Harley Tabbed HCAC Freshman of the Year
November 20, 2019
Anderson University football standout Tyson Harley (New Palestine, Ind./Mount Vernon) was tabbed the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) Freshman of the Year, which was announced by the conference on Wednesday. Eight Ravens collected all-HCAC honors.
Zac Tallent (Lakeland, Fla./George Jenkins) and Chase Fisher (Cicero, Ind./Hamilton Heights) were both selected to the all-HCAC first team. Harley, Alex Parra (Indianapolis, Ind./Perry Meridian) and James Tucker (Brookville, Ind./Franklin County) were each named to the all-HCAC second team. Reggie Lipscomb (Indianapolis, Ind./Pike), Tristan Chambers (Fort Wayne, Ind./Concordia Lutheran) and Alex Barnett (McCordsville, Ind./Mount Vernon) each received all-HCAC Honorable Mention.
Harley threw for 3,336 yards and 25 passing touchdowns. The freshman from New Palestine completed 292-of-450 passes for a 64.9 completion percentage. Harley also contributed a 140.61 pass-efficiency rating, two rushing touchdowns and three total 2-point conversions. Among Anderson single-season leaders, Harley ranks second in passing yards, second in completions, second in completion percentage and fourth in passing touchdowns. Harley broke the single-game school records for passing yards (573) and completions (47). He currently holds the top three single-game performances in school history for passing yards and his best performance is 103 yards greater than the mark of 470, the school record before Harley's arrival.
Harley currently leads the nation in completions per game (29.20) and ranks third in the nation in passing yards per game (333.6). Among NCAA leaders, Harley is tied for 24th in the nation in passing touchdowns and ranks 27th in completion percentage. In the HCAC, Harley ranks first in completions per game, first in passing yards per game, second in passing touchdowns, second in completion percentage and third in passing efficiency. Harley was twice-selected as the HCAC Offensive Player of the Week.
"Tyson had a great first year and definitely is deserving of this award," Coach Steve Rock said. "We are looking forward to the years-to-come working with Tyson and see his continued growth in this offense. If Tyson jumps in this off-season and develops his body in the weight room, he definitely has a chance to better his efforts from this record-setting season. Spring ball will further allow him to mature in this offense."
Sophomore Zac Tallent (Lakeland, Fla./George Jenkins) earned his second all-conference selection after receiving all-HCAC honorable mention as a freshman. The Lakeland, Fla. native tallied 1,004 receiving yards, 107 receptions and five reception touchdowns. Tallent blasted the previous single-season reception record of 87 and finished fourth in school history for single-season reception yards. Tallent caught 22 receptions in a game, which smashed the previous record of 17. His 22 receptions along with 158 receiving yards and a reception touchdown earned him a D3Football.com Team-of-the-Week selection.
Tallent leads the conference and ranks second in the nation with 10.7 receptions per game. His receiving average of 100.4 yards ranks second in the conference and 33rd in the nation. Tallent is also tied for fifth in the HCAC in receiving touchdowns.
"Zac is a passionate competitor that loves the game of football and puts his body and efforts on the line each day working to get better. His efforts are noticed by everyone on the team and he drives others to pick their game up. I am really looking forward to Zac's future after a great off-season effort to better develop physically to match his tenacity."
Fisher is a first-time all-conference recipient. The senior from Cicero averaged 38.33 yards per punt, which leads the conference and ranks 41st in the nation. Fisher pinned 11 punts inside the 20, recorded one punt for a touchback and booted two 50-plus yard punts. His punting average ranks 10th in the single-season school record book.
"Chase has worked hard over the years to perfect his craft as a punter and this award is confirmation of his hard work. The punters and kickers spend a significant amount of time working on their own each day only to have a few opportunities to contribute on Saturdays, but when called on their job is of great importance. I really appreciated Chase's work ethic and maturity."
Parra secured his first all-conference selection. The sophomore offensive lineman from Indianapolis started four games and recorded a tackle. Parra played a pivotal role on the offensive line of a nationally-ranked offense. At 335.3 yards per game, Anderson ranks fifth in the nation and first in the conference in passing offense. Anderson also ranks second in the conference and 23rd in the nation in offensive yards per game (455.2).
