SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference named its football players of the week today for all games played Nov. 15. Western Carolina’s Troy Mitchell and Samford’s Justin Cooper were named the Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively. Furman’s P.J. Blazejowski garnered Freshman of the Week honors, while Samford’s Greg Peranich 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: Troy Mitchell, Western Carolina, Jr., QB, Houston, Texas
Troy Mitchell recorded 448 yards of total offense and was responsible for all six Catamount touchdowns as Western Carolina topped VMI, 42-27. The junior carried the ball 12 times for 121 yards, including a career-long 55-yard rushing touchdown. Through the air, Mitchell passed for 339 and a career-high five touchdowns. It was the third time in his career Mitchell has topped 300 passing yards, and it was the first time a WCU quarterback threw for at least four touchdowns since 2010.
Other Nominees: Aaron Miller (The Citadel), P.J. Blazejowski (Furman), Alex Lakes (Mercer), Tony Philpot (Samford), Jacob Huesman (Chattanooga) and Ray Smith (Wofford).
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Justin Cooper, Samford, Jr., LB, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Junior Justin Cooper earned his second straight Defensive Player of the Week award after tallying a career-high 17 tackles in Samford’s 20-17 win at The Citadel. The junior’s 17 stops also represented a game high between Samford and The Citadel. Cooper was credited with 15 solo stops and two assists in the win.
Other Nominees: Walker Smith (The Citadel), Gary Wilkins (Furman), Keionta Davis (Chattanooga), Christon Gill (Western Carolina) and Terrance Morris (Wofford).
FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK: P.J. Blazejowski, Furman, Fr., QB, St. Augustine, Fla.
P.J. Blazejowski passed for 305 yards and two touchdowns in Furman’s 31-14 victory over Wofford on Saturday. The freshman set a new Southern Conference record for most passes completed without an incompletion, as he was a perfect 15-of-15 through the air, breaking the old record set by Furman’s David Henderson (1978) and Billy Napier (2001), both of whom went 12-of-12. The St. Augustine, Fla., native connected on touchdown passes of 61 and 59 yards and he added a rushing touchdown in the win.
Other Nominees: Alex Lakes (Mercer), Omario Williams (Samford), Richardre Bagley (Chattanooga), Al Cobb (VMI), Daniel Riddle (Western Carolina) and Terrance Morris (Wofford).
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Greg Peranich, Samford, Sr., P, Pace, Fla.
Samford punter Greg Peranich averaged 43.0 yards on five punts in Samford’s victory Saturday. Peranich forced one fair catch and placed two kicks inside The Citadel’s 20-yard line, with a long of 48. His punting helped establish solid field position for the Samford defense, which allowed just 17 points in the win.
Other Nominees: Henrique Ribeiro (Chattanooga) and Richard Sigmon (Western Carolina).