Sit down with Coach Jacobs as he talks about the upcoming football season. 

SoCon

Football

SoCon Football Media Day: Mercer, Mike Jacobs

SoCon Football Media Day: UTC, Rusty Wright

Sit down with Coach Bell as he talks about the upcoming football season. 

SoCon Football Media Day: WCU, Kerwin Bell

Sit down with Coach Healy as he talks about the upcoming football season. 

SoCon Football Media Day: ETSU, Will Healy

Sit down with Coach Hatcher as he talks about the upcoming football season. 

SoCon Football Media Day: Samford, Chris Hatcher

The Citadel Football

‘𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤’ 🎬

Relive an unforgettable 81st Military Classic of the South 🍿🏆⬇️

#FireThoseCannons https://t.co/y0FvmVgY9V

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Mercer Football

Join us for the Mike Jacobs Coach's Show this Thursday as we discuss the upcoming road game to Western Carolina to take on the Catamounts!

📺: https://t.co/zTjZi3CiL7

#WeOverMe https://t.co/L3cb3grLuo

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Samford Football

We're ready for Homecoming this Saturday 🗣️ 🏠 

Here's some 📸  from last years! 

#HatchAttack | #AllForSAMford https://t.co/OkS7USnvS6

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"Very appreciative of the effort. Especially the guys who have been here a long time and the new guys that we got.. who have bought into the culture." - @HatchAttack1 🗣️ 

#HatchAttack | #AllForSAMford https://t.co/in8jYzSAdZ

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Hear from @HatchAttack1 at tomorrow's Homecoming Bulldog Bash ‼️ 

#HatchAttack | #AllForSAMford https://t.co/9PQqkSf4Xo

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Furman Football

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ETSU Football

ready to get back to it.

#GoBucs | #BUCkleUp https://t.co/m5Zw12o5Ll

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Join us at 1:00 p.m. tomorrow via https://t.co/nIOUfo8HDr for Furman Football Weekly! @FUCoachHendrix will be joined by LB Raleigh Herbert and PK/P Ian Williams. https://t.co/wLcp5hFFwv

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Calling All Bulldog Football Alumni ‼️ 🗣️ 

#HatchAttack | #AllForSAMford https://t.co/XOukk9PfZf

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We celebrate retaining the Silver Shako tonight LIVE on air as @KoachDrayton joins Beyond the Barracks to offer his thoughts on the massive VMI win!

Beyond the Barracks ⤵️
📌: McAlister Field House
⏰: 6 - 6:30 pm ET
🎙️: 102.1 FM / https://t.co/OqaO9yMIce

