2025 Jerry Rice Award Winner: Mercer's Braden Atkinson Interview

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Sit down with Coach Jacobs as he talks about the upcoming football season. 

SoCon Football Media Day: Mercer, Mike Jacobs

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Sit down with Coach Bell as he talks about the upcoming football season. 

SoCon Football Media Day: WCU, Kerwin Bell

Sit down with Coach Healy as he talks about the upcoming football season. 

SoCon Football Media Day: ETSU, Will Healy

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Spring game looks 👀📸

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Cornerbacks Coach

Coaches at Anderson University where the 2025 AU Defense was ranked Top 15 in Pass Yards Allowed and Top 20 in Total Defense

Malik played collegiate football at Southeastern University https://t.co/pMrIzrW0eK

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Getting after it 👏

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Samford Bulldogs

Samford University

Bringing the juice 🔋

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New Era, Day 1 ✅

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University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

"They're working hard. It's just consistently playing with an edge. Consistently playing together." @CoachKevinRevis talks growth and leadership within the O-Line. #GoMocs https://t.co/DJ0aOTSJQt

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The Southern Conference

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Chattanooga Mocs Defensive Back Writes a Book

<div class="payload-richtext">NASHVILLE, TN ­– Mercer’s Andrew Zock won the Buck Buchanan Award Saturday night at the FCS National Awards reception at historic Woolworth Theatre, capping a spectacular sophomore season with the top defensive honor in the FCS. Zock (Citra, FL / Hawthorne HS) is the first Mercer player to win the award and first SoCon honoree since Dexter Coakley (App State) won in 1995 and 1996 – the first two seasons the Buchanan was awarded. Furman’s Joshua Stoneking and Fordham’s James Conway were the other two finalists this year. Zock received 15 first-place votes and 133 total points, edging Stoneking for the top honor. Stoneking finished with 10 first-place votes and 119 total points. Zock finished the season with 46 total tackles, 20.0 tackles for loss (minus-109 yards), 11.5 sacks (minus-83 yards), four pass break ups, and a SoCon-best 23 quarterback hurries. He added two forced fumbles and recovered another. He registered at least one sack in eight different games, with two each in wins over ETSU, VMI, and Samford. The 2025 season wasn’t an outlier, with Zock finishing fourth in last season’s Jerry Rice Award voting for the top freshman in the FCS. He finished the 2024 campaign with 38 total tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss and 7.0 sacks. Zock is the 15th defensive end to win the Buchanan Award, including each of the last six seasons. The 6-foot-2, 250-pounder joined teammate Braden Atkinson in Nashville Saturday evening, with Atkinson taking home the 2025 Jerry Rice Award. A complete run down of the 2025 Buck Buchanan Award voting is available <a href="https://theanalyst.com/articles/buck-buchanan-award-andrew-zock-mercer-fcs-football-defensive-player-of-the-year">
 here
 </a>.   </div>

Zock

Zock_Buchanan_2026

<div class="payload-richtext">SPARTANBURG, SC – Furman standout Joshua Stoneking was named Division I Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association (FCS ADA) National Defensive Player of the Year on Friday as part of the organization’s All-America Team. Stoneking (Raleigh, NC / Cardinal Gibbbons HS) led FCS with 14.5 sacks (minus-97 yards) and 23.0 tackles for loss (minus-132 yards) in 2025. He led Furman with 79 total tackles (42 solo) in 12 games and posted nine quarterback hurries, two pass break ups, a blocked kick, and two fumble recoveries. The 6-foot-4, 265-pound defensive end was a consensus All-America selection following the season, earning a spot on teams selected by Football Central, the Associated Press, Stats Perform, AFCA, the Walter Camp Foundation, and FCS ADA. Stoneking is the third Furman football standout to earn a National Player of the Year honor, joining Jeff Blankenship (1988) and Louis Ivory (2001) in that exclusive club. Now in its 13th year, the FCS ADA All-America team recognizes 11 individuals as the top players at their position in the FCS. Stoneking is also one of three finalists for the Buck Buchanan Award, presented annually by Stats Perform to the top defensive player in the FCS. That award will be announced tonight, January 3, in Nashville, TN, as part of the FCS National Awards presentation at Woolworth Theatre. Mercer’s Andrew Zock is also a finalist for the Buchanan Award, and Western Carolina’s Taron Dickens is one of three finalists for the Walter Payton Award. Mercer’s Braden Atkinson was named the Jerry Rice Award winner following the season by Stats Perform as the nation’s top freshman. About the FCS ADA: The Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association's mission is to enhance Football Championship Subdivision football. For more information on the FCS ADA, please visit <a href="http://www.fcsada.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 www.fcsada.com
 </a>. The FCS ADA is administered by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), which is in its 61st year. For more information on NACDA and the 19 professional associations that fall under its umbrella, please visit <a href="http://www.nacda.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 www.nacda.com
 </a>.</div>

