SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference named its football players of the week today for all games played Nov. 1. Chattanooga’s Keon Williams and The Citadel’s DeVonta Delaney were named the Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively. VMI’s Al Cobb garnered Freshman of the Week honors, while UTC’s Henrique Ribeiro 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: Keon Williams, Chattanooga, Sr., RB, Chattanooga, Tenn.
Keon Williams rushed for a career-high 194 yards on 19 carries as Chattanooga topped Western Carolina 51-0 Saturday afternoon. Williams recorded his sixth career multi-touchdown game as he scored UTC’s first two touchdowns to give the Mocs a 14-0 first-quarter lead. The senior had 134 yards in the first half and now has 24 career rushing touchdowns, which is tied for second in school history.
Other Nominees: Cam Jackson (The Citadel), John Russ (Mercer) and Michael Eubank (Samford).
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: DeVonta Delaney, The Citadel, Fr., DB, Seabrook, S.C.
DeVonta Delaney made two of the biggest plays in The Citadel’s 28-26 win over Mercer Saturday. Midway through the third quarter, Delaney intercepted Mercer’s John Russ at The Citadel’s 1-yard line to stop the Bears’ scoring threat. Late in the fourth quarter, after Mercer scored a touchdown to cut The Bulldogs’ lead to 28-26, Delaney deflected the potential game-tying two-point conversion pass. From there, The Citadel was able to run out the clock and hold on for the win.
Other Nominees: Tyler Ward (Mercer), Trey Wesley (Samford) and Nakevion Leslie (Chattanooga).
FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK: Al Cobb, VMI, Fr., QB, Pulaski, Tenn.
Al Cobb led the Keydets in both passing and rushing as VMI earned a 31-15 win over Furman. Cobb carried 11 times for 49 yards and a touchdown. Through the air, Cobb completed 24-of-37 attempts for 239 yards and two touchdowns. The Pulaski, Tenn., native found Dane Forlines for a 19-yard score to give the Keydets a 10-0 lead midway through the second quarter. Cobb added a 1-yard rushing TD just before halftime to give VMI a 17-0 halftime lead. His final touchdown pass came midway through the fourth quarter, when Cobb hit J.C. Garvin on a 14-yard strike.
Other Nominees: Cam Jackson (The Citadel), Avery Ward (Mercer), Omari Williams (Samford) and Trevor Wright (Chattanooga).
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Henrique Ribeiro, Chattanooga, So., K, Chattanooga, Tenn.
Sophomore Henrique Ribeiro was 3-of-3 on field goal attempts and converted all six PATs in Saturday’s win. Ribeiro converted field goal attempts from 27, 33 and 39 yards out to move to a perfect 12-for-12 on the season. The sophomore also stepped in to handle punting duties and booted his first career punt 46 yards.
Other Nominees: Jagger Lieb (Mercer) and Warren Handrahan (Samford).