ROCK HILL, S.C. --- Tusculum College linebacker Deres Benn and placekicker Will Tommie have been named the AstroTurf South Atlantic Conference Football Players of the Week.  Benn is named the SAC Defensive Player of the Week for a second time this season, while Tommie garners Special Teams Player of the Week honors for the first time this year.

The Tusculum duo helped the Pioneers post a thrilling 31-30 overtime win over arch-rival Carson-Newman, TC's first victory over the Eagles since 2008.

Benn, a senior from Chattanooga, Tennessee, matched a career-high with his 13 tackles on Saturday against the Eagles.  He also forced one fumble, recovered another fumble and added 1.5 tackles for loss and an interception.  The win marked the Pioneers' first victory over Carson-Newman since the 2008 season.  The honor is his second Defensive Player of the Week honor this season.

Tommie, a sophomore from Greenwood, South Carolina, scored a career-high 11 points as he went 3-for-3 in field goals and 2-of-2 in extra points. Tommie connected on field goals covering 28, 33 and 46 yards. His 46-yarder tied his career-best. Tommie becomes only the fifth Tusculum kicker to score 100 points in a career (106). On Saturday, he also averaged 64.3 yards on his six kickoffs including one touchback.

Tusculum ended the season with a 4-7 overall record and 3-4 in league play to tie for fourth place in the SAC standings.  The Pioneers won three of their final four games in the inaugural season for Tusculum head coach Jerry Odom.