SPARTANBURG, S.C. - The Southern Conference named its football players of the week today for the games played on Saturday, October 16. Appalachian State's DeAndre Presley was named the Offensive Player of the Week while Furman's Ryan Steed earned Defensive Player of the Week honors. Wofford's Donovan Johnson was selected as the Freshman of the Week, and Furman's Ray Early was tabbed the Special Teams Player of the Week. The players of the week are selected by the league office.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: DeAndre Presley, Appalachian State, QB, Jr., Tampa, Fla.
Presley matched a school record with five touchdown passes in Appalachian State's 39-10 win over The Citadel. Presley completed 14-of-25 passes for 241 yards. He threw touchdown passes of 63, 3, 4, 22 and 73 yards to become just the fourth player in school with five touchdown passes in a game. Presley added four carries for 27 yards on the ground. He has attempted 147 passes without an interception dating back to last season and leads the nation in passer efficiency with a 176.1 rating.
Other Nominees: J.J. Wilcox (Georgia Southern), Chris Evans (Samford), B.J. Coleman (Chattanooga), Nate Harris (Western Carolina) and Mitch Allen (Wofford).
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Ryan Steed, Furman, DB, Jr., Mt. Pleasant, S.C.
Steed scored Furman's first touchdown early in the first quarter when he picked off a Connor Lowery pass and raced 57 yards to paydirt to give the Paladins a 7-0 lead. Steed finished second on the team with 10 tackles and helped anchor a defense which shut out Samford in the second half and limited the Bulldogs to just 100 yards passing on the day in Furman's 27-10 victory.
Other Nominees: Justin Wray (Appalachian State), Rod Harland (The Citadel), Laron Scott (Georgia Southern), Alex Davis (Samford), Chris Donald (Chattanooga), Rock Williams (Western Carolina) and Ameet Pall (Wofford)
FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK: Donovan Johnson, Wofford, RB, Fr., McDonough, Ga.
Johnson was one of three Terriers to rush for 100 yards in Wofford's 45-14 victory over Western Carolina. Johnson carried nine times for 124 yards, including a long run of 54 yards. It was the first 100-yard rushing game of the season for the McDonough, Ga., native, and just the second time a Terrier freshman has run for 100 yards in the last five years.
Other Nominees: Patrick Blalock (Appalachian State), Darien Robinson (The Citadel), Ray Early (Furman), Quin Roberson (Samford), Keon Williams (Chattanooga) and Randy Pressley (Western Carolina).
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Ray Early, Furman, K, Fr., Darlington, S.C.
Early was 2-of-2 on his field goal attempts Saturday and was 3-for-3 on PATs. With 1:16 left in the first quarter, Early booted a season-long 52-yard field goal to give the Paladins a 10-3 advantage. It was the second-longest field goal in school history. Early added a 31-yard boot with 14:35 left in the game to give Furman a 20-10 lead. He kicked off six times with an average of 66.0 yards per kick, including one touchback.
Other Nominees: Alexander Wall (The Citadel), Charlie Edwards (Georgia Southern), Bob Hooper (Samford) and Nate Harris (Western Carolina).