Stoneking Furman

Furman Paladins

Furman University

Stoneking FCS ADA

<div class="payload-richtext">SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference’s 40-game league football schedule for 2026 is set to get under way Saturday, Aug. 29, with The Citadel visiting Wofford.   The next SoCon games are two weeks later on Sept. 12, when Furman visits two-time defending SoCon champion Mercer. Tennessee Tech will also make its conference debut that day as the Golden Eagles welcome Samford. Another solo SoCon game follows on Sept. 19, when Wofford heads to Chattanooga. Four league games are set for the next three weeks. The first SoCon Saturday, with all 10 squads playing a conference game, is Oct. 31, with a full slate following in the next two weeks as well.  Regular season play wraps up on Saturday, Nov. 21, with the opening round of the FCS playoffs starting the following weekend. Three league games are set for the final day of the regular season.   Full broadcast schedules will be announced later, but all 10 schools’ home games will air on ESPN+ if not selected for national or regional broadcast.  The opening of the 2026 SoCon football schedule begins with SoCon Media Day on July 21, 2026. Details regarding the event will be released on a future date. 2026 Southern Conference football schedule (league games only) Aug. 29The Citadel at Wofford Sept. 12 Furman at Mercer Samford at Tennessee Tech Sept. 19 Wofford at Chattanooga     Sept. 26 Chattanooga at The Citadel Western Carolina at ETSU VMI at Samford Tennessee Tech at Wofford Oct. 3 Chattanooga at ETSU Wofford at FurmanMercer at VMITennessee Tech at Western Carolina   Oct. 10 ETSU at The CitadelFurman at Tennessee TechWestern Carolina at MercerSamford at Chattanooga   Oct. 17 Mercer at SamfordVMI at Wofford   Oct. 24 Tennessee Tech at The Citadel ETSU at VMISamford at FurmanChattanooga at Western Carolina   Oct. 31 The Citadel at MercerTennessee Tech at ETSUWestern Carolina at FurmanWofford at SamfordVMI at Chattanooga   Nov. 7 Furman at The CitadelSamford at ETSUMercer at ChattanoogaVMI at Tennessee TechWofford at Western Carolina   Nov. 14 The Citadel at VMIETSU at WoffordChattanooga at FurmanMercer at Tennessee TechWestern Carolina at Samford   Nov. 21 The Citadel at Western CarolinaETSU at MercerFurman at VMI</div>

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ETSU Buccaneers

East Tennessee State University

The Citadel

Citadel

Wofford

Wofford College

2026 SoCon football schedule announced

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The Citadel's James Platte Named 2025 FCS Punter of the Year

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<div class="payload-richtext"><a href="https://mercerbears.com/news/2025/12/3/football-braden-atkinson-wins-2025-jerry-rice-award">
 Braden Atkinson Wins 2025 Jerry Rice Award
 </a>MACON – <a href="https://mercerbears.com/sports/football/roster/braden-atkinson/11907">
 Braden Atkinson
 </a> slapped an emphatic entry into a phenomenal rookie campaign on Wednesday morning when Mercer's record-breaking quarterback was announced as the winner of the 2025 Jerry Rice Award which honors the national freshman player of the year in college football's Division I FCS subdivision.   Atkinson picked up 51 out of a possible 54 first-place votes from a national voting panel and compiled 267 points on the way to staking claim to the honor. UC Davis quarterback Caden Pinnick finished second with 149 points, while Houston Christian running back Xai'Shaun Christian was third with 69 points. Wednesday's announcement marked the first time in the history of the award that a Southern Conference student-athlete has been decorated with the award.   The Jerry Rice Award, celebrating its 15th anniversary season, is named after legendary Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice who starred in the FCS at Mississippi Valley State. Past recipients include Cooper Kupp, Chase Edmonds, Trey Lance, Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders.   The Jerry Rice Award includes true and redshirt freshmen, and all 13 FCS conferences were represented on the list of 25 finalists that was announced late last month. Atkinson will be honored at the Stats Perform National Awards Show on January 3 in Nashville, Tenn.   A native of Rolesville, N.C., and a product of Rolesville High School, Atkinson has completed 68.1 percent (250-for-367) of his pass attempts this season and has already broken school single-season records for passing completions (250), attempts (367), yards (3,448) and touchdowns (34). He has thrown for 300 or more yards in eight of his 10 starts, including a school-record 533 yards amid Mercer's 62-0 home win over VMI on October 25. He has also, thrice, matched the program's single-game superlative for passing touchdowns with five scoring tosses against Samford, VMI and Chattanooga.   He currently ranks second among all FCS signal callers in passing yards, passing yards per game (344.8), passing touchdowns and completions per game (25.00), while ranking third, nationally, in points responsible for per game (21.0), total offense per game (345.8) and yards per pass attempt (9.40).   The Bears (9-2, 8-0 SoCon) will begin their road in the NCAA postseason on Saturday when they suit up to take on 11th-seeded South Dakota (9-4, 6-2 MVFC) in the second round of the NCAA FCS Playoffs. Kickoff has been scheduled for noon at Five Star Stadium.   Tickets for the game are still available and can be purchased by visiting <a href="https://www.tixr.com/groups/mercerbears/events/mercer-playoff-game-165504">
 MercerBears.com/Tickets
 </a>.<a href="https://theanalyst.com/articles/jerry-rice-award-mercer-qb-braden-atkinson-2025-fcs-football-freshman-of-year">
 Stats Perform release
 </a></div>

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Mercer's Braden Atkinson Wins 2025 Jerry Rice Award

