SPARTANBURG, S.C. - The Southern Conference named its football players of the week today for the games played Saturday, September 10. Chattanooga's Joel Bradford was named Offensive Player of the Week while teammate Wes Dothard earned Defensive Player of the Week honors. Western Carolina's Shaun Warren was selected as the Freshman of the Week, and Furman's Chas Short 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: Joel Bradford, Chattanooga, Sr., WR, Chattanooga, Tenn.
Bradford tied his career high with 15 receptions as the Mocs knocked off No. 10 Jacksonville State, 38-17. It was Chattanooga's first win over a top-10 team since 2000. Bradford finished with 162 receiving yards and one TD. Late in the second quarter, Bradford broke a 17-all tie with a 47-yard touchdown reception. He added one rush for seven yards in the win.
Other Nominees: Brian Quick (Appalachian State), Thomas Wilson (Elon), Jerodis Williams (Furman), J.J. Wilcox (Georgia Southern), Kelsey Pope (Samford), Shaun Warren (Western Carolina) and Mitch Allen (Wofford).
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Wes Dothard, Chattanooga, So., LB, Carrollton, Ga.
Dothard recorded five tackles for the Mocs Saturday against the Gamecocks. He added a forced fumble, one pass break-up and a quarterback hurry. With the Mocs holding a 14-point advantage midway through the fourth quarter, Dothard picked off a pass and raced 30 yards for a touchdown to clinch the win. He helped anchor a UTC defense which gave up just 17 second-half yards to No. 10 Jacksonville State.
Other Nominees: Doug Middleton (Appalachian State), Jeremy Buncum (The Citadel), Jonathan Conner (Elon), Derek Heyden (Georgia Southern), Corey White (Samford), Brandon Wright (Western Carolina) and Alvin Scioneaux (Wofford).
FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK: Shaun Warren, Western Carolina, Fr., RB, China Grove, N.C.
Warren rushed 21 times for 203 yards and 4 TDs as Western Carolina raced past Mars Hill, 52-31. Warren averaged 9.7 yards per carry and became the eighth player in school history to turn in a 200-yard rushing performance. He tied the school records for most rushing TDs in a half (3) and game (4). He added one reception for nine yards Saturday night to finish the game with 212 all-purpose yards.
Other Nominees: Doug Middleton (Appalachian State), Gary Coates (Elon), Marcus McMorris (Furman), Dominique Swope (Georgia Southern), Jeremiah Gates (Samford) and Marquis Green (Chattanooga).
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Chas Short, Furman, Sr., P/PK, Thomaston, Ga.
Short accounted for 10 of Furman's 16 points in a 16-6 win at The Citadel Saturday. Playing in just his second game as Furman's place kicker, Short connected on all three field goal attempts (20, 27, 46), including a career-long of 46 yards with 2:58 left in the contest. Short also booted a 48-yard punt in the third quarter that was downed at The Citadel's 4-yard line.
Other Nominees: Philip Strickland (Appalachian State), Quinton Lightfoot (Elon), Laron Scott (Georgia Southern), Riley Hawkins (Samford), Blake Cain (Western Carolina) and Kasey Redfern (Wofford).