SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference named its football players of the week today for all games played Sept. 20. Samford’s Denzel Williams and Josh Kimberlin were named the Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively. Their teammate Krondis Larry was selected as the Freshman of the Week, while Mercer’s Chandler Curtis was tabbed the Special Teams Player of the Week. The players of the week are selected by the league office.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Denzel Williams, Samford, So., RB, Columbiana, Ala.
Samford sophomore running back Denzel Williams rushed 16 times for 178 yards and scored two touchdowns in Samford’s 63-21 win over VMI Saturday. Williams averaged over 11 yards per carry and hauled in one pass for seven yards before being pulled at halftime. The Columbiana, Ala., native made an immediate impact for the Bulldogs as he took his first handoff 61 yards for a score on Samford’s second offensive play from scrimmage. He added a 4-yard TD run later in the quarter. He also added a 42-yard scamper in the second quarter which set up the Bulldogs’ final score of the first half.
Other Nominees: Aaron Miller (The Citadel), John Russ (Mercer), and Lorenzo Long (Wofford).
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Josh Kimberlin, Samford, Jr., SS, Olive Branch, Miss.
Junior Josh Kimberlin helped anchor a strong defensive performance in Samford’s win over VMI. Kimberlin picked off two passes in the game and returned them for 33 yards. The strong safety picked off his first pass with 10:43 to play in the opening quarter and raced 33 yards to the VMI 23-yard line. That set up Michael Eubank’s touchdown run to give the Bulldogs a 14-0 advantage. Later in the quarter Kimberlin picked off his second pass at the VMI 45-yard line. He was credited with an additional pass break-up in the win.
Other Nominees: Justin Oxendine (The Citadel) and Kevin Thomas (Wofford).
FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK: Krondis Larry, Samford, Fr., RB, Miami, Fla.
Krondis Larry turned in his first career 100-yard rushing performance on Saturday. Larry carried 10 times for 128 yards and a touchdown. He scored on a 68-yard run early in the third quarter and averaged 12.8 yards per carry. His touchdown run is Samford’s longest play from scrimmage this season. The Miami, Fla., native also caught a pass in the win.
Other Nominees: Isiaha Smith (The Citadel), Alex Lakes (Mercer) and Cole Higbie (Wofford).
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Chandler Curtis, Mercer, Fr., WR/KR, Calhoun, Ga.
Freshman wide receiver Chandler Curtis returned two punts for 67 yards in Mercer’s 42-21 win over Ave Maria Saturday. With Mercer holding a 28-7 lead early in the second quarter, Curtis returned a punt 61 yards for a touchdown to push the Bears’ lead to 35-7. It was his second return touchdown of the season. Earlier in the game Curtis scored on a 28-yard pass reception.
Other Nominees: Will Vanvick (The Citadel), Greg Peranich (Samford) and Brian Sanders (Wofford).