SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference named its football players of the week today for all games played Nov. 19. Mercer’s John Russ was named the Offensive Player of the Week, while Wofford’s Terrance Morris earned the Defensive Player of the Week award. ETSU’s JJ Jerman 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: John Russ, Mercer, Sr., QB, Buford, Ga.
In his final collegiate game, John Russ rallied Mercer for a 27-24 win over Furman. Russ, making his 46th career start, engineered a seven-play, 64-yard scoring drive in just 45 seconds that was capped off by a 33-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Marshall with 31 seconds remaining in the game. Russ completed 14 passes for 191 yards and two touchdowns in the win. The senior added 21 carries for 119 yards and a touchdown on the ground. The Bears finished the season with four conference wins, doubling their total from a year ago.
Other Nominees: K’rondis Larry (Samford), C.J. Board (Chattanooga), Detrez Newsome (Western Carolina) and Lorenzo Long (Wofford).
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Terrance Morris, Wofford, Jr., LB, Chester, S.C.
Terrance Morris anchored Wofford’s defense in a 17-0 shutout win over VMI Saturday. Midway through the fourth quarter with the Terriers holding a 10-0 lead, Morris picked off an Al Cobb pass and returned it 29 yards to the VMI 13-yard line. Wofford scored three plays later to put the game out of reach. The junior linebacker added four tackles in the win and was a part of the Wofford defense that limited VMI to just 246 yards of total offense.
Other Nominees: Dylan Weigel (ETSU), LeMarkus Bailey (Mercer), Shaheed Salmon (Samford), Dale Warren (Chattanooga), Greg Sanders (VMI) and Kendall White (Western Carolina).
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: JJ Jerman, ETSU, So., PK, Seymour, Tenn.
ETSU’s JJ Jerman kicked a 28-yard field goal as time expired to lift ETSU to a 15-14 win over Samford on Saturday. It was the second time this season he kicked a walk-off winner after he booted a field goal in overtime to top Kennesaw State during the opening weekend. The sophomore tied a career high with three made field goals, including a long of 39 yards early in the fourth quarter. The win over No. 18 Samford gave ETSU its first win over a ranked opponent since the Bucs downed No. 1 Georgia Southern in 2001.
Other Nominees: Cole Fisher (Mercer), Austin Barnard (Samford), Henrique Ribeiro (Chattanooga), Detrez Newsome (Western Carolina) and David Marvin (Wofford).