SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference named its football players of the week today for all games played Saturday, Sept. 14. Chattanooga’s Keon Williams and Samford’s Josh Kimberlin have been named Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week, respectively. Georgia Southern’s Kevin Ellison was selected as the Freshman of the Week, while Furman’s Jairus Hollman 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: Keon Williams, Chattanooga, Jr., RB, Chattanooga, Tenn.
Chattanooga’s Keon Williams was named the league’s Offensive Player of the Week for the second consecutive week. A junior, Williams carried 11 times for 106 yards and a career-high three touchdowns as the Mocs defeated Austin Peay, 42-10. Williams averaged 9.6 yards per carry and turned in his second consecutive 100-yard rushing performance and third of his career. It was the first time a Moc has rushed for three scores since teammate Terrell Robinson did it at Georgia Southern in 2011. A Chattanooga, Tenn., native, Williams ranks third in the league in rushing (97.7 ypg).
Other Nominees: Ben Dupree (The Citadel), Hank McCloud (Furman), Jerick McKinnon (Georgia Southern), Fabian Truss (Samford), Darius Ramsey (Western Carolina) and Donovan Johnson (Wofford).
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Josh Kimberlin, Samford, So., DB, Olive Branch, Miss.
Samford safety Josh Kimberlin tied a school record with three interceptions in Samford’s 27-20 win at Florida A&M on Saturday afternoon. He returned the three interceptions for a total of 67 yards. The sophomore’s first pick came late in the third quarter with the Bulldogs holding a 24-20 lead. In the fourth quarter with Samford ahead 27-20, Kimberlin intercepted FAMU’s Damien Flemming on back-to-back possessions in Samford territory to seal the victory. The Olive Branch, Miss., native added three tackles in the win.
Other Nominees: Derek Douglas (The Citadel), Kyle Oehlbeck (Georgia Southern), Kadeem Wise (Chattanooga), Andre Shishkin (Western Carolina) and Alvin Scioneaux (Wofford).
FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK: Kevin Ellison, Georgia Southern, Fr., QB, Cornelia, Ga.
Kevin Ellison earned the start at quarterback for Georgia Southern on Saturday night as the Eagles fell at No. 10 Wofford, 30-20. Ellison carried 14 times for 102 yards, averaging 7.3 yards per carry. His 53-yard scamper in the first quarter set up GSU’s first touchdown. Ellison also completed 6-of-14 passes for 68 yards.
Other Nominees: Devan Robbins (The Citadel), Warren Handrahan (Samford), Will Johnson (Chattanooga), Trey Morgan (Western Carolina) and Nick Colvin (Wofford).
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Jairus Hollman, Furman, So., DB, Atlanta, Ga.
With Furman holding a 21-20 lead with 18 second remaining in the game, Jairus Hollman blocked a 23-yard field goal attempt by Presbyterian’s Brett Wilson to preserve the Paladins’ victory. It was Furman’s first block of a potential game-winning field goal since the Paladins blocked a 38-yard attempt against Samford in 2009. Hollman added eight tackles on defense, including two for loss.
Other Nominees: Tevin Floyd (The Citadel), Connor Tierney (Georgia Southern), Warren Handrahan (Samford), Nick Pollard (Chattanooga), Shaun Warren (Western Carolina) and Nick Colvin (Wofford).