"Alex Parra (Indianapolis, Ind./Perry Meridian) is returning from last year where he played a significant amount of time as a freshman playing multiple positions on the offensive line. We are very happy that the conference has recognized Alex with this award. Alex is impressive because he is clearly undersized compared to other offensive linemen in this conference, but his heart, work ethic, and technique make him worthy of this award."
Tucker picked up his first all-conference selection. The sophomore from Brookville notched 677 receiving yards, 45 receptions and four receiving touchdowns. Tucker ranks fourth in the conference with 67.7 receiving yards per game.
"James made tremendous strides from his first year of college football to this year. James made a commitment last year to prove that he belongs in the wide receiver rotation in a big way. James used his athleticism in our Spring-ball practices to gain the trust of his coaches."
Lipscomb received all-HCAC Honorable Mention for the second year in a row. The sophomore running back from Indianapolis put together 869 rushing yards, eight rushing touchdowns and ran in two 2-point conversions. Lipscomb averaged 4.5 yards per carry on 94 carries. He ranks fourth in the HCAC in rushing touchdowns. As a receiver, Lipscomb produced 41 receptions, 330 receiving yards and three reception touchdowns.
"Reggie makes the most of his situation being a running back in a passing offense. Reggie has worked hard in the off-season to get better at his pass protection gaining major trust from his coaches. Reggie is versatile as a running back because he is highly effective catching the ball out of the backfield. We are excited to see what Reggie can do next year."
Barnett tallied his third all-conference selection after receiving honorable mention as a freshman and being named to the all-HCAC second team as a sophomore. The junior from McCordsville provided 546 receiving yards, 36 receptions and four receiving touchdowns.
"Alex Barnett (McCordsville, Ind./Mount Vernon) is a key member of our offense and the lone upperclassman. Alex leads everyday on and off the field in a positive manner that sets a great example to our younger team members. Alex missed a few weeks of this season otherwise he would have had high conference awards."
Chambers earned all-HCAC honorable mention totaling 12 tackles, eight solo tackles, a sack for a loss of six yards and a fumble recovery during his freshman campaign.
"Tristan is the foundation of our defensive line. It's impressive how he came in as a freshman and established himself as an immediate contributor in a big way. I'm looking forward to seeing his progress next season."
The Ravens continue their resurgence into the offseason and expect to keep building on their winningest season since 2010.
"My hope is that these young men take these honors and use them as motivation for a great off-season of work so they can earn these or higher awards again next year and contribute big time to next year's team efforts."
Zac Tallent (Lakeland, Fla./George Jenkins) and Chase Fisher (Cicero, Ind./Hamilton Heights) were both selected to the all-HCAC first team. Harley, Alex Parra (Indianapolis, Ind./Perry Meridian) and James Tucker (Brookville, Ind./Franklin County) were each named to the all-HCAC second team. Reggie Lipscomb (Indianapolis, Ind./Pike), Tristan Chambers (Fort Wayne, Ind./Concordia Lutheran) and Alex Barnett (McCordsville, Ind./Mount Vernon) each received all-HCAC Honorable Mention.
Harley threw for 3,336 yards and 25 passing touchdowns. The freshman from New Palestine completed 292-of-450 passes for a 64.9 completion percentage. Harley also contributed a 140.61 pass-efficiency rating, two rushing touchdowns and three total 2-point conversions. Among Anderson single-season leaders, Harley ranks second in passing yards, second in completions, second in completion percentage and fourth in passing touchdowns. Harley broke the single-game school records for passing yards (573) and completions (47). He currently holds the top three single-game performances in school history for passing yards and his best performance is 103 yards greater than the mark of 470, the school record before Harley's arrival.
Harley currently leads the nation in completions per game (29.20) and ranks third in the nation in passing yards per game (333.6). Among NCAA leaders, Harley is tied for 24th in the nation in passing touchdowns and ranks 27th in completion percentage. In the HCAC, Harley ranks first in completions per game, first in passing yards per game, second in passing touchdowns, second in completion percentage and third in passing efficiency. Harley was twice-selected as the HCAC Offensive Player of the Week.
"Tyson had a great first year and definitely is deserving of this award," Coach Steve Rock said. "We are looking forward to the years-to-come working with Tyson and see his continued growth in this offense. If Tyson jumps in this off-season and develops his body in the weight room, he definitely has a chance to better his efforts from this record-setting season. Spring ball will further allow him to mature in this offense."
