Newsome, Smith, Johnson and Hawk Earn Weekly Honors
SPARTANBURG, S.C. ? The Southern Conference named its football players of the week today for the games played on Saturday, Nov. 7. Elon running back Brandon Newsome was named Offensive Player of the Week while Samford linebacker Bryce Smith was chosen as the Defensive Player of the Week. Western Carolina running back Michael Johnson was tabbed as the Freshman of the Week, and Furman’s Trent Hawk was honored as Special Teams Player of the Week. The players of the week are selected by the conference office.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Brandon Newsome, Elon, Jr., RB
Newsome rushed for a career-high four touchdowns to lead No. 6 Elon past Western Carolina, 42-17, on Saturday afternoon. The junior, who notched his fifth-career 100-yard game with 143 yards rushing on 16 carries, scored in each quarter as the Phoenix improved to 8-1 on the season. Newsome also caught a pass for 16 yards to total 159 yards of offense on the day.
Other Nominees: Devon Moore (Appalachian State), Riley Hawkins (Samford), B.J. Coleman (Chattanooga) and Stev Davitte (Wofford).
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Bryce Smith, Samford, Jr., LB
Smith led the Samford defense in a dominating performance in the Bulldogs’ 31-10 win over Georgia Southern. Smith led all tacklers with 12, and he had two key interceptions. Smith’s first interception came at the end of the first quarter and set up Samford’s first touchdown of the day. His second interception ended a GSU drive in the fourth quarter to put the game away for the Bulldogs.
Other Nominees: Adrian McLeod (Western Carolina), D.J. Smith (Appalachian State), Gary Blount (Wofford), Dion DuBose (Georgia Southern) and Jordan Tippitt (Chattanooga).
FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK: Michael Johnson, Western Carolina, Fr., RB
Johnson rushed for a career-high 116 yards against No. 6 Elon, becoming the first rusher to top the century mark this season against the nation’s fourth-toughest run defense. He added 31 yards on four receptions for the Catamounts. Johnson had 93 yards in the first half alone.
Other Nominees: SeQuan Stanley (Wofford), Chris Awuah (Chattanooga), Sam Martin (Appalachian State), Darius Eubanks (Georgia Southern) and Cameron Yaw (Samford).
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Trent Hawk, Furman, Sr., P
Hawk booted eight punts for a 48.1 yard average in Furman’s 63-31 loss at Auburn on Saturday. Four of the senior’s eight punts traveled further than 50 yards, including a season-long 60-yard boot. Three of Hawk’s kicks landed inside the 20 yard line while none traveled into the end zone for a touchback. His 49-yard effort in the third quarter was fumbled at the Auburn 6 and recovered by Furman, leading to Paladins' first touchdown of the game.
Other Nominees: Craig Camay (Chattanooga), Christian Reed (Wofford), Bob Hooper (Samford), Sam Martin (Appalachian State) and Blake Bostic (Western Carolina).