INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Elon University senior place kicker Andrew Wilcox (Richmond, Va./Hermitage) has been declared the 2008 NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision statistical champion in the “Field Goals” category.
Wilcox, who led the Southern Conference and the FCS with 1.83 field goals made per game in 2008, becomes the third Elon player to be acknowledged as an FCS statistical champion. Phoenix junior wide receiver Terrell Hudgins (Rocky Mount, N.C./Rocky Mount) was recognized as the 2007 FCS statistical champion in both “Receptions Per Game” and “Receiving Yards Per Game.” Former Elon linebacker and current Jacksonville Jaguar safety Chad Nkang was crowned the 2005 FCS statistical champion in “Tackles Per Game.”
The 6-2, 232-pound Wilcox was picked to All-America teams by the Walter Camp Football Foundation (first team), the Associated Press (first team), the College Sporting News (first team) and The Sports Network (second team) for his performances in 2008. He converted 33 of his 37 PAT kicks and 22 of his 27 field goal attempts on his way to piling up 99 points while also booting 68 kickoffs for a 59.2-yard average. He also ranked third in the league and 18th in the country in scoring with 8.25 points per contest en route to earning SoCon Special Teams Player of the Week accolades three times and College Sporting News National Special Teams Player of the Week recognition once this past season.
Wilcox was named the First Team All-SoCon place kicker by the SCSMA two of the last three seasons. The league’s coaches declared him a Second Team All-SoCon honoree in 2006 and a First Team All-SoCon pick in 2008. He is the all-time Elon leader in field goals made in a game (five versus Georgia Southern in 2007 and five at Georgia Southern in 2008), field goals made in a season (22 in 2008), field goals made in a career (59), PAT kicks made in a game (tied with nine versus Presbyterian in 2008), PAT kicks made in a season (50 last year) and PAT kicks made in a career (130).
Wilcox ranks among the all-time SoCon career leaders in field goals made (second with 59), field goals attempted (second with 84), points scored by kicking (third with 307), extra points made by kicking (ninth with 130) and extra points attempted by kicking (tied for ninth with 136). His 22 field goals made in 2008 tie the second-best single-season performance ever by a SoCon place kicker. His 27 field goals attempted in 2008 mark the fourth-highest total ever by a SoCon place kicker. Wilcox is the only SoCon place kicker to ever successfully convert a field goal in 12 games in a single season.
Behind the efforts of Wilcox, No. 17 Elon (8-4 overall, 6-2 SoCon) finished the 2008 campaign with the Phoenix's most victories in nine years and knocked off three top-25 FCS teams in the same season for the first time ever. Elon also forged its most successful campaign in its six-year membership in the SoCon, finishing with sole possession of third place in the nine-team league.
ELON FCS STATISTICAL CHAMPIONS
Chad Nkang, Linebacker
2005 Tackles Per Game
Terrell Hudgins, Wide Receiver
2007 Receptions Per Game
2007 Receiving Yards Per Game
Andrew Wilcox, Place Kicker
2008 Field Goals Made Per Game
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