Caldwell earns GSC Offensive Player of the Year

20131109 UWA vs Shorter-4044BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Gulf South Conference Offensive Player of the Year Kyle Caldwell highlights a school-record 20 University of West Alabama football players that were named to the 2013 first and second All-GSC teams.

The Tigers led the league with nine first team selections and 11 second team all-conference picks. The league’s head coaches selected the 2013 All-GSC Football Team and coaches were not allowed to vote for their own players.

In addition to being voted by league coaches as the Offensive Player of the Year, Caldwell was also voted as the first-team All-GSC quarterback. The junior from Dadeville, Ala., is also a regional finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy and was the 2011 GSC offensive freshman of the year.

Caldwell led West Alabama’s offense, which finished the year ranked No. 1 in the GSC in scoring (49.5) and total offense (539.1). Caldwell was tops in the GSC in passing (206.5), passing touchdowns (28), total offense (245.7) and pass efficiency (184.2). He was also named the GSC Offensive Player of the Week on September 16 and October 28.

Caldwell is joined on the All-GSC first team by running back Javae Swindle, wide receiver Chad Toocheck, offensive tackle Taylor Burnett, defensive ends Mario Gainer and Ryan Jones, cornerback Malcolm Butler, safety Demetruce McNeal and kicker Mark Grant.

Tigers earning second team recognition are running back Kedrick Rhodes, wide receivers Seth Roberts and Malik Lofton, tight end Ty Morgan, all-purpose player Gary Johnston, center Skeeter Sellers, offensive tackle Ethan Corkren, linebacker Ricky Willis, safety Robert Jones, blocking team Tyler O’Neal and deep snapper Matthew Humphries.

The 20 all-conference selections caps off a season where West Alabama set 22 Gulf South Conference or school single game and season records. Following is a breakdown of those records:

Gulf South Conference Records

Team:

Yards per Rush – 6.5 (Tied)

Avg Pass Per Attempt – 9.82

Avg Yards per Play – 7.7

Most Points in a Game – 91

Most TD’s in Game – 13

Most PAT in Game – 13

Individual:

Yards per Carry – Javae Swindle 8.9

Lowest % of Passes Intercepted – Kyle Caldwell 0.017

PAT Attempted in a game – Mark Grant – 13

PAT Made in a game – Mark Grant – 13

UWA School Records

Team Season Records:

Passing Touchdowns – 33

Rushing TD’s – 36 (Tied)

Total TD’s – 75

Extra Points – 73

Total Points – 544

Total Yards – 5930

First Downs – 288

Team Game Records:

Total Points – 91

Extra Points – 13

Individual Season Records:

TD Passes – Kyle Caldwell – 28

Extra Points – Mark Grant – 72

Rushing Avg – Javae Swindle – 8.9