BREVARD, N.C. - Following a big week that included a crucial 82-yard interception return touchdown that helped Brevard College defeat N.C. Wesleyan, freshman defensive back Rook Tate has been chosen as the USA South Conference Football Defensive Rookie of the Week.
Tate, who has already been awarded national honors from D3football.com's Team of the Week thanks to a fumble recovery touchdown in a victory over Maryville on October 5, becomes the fourth BC football student-athlete to claim conference weekly honors this season.
The Gaffney, South Carolina native also becomes the third Tornado to earn the Defensive Rookie of the Week award in 2019. Fellow freshman defensive backs Joc Pledger and Tae Sullivan have each been awarded the honor this season.
Overall, a grand total of 11 Tornado student-athletes have received recognition from the conference during the 2019-20 academic season.
Tate added five tackles to his big touchdown return, helping Brevard earn its fourth win of the season in a 26-20 victory last Saturday in Rocky Mount, North Carolina.
The freshman's pick-six was Brevard's 14th interception of the season, which builds upon the team's already NCAA-era record for single-season interceptions. In addition to being a new school record, BC's 14 picks are tied-for-fifth in all of NCAA DIII Football, as of October 28.
Tate and the rest of the Brevard College football team will face off with LaGrange College in LaGrange, Georgia this Saturday, November 2 at 2 p.m. before returning home for Senior Day on Saturday, November 9 to battle Averett University. Kickoff at Brevard Memorial Stadium is scheduled for 5 p.m.
Brevard College USA South Athletes of the Week – 2019-20 Academic Year:
Rebeccah Rojas (two-time winner), Women's Soccer, USA South Women's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week
Gavin Morgan (two-time winner), Men's Cross Country, USA South Men's Cross Country Runner of the Week
Lucas Campos, Men's Soccer, USA South Men's Soccer Rookie of the Week
Tae Sullivan, Football, USA South Football Defensive Rookie of the Week
Jaxon Youngblood, Football, USA South Football Special Teams
Patrick Hall, Men's Soccer, USA South Men's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week
Mariana Rodriguez, Volleyball, USA South Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week
Joc Pledger, Football, USA South Football Defensive Rookie of the Week
Rook Tate, Football, USA South Football Defensive Rookie of the Week
To follow the latest news and updates surrounding Brevard College Athletics, follow the Tornados on Twitter and Instagram @bctornados, subscribe to 'Brevard College Tornados' on YouTube, follow 'Brevard College Tornados' on SoundCloud, or like Brevard College Athletics on Facebook. Be sure to follow "brevardcollege" on Flickr for the latest photos from all Brevard College events.
-30-