SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference named its football players of the week today for all games played Oct. 25. Chattanooga’s Jacob Huesman and Western Carolina’s Trey Morgan were named the Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively. Western Carolina’s Detrez Newsome garnered Freshman of the Week honors, while Samford’s Deion Pierre 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: Jacob Huesman, Chattanooga, Jr., QB, Chattanooga, Tenn.
Junior Jacob Huesman completed 24 of 36 passes for a career-high 359 yards in Chattanooga’s 38-31 win over Mercer on Saturday. The quarterback tossed two touchdown passes and also rushed eight times for 99 yards and a score in the win. Huesman now has 41 career touchdown passes, the fourth-highest total in school history. His 458 yards of total offense was a career high and helped propel the Mocs to their first 4-0 start in conference play since joining the Southern Conference in 1977.
Other Nominees: Aaron Miller (The Citadel), John Russ (Mercer), Karel Hamilton (Samford), Troy Mitchell (Western Carolina) and Michael Weimer (Wofford).
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Trey Morgan, Western Carolina, So., DB, North Augusta, Ga.
Defensive back Trey Morgan posted a career-high nine tackles in Western Carolina’s 29-15 win over The Citadel. Morgan was credited with six solo stops and a tackle for loss. The sophomore was a part of three of WCU’s four defensive takeaways. Morgan forced two fumbles and came away with his league-leading fifth interception of the year in the win. His first forced fumble came in the second quarter with The Citadel holding an 8-7 advantage. The Bulldogs’ Isiaha Smith ran 53 yards inside the WCU 5-yard line, when Morgan forced a fumble that was recovered by teammate Christon Gill.
Other Nominees: Alex Avant (Mercer), Jamerson Blount (Samford), Davis Tull (Chattanooga) and Drake Michaelson (Wofford).
FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK: Detrez Newsome, Western Carolina, Fr., RB, Raeford, N.C.
Detrez Newsome was responsible for 154 all-purpose yards against The Citadel, including a season-high 123 rushing yards on 11 carries. Newsome added to touchdown runs in the win, marking the fifth time this season he has scored twice in the same game. The Raeford, N.C., native is third in the SoCon in scoring (7.5 ppg).
Other Nominees: DeVonta Delaney (The Citadel), Chandler Curtis (Mercer), Malik Johns (Samford), Lucas Webb (Chattanooga), and Terrance Morris (Wofford).
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Deion Pierre, Samford, Fr., LB, Pembroke Pines, Fla.
Linebacker Deion Pierre helped the Bulldogs get off to a fast start in their 45-0 win at Furman. After the Samford defense forced the Paladins to punt on the opening drive of the game, Pierre blocked Jon Croft Hollingsworth’s punt, which was scooped up by Jay Galloway and returned 15 yards for a touchdown. Pierre later added a tackle in the win.
Other Nominees: Tyler Zielenske (Mercer), Henrique Ribeiro (Chattanooga), Destry Barnwell (Western Carolina) and David Marvin (Wofford).