<div class="payload-richtext"><a href="https://theanalyst.com/articles/buck-buchanan-award-fcs-football-defensive-player-of-year-announcement-2025">
 Stats Perform Buck Buchanan release
 </a><a href="https://theanalyst.com/articles/walter-payton-award-fcs-football-offensive-player-of-year-announcement-2025">
 Stats Perform Walter Payton release
 </a><a href="https://furmanpaladins.com/news/2025/12/2/football-furmans-stoneking-earns-invite-to-2025-buck-buchanan-award-announcement.aspx">
 Furman's Stoneking Earns Invite To 2025 Buck Buchanan Award Announcement
 </a>Stoneking, a 6-foot-3, 264-pound redshirt sophomore from Raleigh, N.C., had FCS regular season highs in sacks (14.5), tackles for loss (23.0), and tackle yards for loss (132). He had at least one TFL in 11 of 12 games, and he matched his season high of 10 tackles out of 79 overall in the other game. He also totaled nine quarterback hurries, two forced fumbles, two pass breakups, and one blocked kick. His 14.5 sacks accounted for 56 percent of Furman's 26 total sacks, and his 23 tackles for loss represented 33.3 percent of the Paladins' tackles for loss this season — by far the highest percentages among SoCon defenders. He was named Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Week a league best three times this fall and was accorded all-conference honors in voting by league head coaches.<a href="https://mercerbears.com/news/2025/12/2/football-zock-earns-invite-to-nashville-as-finalist-for-buck-buchanan-award">
 Mercer's Zock Earns Invite To Nashville As Finalist For Buck Buchanan Award
 </a>With the announcement, Zock becomes the second Mercer student-athlete in as many years to earn an invite to the annual awards ceremony.   Zock has totaled 41 tackles (23 solo), including a school record 20.0 tackles for loss (-109 yards), across 11 starts this season, while also turning in 22 quarterback hurries, three pass break-ups, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. He has also logged a single season school record sack total (11.5). He has tallied multiple tackles for loss in seven outings, including a season-best 4-1/2 drops behind the line in Mercer's Week 3 win over Wofford.   The Citra, Fla., native has accumulated 34-1/2 tackles for loss (18-1/2 sacks) in two seasons and 25 games in the Orange & Black. He also boasts a school record 36 quarterback hurries.<a href="https://catamountsports.com/news/2025/12/2/football-wcus-taron-dickens-invited-to-the-2025-walter-payton-award-announcement.aspx">
 Western Carolina's Taron Dickens Invited to 2025 Walter Payton Award Announcement
 </a>Western Carolina redshirt sophomore quarterback <a href="https://catamountsports.com/sports/football/roster/taron-dickens/14023">
 Taron Dickens
 </a>, who led the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) in five of the top offensive statistical categories through nine regular-season games, has been invited to the announcement of the 2025 Walter Payton Award.   The 2025 award recipient, selected after the regular season by a 56-member national voting panel, will be announced at the Stats Perform FCS National Awards Show on Jan. 3, <a href="https://www.woolworththeatre.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 at the Woolworth Theatre
 </a> in Nashville, Tenn., the site of the NCAA FCS National Championship game.   The Roy M. "Legs" Hawley Southern Conference Offensive Player of the Year and a first-team All-SoCon selection, Dickens ranked No. 1 in the FCS in total passing yards (3,508) despite three fewer games than most other candidates. He also paced the country in passing yards per game (389.8), completion percentage (74.2), total offensive yards per game (425.4), and touchdown passes with a school and SoCon single-season record 38.   The first Catamount football player to ever earn an invite to the national postseason awards ceremony, Dickens will be joined in the Music City by Youngstown State quarterback Beau Brungard and QB Cole Payton of North Dakota State as <a href="https://theanalyst.com/articles/walter-payton-award-fcs-football-offensive-player-of-year-announcement-2025" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 the top three in the final vote count
 </a>. Brungard and Payton both compete in the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC).</div>

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Three SoCon Players Invited to the 2025 FCS Awards

