SPARTANBURG, S.C. - The Southern Conference named its football players of the week today for the games played on Saturday, September 18. Chattanooga's Joel Bradford and Furman's Adam Mims were named Co-Offensive Players of the Week while Western Carolina's Torez Jones earned Defensive Player of the Week honors. Furman's Shawn Boone was selected as the Freshman of the Week, and Appalachian State's Jason Vitaris was tabbed as the Special Teams Player of the Week. The players of the week are selected by the league office.
Co-OFFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:
Joel Bradford, Chattanooga, WR, Jr., Chattanooga, Tenn.; Adam Mims, Furman, WR, Sr., Birmingham, Ala.
Bradford and Mims both recorded 254 yards of total offense last week. Bradford's production came through the air, catching 11 passes for a school-record 254 yards with one touchdown against Eastern Kentucky. It was the fifth most receiving yards in a game in Southern Conference history and was the first 100-yard receiving game in Bradford's career. Mims caught a career-best 10 passes for 202 yards, including a 72-yard strike early in the fourth quarter, against FBS 13th-ranked South Carolina. His 202 receiving yards are second-most in Furman history. Mims added 26 yards on two carries and an additional 26 yards on two punt returns.
Other Nominees: Travaris Cadet (Appalachian State), Terrell Dallas (The Citadel), Aaron Mellette (Elon), J.J. Wilcox (Georgia Southern), Dustin Taliaferro (Samford), Marquel Pittman (Western Carolina) and Eric Breitenstein (Wofford).
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Torez Jones, Western Carolina, DB, Jr., Wilson, N.C.
Jones recorded a career-high 12 solo tackles and a school-record four interceptions in Western Carolina's 28-14 win at Gardner-Webb. The junior defensive back tied the Southern Conference single-game interceptions record, last accomplished by Davidson's Charlie Benson against VMI on October 12, 1957.
Other Nominees: Jabari Fletcher (Appalachian State), Demetrius Jackson (The Citadel), Travis Greene (Elon), Derek Heyden (Georgia Southern), Bryce Smith (Samford), Joshua Wiliams (Chattanooga) and Ameet Pall (Wofford).
FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK: Shawn Boone, Furman, DL, Fr., Lithia, Fla.
Furman's Shawn Boone came off the bench and made an immediate impact for the Paladins on Saturday, collecting two tackles, including a tackle for a five-yard loss. With South Carolina backed up deep in its own territory, Boone batted a Stephen Garcia pass, collected it and ran in from three yards out in the third quarter to cut the Gamecocks' lead to 28-13.
Other Nominees: Jamal Jackson (Appalachian State), Terrence Martin (The Citadel), Ronnie Hardison (Elon), Quin Roberson (Samford), Marlon Anthony (Chattanooga), Brian Johnson (Western Carolina) and Mike McCrimon (Wofford).
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Jason Vitaris, Appalachian State, Sr., K
Senior placekicker Jason Vitaris was a perfect 3-for-3 in field goal attempts for Appalachian State on Saturday. It was the third time in the last 14 games that he made three field goals and tied his career high. Vitaris added five PATs for the Mountaineers against North Carolina Central.
Other Nominees: Cass Couey (The Citadel), Ray Early (Furman), Adrian Mora (Georgia Southern), Darion Sutton (Samford), Blake Cain (Western Carolina), Christian Reed (Wofford).