Football Southern Conference

SoCon Football Players of the Week, Sept. 23, 2002

SPARTANBURG, SC - The Southern Conference today named its football players of the week for games played on Saturday, September 21. Wofford halfback Jesse McCoy was named the Offensive Player of the Week, defensive back Montreal Harkley of East Tennessee State was named the Defensive Player of the Week, and Wofford linebacker Jim Thurman was the Freshman of the Week.

McCoy, a 5-10, 195-pound senior halfback from Acworth, GA, rushed for 114 yards and two touchdowns in sparking Wofford to a 14-7 win over eighth-ranked Georgia Southern. McCoy carried the ball 10 times and provided both of the Terriers' touchdowns in the game. He scored on a 30-yard run in the first quarter to stake Wofford to a 6-0 lead. McCoy added the game-winning touchdown with just 3:55 to play in the game when he scored on a one-yard run while Wofford was facing a fourth and goal situation. He also had one reception, two kickoff returns and a punt return.

Harkley, a 6-3, 195-pound junior from Hanahan, SC, had seven tackles and a pair of interceptions in leading East Tennessee State to a 35-21 win over VMI. Harkley also had a key tackle for loss on a fourth and goal from the one, stopping the VMI running back for a two-yard loss to halt a Keydet drive. Harkley returned his two interceptions for a total of 80 yards. He leads the Bucs with three interceptions this season.

Thurman, a 6-2, 225-pound freshman inside linebacker from Hixson, TN, is a true freshman who made 13 tackles including nine solo stops in Wofford's 14-7 win over Georgia Southern on Sept. 21. Thuman played the final 59 snaps on defense as he filled in for injured starter Robert Mathis. Wofford's defense held Georgia Southern, the nation's top rushing team, to 234 yards on the ground and 257 yards of total offense.

Also receiving strong consideration on offense was Western Carolina receiver Michael Banks who had three receptions for 131 yards in the Catamounts' 37-34 win over The Citadel, and ETSU running back Gaven Varner who rushed for 128 yards and three touchdowns in the Bucs' victory over VMI. On defense, Wofford linebacker LaRay Benton received consideration for his 16-tackle game against Georgia Southern as did Georgia Southern linebacker James Burchett who had a career-high 17 tackles against Wofford.