<div class="payload-richtext">SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference’s nine football coaches have selected their annual all-conference teams and specialty awards for the 2025 season. Western Carolina quarterback Taron Dickens is the Offensive Player of the Year and Mercer defensive lineman Andrew Zock is the Defensive Player of the Year. Bears quarterback Braden Atkinson is the Freshman of the Year and head coach Mike Jacobs is the Coach of the Year. The Citadel offensive lineman Mike Bartilucci is the Jacobs Blocking Award winner.   The coaches, who could not vote for their own players or themselves, selected all-conference first and second teams and all-freshman teams on offense, defense and special teams. Due to a tie in the voting, there was one additional wide receiver, offensive lineman and defensive back on the second team.   2025 Coaches All-Southern Conference Football Team   Roy M. “Legs” Hawley Offensive Player of the Year – Taron Dickens, QB, R-So., Western CarolinaDefensive Player of the Year – Andrew Zock, So., DL, MercerFreshman of the Year – Braden Atkinson, QB, MercerJacobs Blocking Award – Mike Bartilucci, OL, The CitadelWallace Wade Coach of the Year – Mike Jacobs, Mercer First team offenseQB – Taron Dickens, Western CarolinaRB – Devontae Houston, ETSU RB – CJ Miller, MercerOL – Mike Bartilucci, The CitadelOL – Ashton Flinn, ETSUOL – Seth Williams, ETSUOL – Luke Petit, FurmanOL – Xavier Jennings, MercerTE – Josh Burrell, FurmanWR – Adjatay Dabbs, MercerWR – James Tyre, Western Carolina First team defenseDL – Joshua Stoneking, FurmanDL – Andrew Zock, MercerDL – Donovan Grayson, SamfordDL – Brandon Maina, WoffordLB – Ty Anderson, ETSULB – Drew Clare., MercerLB – Jaden Mosley, SamfordDB – William Wells, ETSUDB – Kaleb Hutchinson, MercerDB – Ken Moore, Jr., Western CarolinaDB – Maximus Pulley, Wofford First team special teamsPK – Reice Griffith, MercerP – Ben Shrewsbury, VMILS – Nathan Payne, VMIRS – Dominic Dutton, Western Carolina Second team offenseQB – Braden Atkinson, MercerRB – Ryan Ingram, ChattanoogaRB – Ihson Jackson-Anderson, WoffordOL – Jamari Freeman, MercerOL – Tyler Murray, MercerOL – Amarii Atchison, MercerOL – Ryan Merklinger, ChattanoogaOL – Zack Watson, Western CarolinaOL – Quincy Hughes, WoffordTE – Josiah Thomas, Western CarolinaWR – Evan James, FurmanWR – Owen Sweeney, VMIWR – Malik Knight, Western Carolina Second team defenseDL – Chris Benton, The CitadelDL – Chris Davis, ETSUDL – Jordan Swain, MercerDL – Conroy Cunningham, SamfordLB – Mikey Rosa, The CitadelLB – Zion Rutledge, ChattanoogaLB – Stephen Dean III, VMIDB – Cale Williams, The CitadelDB – Mike Jenkins, ETSUDB – Kam Baah-Slay, ChattanoogaDB – Eli Campbell, WoffordDB – Darius Malcolm, Jr., Wofford Second team special teamsPK – Ian Williams, FurmanP – James Platte, The CitadelLS – Alex Applefield, SamfordRS – Brayden Smith, Mercer All-Freshman OffenseBrady Pickett, The CitadelCobey Thompkins, The CitadelJeremiah Harrison, ETSUCole Norred, ETSUBraden Atkinson, MercerEvan James, FurmanTy Doughty, MercerGavin Marks, MercerOwen Sweeney, VMIJosiah Thomas, Western CarolinaMarkel Townsend, Western Carolina All-Freshman DefenseSayre Smothers, The CitadelDemetrius Baldwin, FurmanKobe McInnis, MercerKJ Thomas, MercerTrey Lenhardt, SamfordKamari Todd, ChattanoogaKJ Sejour, ChattanoogaDonovan Burnett, VMIDerek Hite, VMIDarius Malcolm Jr., WoffordWyatt Ward, Wofford  All-Freshman Special TeamsCaleb Easterling, FurmanJake Garner, SamfordMarcus Trout, Western CarolinaCavan Craig, Wofford Notes: - Mercer quarterback Braden Atkinson and Western Carolina quarterback Taron Dickens (Walter Payton Award), Furman defensive lineman Joshua Stoneking, Mercer defensive lineman Andrew Zock and Wofford defensive back Maximus Pulley (Buck Buchanan Award), Atkinson, Furman wide receiver Evan James and Wofford defensive back Darius Malcolm Jr. (Jerry Rice Award) and Mercer coach Mike Jacobs (Eddie Robinson Award) are all national finalists for FCS legacy awards. - Both Dickens (WCU) and Zock (Mercer) lived up to their billing as Preseason Offensive Player of the Year and Preseason Defensive Player of the Year - Entering postseason play, Western Carolina’s Dickens leads FCS football in seven offensive categories, including passing yards (3,508), completion percentage (.742) and passing TDs (38). His 38 touchdown passes set a new SoCon record for passing touchdowns in a season. Dickens passing efficiency rating of 188.24 this season broke Michael Payton’s previous mark of 181.30 set in 1991. - Dickens claimed SoCon Offensive Player of the Week three times this season, most recently on Monday after a four-touchdown performance at VMI. The other two wins came on Sept. 22 and Oct. 6. - On Oct. 4 at Wofford, Dickens completed his first 46 passes of the contest, setting a new NCAA record in the process. Dickens’ performance against the Terriers led to him being named the Stats Perform FCS National Player of the Week. He was named honorable mention for the national honor on four other occasions. Combined with his final four completions from the week before at Campbell, Dickens’ multi-game NCAA record is 50 consecutive completions. - Dickens is the second Catamount quarterback in the past three seasons to be recognized as the conference’s offensive player of the year, as Cole Gonzales received the honor from the media in 2023.  - Mercer’s Zock is the second Bear to be named Defensive Player of the Year, joining former teammate Brayden Manley (2024). Zock finished the regular season ranked second nationally in tackles for loss per game (1.81), sixth nationally in sacks per game (1.04), and is among the national leaders with 22 quarterback hurries. Zock’s 20 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks are both new career-high totals and raise his career totals to 34.5 tackles for loss and 18.5 sacks in only 25 games played. Zock was the 2024 SoCon Freshman of the Year.  - Zock had five games with multiple sacks and seven games with multiple tackles for loss. His most productive outing came on Sept. 13 vs. Wofford, with eight tackles, 4.5 for loss, a sack and two hurries. He registered at least a half TFL in all but two games in 2025.  - Zock’s most efficient game came on Oct. 25 vs. VMI, when he had two solo stops, both sacks, and four quarterback hurries. - Behind Zock’s pressure, the Mercer defense ranks first nationally in team sacks, third in first-down defense, fourth in rushing defense, fourth in team TFL, and 17th in third down defense. The Bears also rank in the top 25 nationally in red zone defense. - Mercer’s Atkinson has put together one of the best freshman seasons ever by a quarterback nationally. He needs only 370 more yards through the air to break Elon’s Scott Riddle’s 2007 single-season SoCon and FCS freshman passing mark of 3,817 yards. His 34 passing touchdowns broke the previous FCS freshman mark of 31 set in 2004 by New Hampshire’s Ricky Santos and tied in 2007 by Riddle. Atkinson is within striking distance of Riddle’s SoCon and national freshman mark of 3,738 total offensive yards, which Riddle set in 2007 at Elon. He needs five more touchdowns responsible for to catch Riddle for the SoCon’s freshman record (40), also set in 2007. - Atkinson is the second Mercer player in a row to earn SoCon Freshman of the Year honors, joining Andrew Zock (2024). He is the first Mercer offensive player to win the award since quarterback Kaelan Riley (2017). - Atkinson ranks second among all quarterbacks nationally in passing yards per game (344.8), passing yards (3,448), completions (25.0), and touchdowns (34). He ranks third nationally among all quarterbacks in total offense (345.8), passing efficiency (173.80), yards per attempt (9.4) and points responsible for (21.0 per game). He leads all FCS freshman in passing offense (by 921 yards) and total offense (by 619 yards). - Atkinson’s best game through the air this season, a 533-yard effort vs. VMI, fell only seven yards shy of the NCAA FCS freshman record for yards passing in a game. It fell one yard shy of the SoCon freshman mark, set in 2007 by Scott Riddle. Atkinson’s 533 yards are the fifth most in a game in SoCon history overall. He tossed a season-high five touchdowns vs. Samford (10/4), VMI (10/25), and Chattanooga (11/15) and had at least three touchdown passes in eight of the 10 games he played during the regular season. - Atkinson’s current passing efficiency rating (173.80) would rank third all-time in SoCon history, regardless of class, for a season. Dickens’ rating of 188.24 this season broke Michael Payton’s previous mark of 181.30 set in 1991. - Atkinson is one of only two quarterbacks in SoCon history to pass for more than 2,000 yards over a five-game stretch, joining Devlin Hodges (Samford). Hodges did so three times over two different seasons. Atkinson’s stretch of six consecutive games with at least 300 passing yards is second in SoCon history behind Riddle’s nine-game stretch in 2007. - The Citadel’s Bartilucci is the third Bulldog lineman, and second center, to earn the Jacobs Blocking Award. Center Mike Sellers (2012) and tackle Isaiah Pinson (2016) are the other two Bulldogs to earn the prestigious honor. - Bartilucci built on his preseason first-team All-SoCon honors at center by bulldozing the way for an offense that led the SoCon and ranked No. 9 nationally in rushing yards per game (210.6). The Citadel topped the 300-yard mark on the ground three times in 2025 behind Bartilucci, going 3-0 in those games. - Mercer’s Jacobs won SoCon Coach of the Year for the second season in a row after leading the Bears to a top 10 ranking and No. 6 national seed in the playoffs. He is the first coach to win SoCon Coach of the Year in back-to-back seasons since Scott Wachenheim (VMI) did so in 2019 and the spring season of 2021. - Jacobs has posted a 20-5 mark over the past two seasons combined, including a 15-1 mark in SoCon action. His Bears have finished the regular season ranked inside the national top 10 in two consecutive seasons. - Mercer paced the league with 18 players earning postseason distinction. The Bears had 13 all-conference selections for the second season in a row and five all-freshman picks. Western Carolina had 10 players earn postseason honors, including seven All-SoCon choices and three on the all-freshman team. ETSU and Wofford each had nine total, with the Bucs landing seven players on the All-SoCon team. The Terriers had six All-SoCon picks. - Mercer’s 13 all-conference selections included seven on the first team. ETSU was second with five players on the first team. Four of Western Carolina’s seven All-SoCon selections were first teamers.  - Mercer also led the SoCon with five all-freshmen choices. Furman and The Citadel had three each. - Furman’s Luke Petit (OL) and Ian Williams (PK), Mercer’s Brayden Smith (RS) and Andrew Zock (DL), Samford’s Alex Applefield (LS), and The Citadel’s James Platte (P) were repeat All-SoCon selections from the 2024 season.</div>

