SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference named its football players of the week today for all games played Sept. 17. ETSU quarterback Austin Herink was named the Offensive Player of the Week, while Chattanooga’s Nakevion Leslie earned the Defensive Player of the Week award. The Citadel’s DeAndre Schoultz 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: Austin Herink, ETSU, So., QB, Cleveland, Tenn.
Austin Herink rallied the Bucs from a 21-3 second-quarter deficit as ETSU claimed a 34-31 win over Western Carolina at the Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday afternoon. Herink threw three touchdown passes and helped ETSU go on a 24-0 run from the second to the fourth quarters to claim the lead. He finished the day 24-of-37 through the air for 269 yards with three touchdowns. He added 30 yards rushing on 11 carries.
Other Nominees: Dominique Allen (The Citadel), John Russ (Mercer), Alejandro Bennifield (Chattanooga), Detrez Newsome (Western Carolina) and Lorenzo Long (Wofford).
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Nakevion Leslie, Chattanooga, Sr., LB, Powder Springs, Ga.
Nakevion Leslie tied a career high and led all defensive players with 15 tackles Saturday night as Chattanooga downed Furman, 21-14. Leslie added one sack for minus-10 yards, was credited with 1.5 TFLs and recorded three pass break-ups in the win. The senior helped the Mocs build a 21-0 lead through three quarters against the Paladins.
Other Nominees: Kalik Williams (The Citadel), Daren Ardis (ETSU), Zach Jackson (Mercer), Trey Morgan (Western Carolina) and Mason Alstatt (Wofford).
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: DeAndre Schoultz, The Citadel, Sr., KR, Aiken, S.C.
DeAndre Schoultz returned five punts for 120 yards, including an 81-yard score, as The Citadel topped Gardner-Webb on Saturday night, 31-24. Schoultz scored on the final play of the third quarter to give the Bulldogs a 21-17 lead. It was the first punt return for a touchdown for The Citadel since 2008 and was the third-longest return in school history. Schoultz’s 120 return yards are the most of any FCS player against Division I competition this season.
Other Nominees: JJ Jerman (ETSU), Cole Fisher (Mercer), Colin Brewer (Chattanooga), Ian Berryman (Western Carolina) and David Marvin (Wofford).