Official GAC Release

RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – Senior linebackers Tate Mustin and Mark Spaight, along with sophomore wide receiver Chris Terry headline the Muleriders' All-Great American Conference selections as it was announced by the league office on Tuesday that the trio made the All-GAC First-Team at their respective positions.
 
Six other Muleriders earned All-GAC plaudits as well as senior running back Mark Johnson and sophomore cornerback Quan Warren were named to the All-GAC Second-Team. Earning All-GAC Honorable Mention recognition were senior wide receiver Jack Brown, sophomore offensive lineman John Miller, senior quarterback Tyler Sykora, and junior wide receiver/return specialist Zikerious Ware.
 
Mustin and Spaight were dominant figures at the linebacker position for the Muleriders as they were the team's top-two tacklers. Mustin would lead the team and rank sixth in the GAC in total tackles with 81. 10.5 of Mustin's tackles would result in lost yardage, ranking him 12th in the GAC.
 
Spaight ended with 71 total tackles, but his presence was felt in his ability to make the ball pop loose from the opposing ball carrier as he forced three fumbles, ranking him second in the GAC and 18th in the country. Spaight also spent some time in the backfield as 6.5 of his tackles went for loss yardage.
 
Terry, a sophomore wide receiver from Lindale, Texas, exploded onto the GAC scene in the regular season finale against Arkansas Tech in 2012 as he hauled in five catches for 144 yards. Four of his grabs went for touchdowns as he set a single-game record in that category.
 
In the season-opener in 2013, Terry picked up right where he left off as he hauled in 10 catches for a SAU and GAC single-game record 247 yards. Three of Terry's catches in that game went for scores. As the 2013 season went on, Terry would remain a prime target in the Muleriders' passing game as he ended the year with 42 catches for 944 yards and 12 touchdowns. All three stats led the team, and his yardage and touchdowns ranked him in the top-five in the GAC and in the top-35 in the country.
 
Johnson, a two-time All-GAC First-Team running back, earned All-GAC Second-Team honors after he ran his way into the SAU record books with another productive year in the Mulerider backfield. In his final year at SAU, Johnson would go on to set new marks in career rushing attempts (772), career rushing yardage (3,842), career touchdowns scored (44), and career points scored (264). For the season, Johnson carried the ball a career-high 217 times and ran for 990 yards and 11 touchdowns. The 11 rushing TDs marked the third straight season in which Johnson rushed for at least 10 TDs.
 
Warren, a sophomore cornerback from Linden Kildare, Texas, earned All-GAC Second-Team honors as he proved to be one of the best ball hawks in the conference as he picked off four passes, ranking him in a tie for second in the GAC. Warren was also in the open field as he was fourth on the team in total tackles with 49. 34 of his tackles were solo efforts and 4.0 went for loss yardage.
 
Brown, an All-GAC Second-Team selection at wide receiver in his first year at SAU, was named to the All-GAC Honorable Mention team in his final season. On the year, Brown was second on the team in catches and receiving yardage as he hauled in 36 catches for 544 yards.
 
Miller, a sophomore offensive lineman from DeQueen, Ark., was named as an All-GAC Honorable Mention performer after he served as the anchor for the Mulerider offensive line. The SAU offensive line protected and opened up holes for an offensive attack that averaged 35.9 points per game and 433.8 yards of total offense per game. 281.1 of those yards would come through the air while 152.7 yards were gained on the ground.
 
Sykora, the Muleriders' record-setting quarterback, finished his outstanding career with his second All-GAC honor, this year being named to the All-GAC Honorable Mention team. On the year, Sykora finished with 2,664 yards passing and 27 touchdowns. His average of 264.1 yards passing per game ranked him fourth in the GAC and 33rd in the country. His 27 touchdown tosses ranked him in a tie for second in the GAC and 18th in DII. Sykora leaves SAU with over 15 school records in his name.
 
Ware, a junior wide receiver/return specialist from Clewiston, Fla., was named as an All-GAC Honorable Mention return specialist in his first season as a Mulerider. On the year, Ware returned 24 kickoffs and averaged 27.0 yards per return. His 647 yards on kickoff returns were tops in the GAC and ranked him in the top-25 in DII.