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All-Southern Conference football teams announced

<div class="payload-richtext"><a href="https://mercerbears.com/news/2025/11/25/atkinson-among-30-finalists-for-walter-payton-award">
 Mercer's Atkinson Among 30 Finalists For Walter Payton Award
 </a>Atkinson, a native of Rolesville, N.C., and a product of Rolesville High School, has completed 68.1 percent (250-for-367) of his pass attempts this season and has already broken school single-season records for passing completions (250), attempts (367), yards (3,448) and touchdowns (34). He has thrown for 300 or more yards in eight of his 10 starts this season, including a school record 533 yards amid Mercer's 62-0 home win over VMI on October 25.   He has also, thrice, matched the program's single-game superlative for passing touchdowns with five scoring tosses against Samford, VMI and Chattanooga.   Atkinson currently ranks second among all FCS signal callers in passing yards, passing yards per game (344.8), passing touchdowns and completions per game (25.00), while ranking third, nationally, in points responsible for per game (21.0), total offense per game (345.8) and yards per pass attempt (9.40).<a href="https://catamountsports.com/news/2025/11/25/football-taron-dickens-named-a-finalist-for-the-2025-walter-payton-award.aspx">
 Western Carolina's Taron Dickens Named a Finalist for the 2025 Walter Payton Award
 </a>Dating back to 2015, Dickens is the fifth Catamount to advance to the finalist list, joining former QB <a href="https://catamountsports.com/sports/football/roster/cole-gonzales/13339">
 Cole Gonzales
 </a>, who appeared on the list twice over the past two seasons (2023, 2024), and finished a program-best 17th in the final voting in 2023. Other Catamount offensive players among the national finalists and their finishing order in the national vote include Troy Mitchell (2015, 25th), Detrez Newsome (2017, 24th), and Tyrie Adams (2018, 19th-t).   Dickens compiled arguably the best season ever by a Western Carolina and Southern Conference quarterback. The Miami, Fla., product amassed 3,829 yards of total offense over 462 plays between his nine starts, averaging a NCAA-best at all levels 425.4 yards per game, one of just two QBs nationally to finish the year above the 400-yard per game mark. He was second in the nation with 271 pass completions despite the three fewer games played than the national leader and was intercepted just twice among his 365 pass attempts – one coming on an end-of-half heave to the endzone. Among his completions on the season were 50 straight between the end of the Campbell game and 46-consecutive to open the Wofford road win, both NCAA records.   Dickens eclipsed the 300-yard passing mark seven times in his nine games, surpassing 400 yards four times with a pair of 500-yard passing efforts. He threw for a career-high – and NCAA FCS seasonal-best – 582 yards in his season debut against Samford back on Sept. 20. Dickens finished with a WCU single-season record – and NCAA FCS-leading – 3,508 passing yards on the year, averaging 389.8 yards per game to lead the nation.</div>

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Two SoCon Players Named finalist for Walter Payton Award

<div class="payload-richtext"><a href="https://theanalyst.com/articles/buck-buchanan-award-finalists-fcs-football-2025">
 Stats Perform release
 </a><a href="https://furmanpaladins.com/news/2025/11/25/football-furmans-stoneking-named-finalist-for-buck-buchanan-award.aspx">
 Furman's Stoneking Named Finalist For Buck Buchanan Award
 </a>Stoneking, a 6-foot-3, 264-pound native of Raleigh, N.C., tallied a team leading 79 tackles and paced the FCS in both total tackles for loss (23.0) and sacks (14.5) this season. He was named Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Week a league best three times this fall. In Furman's 28-24 win over Campbell on Sept. 13 he tallied six tackles, including 4.5 for a loss of 21 yards, 2.5 sacks, and a forced fumble. His final sack, which came on fourth down and with 16 seconds on the clock a dnd Campbell at Furman's 17-yard line, preserved the win for the Paladins. <a href="https://mercerbears.com/news/2025/11/25/football-zock-one-of-30-finalists-for-buck-buchanan-award">
 Mercer's Zock One Of 30 Finalists For Buck Buchanan Award
 </a>Zock has totaled 41 tackles (23 solo), including a school record 20.0 tackles for loss (-109 yards), across 11 starts this season, while also turning in 22 quarterback hurries, three pass break-ups, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. He has also logged a single season school record sack total (11.5). He has tallied multiple tackles for loss in seven outings, including a season-best 4-1/2 drops behind the line in Mercer's Week 3 win over Wofford.   The Citra, Fla., native has accumulated 34-1/2 tackles for loss (18-1/2 sacks) in two seasons and 25 games in the Orange & Black. He also boasts a school record 36 quarterback hurries.<a href="https://woffordterriers.com/news/2025/11/25/football-maximus-pulley-named-finalist-for-buck-buchanan-award.aspx">
 Wofford's Maximus Pulley Named Finalist for Buck Buchanan Award
 </a>Pulley, a fifth-year senior from Fort Worth, Texas, started eleven games for the Terriers this season and is second on the team in tackles with 85. His five interceptions lead the Southern Conference and are the second-most in the nation. He returned two interceptions for touchdowns, which is tied for the most in the nation. Pulley added 2.5 tackles for loss, five pass break-ups, one forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and a blocked punt.   Pulley is the fourth Terrier to be named a finalist, joining Matt Nelson (2003), Lee Basinger (2004), and Ameet Pall (2010).</div>

