SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference named its football players of the week today for all games played Saturday, Oct. 5. Samford quarterback Andy Summerlin was named the Offensive Player of the Week, while Elon’s Chandler Wrightenberry was tabbed the Defensive Player of the Week. Furman quarterback Duncan Fletcher earned the league’s Freshman of the Week honor. The Citadel placekicker Thomas Warren was named the Special Teams Player of the Week. The players of the week are selected by the league office.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Andy Summerlin, Samford, Sr., QB, Apopka, Fla.
Samford quarterback Andy Summerlin was named the Offensive Player of the Week for the second consecutive week. The senior completed 23 of 42 passes for a career-high 495 yards and three touchdowns as Samford topped No. 16 Georgia Southern, 44-34. Summerlin’s 495 yards was the fifth-highest single-game total in league history. He completed touchdown passes of 74, 69 and 58 yards in the win.
Other Nominees: Marcus Cox (Appalachian State), Ben Dupree (The Citadel), Karl Bostick (Elon), Hank McCloud (Furman), Jerick McKinnon (Georgia Southern), Jacob Huesman (Chattanooga), Terryon Robinson (Western Carolina) and Will Gay (Wofford).
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Chandler Wrightenberry, Elon, Sr., DB, Asheville, N.C.
Elon’s Chandler Wrightenberry tallies seven solo tackles in Elon’s 28-25 win at Furman. The senior returned an interception 33 yards for a touchdown late in the first quarter to give the Phoenix a 14-7 lead it would never relinquish. The interception was the sixth of Wrightenberry’s career and the first non-offensive touchdown for Elon since Joshua Jones returned an INT 40 yards at Furman on Nov. 12, 2011.
Other Nominees: John Law (Appalachian State), Justin Oxendine (The Citadel), Edwin Jackson (Georgia Southern), Jerry Mathis (Samford), D.J. Key (Chattanooga), Courtland Carson (Western Carolina) and Hunter Thurley (Wofford).
FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK: Duncan Fletcher, Furman, QB, Columbus, Ga.
Making just his second appearance and first collegiate start, Furman’s Duncan Fletcher completed 25 passes for 225 yards and a touchdown in Furman’s loss to Elon. Fletcher began the season as the Paladins’ fourth-string quarterback behind Reese Hannon, Dillon Woodruff and Terry Robinson but was pressed into duty after numerous injuries. Fletcher completed 18 of his 25 passes for 184 yards and a score in the second half as Furman rallied from being down 18 to cut Elon’s lead to just three (28-25) in the middle of the fourth quarter.
Other Nominees: Marcus Cox (Appalachian State), John Silas (Elon), Kevin Ellison (Georgia Southern), Karel Hamilton (Samford), Dee Virgin (Chattanooga), Terryon Robinson (Western Carolina) and Evan Jacks (Wofford).
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Thomas Warren, The Citadel, Sr., PK, Mt. Pleasant, S.C.
The Citadel’s Thomas Warren kicked a 35-yard field goal in overtime to lift the Bulldogs to a 31-28 victory over Appalachian State on Saturday afternoon. Mitchell Jeter intercepted a pass on Appalachian State’s opening possession of the overtime period, which set up Warren’s game-winning kick, the second of his career. The Mt. Pleasant, S.C., native was a perfect 4-of-4 on PAT attempts in the game.
Other Nominees: Zach Matics (Appalachian State), David Petroni (Elon), Ryan Nowicki (Georgia Southern), Warren Handrahan (Samford), Nick Pollard (Chattanooga) and Kasey Redfern (Wofford).