Sophomore Zac Tallent (Lakeland, Fla./George Jenkins) earned his second all-conference selection after receiving all-HCAC honorable mention as a freshman. The Lakeland, Fla. native tallied 1,004 receiving yards, 107 receptions and five reception touchdowns. Tallent blasted the previous single-season reception record of 87 and finished fourth in school history for single-season reception yards. Tallent caught 22 receptions in a game, which smashed the previous record of 17. His 22 receptions along with 158 receiving yards and a reception touchdown earned him a D3Football.com Team-of-the-Week selection.
Tallent leads the conference and ranks second in the nation with 10.7 receptions per game. His receiving average of 100.4 yards ranks second in the conference and 33rd in the nation. Tallent is also tied for fifth in the HCAC in receiving touchdowns.
"Zac is a passionate competitor that loves the game of football and puts his body and efforts on the line each day working to get better. His efforts are noticed by everyone on the team and he drives others to pick their game up. I am really looking forward to Zac's future after a great off-season effort to better develop physically to match his tenacity."
Fisher is a first-time all-conference recipient. The senior from Cicero averaged 38.33 yards per punt, which leads the conference and ranks 41st in the nation. Fisher pinned 11 punts inside the 20, recorded one punt for a touchback and booted two 50-plus yard punts. His punting average ranks 10th in the single-season school record book.
"Chase has worked hard over the years to perfect his craft as a punter and this award is confirmation of his hard work. The punters and kickers spend a significant amount of time working on their own each day only to have a few opportunities to contribute on Saturdays, but when called on their job is of great importance. I really appreciated Chase's work ethic and maturity."
Parra secured his first all-conference selection. The sophomore offensive lineman from Indianapolis started four games and recorded a tackle. Parra played a pivotal role on the offensive line of a nationally-ranked offense. At 335.3 yards per game, Anderson ranks fifth in the nation and first in the conference in passing offense. Anderson also ranks second in the conference and 23rd in the nation in offensive yards per game (455.2).
"Alex Parra (Indianapolis, Ind./Perry Meridian) is returning from last year where he played a significant amount of time as a freshman playing multiple positions on the offensive line. We are very happy that the conference has recognized Alex with this award. Alex is impressive because he is clearly undersized compared to other offensive linemen in this conference, but his heart, work ethic, and technique make him worthy of this award."
Tucker picked up his first all-conference selection. The sophomore from Brookville notched 677 receiving yards, 45 receptions and four receiving touchdowns. Tucker ranks fourth in the conference with 67.7 receiving yards per game.
"James made tremendous strides from his first year of college football to this year. James made a commitment last year to prove that he belongs in the wide receiver rotation in a big way. James used his athleticism in our Spring-ball practices to gain the trust of his coaches."
Lipscomb received all-HCAC Honorable Mention for the second year in a row. The sophomore running back from Indianapolis put together 869 rushing yards, eight rushing touchdowns and ran in two 2-point conversions. Lipscomb averaged 4.5 yards per carry on 94 carries. He ranks fourth in the HCAC in rushing touchdowns. As a receiver, Lipscomb produced 41 receptions, 330 receiving yards and three reception touchdowns.
"Reggie makes the most of his situation being a running back in a passing offense. Reggie has worked hard in the off-season to get better at his pass protection gaining major trust from his coaches. Reggie is versatile as a running back because he is highly effective catching the ball out of the backfield. We are excited to see what Reggie can do next year."
Barnett tallied his third all-conference selection after receiving honorable mention as a freshman and being named to the all-HCAC second team as a sophomore. The junior from McCordsville provided 546 receiving yards, 36 receptions and four receiving touchdowns.
"Alex Barnett (McCordsville, Ind./Mount Vernon) is a key member of our offense and the lone upperclassman. Alex leads everyday on and off the field in a positive manner that sets a great example to our younger team members. Alex missed a few weeks of this season otherwise he would have had high conference awards."
Chambers earned all-HCAC honorable mention totaling 12 tackles, eight solo tackles, a sack for a loss of six yards and a fumble recovery during his freshman campaign.
"Tristan is the foundation of our defensive line. It's impressive how he came in as a freshman and established himself as an immediate contributor in a big way. I'm looking forward to seeing his progress next season."
The Ravens continue their resurgence into the offseason and expect to keep building on their winningest season since 2010.
"My hope is that these young men take these honors and use them as motivation for a great off-season of work so they can earn these or higher awards again next year and contribute big time to next year's team efforts."