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Three SoCon Players Named Finalists for 2025 Buck Buchanan Award

<div class="payload-richtext"><a href="https://theanalyst.com/articles/jerry-rice-award-freshman-finalists-fcs-football-2025">
 Stats Perform Release
 </a><a href="https://furmanpaladins.com/news/2025/11/24/football-furmans-james-named-jerry-rice-award-finalist.aspx">
 Furman's James Named Jerry Rice Award Finalist
 </a>James, a 5-foot-11, 170-pound product of Apopoka, Fla., caught a team leading 65 passes for 796 yards and seven touchdowns and also rushed for a score this season for the Paladins, setting new school freshman records in all three categories despite missing three games due to injury. His 65 catches ranked fourth overall, 796 receiving yards seventh all-time, and seven touchdowns tied for eight  all-time in a season among all Paladin receivers. <a href="https://mercerbears.com/news/2025/11/24/football-atkinson-among-lists-of-finalists-for-jerry-rice-award">
 Mercer's Atkinson Among Lists Of Finalists For Jerry Rice Award
 </a>Atkinson, a native of Rolesville, N.C., and a product of Rolesville High School, has completed 68.1 percent (250-for-367) of his pass attempts this season and has already broken school single-season records for passing completions (250), attempts (367), yards (3,448) and touchdowns (34). He has thrown for 300 or more yards in eight of his 10 starts this season, including a school record 533 yards amid Mercer's 62-0 home win over VMI on October 25. He has also, thrice, matched the program's single-game superlative for passing touchdowns with five scoring tosses against Samford, VMI and Chattanooga.   Atkinson currently ranks second among all FCS signal callers in passing yards, passing yards per game (344.8), passing touchdowns and completions per game (25.00), while ranking third, nationally, in points responsible for per game (21.0), total offense per game (345.8) and yards per pass attempt (9.40).<a href="https://woffordterriers.com/news/2025/11/24/football-darius-malcom-jr-named-finalist-for-jerry-rice-award.aspx">
 Wofford's Darius Malcom Jr. Named Finalist for Jerry Rice Award
 </a> Malcolm, a second-year freshman from Atlanta, Georgia, is third on the team in total tackles with 76. He has 13 pass break-ups and 4.0 tackles for loss. Among SoCon leaders, he is 16th in total tackles and first in pass break-ups. He is also ranked 15th in the nation in pass break-ups.</div>

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Three SoCon players Named Finalists for 15th Annual Jerry Rice Award

