SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference named its football players of the week today for all games played
Oct. 17. Samford’s Karel Hamilton was named the Offensive Player of the Week, while The Citadel’s Dee Delaney was named the league’s Defensive Player of the Week. Chattanooga’s Henrique Ribeiro was named the league’s Special Teams Player of the Week. The players of the week are selected by the league office.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Karel Hamilton, Samford, Jr., WR, Valrico, Fla.
Samford junior wide receiver Karel Hamilton turned in a career performance in Samford’s loss to The Citadel on Saturday. Hamilton recorded a personal-best 15 receptions for a career-high 220 yards against the Bulldogs. Hamilton also took a Devlin Hodges pass 83 yards for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter. The Valrico, Fla., native averaged 14.7 yards per reception on Saturday and leads the league in receptions per game (7.5 rpg) and receiving yards per game (93.2 ypg).
Other Nominees: Dominique Allen (The Citadel), John Russ (Mercer), Jacob Huesman (Chattanooga) and Troy Mitchell (Western Carolina).
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Dee Delaney, The Citadel, So., DB, Seabrook, S.C.
Dee Delaney led The Citadel defense as the Bulldogs topped Samford, 44-25, on Saturday. Delaney recorded a career-high 10 tackles, forced a fumble, recovered an interception and returned a fumble 25 yards for a touchdown. The sophomore was also credited with two pass break-ups in the win. Late in the second quarter, Delaney picked up a Michael Eubank fumble and returned it 25 yards for a score as part of The Citadel’s 28-point quarter. Delaney then intercepted Eubank on Samford’s first possession of the third quarter.
Other Nominees: Justin Cooper (Samford), Sema’je Kendall (Chattanooga), Tyson Dickson (Western Carolina) and Brion Anderson (Wofford).
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Henrique Ribeiro, Chattanooga, Jr., P/PK, Chattanooga, Tenn.
Junior Henrique Ribeiro was named the league’s Special Teams Player of the Week for the second consecutive week. The junior tied a school record with four made field goals in UTC’s 33-27 win at VMI. Ribeiro connected on field goals from 37, 31, 24 and 20 yards and made all four of his PAT conversions. After opening the scoring with a field goal midway through the first quarter, Ribeiro scored nine consecutive points between the second and fourth quarters as the Mocs went from trailing 21-17 to holding a 26-21 advantage. The last time a UTC kicker made four field goals in a game was when Craig Camay did so against Western Carolina in 2009.
Other Nominees: Will Vanvick (The Citadel), Anthony Pistelli (Samford), Ian Berryman (Western Carolina) and David Marvin (Wofford).