Nov. 30, 2007
ORLANDO, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - A day before UCF tangles with Tulsa in the Conference USA Championship at Bright House Networks Stadium, two Knights were honored for their efforts in the classroom. Senior defensive tackle Keith Shologan and junior strong safety Sha'reff Rashad both earned spots on the C-USA Football All-Academic Team, the league office announced Friday.
The team consisted of 13 student-athletes who have posted grade-point averages of at least a 3.2 and have been starters or significant contributors to their respective programs. UCF, along with Memphis, Rice, SMU and Tulsa, placed two student-athletes on the All-Academic Team, while East Carolina, Southern Miss and UTEP had one selection each.
Rashad was voted onto the team for the second-straight season, as he currently owns a 3.46 GPA. The criminal justice major from Jacksonville was recently named to the 2007 Media All-C-USA Second Team by leading UCF with 90 tackles on the year. Rashad also has four interceptions and four tackles for a loss, as well as six pass break-ups and a forced fumble. He has posted double-digit tackles in two games (USF, Southern Miss) and has notched at least four takedowns in all 12 contests this season.
For Shologan, the accolade was the second academic award he had received this week. On Nov. 29, the Edmonton, Alberta, native grabbed ESPN The Magazine All-Academic First Team honors, becoming the first Knight in program history to be voted onto the first team. Shologan has racked up 24 tackles from his defensive line position in 2007, including four tackles for a loss and two and a half sacks. Off the field, he claims a 3.52 GPA while majoring in finance.
The defensive duo returns to the field Saturday for the 2007 Bright House Networks C-USA Championship Game vs. Tulsa at noon on the UCF campus. Great seats still remain and can be purchased through Ticketmaster by calling (407) 839-3900 or by going online at UCFAthletics.com.
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