#FireThoseCannons https://t.co/N0xu8P8Ypy

Tweet 1985465108324368461

<div class="payload-richtext">SPARTANBURG, S.C. – On Monday, the Southern Conference Football Players of the Week presented by Southern Recognition were awarded for all games played on Nov. 1. Mercer quarterback Braden Atkinson was named the Offensive Player of the Week, Wofford defensive back Maximus Pulley was named the Defensive Player of the Week and the Terriers punter Cavan Craig was named the Special Teams Player of the Week. The awards are selected by the league office.   OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Braden Atkinson, Fr., QB, Mercer, Rolesville, N.C.Atkinson, who won the honor for the second consecutive week, had 434 yards of total offense, accounting for five touchdowns in Mercer’s 52-28 win at Furman. The freshman threw four touchdown passes and ran for another score, which was the first rushing touchdown of his collegiate career. The product of Rolesville, North Carolina, averaged 15.2 yards per completion in the team’s comeback win. Atkinson is second in FCS football in passing yards per game (353.43). Mercer is now ranked <a href="https://www.afca.com/polls/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 No. 10
 </a> in the AFCA poll and <a href="https://theanalyst.com/articles/stats-perform-fcs-top-25-poll-10-2025-season" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 No. 12
 </a> in the Stats Perform poll. Other nominees: Jihad Marks (The Citadel), Calvin Jones (Samford), Noah Grevious (VMI), and James Tyre (Western Carolina)   DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Maximus Pulley, Sr., DB, Wofford, Fort Worth, TexasPulley had seven tackles, including an assist for loss, two interceptions and a pass deflection as Wofford defeated Samford, 26-16, on Saturday. The native of Fort Worth, Texas, recorded his first interception on the Bulldogs’ second drive of the game, returning it 25 yards for a touchdown to tie the game at 7-7. Following the ensuing kickoff, the senior logged his second pick of the day on the opening play of the Samford drive, returning it to the 17-yard line which led to a Wofford touchdown three plays later. Pulley led a defense that had 11 tackles for loss, five sacks, four interceptions and a safety in the contest with the Bulldogs. Other nominees: Jeremiah Holmes (The Citadel), Kaleb Hutchinson (Mercer), Donovan Grayson (Samford), and Ryan McKinnis (Western Carolina)     SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Cavan Craig, R-Fr., P, Wofford, Charleston, S.C. Craig punted the ball a career-high nine times in the game on Saturday. The redshirt freshman from Charleston, South Carolina, pinned Samford inside the 20-yard line five times, including a pair of kicks that were down inside the 5-yard line in the second half. Craig, who averaged 38.1 yards per punt in the contest, has had nine of his 32 punts this season downed inside the 20-yard line. Other nominees: Reice Griffith (Mercer), Jake Garner (Samford), and Dominic Dutton (Western Carolina)   2025 SoCon Football Players of the Week OffensiveSept. 1         	Devontae Houston, Gr., RB, ETSUSept. 8         	Javonte Graves-Billips, Gr., WR, The CitadelSept. 15        	Trey Hedden, So., QB, FurmanSept. 22        	Taron Dickens, R-So., QB, Western Carolina Sept. 29        	CJ Miller, R-Jr., RB, Mercer Oct. 6           	Taron Dickens, R-So., QB, Western Carolina Oct. 13         	Braden Atkinson, Fr., QB, Mercer Oct. 20         	Brady Stober, Fr., QB, Samford Oct. 27         	Braden Atkinson, Fr., QB, Mercer Nov. 3          	Braden Atkinson, Fr., QB, Mercer  Defensive Sept. 1         	Taylen Blaylock, Gr., DB, FurmanSept. 8         	CJ Coombes, So., DB, WoffordSept. 15        	Joshua Stoneking, R-So., DE, FurmanSept. 22        	Julian Fox, R-So., LB, MercerSept. 29        	Joshua Stoneking, R-So., DE, FurmanOct. 6           	Jordan Miller, R-Fr., DB, FurmanOct. 13         	Ken Moore Jr., Jr., DB, Western CarolinaOct. 20         	Javario Tinch, So., LB, WoffordOct. 27         	Joshua Stoneking, R-So., DE, FurmanNov. 3          	Maximus Pulley, Sr., DB, Wofford  Special teams Sept. 1         	Ian Williams, Gr., PK, FurmanSept. 8         	Bradlee Jones, Jr., DB, The CitadelSept. 15        	AJ Little, R-So., WR, ChattanoogaSept. 22        	Reice Griffith, Jr., PK, MercerSept. 29        	Reice Griffith, Jr., PK, MercerOct. 6           	Ben Shrewsbury, Jr., K/P, VMIOct. 13         	Xavier Gaillardetz, R-Jr., WR, ETSUOct. 20         	Jude Kelley, R-Sr., PK, ChattanoogaOct. 27         	Ian Williams, Gr., PK, FurmanNov. 3          	Cavan Craig, R-Fr., P, Wofford </div>

