SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference named its football players of the week Monday for all games played Saturday, Nov. 23. Samford quarterback Andy Summerlin was named the Offensive Player of the Week, while Furman’s Cory Magwood was tabbed the Defensive Player of the Week. Appalachian State running back Marcus Cox earned the league’s Freshman of the Week honor and Elon returner Kierre Brown 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.
Quarterback Andy Summerlin completed 36 of 55 passes for 415 yards and four touchdowns as Samford rallied for a 33-32 win over Elon on Saturday. It was Summerlin’s third 400-yard passing performance this season and the victory gave the Bulldogs a share of the 2013 Southern Conference championship. With Samford trailing 32-27 late in the fourth quarter, Summerlin hit Chris Cephus on fourth down for a 12-yard touchdown pass with seven seconds left in the game to lift the Bulldogs to the dramatic victory.
Other Nominees: Marcus Cox (Appalachian State), Ben Dupree (The Citadel), Reese Hannon (Furman), Jerick McKinnon (Georgia Southern), Terrell Robinson (Chattanooga), Eddie Sullivan (Western Carolina) and Caleb Lucas (Wofford).
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Cory Magwood, Furman, So., LB, Varnville, S.C.
Linebacker Cory Magwood anchored Furman’s defense as the Paladins rallied from a 14-0 deficit for a 27-14 win over Wofford on Saturday. Magwood tallied a game-high 16 tackles, including a tackle for loss. After falling behind 14-0, the Paladins kept the Terriers off the scoreboard for the final 35 minutes of the game. Furman’s defense also came up with three turnovers in the win. The win gave the Paladins a share of the Southern Conference championship and a berth in the FCS Playoffs.
Other Nominees: Karl Anderson (Appalachian State), Nick Williams (The Citadel), Chandler Wrightenberry (Elon), Kyle Oehlbeck (Georgia Southern), Justin Cooper (Samford), Chaz Moore (Chattanooga), Christon Gill (Western Carolina) and Mike McCrimon (Wofford).
FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK: Marcus Cox, Appalachian State, RB, Dacula, Ga.
Marcus Cox set or tied five Appalachian State records in the Mountaineers’ 48-27 win over Western Carolina on Saturday. Cox rushed for 215 yards and three touchdowns in the win and added two receptions for 19 yards and a score. His 215 yards on the ground were a new school record, as were his four total touchdowns. The Dacula, Ga., native also set single-season freshman records as he closed the year with 1,250 rushing yards and 21 total touchdowns. Cox closed the season with 1,809 yards from scrimmage, tops among freshmen at Appalachian State.
Other Nominees: Tevin Floyd (The Citadel), John Gallagher (Elon), Andrej Suttles (Furman), Kevin Ellison (Georgia Southern), Karel Hamilton (Samford), Derrick Craine (Chattanooga), Tyler Sexton (Western Carolina) and Boston Bryant (Wofford).
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Kierre Brown, Elon, Jr., KR, Charlotte, N.C.
Elon’s Kierre Brown accounted for 229 all-purpose yards in Saturday’s game at Samford. Brown opened the scoring with a 56-yard punt return for a touchdown in the first quarter. It was Elon’s first punt return for a touchdown since 2009 against Davidson. He also averaged 23.2 yards per return on six kickoffs, with a long of 33.
Other Nominees: Bentlee Critcher (Appalachian State), Eric Goins (The Citadel), Ray Early (Furman), Brandan Thomas (Georgia Southern), Warren Handrahan (Samford), Nick Pollard (Chattanooga), Clark Sechrest (Western Carolina) and Nick Colvin (Wofford).