SPARTANBURG, S.C. - The Southern Conference named its football players of the week today for the games played Saturday, November 12. Elon's Thomas Wilson was named Offensive Player of the Week while teammate Joshua Jones earned Defensive Player of the Week honors. Georgia Southern's Dominique Swope was selected as the Freshman of the Week, and Appalachian State's Drew Stewart 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: Thomas Wilson, Elon, Jr., QB, Raleigh, N.C.
Thomas Wilson completed 20 of 26 passes for 279 yards and four touchdowns as Elon defeated Furman, 41-34 Saturday afternoon. The junior connected with Matt Eastman and Aaron Mellette for scores in the first half and found paydirt on a 15-yard touchdown pass to Christian Dennis in the third quarter. With the game tied midway through the fourth quarter, Wilson hit Mellette for a 55-yard touchdown to push the Phoenix ahead, 34-27. Elon's win snapped a three-game losing skid and gave the Phoenix its 11th victory over a ranked team as the Paladins were No. 21 in the FCS Coaches Poll entering the weekend.
Other Nominees: Brian Quick (Appalachian State), Ben Dupree (The Citadel), Chris Forcier (Furman), William Maxwell (Georgia Southern), Kelsey Pope (Samford) and George Richardson (Western Carolina).
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Joshua Jones, Elon, Sr., LB, Tampa, Fla.
Joshua Jones led Elon and tied his career high with 13 tackles against Furman. He was credited with four tackles for loss and a sack. After Elon had taken a 34-27 in the fourth quarter, Jones picked off Furman's Chris Forcier and raced 40 yards for a touchdown to give the Phoenix a 41-27 lead. It was his fourth career interception and second career touchdown. Jones climbed into fifth place on Elon's career tackles list with 332 stops.
Other Nominees: Brandon Grier (Appalachian State), Joseph Boateng (The Citadel), Ryan Steed (Furman), Darius Eubanks (Georgia Southern), Corey White (Samford), Christian Gill (Western Carolina) and Eric Eberhardt (Wofford).
FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK: Dominique Swope, Georgia Southern, Fr., RB, Buford, Ga.
Freshman Dominique Swope rushed for a season-high 165 yards as Georgia Southern defeated Wofford, 31-10. GSU's win gave the Eagles their first Southern Conference Championship since 2004. Swope carried the ball 27 times and averaged 6.1 yards per carry. He added one reception for five yards to finish the game with 170 all-purpose yards.
Other Nominees: Ronald Blair (Appalachian State), Miles Williams (Elon), Jeremiaha Gates (Samford), Christon Gill (Western Carolina) and Kevin Thomas (Wofford).
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Drew Stewart, Appalachian State, So., PK, Gastonia, N.C.
Sophomore Drew Stewart tied a Southern Conference record and set a new Appalachian State mark with six field goals in Saturday's win over Western Carolina. Stewart was a perfect 6-for-6 on field goals from 44, 32, 29, 21, 27 and 24 yards. The Gastonia, N.C., native connected on all three of his extra point attempts and finished the game with 21 points, setting a new single-game high for scoring by a kicker in the SoCon.
Other Nominees: Kenton Beal (Elon), Charlie Edwards (Georgia Southern), Alvin Hines II (Samford), Blake Cain (Western Carolina) and Casey Redfern (Wofford).