Edwards, Smith, Jaynes and Wilcox Receive Weekly Honors
SPARTANBURG, S.C. ? The Southern Conference named its football players of the week today for the games played on Saturday, Oct. 11. Appalachian State quarterback Armanti Edwards was named Offensive Player of the Week, Appalachian State linebacker D.J. Smith was selected Defensive Player of the Week, Western Carolina quarterback Zack Jaynes was tabbed Freshman of the Week and Elon place kicker Andrew Wilcox was voted as the Special Teams Player of the Week. The players of the week were selected by the league’s sports information directors.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Armanti Edwards, Appalachian State, Jr., QB
Edwards accounted for 370 yards of offense and four touchdowns in Saturday’s 35-24 SoCon win at Samford. In the win, he became only the seventh player in Division I history with 5,000 yards passing and 3,000 yards rushing in a career. Edwards’ 307 passing yards on Saturday marked the second-highest total of his career.
Other Nominees: Ben Widmyer (Wofford), Mike Brown (Furman), Zack Jaynes (Western Carolina) and Chris Evans (Samford).
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: D.J. Smith, Appalachian State, So., LB
Smith matched a career high with 16 tackles, including 12 solo stops, in Saturday’s win at Samford. Smith keyed the ASU defense which allowed the Bulldogs 16 yards and no first downs during the second quarter as the Mountaineers turned a 14-7 deficit into a 28-14 lead.
Other Nominees: Corey Weaver (Elon), Jordan Gilmore (The Citadel), Bryce Smith (Samford), Brandon Williams (Furman), Mitch Clark (Wofford) and Antoine George (Western Carolina).
FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK: Zack Jaynes, Western Carolina, Fr., QB
Making his first career start Saturday at Furman, Jaynes passed for a career-high 302 yards and two touchdowns while leading a second half rally. Jaynes also rushed for 36 yards and a score as he led the charge back from a 21-point first half deficit to cut Furman’s lead to seven twice in the second half.
Other Nominees: Riley Hawkins (Samford), Eric Breitenstein (Wofford), Darrius McQueen (Elon) and La’Nard Carr (Chattanooga).
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Andrew Wilcox, Elon, Sr., PK
Wilcox was perfect on Saturday, connecting on a pair of field goal attempts and making good on all three PAT tries in Elon’s 27-23 win at The Citadel. In the process, Wilcox moved to sixth place all-time in SoCon history in career field goals made with 51.
Other Nominees: Travis Ruff (The Citadel), Jarmarcus Douglas (Western Carolina), Patrick Mugan (Wofford) and Riley Hawkins (Samford).