Mercer Press Release Link

Tyler Zielenske Named to CFPA Placekicker Watch List


CHARLESTON, S.C. – Mercer's Tyler Zielenske was named to the 2014 College Football Performance Awards Placekicker Watch List, becoming one of 36 returning kickers from the NCAA's Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) to receive recognition.

Zielenske ranked fourth in the FCS in field goal percentage last season, after connecting on over 83 percent of his field goal attempts. He converted all 10 of his tries from inside 40 yards, including a season-best 39-yarder in a victory over Campbell. Zielenske was 47-of-48 on point-after attempts and drilled multiple field goals in five contests en route to 77 total points in 2013.

The sophomore from Oxford, Ga. is the fourth Bear to garner preseason recognition from the CFPA this year, as tight end Robert Brown, quarterback John Russ and running back Payton Usher were each named to the watch list for their respective positions this summer. He is also one of four kickers from the Southern Conference on the list, joining Samford's Warren Handrahan, VMI's Dillon Christopher and Western Carolina's Richard Sigmon.

The goal of College Football Performance Awards is to provide the most scientifically rigorous conferment in college football. Recipients are selected exclusively based upon objective scientific rankings of the extent to which individual players increase the overall effectiveness of their teams. Twenty-eight CFPA winners have been first-round NFL Draft selections.

Mercer will open up its 2014 season under the lights on August 28, when it hosts Reinhardt at Mercer University Stadium. Kick-off is set for 7 p.m.