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The Southern Conference

Southern Conference

Mercer

Wofford

Wofford College

SoCon names football players of the week

<div class="payload-richtext">SPARTANBURG, S.C. – On Monday, the Southern Conference Football Players of the Week presented by Southern Recognition were awarded for all games played on Oct. 25. Mercer quarterback Braden Atkinson was named the Offensive Player of the Week, Furman defensive lineman Joshua Stoneking was named the Defensive Player of the Week and the Paladins kicker Ian Williams was named the Special Teams Player of the Week. The awards are selected by the league office. OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Braden Atkinson, Fr., QB, Mercer, Rolesville, N.C.Atkinson, who also won the honor on Oct. 13, threw for a school record 533 yards, connecting on 29-of-35 passes with five touchdowns and no interceptions in Mercer’s 62-0 win over VMI. The freshman’s touchdown passes were from 75, 32, 59, 84 and 51 yards out. The native of Rolesville, North Carolina, completed passes to 10 different receivers, averaging 18.4 yards per completion. Atkinson’s performance led to him being named the <a href="https://theanalyst.com/articles/fcs-football-awards-week-9-2025-season-ndsu-bison">
 Stats Perform FCS National Freshman Player of the Week
 </a> for the second time this season on Monday. Atkinson is now second in FCS football in completing percentage (.722) and passing yards per game (342.2). Mercer is now ranked <a href="https://www.afca.com/polls/">
 No. 13
 </a> in AFCA poll and <a href="https://theanalyst.com/articles/fcs-top-25-poll-stats-perform-media-rankings-week-9-2025">
 No. 15
 </a> in the Stats Perform poll. Other nominees: Jihad Marks (The Citadel), Devontae Houston (ETSU), and Camden Orth (Chattanooga) DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Joshua Stoneking, R-So., DE, Furman, Raleigh, N.C.Stoneking, who also won the honor for the third time this season, had four tackles, including two sacks, a quarterback hurry and a forced fumble in Furman’s 24-14 win against The Citadel. The product of Raleigh, North Carolina, preserved the team’s lead with a strip sack in the fourth quarter with 1:04 left, ending the Bulldogs’ final rally and allowing the Paladins to run the clock out. The redshirt senior anchored a defense that held The Citadel to just 133 rushing yards, which is 90 yards below its season average. Stoneking currently leads FCS football in sacks (12.5) and tackles for loss (18.0). Other nominees: Ty Anderson (ETSU), Tommy Bliss (Mercer), and CJ Smith (Chattanooga) SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Ian Williams, Gr., PK, Furman, Charlotte, N.C. Williams, who also won the honor on Sept. 1, scored 10 points while handling all the kicking duties for Furman on Saturday. The graduate student was 3-for-3 on field goals, connecting from 45, 36 and 21 yards out in the first half to give the Paladins a 9-0 lead at halftime. The Charlotte, North Carolina, native punted the ball five times for 208 yards, with three of his kicks being downed inside the 20-yard line. Williams also logged five touchbacks on six kickoffs in the contest. Other nominees: Reice Griffith (Mercer), A.J. Little (Chattanooga) and Cavan Craig (Wofford)   2025 SoCon Football Players of the Week Offensive Sept. 1             Devontae Houston, Gr., RB, ETSU Sept. 8             Javonte Graves-Billips, Gr., WR, The Citadel Sept. 15            Trey Hedden, So., QB, Furman Sept. 22            Taron Dickens, R-So., QB, Western Carolina  Sept. 29            CJ Miller, R-Jr., RB, Mercer Oct. 6               Taron Dickens, R-So., QB, Western Carolina Oct. 13             Braden Atkinson, Fr., QB, Mercer Oct. 20             Brady Stober, Fr., QB, Samford Oct. 27             Braden Atkinson, Fr., QB, Mercer  Defensive Sept. 1             Taylen Blaylock, Gr., DB, FurmanSept. 8             CJ Coombes, So., DB, Wofford Sept. 15            Joshua Stoneking, R-So., DE, FurmanSept. 22            Julian Fox, R-So., LB, MercerSept. 29            Joshua Stoneking, R-So., DE, FurmanOct. 6               Jordan Miller, R-Fr., DB, FurmanOct. 13             Ken Moore Jr., Jr., DB, Western CarolinaOct. 20             Javario Tinch, So., LB, WoffordOct. 27             Joshua Stoneking, R-So., DE, Furman  Special teams Sept. 1             Ian Williams, Gr., PK, FurmanSept. 8             Bradlee Jones, Jr., DB, The CitadelSept. 15            AJ Little, R-So., WR, ChattanoogaSept. 22            Reice Griffith, Jr., PK, MercerSept. 29            Reice Griffith, Jr., PK, MercerOct. 6               Ben Shrewsbury, Jr., K/P, VMIOct. 13             Xavier Gaillardetz, R-Jr., WR, ETSUOct. 20             Jude Kelley, R-Sr., PK, ChattanoogaOct. 27             Ian Williams, Gr., PK, Furman</div>

