SPARTANBURG, S.C. - The Southern Conference named its football players of the week today for the games played Saturday, November 5. Furman's Chris Forcier was named Offensive Player of the Week while Chattanooga's Josh Williams earned Defensive Player of the Week honors. Georgia Southern's Deion Stanley was selected as the Freshman of the Week, and Chattanooga's Joel Bradford 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: Chris Forcier, Furman, Sr., QB, San Diego, Calif.
Chris Forcier tallied 288 yards of total offense as Furman knocked off Appalachian State, 20-10. The senior signal caller completed nine of 16 passes for 224 yards and two touchdowns, including a TD strike of 79 yards to Sederrick Cunningham. Forcier also rushed 11 times for 64 yards in the win. Midway through the fourth quarter, the San Diego native engineered a 13-play drive that consumed 7:30. He converted two third downs on runs of 13 and 12 yards on the drive to help preserve Furman's 10-point advantage. Forcier leads the nation in pass efficiency (183.79).
Other Nominees: Andrew Peacock (Appalachian State), Darien Robinson (The Citadel), William Maxwell (Georgia Southern), Kelsey Pope (Samford), Sloan Allison (Chattanooga), Jacoby Mitchell (Western Carolina) and Donovan Johnson (Wofford).
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Josh Williams, Chattanooga, Jr., DE, Griffin, Ga.
Josh Williams led a strong defensive effort from UTC which held Samford out of the end zone in a 24-9 victory. Williams recorded seven tackles, three sacks and a QB hurry in the win. With the Mocs holding a 17-6 lead in the fourth quarter, the junior sacked Samford's Dustin Taliaferro for a 16-yard loss back to the UTC 26-yard line on second down. Williams hurried Taliaferro into an incompletion on third down, forcing Samford to attempt a field goal. Williams leads the SoCon and ranks 12th in the nation with 9.5 sacks this season.
Other Nominees: Jeremy Kimbrough (Appalachian State), Mitch McGrath (Furman), Deion Stanley (Georgia Southern), Rock Williams (Western Carolina) and Mike Niam (Wofford).
FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK: Deion Stanley, Georgia Southern, Fr., S, Dry Branch, Ga.
Deion Stanley recorded a game-high 13 tackles as Georgia Southern held off The Citadel, 14-12. The Dry Branch, Ga., native tallied 11 solo stops and assisted on two other tackles. After The Citadel scored a touchdown in the second quarter to take a 12-7 lead, Stanley blocked Ryan Sellers' PAT. Stanley's 13 tackles were a season high for the safety.
Other Nominees: Ronald Blair (Appalachian State), Tyreek Phillips (Furman), Terrell Robinson (Chattanooga) and Ace Clark (Western Carolina).
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Joel Bradford, Chattanooga, Sr., WR/P, Chattanooga, Tenn.
Joel Bradford punted nine times and averaged 40.4 yards per kick in UTC's victory. The senior booted three kicks over 50 yards and pinned the Bulldogs inside their 20-yard line four times. When the Mocs were forced to punt with 10 minutes remaining in the game, Bradford kicked a then-career long punt of 58 yards to Samford's 14 yard-line that was downed. Backed up to his own 25-yard line with under three minutes to play, Bradford kicked a 59-yard punt that went out of bounds at the Samford 16.
Other Nominees: Charlie Edwards (Georgia Southern), Cameron Yaw (Samford) and Blake Cain (Western Carolina).