SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference named its football players of the week Monday for all games played Oct. 24. VMI’s Aaron Sanders was named the Offensive Player of the Week, while Western Carolina’s Daniel Riddle 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: Aaron Sanders, VMI, Jr., WR, Stafford, Va.
VMI wide receiver Aaron Sanders turned in a record-setting performance as VMI earned a 28-21 win at Mercer on Saturday. Sanders hauled in a school-record 16 receptions for 218 yards, the third-highest single-game total in school history. The junior had a long reception of 49 yards, which set up a VMI TD and helped the Keydets earn their first road victory since 2010. Sanders’ 16 receptions tied for the seventh-highest total in league history and broke the school record of 13 that he shared.
Other Nominees: Cam Jackson (The Citadel), John Russ (Mercer), Devlin Hodges (Samford), Derrick Craine (Chattanooga), Troy Mitchell (Western Carolina) and Lorenzo Long (Wofford).
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Daniel Riddle, Western Carolina, So., LB, Raleigh, N.C.
Daniel Riddle helped the Catamounts run their winning streak to four games with a 56-36 homecoming win over Samford on Saturday. Riddle recorded 11 tackles, giving him his sixth consecutive double-digit tackle performance. The sophomore also recorded his first career interception in the second quarter when he picked off Devlin Hodges and returned the ball to the Samford 2-yard line, which set up WCU’s second touchdown of the game.
Other Nominees: Tevin Floyd (The Citadel), Ahmad Gooden (Samford), Isaiah Mack (Chattanooga) and Drake Michaelson (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 third consecutive week and the sixth time in his career. Ribeiro booted a 38-yard field goal as time expired to lift Chattanooga to a 20-17 win at Wofford, giving the Mocs their first win in Spartanburg, S.C., since 1998. He is now 10-of-12 this season on field goal attempts. Ribeiro connected from 34 yards out earlier in the game and connected on both PATs. The junior averaged 42.5 yards on four punts and averaged 64.2 yards on four kickoffs in the win.
Other Nominees: Eric Goins (The Citadel), Matt Shiel (Mercer), K’Rondis Larry (Samford) and Logan Howard (Western Carolina).