SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference named its football players of the week today for all games played Saturday, Sept. 21. The Citadel’s Ben Dupree was named the Offensive Player of the Week. Appalachian State teammates John Law and Marcus Cox were named the Defensive Player of the Week and Freshman of the Week, respectively, while Elon’s David Petroni 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: Ben Dupree, The Citadel, Sr., QB, Harrisburg, Pa.
The Citadel’s Ben Dupree was responsible for six touchdowns as The Citadel fell at Old Dominion, 59-58. Dupree carried 24 times for 149 yards and had five rushing touchdowns. He completed 5-of-8 passes for 113 yards and a touchdown in defeat. His five rushing touchdowns set a new school record and tied for the third-best single game mark in Southern Conference history. The Harrisburg, Pa., native was responsible for six scores, which tied for the fifth-best single-game mark in league history. With his 149 yards on the ground, Dupree became just the 12^th player in school history to top the 2,000-yard career rushing plateau (2,056). 

Other Nominees: Marcus Cox (Appalachian State), Andy Summerlin (Samford), Karnorris Benson (Western Carolina) and Donovan Johnson (Wofford).

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: John Law, Appalachian State, Fr., LB, Atlanta, Ga.
Appalachian State’s John Law turned in a strong all-around performance on defense as the Mountaineers knocked off Elon, 31-21. The freshman linebacker tallied a game-high 15 tackles for the Mountaineers and was responsible for three Elon turnovers, which were converted into 10 points for Appalachian State. After Law picked off Mike Quinn in the first quarter, the Mountaineers tacked on a field goal to build a 10-0 lead. After the Atlanta, Ga., native recovered a fumble at Appalachian State’s 6-yard line, the Mountaineers put together a 94-yard drive that pushed their advantage to 24-0. Law’s final interception, with 39 seconds remaining, sealed the win for the Mountaineers.

Other Nominees: Brandon McCladdie (The Citadel), David Wood (Elon), Justin Shade (Samford), Courtland Carson (Western Carolina) and SeQuan Stanley (Wofford).

FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK: Marcus Cox, Appalachian State, RB, Dacula, Ga.
Marcus Cox earned his first career start at Elon and responded by becoming the first Mountaineer in school history to finish with 100 yards rushing and 100 yards receiving in the same game. Cox carried 26 times for 159 yards and one touchdown and caught five passes for 149 yards and two scores. Cox’s 149 yards receiving were the most for a true freshman in school history. The Dacula, Ga., native scored his first two touchdowns on pass plays of 50 and 73 yards. He scored from 3 yards out with 1:27 left in the game to push the Mountaineers’ lead to 31-21.

Other Nominees: Cody Richardson (The Citadel), B.J. Bennett (Elon), Javian Ramson (Samford), Trey Morgan (Western Carolina) and Boston Bryant (Wofford).

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: David Petroni, Elon, P, Fr., Buford, Ga.
Freshman David Petroni punted six times for 261 yards in Saturday’s game against Appalachian State. Petroni averaged 43.5 yards per boot and placed five of his six kicks inside the Appalachian State 20-yard line. Petroni forced two fair catches and had a long of 50 yards on the day. He has placed 13 of his 22 kicks inside the opponent’s 20-yard line this season.