Shaw's
Football Department of Defense Ranked #1 in Nation
October 31, 2007 - The Shaw University Bears
have competed vigorously and with high intensity in their quest to secure a
change to appear in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association's (CIAA)
Championship circle. Currently, the Bears hold the top spot in the Western
Division with a record of 6 -3 Overall, 5 - 1 CIAA, and 2 - 1 Division.
Recently, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) released its
Division II Football National Ranking Summary with Shaw University listed as
the National Leader in Defense. Of 144 teams ranked, the Bears defense stand
in the spotlight holding opponents to an average of 180.4 yards per game.
Furthermore, Shaw stands strong as #1 (of 500 ranked) in Team Punt Returns
(22.44) and #1 (of 144 ranked) for Kickoff Return Defense (12.95).
The Bears rank in the Top 10 in additional categories in the Nation and the
CIAA:
Category
Statistical Value
National Rank
CIAA Rank
Team Defense
180. 4
1st
1st
Rushing Defense
74.4
8th
1st
Pass Efficiency Defense
85.1
3rd
1st
Scoring Defense
14.0
5th
1st
Kickoff Returns
26.35
6th
1st
Team Punt Returns
22.44
1st
1st
Kickoff Return Defense
12.95
1st
1st
Also, the Bears have a number of outstanding student-athletes that are
currently ranked in the Top Twenty in the Nation and the CIAA:
Shaw Student-Athlete Category
Statistical Value National
Rank CIAA Rank
#1 Robert Brown
Punt Returns 24.9 / game
1st
1st
#39 Ryne Powell
Field Goals
1.7 / game
2nd
1st
#92 Louis Ellis
Tackles for Loss 2.4 /
game
2nd
1st
#92 Louis Ellis
Pass Sacks
0.9 / game
17th
3rd
For more information and a complete listing of the NCAA Football National
Ranking Summary, visit:
http://web1.ncaa.org/stats/StatsSrv/ranksummary
<http://web1.ncaa.org/stats/StatsSrv/ranksummary>
Demarcus Merritt
Shaw University
Director of Sports Information
