Austin, TX – After playing a pivot part of the Patriots 10-2 season, which was capped off by their second consecutive trip to the NAIA Football Championships, Tyler Pendleton and Devon McMillin added another accolade to their resume as they were both selected as part of the CoSIDA First Team Academic All-America Team. 

Pendleton, a senior linebacker from Spring City, TN, saved his best season for last as he recorded career-highs in unassisted tackles (56), assisted tackles (76), tackles (132), sacks (3), and interceptions (1).  Pendleton finished the year ranked 11^th in the NAIA averaging 11.00 tackles per game.  The linebacker earned numerous accolades this season including being an AFCA-NAIA All-American Honorable Mention, the Mid-South Conference Bluegrass Defensive Player of the Year, and was an MSC First Team All-Conference selection.  His 132 tackles gave pushed Pendleton past 100 tackles for the second straight year as he notched 334 tackles has him ranked tied with PJ Hughes for third all-time for career tackles.

McMillin, a senior punter from Pickerington, OH, recorded 46 punts on the season and averaged 133.2 punt yards per game to garner All-America honors.  McMillin pinned opponents inside the 20-yard line 11 times, including recording a 44-yard punt against Bethel to give the Wildcats the ball on the one-yard line which led to a Patriots defensive touchdown.  The senior saved the longest punt of his career, a 69-yarder, in the second quarter against Keiser in the opening round of the NAIA Championship Series.  For his career, McMillin tallied 144 punts for 5,378 yards and averaged 37.3 yards per punt. The dual-sport athlete also handled UC's kicking duties as he went 14-21 on field goals and 117-125 on PATs in his career.  McMillin also etched his way into the NAIA record book after converted 14-14 on PATs in the Patriots 98-0 win over Union.

The CoSIDA Academic All-America® team recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances athletically and in the classroom.  To be eligible for this award a student-athlete must have been a CoSIDA Academic All-District® selection.

The Patriots advanced to the quarterfinals of the NAIA Football Championship Series after recording their first playoff road win, a 28-24 victory over #7 Keiser, in program history. 

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