ROCK HILL, S.C. --- Tusculum University cornerback Dee Alford has been named the AstroTurf South Atlantic Conference Defensive Football Player of the Week.  Alford garners this accolade for the second time this season.

Alford, a senior from Griffin, Georgia, established several school records in leading the Pioneers to a 24-7 league victory over Mars Hill for the Pioneers' fourth consecutive victory.

Alford posted a TU single-game record seven passes defended including two interceptions which ties the program single-game mark.  He also broke up five passes while defending the reigning SAC Offensive Player of the Year Craig Rucker.  He limited Rucker to four receptions for 59 yards, well below his SAC leading averages in receptions (8.8 rpg) and receiving yards (124.0 ypg).

Alford finished the game with four tackles (3 solos, 1 assist) while recording his fourth and fifth interceptions of the season.  His 10 career interceptions are third in school history, while his 195 INT return yards are a new Tusculum record.

Tusculum (5-5, 4-3 SAC) closes out its season this weekend as they travel to Jefferson City to face arch-rival Carson-Newman. Kick-off Saturday is slated for 1 p.m. from Burke-Tarr Stadium.