Football Southern Conference

SoCon Football Players of the Week, Nov. 4, 2002

SPARTANBURG, SC - The Southern Conference today named its football players of the week for games played on Saturday, November 2. Wofford halfback Jesse McCoy was named the Offensive Player of the Week, free safety Scott Cornatzer of Appalachian State was named the Defensive Player of the Week and VMI running back Sean Mizzer earned Freshman of the Week.

McCoy, a 5-10, 195-pound senior from Acworth, GA, rushed for a career-high 184 yards on 20 carries in helping the Terriers defeat The Citadel, 27-14, on Nov. 2. It marked the second straight week that McCoy established a career-high after gaining 145 yards last week against Appalachian State. The 100-yard effort marked the fifth time this season and the eighth time in his career that he has achieved that milestone.

Cornatzer, a 5-10, 200-pound senior from Advance, NC, had six tackles, a key interception, and a game-ending fumble recovery in the Mountaineers' 20-17 win at Chattanooga. Cornatzer had five solo stops and one assist in the contest. His interception and 11-yard return set up ASU's go-ahead field goal that gave it a 13-10 lead early in the fourth quarter. Cornatzer finished by recovering a fumble on the final play of the game to seal the win. He also added a pair of pass breakups in the contest.

Mizzer, a 5-9, 185-pound freshman from Prince Frederick, MD, rushed for 106 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries and also had four receptions for 104 yards and a score in VMI's 35-23 defeat at the hands of Western Carolina. In the process, Mizzer became the first player in school history to rush for over 100 yards and net 100 yards receiving in the same game. Mizzer's touchdown reception was a 65-yard jaunt with a shovel pass, while his rushing touchdown came on a 28-yard run.

Also receiving strong consideration for Offensive Player of the Week was Appalachian State quarterback Joe Burchette who threw for 344 yards in a win over Chattanooga. Contenders for Player of the Week on the defensive side included defensive tackle Eric Hadley of Georgia Southern who had 11 tackles, four tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks in a win over East Tennessee State, Citadel linebacker Michael Ballentine who had 13 stops in a loss to Wofford, Western Carolina defensive end Michale Spicer who had four tackles for loss in setting a school record with 24 TFLs in a season, and Chattanooga linebacker Josh Cain who had 20 tackles in a loss to Appalachian State.