SPARTANBURG, S.C. - The Southern Conference named its football players of the week today for the games played on Saturday, November 6. Wofford's Eric Breitenstein was named the Offensive Player of the Week while his teammate Ameet Pall earned Defensive Player of the Week honors. Georgia Southern's Robert Brown was selected as the Freshman of the Week, and Chattanooga's Brian Sutherland 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: Eric Breitenstein, Wofford, RB, Jr., Valle Crucis, N.C.
Breitenstein carried for a game-high 227 yards as Wofford topped Samford, 10-3 Saturday. The junior running back carried 28 times an averaged 8.1 yards per carry. Breitenstein added one reception for eight yards. It was the second time he has gone over 200 yards rushing this season and the fifth time he has recorded at least 100 yards on the ground. Despite not scoring a touchdown against the Bulldogs, Breitenstein still leads the nation in scoring (11.33 ppg) and ranks sixth in the country in rushing (132.1 ypg).
Other Nominees: Terrell Dallas (The Citadel), Brandon Newsome (Elon), Jaybo Shaw (Georgia Southern), Brian Sutherland (Chattanooga), Chris Evans (Samford) and Deja Alexander (Western Carolina).
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Ameet Pall, Wofford, DL, Jr., Montreal, Quebec
Pall helped anchor Wofford's defense which limited the Bulldogs to just three points on Saturday. Pall tied for the team lead with six tackles. He recorded three tackles for loss which resulted in minus 12 yards. Pall was credited with 2 sacks for negative eight yards against the Bulldogs. He now has 12.5 sacks this season, which leads the nation. He ranks second nationally with 2.17 tackles per game.
Other Nominees: D.J. Smith (Appalachian State), Tolu Akindele (The Citadel), Brandon Wiggins (Elon), Brent Russell (Georgia Southern), Patrick Hatcher (Samford) and Angelo Brown (Western Carolina).
FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK: Robert Brown, Georgia Southern, RB, Fr., Macon, Ga.
Brown scored the game-winning touchdown as Georgia Southern knocked off previously unbeaten Appalachian State, 21-14 in overtime. The freshman scored from four yards out on first and goal to give the Eagles a 21-14 lead in the overtime period. Georgia Southern's defense then recovered a fumble on ASU's overtime possession to seal the victory. Brown carried 20 times for 60 yards against the Mountaineers, including a long run of 20 yards. He added one reception for 16 yards in the win.
Other Nominees: Ben Dupree (The Citadel), Ronnie Hardison (Elon), Dakota Derrick (Furman), Keon Williams (Chattanooga), Deja Alexander (Western Carolina) and Mike McCrimon (Wofford).
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Brian Sutherland, Chattanooga, KR, So., Smyrna, Ga.
Sutherland ran back a second quarter kickoff for a 98-yard touchdown at FBS No. 2 Auburn. It was the second-longest kick return in school history and the longest in the conference this year. He became the first Moc to run back a kickoff for a TD since 2003. Sutherland finished the game with 254 all-purpose yards and ranks first in the league in that category (157.2 ypg).
Other Nominees: Keith Gamble (The Citadel), Travis Greene (Elon), Charlie Edwards (Georgia Southern), Bob Hooper (Samford) and Sidney Rhodes (Western Carolina).