SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference named its football players of the week today for all games played Nov. 12. Samford’s Devlin Hodges was named the Offensive Player of the Week, while The Citadel’s Jonathan King earned the Defensive Player of the Week award. Wofford’s Lennox McAfee was tabbed as the Special Teams Player of the Week. The players of the week are selected by the league office.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Devlin Hodges, Samford, So., QB, Kimberly, Ala.
Samford quarterback Devlin Hodges completed 90 percent of his passes and threw for 401 yards and three touchdowns as the Bulldogs held off Mercer, 24-19. Hodges connected on 39-of-43 pass attempts in the win and threw scores of 45, 5 and 2 yards. The sophomore also caught two passes for 10 yards in the victory. It was the fourth 400-yard passing game for Hodges this season. He ranks third nationally in passing yards (3,594) and touchdown passes (33).
Other Nominees: Dominique Allen (The Citadel), Jajuan Stinson (ETSU), Reese Hannon (Furman), John Russ (Mercer), Alejandro Bennifield (Chattanooga), Detrez Newsome (Western Carolina) and Lorenzo Long (Wofford).
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Jonathan King, The Citadel, Jr., DL, Statesville, N.C.
Late in the first quarter with The Citadel holding a 3-0 lead at VMI, junior Jonathan King forced a fumble and returned it 54 yards for a touchdown to give the Bulldogs a 10-0 advantage on their way to a 30-20 victory. King finished the day with three tackles, including two for loss and a sack, and was also credited with a quarterback hurry in the win. His scoop-and-score in the first quarter was his first career touchdown.
Other Nominees: Ryan Powers (ETSU), Carl Rider (Furman), Stephen Houzah (Mercer), Deion Pierre (Samford), Vantrel McMillan (Chattanooga), Tyson Dickson (Western Carolina) and Datavious Wilson (Wofford).
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Lennox McAfee, Wofford, So., RB/KR, Nashville, Tenn.
Lennox McAfee provided a burst to the Wofford special teams in the Terriers’ 36-28 win at Chattanooga on Saturday. After the Mocs opened the scoring to take a 7-0 lead, McAfee returned the ensuing kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown. McAfee’s return tied the school record set by Nick Colvin at Idaho last season. In the second quarter after the Wofford defense forced a safety, McAfee took the free kick back 60 yards and set the Terriers up at the UTC 12-yard line. Wofford would score four plays later to take a 26-14 halftime lead.
Other Nominees: Cole Fisher (Mercer), Austin Barnard (Samford) and Xavier Borishade (Chattanooga).