Romero, Davis, Taliaferro and Hooper Receive Weekly Honors
SPARTANBURG, S.C. ? The Southern Conference named its football players of the week today for the games played on Saturday, Nov. 8. Samford earned three of the four awards as defensive back Andy Davis was named Defensive Player of the Week, quarterback Dustin Taliaferro was selected Freshman of the Week and punter Bob Hooper was tabbed Special Teams Player of the Week. Wofford running back Dane Romero was voted as the Offensive Player of the Week. The players of the week were selected by the league’s sports information directors.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Dane Romero, Wofford, Sr., RB
Romero notched his fourth 100-yard rushing game of the season Saturday with 146 yards and three touchdowns in Wofford’s 33-28 win over The Citadel in Spartanburg. The senior has rushed for three touchdowns on four separate occasions this season, and he currently leads the Southern Conference in scoring average with 10.7 points per contest.
Other Nominees: Andre Roberts (The Citadel), Armanti Edwards (Appalachian State), Chris Evans (Samford), Terrell Hudgins (Elon), Raja Andrews (Georgia Southern) and Andrerius Thomas (Western Carolina).
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Andy Davis, Samford, So., DB
Davis had two key interceptions and led Samford in tackles in the Bulldogs’ 27-17 win at Georgia Southern. Both of Davis’ interceptions came in the fourth quarter with the first setting up Samford’s final touchdown and the second coming on Georgia Southern’s final drive of the game, sealing the victory for the Bulldogs.
Other Nominees: Jordan Daniel (Elon), Mitchell Bell (Western Carolina), Dwight House (The Citadel), Gary Blount (Wofford), Damon Suggs (Georgia Southern), D.J. Smith (Appalachian State) and Joseph Thornton (Chattanooga).
FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK: Dustin Taliaferro, Samford, Fr., QB
Taliaferro completed 14-of-17 passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns in Samford’s 27-17 win at Georgia Southern. Taliaferro threw two touchdowns in the second quarter to rally the Bulldogs from an early 10-0 deficit, and his nine-yard scoring scamper in the fourth quarter provided the game’s final points.
Other Nominees: Joshua Jones (Elon), DeAndre Presley (Appalachian State), Andrerius Thomas (Western Carolina) and Preston Roseboro (Wofford).
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Bob Hooper, Samford, So., P
Hooper punted six times for an average of 48.0 yards at Georgia Southern on Saturday. Hooper booted a career-best 79-yard punt during the game while also dropping a punt inside the 20.
Other Nominees: Jeff Lloyd (Chattanooga), Andrew Wilcox (Elon), Josh Smith (Appalachian State) and Darrel Pasco (Georgia Southern).