Panthers rank high in SLIAC statistics
Sept. 24, 2008

LaGrange College leads the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in five team categories and seven different individual categories as the NCAA released the Division III statistics on Tuesday.

The Panthers lead the SLIAC as a team in passing offense (269 yds. per game); scoring offense (31.67 pts. per game); defensive pass efficiency (87.78 rating); punt returns (24.40 yds. per return) and pass defense (94.33 yds. allowed per game). The Panthers rank nationally in the top 25 of Division III in punt returns (4th) and pass defense (14th).  The Panthers are also second in the conference in total offense (364.33 yds. per game); net punting (31.08 yds. per punt); turnover margin (1.00); passing efficiency (120.45) and sacks (2.33 per game).

Individually, the Panthers have four players ranked in the top 100 in NCAA Division in six different categories. In the SLIAC, five players lead in seven different categories.

Sophomore quarterback Drew Carter leads the conference in total offense, averaging 268 yards per game. Carter is 34th nationally in total offense and 99th in passing efficiency (120.48 rating). Junior running back Mario Wallace leads the SLIAC in all-purpose yards (191.33 yds. per game) and punt returns (30.5 yds. per game).  Wallace ranks second in punt returns and 16th in all-purpose yards in Division III.

Sophomore wide receiver Stephen Tuck leads the SLIAC in receiving, averaging five receptions per game. Junior defensive end Alex Sapp is tied for the conference lead in sacks and ranks 35th nationally, averaging a sack per game. Sophomore kicker Josh Stripling leads the SLIAC in punting, averaging 36.83 yards per punt. He is 66th nationally in punting. Stripling also leads the conference in field goals and tied for 47th nationally, averaging .67 field goals per game.