SPARTANBURG, S.C. – VMI linebacker Chris Copeland has been named the Southern Conference Student-Athlete of the Week, the league announced on Wednesday.

Copeland shined in the Keydets’ 52-24 win over Davidson on Saturday. The red-shirt junior blocked a punt and returned it for the score to give VMI a 38-10 lead at the time. He was the first Keydet since 2012 to block a punt.

Copeland, a native of Hampton, Va., also recorded five tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss and a pair of sacks. The mechanical engineering major, who holds a 3.35 grade point average, has totaled seven tackles, including the 2.5 tackles for loss and two sacks, over three games this season with a forced fumble and a blocked punt.

Also Nominated: Jamie Rutledge (ETSU, Volleyball), Andrea Fisher (Furman, Volleyball), Lauren Gassie (Mercer, Soccer)