November 14, 2002

FURMAN LEADS SOCON SCHOOLS WITH THREE FIRST TEAM
ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT III SELECTIONS

GREENVILLE, S.C. -- The Furman Paladins have placed a Southern Conference leading three representatives on the 2002 Verizon University Division Academic All-District II football first team, which was announced today.

Furman defensive end Eddie Overdyke, linebacker Andrew Knight, and defensive back Rodney Johnson paced a contingent of seven players from Southern Conference schools named to the first team, which is comprised of all Division I and I-AA schools in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. To be eligible a player must have cumulative grade point average of 3.2 in the classroom and be a starter or key reserve on the field. The players selected are now eligible for the national Academic All-America team, which will be announced on December 2.

The University of Georgia matched Furman with three first team picks. Wake Forest, Georgia Tech, Miami, Duke, and Wofford each had two players selected to the squad. A second team was also named, but only first team selections qualify for national honors.

Overdyke, a senior from Lilburn, Ga. with a 3.39 GPA in business administration, has totaled 28 tackles, five tackles-for-loss, three pass deflections, and a fumble recovery this year in helping Furman to its current 6-3 record and No. 9 ranking in the Sports Network NCAA I-AA Poll.

Knight, a double major in history and communications, sports a 3.44 GPA. He has 41 tackles, including seven tackles-for-loss this season.

A three-time All-District III choice and owner of a 3.54 GPA, Johnson, a health and exercise science major, headlines a Furman secondary with five interceptions, seven pass deflections, and 28 tackles through nine games.

Furman leads all Southern Conference schools with 13 Academic All-America football selections over the years.