<div class="payload-richtext">SPARTANBURG, S.C. – On Monday, the Southern Conference Football Players of the Week presented by Southern Recognition were awarded for all games played on Nov. 22. Western Carolina quarterback Taron Dickens was named the Offensive Player of the Week, Wofford defensive lineman Brandon Maina was named the Defensive Player of the Week and Catamounts kicker Bryan McCollum was named the Special Teams Player of the Week. The awards are selected by the league office.   OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Taron Dickens, R-So., QB, Western Carolina, Miami, Fla.Dickens accounted for four touchdowns in Western Carolina’s 48-6 win over VMI. The native of Miami, Florida, logged 362 yards of total offense, throwing for 330 yards and rushing for 32 yards. The redshirt sophomore had touchdown passes of 12, 1 and 22 yards, along with a 3-yard score on the ground, marking his first touchdown run of the season. Dickens broke the SoCon’s single-season record for touchdown passes in the contest, bringing his season total to 38 to top the mark of 36 set by Samford’s Micheal Hiers in 2022 and Devlin Hodges in 2016. Dickens leads the FCS in passing yards (3,508). Other nominees: Devontae Houston (ETSU), Adjatay Dabbs (Mercer), and JT Fayard (Wofford)   DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Brandon Maina, Sr., DL, Wofford, Hiram, Ga.Maina had nine tackles, including 2.5 sacks, one quarterback hurry and a forced fumble in Wofford’s 35-13 win against Chattanooga. The senior logged two of his sacks in the first half and the shared sack in the fourth quarter. The product of Hiram, Georgia, led a defense that held the Mocs scoreless in the second half. Maina finished the season with 11 sacks, which is ranked fifth in program history. Other nominees: Ty Anderson (ETSU), Isaac Prince (Mercer), Jaden Mosley (Samford), and Jordan Thompson (Western Carolina)    SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Bryan McCollum, Fr., PK, Western Carolina, Sanford, N.C. McCollum, who was making his collegiate debut at VMI, scored 12 points on Saturday. The freshman was 6-for-6 on PAT attempts and made field goals from 24 and 29 yards out. The native of Sanford, North Carolina, is the younger brother of former Catamount kicker Richard McCollum, who finished second in WCU's all-time record books with 300 career points. Other nominees: Cavan Craig (Wofford)  2025 SoCon Football Players of the Week Offensive Sept. 1             Devontae Houston, Gr., RB, ETSU Sept. 8             Javonte Graves-Billips, Gr., WR, The Citadel Sept. 15            Trey Hedden, So., QB, Furman Sept. 22            Taron Dickens, R-So., QB, Western Carolina  Sept. 29            CJ Miller, R-Jr., RB, Mercer Oct. 6               Taron Dickens, R-So., QB, Western Carolina Oct. 13             Braden Atkinson, Fr., QB, Mercer Oct. 20             Brady Stober, Fr., QB, Samford Oct. 27             Braden Atkinson, Fr., QB, Mercer Nov. 3              Braden Atkinson, Fr., QB, Mercer Nov. 10             Battle Alberson, R-Fr., QB, Chattanooga Nov. 17             Braden Atkinson, Fr., QB, Mercer Nov. 24             Taron Dickens, R-So., QB, Western Carolina  Defensive Sept. 1             Taylen Blaylock, Gr., DB, FurmanSept. 8             CJ Coombes, So., DB, Wofford Sept. 15            Joshua Stoneking, R-So., DE, FurmanSept. 22            Julian Fox, R-So., LB, MercerSept. 29            Joshua Stoneking, R-So., DE, FurmanOct. 6               Jordan Miller, R-Fr., DB, FurmanOct. 13             Ken Moore Jr., Jr., DB, Western CarolinaOct. 20             Javario Tinch, So., LB, WoffordOct. 27             Joshua Stoneking, R-So., DE, FurmanNov. 3              Maximus Pulley, Sr., DB, WoffordNov. 10             Maximus Pulley, Sr., DB, WoffordNov. 17             Andrew Zock, So., DE, MercerNov. 24             Brandon Maina, Sr., DL, Wofford  Special teams Sept. 1             Ian Williams, Gr., PK, FurmanSept. 8             Bradlee Jones, Jr., DB, The CitadelSept. 15            AJ Little, R-So., WR, ChattanoogaSept. 22            Reice Griffith, Jr., PK, MercerSept. 29            Reice Griffith, Jr., PK, MercerOct. 6               Ben Shrewsbury, Jr., K/P, VMIOct. 13             Xavier Gaillardetz, R-Jr., WR, ETSUOct. 20             Jude Kelley, R-Sr., PK, ChattanoogaOct. 27             Ian Williams, Gr., PK, FurmanNov. 3              Cavan Craig, R-Fr., P, WoffordNov. 10             Reice Griffith, Jr., PK, MercerNov. 17             Jackson Crosby, Gr., WR, ETSUNov. 24             Bryan McCollum, Fr., PK, Western Carolina</div>

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SoCon names football players of the week

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Mercer's Jacobs Named Finalist For Eddie Robinson Award

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Mercer Bears Awarded No. 6 National Seed, 1st Round Bye In NCAA Playoffs

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Western Carolina’s Nelson Named Doris Robinson Award Finalist

<div class="payload-richtext">SPARTANBURG, SC – The Southern Conference Football Players of the Week, presented by Southern Recognition, were awarded on Monday for all games played on November 15. Mercer quarterback Braden Atkinson (Rolesville, NC / Rolesville HS) was named Offensive Player of the Week, Mercer defensive end Andrew Zock (Hawthorne, FL / Citra HS) was named Defensive Player of the Week, and ETSU receiver Jackson Crosby (Six Mile, SC / Daniel HS) was named Special Teams Player of the Week. The league office selects the awards. OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Braden Atkinson, Fr., QB, Mercer (Rolesville, NC) Atkinson powered the nationally-ranked Bears to their ninth-straight win, delivering a 63-17 decision over Chattanooga on Homecoming at Five Star Stadium. Atkinson completed 28-of-37 passes for 321 yards and five touchdowns, finding the end zone on throws of 33, 6, 12, 6, and 32 yards. Atkinson tied his own school record for single-game touchdown passes and broke three Mercer single-season records. A strong candidate for national postseason honors, Atkinson has completed 230-of-334 passes this season for 3,238 yards and 33 touchdowns. He has also rushed for a score. Saturday’s effort marked the eighth time in nine games that he has topped the 300-yard mark through the air. Other nominees: Taron Dickens (Western Carolina), Jeremiah Harrison (ETSU), Gerald Modest, Jr. (Wofford) DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Andrew Zock, So., DE (Hawthorne, FL) Zock was a wrecking ball in Mercer’s 63-17 win over Chattanooga, registering six total tackles (four solo), 3.5 tackles for loss (minus-21 yards), 1.5 sacks (minus-11 yards), one fumble recovery, and a quarterback hurry. Zock anchored a defensive effort that held the Mocs to only 12 first downs, 60 yards rushing, and 198 yards of total offense. Zock set new Mercer single-season records for tackles for loss and sacks, leading the team this season with 18.5 tackles behind the line (minus-103 yards) and 11.5 sacks (minus-83 yards). One of the nation’s best pass rushers also has a team-high 22 quarterback hurries in 2025. Other nominees: Samaurie Dukes (Western Carolina), Darius Malcolm (Wofford), Trevor Moffitt (ETSU) SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Jackson Crosby, Gr., WR (Six Mile, SC) Crosby had perhaps the biggest special teams play of the day for ETSU in its win at No. 25 Western Carolina on Saturday afternoon. He powered through to block a punt with just five seconds left in the third quarter, and his team was clinging to a 38-35 lead. The block set the Bucs’ offense up nicely at the Western Carolina five, and power back Jason Albritton bulled into the end zone on the first play of the fourth quarter for a 45-35 ETSU lead that would hold. Crosby has played a key role on special teams this season after transferring from Clemson. Other nominees: John McConnell (Mercer)</div>