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Furman Paladins

Furman University

FB SoCon 10.27

<div class="payload-richtext">SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference announced its 2026 Hall of Fame Class Thursday, with five individuals and one team comprising the Hall's 11th group of honorees. The ceremony will be held at Battery Park Hall in Asheville, NC, on Thursday, March 5. Doors open at 7:00 pm. Tickets will go on sale to the public at a later date. Georgia Southern football coach Paul Johnson (1997-2001), The Citadel football standout Paul Maguire (1957-1959), Davidson men's basketball coach Bob McKillop (1992-2014), Furman women's basketball student-athlete and coach Jackie Smith Carson (1996-2000, 2010-2023), and App State men's soccer legend Thompson Usiyan (1977-1980) were selected for this year's class.  For the first time in the Hall of Fame's existence, teams were eligible for nomination, and the iconic 2007 App State Football team was the top vote getter. "The Hall of Fame Ceremony at The SoCon Soirée recognizes the most exceptional individuals and teams in our conference's 100-plus year history,” said SoCon Commissioner Michael Cross. “There is no better way to launch SoCon Week and the Ingles SoCon Basketball Championships in Asheville. We are grateful to Explore Asheville for their partnership as our presenting sponsor and for helping us pay tribute to these legendary figures who represent the pinnacle of Southern Conference achievement." “The Explore Asheville team is proud to strengthen our longtime partnership with SoCon by honoring conference Hall of Famers this year. This new event creates another stellar reason for more friends and fans to join us here in Asheville during SoCon week,” added Vic Isley, president & CEO of Explore Asheville and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority. Johnson elevated a proud Georgia Southern football program to elite heights during his five-season run as head coach. The Newland, N.C., native and 1979 Western Carolina University graduate went 62-10 overall during that time, including a 36-4 mark in SoCon play to go with five conference titles. His winning percentage of 86.1 trails only that of University of Tennessee head coach Robert Neyland (1926-1932) in Southern Conference history and is the highest in the modern era. Johnson led the Eagles to Division I-AA national titles in 1999 and 2000, and his team finished in the top 10 of the final national rankings in each of his five seasons in Statesboro. The 1997 and 1998 SoCon Coach of the Year and 1999 and 2000 AFCA I-AA National Coach of the Year, Johnson was also the Eddie Robinson Award winner in 1998. He became one of only four head coaches in Division I football history to record at least 50 wins in their first four seasons. Johnson went on to successful stints as the head coach at the United States Naval Academy and Georgia Tech, leading his teams to 13 bowl appearances. He was named National Coach of the Year in 2008 and led Georgia Tech to an ACC Championship and an Orange Bowl appearance in his second campaign. Johnson was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2023. Maguire enjoyed a terrific career on the gridiron at The Citadel as a tight end and punter from 1956 to 1959. The Youngstown, Ohio, native led the Bulldogs in receiving yards each of his four seasons and was the team's top punter three times. The two-time All-SoCon selection had his best season in 1959, powering The Citadel to an 8-2 overall mark and a 5-1 record in SoCon play. Maguire led the team with 32 catches for 549 yards and a national-best 10 touchdowns as a senior, earning 1959 SoCon Player of the Year and third team Associated Press All-America honors. Maguire also led the league with a then-school-record 42.8 yards per punt on 32 attempts. He finished his career with 76 catches for 1,524 yards and 13 touchdowns, averaging 20.1 yards per catch over four seasons. Maguire averaged 40.2 yards per punt for his career. The Los Angeles Chargers drafted Maguire in the 1960 AFL Draft, and he played four seasons in Southern California, helping the Chargers to an AFL title in 1963. He joined the Buffalo Bills in 1964 and helped the club to AFL titles in 1964 and 1965. Maguire was a two-time AFL All-Star and led the league in punting three times. He averaged 41.7 yards per punt for his career and picked off nine passes while playing linebacker. Following his playing career, Maguire