LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. - To celebrate 55 years of College Athletic Conference/Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference football, the league office is releasing the top moments and/or players for each current conference member, culminating with the release of the all-time CAC/SCAC football team.
This week, the SCAC office looks back on the top moments from Southwestern University.
Southwestern University, which joined the SCAC prior to the 2013 season, has produced 15 First Team All-SCAC selections.
SOUTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY – TOP MOMENTS (in chronological order)
October 28, 2011 – Southwestern University announced the reinstatement of the football program, which was cut following the 1950 season. The Pirates' football history dates back to 1908, while the team also was a charter member of the Southwest Conference.
September 7, 2013 – Southwestern's football program returns to action in its first game since the 1950 season. The contest also set an SCAC single-game record with 5,851 fans in attendance at Birkelbach Field.
September 7, 2013 – In Southwestern's return to the gridiron, first-year Colten Shea scored the program's first touchdown since 1950, and set the SCAC single-game mark with 367 all-purpose yards.
September 13, 2014 – Southwestern's football program posted an 0-10 record in its first year back, but started the 2014 season with a 27-20 victory over Sul Ross State. It marked the program's first win since defeating Austin College, 27-7, on Nov. 4, 1950.
November 20, 2014 – Nik Kelly was named SCAC Newcomer of the Year after leading the conference in passes defended (19) and interceptions (6). The first-year defensive back also logged 42 tackles, including 24 solo efforts. He became just the second defensive back in conference history to earn the honor.
November 19, 2015 – For the second straight season, Nik Kelly collected one of the conference's superlative awards, as he was named special teams Co-Player of the Year. The League City, Texas, native became the first SCAC player since 2012 to return a punt for a touchdown, as he accomplished the feat with a 52-yard return against Austin College (Oct. 3). He also was on the receiving end of a 74-yard touchdown pass on a fake punt play against Trinity (Nov. 7).
October 8, 2016 – Southwestern earned its first-ever SCAC victory, defeating Austin College, 37-7, in Georgetown. The Pirates posted 603 yards of total offense, including 320 on the ground, en route to the win. Southwestern also scored five rushing touchdowns.
October 15, 2016 – The Pirates posted a 48-0 victory at Trinity, marking Southwestern's first shutout since September 30, 1950 (7-0 at Stephen F. Austin). The Bucs recorded nine sacks and seven receiving touchdowns in their second SCAC win. It also marked the first time the Tigers had been shut out since the 1994 campaign.
October 15, 2016 – Matt Gillen set an SCAC single-game record with five receiving touchdowns in Southwestern's 48-0 win at Trinity. The senior wide receiver, who hauled nine catches for 135 yards, was named SCAC Offensive Player of the Week for his efforts.
October 15, 2016 – Justin Broussard also set an SCAC single-game record in Southwestern's 48-0 victory at Trinity, as the senior defensive end logged 5.5 sacks. Broussard registered nine tackles, two quarterback hurries and a pass breakup, while his 5.5 sacks totaled 36 yards. He earned SCAC Defensive Player of the Week accolades and was named to the D3football.com Team of the Week for his performance.
*Top moments were selected in a collaborative effort between Southwestern University and the conference office. As only current players would be considered, it was decided not to make a list of "top players."