SoCon Football Players of the Week

FB_POW_11.17

<div class="payload-richtext">SPARTANBURG, S.C. – On Monday, the Southern Conference Football Players of the Week presented by Southern Recognition were awarded for all games played on Nov. 8. Chattanooga quarterback Battle Alberson was named the Offensive Player of the Week, Wofford defensive back Maximus Pulley was named the Defensive Player of the Week and Mercer place kicker Reice Griffith was named the Special Teams Player of the Week. The awards are selected by the league office.   OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Battle Alberson, R-Fr., QB, Chattanooga, Gulf Breeze, Fla.Alberson won his first career start with a record-setting day in Chattanooga’s 45-28 win over Furman. The native of Gulf Breeze, Florida, set a school freshman record with 362 yards of total offense, throwing for 277 yards and rushing for 85 more while connecting on four touchdown passes. The redshirt freshman, who led the league with a 233.9 passer rating this past Saturday, led the Mocs offense that was 8 of 16 on first down, converting four on the ground and two through the air. Alberson was named the <a href="https://theanalyst.com/articles/fcs-football-awards-week-11-2025">
 Stats Perform FCS National Freshman Player of the Week
 </a> on Monday. Other nominees: Devontae Houston (ETSU), CJ Miller (Mercer), Taron Dickens (Western Carolina) and JT Fayard (Wofford)   DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Maximus Pulley, Sr., DB, Wofford, Fort Worth, TexasPulley, who won the honor for the second straight week, had five tackles and two interceptions as Wofford topped VMI, 52-10, on Saturday. The senior’s first pick was on the first play of the second quarter, which he returned 18 yards to set up a Wofford field goal. The native of Fort Worth, Texas, returned his second interception of the day for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, giving the Terriers a 45-7 lead. In the last two weeks, Pulley has four interceptions and two touchdowns. Other nominees: Trevor Moffitt (ETSU), Julian Fox (Mercer), Ky Tayo (Chattanooga), and Samaurie Dukes (Western Carolina)     SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Reice Griffith, Jr., PK, Mercer, Pace, Fla. Griffith, who won the honor for the third time this season, scored 11 points as Mercer won its top-25 matchup at Western Carolina, 49-47, on Saturday. The junior went 5-for-5 on PAT attempts and connected on field goals from 24 and 37 yards out. The 37-yarder was the game-winning field goal with under two minutes left. The product of Pace, Florida, also kicked four touchbacks on nine kickoffs. Mercer is ranked No. 8 in both the <a href="https://theanalyst.com/articles/fcs-top-25-poll-stats-perform-rankings-week-11-2025">
 AFCA
 </a> and <a href="https://www.afca.com/polls/">
 Stats Perform
 </a> polls. Other nominees: Jude Kelley (Chattanooga), Ben Shrewsbury (VMI), and Stephen Brantley (Western Carolina)   2025 SoCon Football Players of the Week Offensive Sept. 1             Devontae Houston, Gr., RB, ETSU Sept. 8             Javonte Graves-Billips, Gr., WR, The Citadel Sept. 15            Trey Hedden, So., QB, Furman Sept. 22            Taron Dickens, R-So., QB, Western Carolina  Sept. 29            CJ Miller, R-Jr., RB, Mercer Oct. 6               Taron Dickens, R-So., QB, Western Carolina Oct. 13             Braden Atkinson, Fr., QB, Mercer Oct. 20             Brady Stober, Fr., QB, Samford Oct. 27             Braden Atkinson, Fr., QB, Mercer Nov. 3              Braden Atkinson, Fr., QB, Mercer Nov. 10             Battle Alberson, R-Fr., QB, Chattanooga  Defensive Sept. 1             Taylen Blaylock, Gr., DB, FurmanSept. 8             CJ Coombes, So., DB, Wofford Sept. 15            Joshua Stoneking, R-So., DE, FurmanSept. 22            Julian Fox, R-So., LB, MercerSept. 29            Joshua Stoneking, R-So., DE, FurmanOct. 6               Jordan Miller, R-Fr., DB, FurmanOct. 13             Ken Moore Jr., Jr., DB, Western CarolinaOct. 20             Javario Tinch, So., LB, WoffordOct. 27             Joshua Stoneking, R-So., DE, FurmanNov. 3              Maximus Pulley, Sr., DB, WoffordNov. 10             Maximus Pulley, Sr., DB, Wofford  Special teams Sept. 1             Ian Williams, Gr., PK, FurmanSept. 8             Bradlee Jones, Jr., DB, The CitadelSept. 15            AJ Little, R-So., WR, ChattanoogaSept. 22            Reice Griffith, Jr., PK, MercerSept. 29            Reice Griffith, Jr., PK, MercerOct. 6               Ben Shrewsbury, Jr., K/P, VMIOct. 13             Xavier Gaillardetz, R-Jr., WR, ETSUOct. 20             Jude Kelley, R-Sr., PK, ChattanoogaOct. 27             Ian Williams, Gr., PK, FurmanNov. 3              Cavan Craig, R-Fr., P, WoffordNov. 10             Reice Griffith, Jr., PK, Mercer</div>

SoCon Football News

Headlines

Chattanooga Mocs Defensive Back Writes a Book

Mercer's Andrew Zock Wins Buck Buchanan Award

Furman's Stoneking Named FCS ADA National Defensive Player of the Year

2026 SoCon football schedule announced

The Citadel's James Platte Named 2025 FCS Punter of the Year

Samford Names John Grass Head Football Coach

2025 Jerry Rice Award Winner: Mercer's Braden Atkinson Interview

Mercer's Braden Atkinson Wins 2025 Jerry Rice Award

Three SoCon Players Invited to the 2025 FCS Awards

All-Southern Conference football teams announced

Two SoCon Players Named finalist for Walter Payton Award

Three SoCon Players Named Finalists for 2025 Buck Buchanan Award

Three SoCon players Named Finalists for 15th Annual Jerry Rice Award

SoCon names football players of the week

Mercer's Jacobs Named Finalist For Eddie Robinson Award

Mercer Bears Awarded No. 6 National Seed, 1st Round Bye In NCAA Playoffs

Western Carolina’s Nelson Named Doris Robinson Award Finalist

SoCon Announces Football Players of the Week

SoCon names football players of the week

No. 10 Mercer Tops No. 24 Western Carolina In Shootout, Clinches Share Of SoCon Title

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