SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference named its football players of the week today for all games played Nov. 22. Chattanooga’s Jacob Huesman and The Citadel’s Malik Diggs were named the Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively. VMI’s Al Cobb 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: Jacob Huesman, Chattanooga, Jr., QB, Chattanooga, Tenn.
Junior Jacob Huesman accounted for 360 yards of total offense and four touchdowns in Chattanooga’s 45-19 win at Furman. The signal-caller completed 17 of 23 passes for 257 yards with two touchdowns. On the ground, the Chattanooga, Tenn., native carried 14 times for 103 yards and two scores. Huesman now has 50 career touchdown passes, just two behind B.J. Coleman’s (2009-11) school record.
Other Nominees: Jake Stenson (The Citadel), Karel Hamilton (Samford), Al Cobb (VMI), Troy Mitchell (Western Carolina) and Lorenzo Long (Wofford).
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Malik Diggs, The Citadel, So., S, Laurinburg, S.C.
Malik Diggs led The Citadel’s defense with a team-high nine tackles in the Bulldogs’ 45-25 win at VMI. Diggs also came up with a pair of fumble recoveries in the win. The Laurinburg, S.C., native scooped up a fumble and returned it 19 yards to set up the Bulldogs’ offense at its own 43-yard line. The Citadel would use a nine-play drive to take a 7-0 lead. Following a Bulldog touchdown that made the score 31-19, Diggs recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff, which led to another Citadel touchdown which put the game out of reach.
Other Nominees: Zach Jackson (Mercer), James Bradberry (Samford), Muhasibi Wakeel (Chattanooga), Christon Gill (Western Carolina) and Jaleel Green (Wofford).
FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK: Al Cobb, VMI, Fr., QB, Pulaski, Tenn.
Al Cobb threw for a season-high 396 yards in VMI’s loss to The Citadel. Cobb completed 27 of 42 passes and tossed touchdown passes of 5 and 28 yards. The Pulaski, Tenn., native also rushed seven times for 26 yards. Cobb’s 396 yards was the highest total by a SoCon quarterback this season and the second-highest total in school history, behind Dave Brown’s 422 yards against Appalachian State in 1986.
Other Nominees: Isaiaha Smith (The Citadel), Malik Johns (Samford), Alphonso Stewart (Chattanooga), Daniel Riddle (Western Carolina) and Michael Roach (Wofford).
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Greg Peranich, Samford, Sr., P, Pace, Fla.
Samford punter Greg Peranich averaged 41.2 yards on six punts in Samford’s loss at Auburn Saturday night. Peranich placed one kick inside the Tigers’ 20-yard line and booted a long of 54 yards.
Other Nominees: Henrique Ribeiro (Chattanooga), Destry Barnwell (Western Carolina) and David Marvin (Wofford).