Football Southern Conference

SoCon Football Players of the Week, Oct. 28, 2002

SPARTANBURG, SC - The Southern Conference today named its football players of the week for games played on Saturday, October 26. Western Carolina running back Manny DeShauteurs was named the Offensive Player of the Week, cornerback Roland Harris of Wofford was named the Defensive Player of the Week and Wofford running back Gabriel Jackson earned Freshman of the Week.

DeShauteurs, a 5-7, 220-pound junior running back from Brevard, NC, rushed for a career-high 163 yards and accounted for 222 all-purpose yards in leading Western Carolina to a 45-28 win over Chattanooga on Oct. 26. DeShauteurs carried 23 times for a 7.1 average and also caught two passes for 59 yards. He scored twice, on a 42-yard run and on a 50-yard pass reception from quarterback Pat Cilento.

Harris, a 5-9, 180-pound senior cornerback from Hope Mills, NC, had a pair of interceptions in the final 5:14 of the game to help Wofford defeat Appalachian State, 26-19, in Boone. Both of his interceptions came on spectacular diving grabs and prevented the Mountaineers from scoring. The first pick came at the Terrier nine-yard line and the second interception came with just 1:19 to play in the game and ended ASU's final scoring threat. Harris had seven tackles including three solos and a pass breakup on the day.

Jackson, a 5-9, 180-pound freshman from Dahlonega, GA, carried the ball just twice in Wofford's win over Appalachian State but gained 72 yards on those two carries. His most critical play was a 61-yard touchdown run with 1:36 to play that broke a 19-19 tie. The win marked Wofford's first-ever over Appalachian State in Southern Conference play.

Also receiving strong consideration for Offensive Player of the Week were Wofford halfback Jesse McCoy who rushed for 145 yards and two touchdowns against Appalachian State; Georgia Southern quarterback Chaz Williams who posted his fifth straight 100-yard rushing game, and VMI's T.J. Snelling who rushed for 125 yards and two touchdowns in VMI's win over Liberty. Strong defensive nominees included Western Carolina defensive end Michale Spicer who had five tackles for loss and a school-record four sacks in the Catamounts' win over Chattanooga, and Georgia Southern linebacker James Burchett who had nine tackles and a key interception in the Eagles' win over The Citadel. Also considered for the Freshman of the Week award was VMI's Sean Mizzer who posted his second straight 100-yard rushing game in the Keydets' win over Liberty.