NASHVILLE --- Tusculum University defensive back Jermaine Witherspoon has been named the College Defensive Player of the Week as selected by the Tennessee Sportswriters Association (TSWA).

Witherspoon, a junior from Miami, Florida, directly had a hand on three of Tusculum's four forced turnovers including the game-tying fumble return for a touchdown in the Pioneers' 29-27 double-overtime win over 25th-ranked Mars Hill.

Witherspoon's 23-yard scoop-and-score in the fourth quarter tied the game at 14-14 after the Pioneers trailed by two touchdowns early in the second half. He recorded his 10th career interception and also forced a fumble. He finished with seven tackles including one for loss and posted for a quarterback hurry. For his efforts, he was named the South Atlantic Conference Defensive Player of the Week.

Tusculum claimed a share of the SAC Mountain Division title and earns a berth to the SAC Championship Game, which will be held at TU's Pioneer Field on Saturday at 4 p.m. The Pioneers will face the SAC Piedmont Division co-champion Lenoir-Rhyne Bears.