SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference named its football players of the week Monday for all games played Nov. 10. The Citadel claimed two of the awards after a big win over Samford, with quarterback Brandon Rainey earning Offensive Player of the Week honors and defensive back Aron Spann III taking Defensive Player of the Week honors. Mercer’s Stephen Houzah was tabbed the Special Teams Player of the Week following a record-breaking day. The players of the week are selected by the league office.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Brandon Rainey, The Citadel, R-So., QB, Acworth, Ga.
The Citadel’s Brandon Rainey, making just his second career start at quarterback, ran for 217 yards and a score and was 5-for-7 for 81 yards and a touchdown through the air as the Bulldogs rallied past Samford on Saturday, 42-27. Rainey’s rushing total was the highest in the SoCon this season and 207 of those yards came in the second half as The Citadel roared back from a 24-7 halftime deficit to defeat Samford for the third time in the last four seasons. Rainey’s rushing score – a 60-yard run in which he broke a tackle at the line of scrimmage – came with 11:04 left in the contest and staked The Citadel to its first lead of the game, one it would not relinquish. Rainey’s 12-yard TD pass in the second quarter was the first of his career.
Other nominees: Devin Wynn (Furman), Devlin Hodges (Samford), Bryce Nunnelly (Chattanooga), Tyrie Adams (Western Carolina) and Joe Newman (Wofford).
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Aron Spann III, The Citadel, Sr., DB, Spartanburg, S.C.
Citadel defensive back Aron Spann III had eight tackles (six solo), a forced fumble and a pass breakup as the Bulldogs stifled one of the nation’s premier offenses in the second half of a 42-27 win over Samford on Saturday. In the third quarter with Samford leading 24-7, Spann forced a fumble on third down that forced the visiting Bulldogs to attempt a 40-yard field goal, which missed wide right. Spann was part of a defense that limited Samford – which entered the game first in the FCS is passing offense and first downs, fourth in total offense and ninth in scoring offense – to just three points in the second half.
Other nominees: Adrian Hope (Furman), Isaiah Buehler (Mercer), Aaron Harris (Samford), Isaiah Mack (Chattanooga), Michael Murphy (Western Carolina) and George Gbesee (Wofford).
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Stephen Houzah, Mercer, Sr., WR/RS, Augusta, Ga.
Mercer wide receiver Stephen Houzah made his mark as a kick returner in the Bears’ 13-9 win over Chattanooga on Saturday, returning three kickoffs for a school-record 177 yards, all in the second half. After returning the opening kickoff in the third quarter 13 yards, Houzah turned the game around in the fourth. His 73-yard return after the Mocs had taken a 6-0 lead set up the Bears’ first score of the game, as Mercer cashed in a 19-yard passing touchdown on its next play. Houzah struck again in the game’s waning minutes, returning a kickoff 91 yards after a Chattanooga field goal had put the Mocs in front 9-7 with just 2:29 to go. Mercer would go on to score the winning touchdown on its ensuing drive. Houzah also had a tackle on special teams and caught two passes for 10 yards in the win.
Other nominees: Matthew Campbell (The Citadel), Grayson Atkins (Furman), Victor Ulmo (Chattanooga), Will Horton (Western Carolina) and Luke Carter (Wofford).
2018 SoCon Football Players of the Week
Offensive
Sept. 3 Bryce Nunnelly, So., WR, Chattanooga
Sept. 10 Bryce Nunnelly, So., WR, Chattanooga
Sept. 17 Robert Riddle, R-Fr., QB, Mercer
Sept. 24 Reece Udinski, So., QB, VMI
Oct. 1 Tyrie Adams, R-Jr., QB, Western Carolina
Oct. 8 Devlin Hodges, R-Sr., QB, Samford
Oct. 15 Harris Roberts, R-Sr., QB, Furman
Oct. 22 Tyrie Adams, R-Jr., QB, Western Carolina
Oct. 29 Tyrie Adams, R-Jr., QB, Western Carolina
Nov. 5 Devlin Hodges, R-Sr., QB, Samford
Nov. 12 Brandon Rainey, R-So., QB, The Citadel
Defensive
Sept. 3 Noah Dawkins, Sr., LB, The Citadel
Sept. 10 Aaron Harris, Sr., LB, Samford
Sept. 17 Jared Folks, R-Sr., LB, ETSU
Sept. 24 Marshall Cooper, Jr., LB, Chattanooga
Oct. 1 Nasir Player, R-Jr., DL, ETSU
Oct. 8 Tre’Shun Floyd, So., LB, Samford
Oct. 15 Tyree Robinson, So., DB, ETSU
Oct. 22 Ahmad Gooden, Sr., DL, Samford
Oct. 29 Donavan Perryman, Jr., LB, Furman
Nov. 5 Artevius Smith, R-Jr., DB, ETSU
Nov. 12 Aron Spann III, Sr., DB, The Citadel
Special teams
Sept. 3 Mitchell Fineran, Fr., PK, Samford
Sept. 10 Mitchell Fineran, Fr., PK, Samford
Sept. 17 Cole Fisher, Sr., PK, Mercer
Sept. 24 Rod Johnson, RB/KR, Jr., The Citadel
Oct. 1 Dejuan Bell, WR/RS, Fr., Furman
Oct. 8 Mitchell Fineran, Fr., PK, Samford
Oct. 15 JJ Jerman, Sr., PK, ETSU
Oct. 22 Grayson Atkins, So., K, Furman
Oct. 29 Grayson Atkins, So., K, Furman
Nov. 5 Grayson Atkins, So., K, Furman
Nov. 12 Stephen Houzah, Sr., WR/RS, Mercer
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