Thompson and Cheek Named to D3football.com All-South Region Team

(MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.) – Junior cornerback Sam Thompson (Alcoa, Tenn.) and sophomore offensive guard Nathan Cheek (Lancaster, Ohio) of the Carnegie Mellon University football team were named to the D3football.com 2011 All-South Region team. Thompson was selected as a second team member while Cheek earned third team honors.  

Thompson, a first team All-University Athletic Association (UAA) selection, led the association with seven interceptions.  His seven takeaways tied a Tartan single-season record as well as tied him for second in Division III.  Four of Thompson's picks came in back-to-back UAA contests where he had two each against Washington and Chicago.   Against Catholic, he returned an interception 71 yards for a touchdown, marking the first score of his career.  He was tied for the UAA lead with 12 passes defended with fellow teammate, Dan Miller.

Cheek, also a first team All-UAA selection, played a huge factor in blocking for a backfield that averaged 234.8 yards per game on the ground and ranked in the top 25 nationally all season.  On four occasions this season, Carnegie Mellon rushed for 300 or more yards in a game.  The Tartans ended the 2011 campaign at the top of the UAA in rushing for the 14th straight year, thanks to the blocking upfront from Cheek.  

This marks the first time a Tartan has appeared on the all-region team since the 2006 season when seven members were honored as well as Head Coach Rich Lackner as Coach of the Year.