SPARTANBURG, S.C. – On Monday, the Southern Conference named its Football Player of the Week awards for all games played on Sept. 23. Western Carolina quarterback Cole Gonzales was named the Offensive Player of the Week, Chattanooga linebacker Alex Mitchell was named the Defensive Player of the Week and VMI punter Jack Culbreath was named the Special Teams Player of the Week. The awards are selected by the league office.
 
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Cole Gonzales, So., QB, Western Carolina, Ocala, Fla.
Gonzales accounted for five Catamount touchdowns as Western Carolina routed Charleston Southern, 77-21, at home on Saturday. The sophomore went 14-for-16 through the air, completing 87.5 percent of his passes for 299 yards. Gonzales threw five touchdowns passes, all in the first half, from 17, 50, 32, 2 and 25 yards out, setting a school record for touchdown passes in one half. The five passing scores also tied a Whitmore Stadium record for touchdown passes in a game. The Ocala, Florida, product was named the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) FCS National Performer of the Week on Sunday for his play this weekend. Gonzales led an offense that amassed a season-high 683 yards of total offense in the win over Charleston Southern and Western Carolina leads all of FCS in total offense per game (517.8 yds/game). The Catamounts are now ranked No. 21 in the AFCA Top 25 and No. 17 in the Stats Perform Top 25.

Other nominees: Tyler Huff (Furman), Chandler Smith (Samford), Chase Artopoeus (Chattanooga), Hunter Rice (VMI) and Ryan Ingram (Wofford)
 
 
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Alex Mitchell, So., LB, Chattanooga, Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Mitchell had five tackles and an interception returned for a touchdown for Chattanooga as the Mocs won, 47-24, at Samford. The sophomore’s pick-6 came on Samford’s first offensive play with 11:21 on the clock in the first quarter, putting Chattanooga up 13-0. The interception was the Murfreesboro, Tennessee, native’s first career interception as a Moc. Mitchell’s play helped Chattanooga enter the AFCA Top 25 for the first time this season, coming in at No. 22. The Mocs also received votes in the Stats Perform Top 25 poll.
 
Other nominees:  Melvin Ravenel (The Citadel), Braden Gilby (Furman), Garrett Morris (Samford), Evan Eller (VMI), Samaurie Dukes (Western Carolina) and Maximus Pulley (Wofford)
 
 
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Jack Culbreath, Sr., P, VMI, Charlottesville, Va.
Culbreath had a total of nine punts for the Keydets as VMI defeated Wofford, 17-14, on Saturday. The senior averaged 47.9 yards per punt, pinning the Terriers inside the 20 five times with another landing at the 21-yard line. Culbreath also handled the Keydets’ kickoffs and served as the holder on a field goal and two extra points. The Charlottesville, Virginia, native had four punts that were over 50 yards, including a 60-yard boot in the second quarter. Culbreath’s play led to him being named the FedEx Ground FCS National Special Teams Player of the Week on Monday. After four weeks of play, Culbreath leads the SoCon in punts downed inside the 20 with 11.

Other nominees: Ian Williams (Furman), Wilson Beaverstock (Samford), Jude Kelley (Chattanooga) and AJ Colombo (Western Carolina)
 
2023 SoCon Football Players of the Week
Offensive
Sept. 4             Michael Hiers, Gr., QB, Samford
Sept. 11            Desmond Reid, So., RB, Western Carolina
Sept. 18            Tyler Huff, Gr., QB, Furman
Sept. 25            Cole Gonzales, So., QB, Western Carolina
 
Defensive
Sept. 4             Alex Oliver, Sr., DB, VMI
Sept. 11            Jordan Walker, R-So., DB, Chattanooga
Sept. 18            Kourtlan Marsh, Jr., DB, Samford
Sept. 25            Alex Mitchell, So., LB, Chattanooga
 
Special teams
Sept. 4             Atkins Roberts, Sr., P, Wofford
Sept. 11            Devron Harper, Sr., WR, Mercer
Sept. 18            Jude Kelley, Jr., K, Chattanooga
Sept. 25            Jack Culbreath, Sr., P, VMI