd
S - Caleb Singleton, Western Oregon
S - Ian Wild, Mercyhurst
P - Kevin Berg, Chadron State
RS - L.J. McCray, Catawba

Third Team Offense
QB - Blake Bolles, NW Missouri State
FB - Le'Quan McCorkle, Lenoir-Rhyne
RB - Tommy Addison, Shepherd
RB - Jesse Lewis, Colorado State-Pueblo
WR - O.J. Murdock, Fort Hays State
WR - David Pressley, Newberry
WR - Tyson Williams, West Texas A&M
TE - Michael Rodriguez, Tusculum
OC - Matt Holmes, Newberry
OG - Joe Bundy, Wayne State (Neb.)
OG - Dan Jordan, California (Pa.)
OT - Sam Geldmaker, Gannon
OT - Trevis Turner, Abilene Christian
PK - David Nadeau, Minnesota Duluth
AP - Cody Renken, Colorado Mines

Third Team Defense
DE - Xavier Brown, LIU-C.W. Post
DE - Aston Whiteside, Abilene Christian
DG/DT - Roberto Davis, NW Missouri State
DG/DT - Fred Hale, Mercyhurst
LB - Robbie Aurich, Minnesota Duluth
LB - Shad Baichtal, West Texas A&M
LB - Clay Beeler, West Liberty
CB - Chad Daniel, North Alabama
CB - Darnell Evans, Shaw
S - Nick Sipes, Clarion
S - Garrett Williams, Delta State
P - George Shamblen, Angelo State
RS - Demario Barber, Fort Valley State

Honorable Mention
ALPHABETICAL, BY SCHOOL - Abilene Christian: Emery Dudensing, FB; Mitchell Gale, QB; Ben Gibbs, TE; Albany State: Jacob Hardwick, DE: Mike Mavromichalis, OC; Ashland: Greg Berkshire , PK; Justin Magruder , OG; Assumption: Dave Canney, WR; Augustana (S.D.) : Drew Behrens, P; Brady Maclver, DG/DT; Dan O'Keefe, S; Dan Schoen, OC; Tyler Schulte, WR; Bloomsburg: Dan Fisher, PK ; Brevard: Neville Bryce, FB; Eric Watts, P; Central Missouri : Anthony Stewart, AP; Central Oklahoma: Josh Birmingham, RB; Central Washington: Stan Langlow, S ; Chadron State: Jed Herblen, CB; Colorado Mines: Clay Garcia, QB; Robin Vinnola , TE; Concord: Brian Kennedy, AP; Concordia-St. Paul: Zach Moore, DE; Delta State: Phillip Yandall, OG; Dixie State: Mike Langston, P; Eastern New Mexico: Taylor Cannon, PK; Elizabeth City State: Daronte McNeill, RB; Fairmont State: Dewey McDonald, S; Fort Valley State: Tony D avis, TE; Grand Valley State: Matt Armstrong, OT; Zach Breen, LB; Rob Carlisle, CB; Nick Lawrence, DE; Justin Victor, LB; Henderson State: Nick Hardesty, QB; Hillsdale: Troy Weatherhead, QB; Humboldt State: Taylor Boggs, OC; Lyndon Rowells, RB; Mars Hill: Rudy Cabral, LB; Jonas Randolph, RB; Mercyhurst: Bryan Boyce, LB; Trevor Kennedy,WR; Michigan Tech: Todd Storm, DG/DT; Millersville: Jamal Smith, WR; Minnesota Duluth: Cory Flesch, OT; Garth Heikkinen, OG; Chase Volger, QB; Minnesota State: J eremy Clark, OT; Nebraska-Kearney: Mason Brodine, DE; Kyle Kaiser ,WR; Nebraska-Omaha: Mike Higgins, TE; Harrison Lingenfelter, OT; New Haven: Desmond Anderson, CB; North Alabama: Harrison Bryant, LB; Josh Montgomery, PK; North Carolina-Pembroke: Adam Deese, LB; Northern Michigan: D.J. Oke, CB; Northeastern State: Colton Ables, OG; NW Missouri State: Brett Grozinger, OG; Willie Horn, LB; Josh Lorenson, DG/DT, Jake Soy, WR; Jason Wiseman, OT; Northwood: Anthony Brandon, FB; Pittsburg State: Jared Witter, P; St. Augustine's: Walter Sanders, RB; Shepherd: Steve Baisey, OG; Deante Steele, RS; Southeastern Oklahoma: Braylen Laury, AP; Southern Arkansas: Cedric Thornton, DG/DT; Texas A&M-Kingsville: Tressor Baptiste, LB; Corey Robertson, S; Truman: Michael Elliott, S; Tusculum: Bo Cordell, QB; Deonte' Gist, WR; Hannibal Ruiz, OG; Valdosta State: D emario Jones, DG/DT; Washburn: Vershon Moore, RB; Wayne State (Mich.) : Stan Thornton, CB; Wayne State (Neb.): Frederick Bruno, RS; West Alabama: Gerald Worsham, WR; West Liberty: Kevon Calhoun, RB; Nick Madia, OC; West Virginia Wesleyan: Shannon Breen, OT; Mike Pr ice, DG/DT; Wingate: Perry Floyd, AP; Greg Harmon, LB.