SPARTANBURG, S.C. - The Southern Conference named its football players of the week today for the games played on Saturday, September 25. Appalachian State's DeAndre Presley was named the Offensive Player of the Week while Georgia Southern's Laron Scott earned Defensive Player of the Week honors. Chattanooga's Kadeem Wise was selected as the Freshman of the Week, and Appalachian State's Sam Martin was tabbed as 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 accounted for 273 yards and four touchdowns Saturday as Appalachian State earned a 35-17 win at Samford. The junior signal caller was 16-of-27 passing for 176 yards with two TDs. He rushed 15 times for 97 yards and two TDs. Presley is the first ASU quarterback to not throw an interception in the first four games of the season since Todd Payton in 1986. He is third in the nation in passer efficiency (168.4) and seventh in total offense (294 ypg).
Other Nominees: Aaron Mellette (Elon), Jaybo Shaw (Georgia Southern), Fabian Truss (Samford), B.J. Coleman (Chattanooga), and Jacoby Mitchell (Western Carolina).
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Laron Scott, Georgia Southern, DB, Jr., Warner Robbins, Ga.
Scott recorded six tackles for the Eagles in their 38-21 win over No. 11 Elon. Scott's biggest impact on the game came early in the fourth quarter. With Georgia Southern holding a 28-14 lead over the Phoenix, Scott picked off Elon's Scott Riddle and returned the interception 36 yards for a touchdown to push the Eagles ahead, 35-14. Earlier in the game, Scott deflected a pass attempt by Riddle which was then intercepted by GSU's E.J. Webb.
Other Nominees: D.J. Smith (Appalachian State), Jonathan Glaspie (The Citadel), Brandon Wiggins (Elon), Josh Lynn (Furman), Bryce Smith (Samford), Ryan Consiglio (Chattanooga) and Torez Jones (Western Carolina).
FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK: Kadeem Wise, Chattanooga, DB, Fr., Lawrenceville, Ga.
Kadeem Wise picked off two passes in Chattanooga's 27-21 win over Western Carolina, giving him four interceptions for the season which tied the school record set in 1978 by current UTC head coach Russ Huesman. Wise is the first Moc with multiple INTs in a game since Buster Skrine had two against Western Kentucky in 2007. He added three tackles and one pass break-up in the win over the Catamounts.
Other Nominees: Terrence Martin (The Citadel), Jordan Jones (Elon), Carlos Cave (Georgia Southern), Fabian Truss (Samford), and Roland Johnson (Western Carolina).
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Sam Martin, Appalachian State, P, So., Fayetteville, Ga.
Martin punted seven times in ASU's victory over Samford. He booted a long of 54 yards and had three punts downed inside the Samford 20-yard line. Samford's average starting field position after Martin's punts was its own 26-yard line. The sophomore also kicked off six times with the average kick reaching the Bulldogs' 3-yard line, including one touchback.
Other Nominees: Ray Early (Furman), Adrian Mora (Georgia Southern), Cameron Yaw (Samford), and Blake Cain (Western Carolina).