SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference named its football players of the week today for all games played Sept. 27. Western Carolina’s Spearman Robinson and Chattanooga’s Davis Tull were named the Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively. Mercer’s Chandler Curtis was selected as the Freshman of the Week, while Chattanooga’s Tommy Hudson 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: Spearman Robinson, Western Carolina, So., WR, Greenwood, S.C.
Spearman Robinson caught five passes for a game-high 120 yards and two touchdowns in Western Carolina’s 35-17 win at Furman. Robinson opened the scoring with a 39-yard touchdown reception from Troy Mitchell on WCU’s opening possession. The sophomore scored his second touchdown of the game on a 21-yard strike from Mitchell midway through the second quarter. The win gave the Catamounts their first three-game win streak since 2005 and snapped a skid of 22 straight road losses. Saturday’s win was Western Carolina’s first win at Furman since 1994.
Other Nominees: Aaron Miller (The Citadel), Alex Lakes (Mercer), Karel Hamilton (Samford), Keon Williams (Chattanooga) and Octavius Harden (Wofford).
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Davis Tull, Chattanooga, Sr., DE, Knoxville, Tenn.
Davis Tull turned in a strong all-around performance for the Mocs in their 38-24 win over Samford. The senior helped anchor a UTC defense that limited the SoCon’s highest-scoring offense to just over half of its average Saturday. Tull tallied six tackles, including four for loss that resulted in minus-19 yards. The Knoxville, Tenn., native had two sacks for minus-19 yards and was credited with a forced fumble and three quarterback hurries. With two sacks against Samford, Tull now is tied for ninth on the SoCon’s career sacks list with Appalachian State’s K.T. Stovall (2000-03) with 29.5.
Other Nominees: Mark Thomas (The Citadel), Alex Avant (Mercer), Justin Cooper (Samford), Fred Payne (Western Carolina) and Jaleel Green (Wofford).
FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK: Chandler Curtis, Mercer, Fr., WR/KR, Calhoun, Ga.
Chandler Curtis tallied a game-high 181 all-purpose yards on just six touches as Mercer held off VMI, 27-24. Curtis took his lone carry 23 yards for a touchdown late in the second quarter to give the Bears a 13-7 advantage. Midway through the third quarter with Mercer holding a 20-14 lead, Curtis scored on a 62-yard pass reception from John Russ to give the Bears their final score of the game. The Calhoun, Ga., native added 82 yards on two kickoff returns, including a long of 60, and two punt returns for 14 yards.
Other Nominees: Isiaha Smith (The Citadel), Lucas Webb (Chattanooga), Al Cobb (VMI), Detrez Newsome (Western Carolina) and Michael Roach (Wofford).
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Tommy Hudson, Chattanooga, Sr., WR/KR, Moultrie, Ga.
Senior wide receiver Tommy Hudson returned a punt 66 yards for a touchdown in UTC’s win over Samford. It was Hudson’s second punt return for a touchdown this season, making him the first Moc to score on two return TDs in the same year since UTC went Division I in 1977. Hudson’s 66-yard return was the 14th-longest runback in school history and the longest by a Moc since Jordan Hazzard had an 88-yarder in 2007.
Other Nominees: Eric Goins (The Citadel), Chandler Curtis (Mercer), Warren Handrahan (Samford), Destry Barnwell (Western Carolina) and David Marvin (Wofford).