embarked on a long and successful stint as a color analyst for NBC and ESPN, rising to a position on NBC's top NFL broadcast team in the mid-1990s. McKillop stands atop a long and talented list of coaches to patrol the sidelines of the Southern Conference's storied history in men's basketball. From 1992 to 2014, he led the Davidson Wildcats to an impressive 447 wins, seven NCAA Tournament appearances, seven SoCon Tournament championships, and 11 SoCon regular season titles. McKillop's 447 wins are the most in conference history, with no other coach reaching 300 wins. Davidson's second regular season title in three seasons led to its first NCAA Tournament berth under McKillop in 1998 – the school's first appearance in the Big Dance since 1986. McKillop led his team to another NCAA bid in 2002 and had a stretch of three consecutive seasons with NCAA appearances from 2006 to 2008. His Wildcats were a perfect 20-0 in the regular season in 2007-08 and rolled through the SoCon Championship in North Charleston by an average of 26.3 points per win. Led by SoCon Hall of Famer Steph Curry, the Wildcats went on a historic run in the Big Dance, beating Gonzaga, Georgetown, and Wisconsin to reach the Elite Eight in Detroit. The Wildcats lost 59-57 to eventual national champion Kansas, tying the school's deepest advancement ever in the tournament, and first Elite Eight appearance since 1969. The 2008 Wildcats finished with a No. 9 final national ranking. McKillop led Davidson to NCAA appearances again in 2012 and 2013 following SoCon titles. His teams posted 12 seasons with at least 20 wins, and McKillop was named SoCon Coach of the Year by his peers eight times and Coach of the Year by the league's media pool six times. He was also named the 2008 NABC National Coach of the Year. His 22 seasons coaching in the SoCon ranks second all-time and mark the longest tenure since 1947. Smith Carson starred on the hardwood for Furman, then made her mark as a successful head coach with the Paladins after playing professionally in Belgium and Israel. She remains the only person in Southern Conference history to be named both Player of the Year and Coach of the Year in either men's or women's basketball. Carson earned All-SoCon honors three times as a player, was named the conference's Player of the Week 12 times, and earned SoCon Player of the Year in both 1998 and 1999. She led the SoCon in scoring as a sophomore and junior and topped the SoCon's rebounding list in each of her final three seasons. Her school and conference records for made free throws in a single season (212) and career (724) still stand. Carson recorded 52 career double-doubles, 1,920 points, and 1,057 rebounds over four seasons in Greenville, and her senior season finished in style – with a SoCon Tournament title and an appearance in the 2000 NCAA Tournament. Carson won 205 games as the program's head coach, with six seasons of 18 wins or more to her credit. She was named SoCon Coach of the Year following the 2013-14 season, which saw her Paladins finish second in the regular season standings and earn a trip to the WNIT. Carson has served as Senior Vice President of Women's Basketball for the Atlantic Coast Conference since 2023. She was named to the Southern Conference's 100th Anniversary Team in 2021. Usiyan finished his career at App State as the most prolific scorer in NCAA Division I men's soccer history. Nearly 45 years later, he remains atop that list. A native of Effurun, Nigeria, Usiyan was sensational for the Mountaineers, registering NCAA Division I and SoCon career records with 255 points, 109 goals, and 6.35 points per match – 25 points and 19 goals more than the next closest scorer. His 1980 season established single-season marks for NCAA Division I and the SoCon in points (108), goals (46), points per match (6.35), and goals per match (2.71), which remain unbroken to this day. A testament to his dominance, Usiyan is listed in the current edition of the NCAA Men's Soccer Record Book 22 times. His second-best single-season marks for points per match (6.00) and goals per match (2.52) also rank second in NCAA Division I history. One of his most electric performances came on November 15, 1978, in the NCAA Tournament, when he blitzed George Washington for an NCAA Division I postseason record 15 points on seven goals and an assist. App State won that match 9-3, advancing to face eventual College Cup participant Clemson in the second round, falling to the Tigers 2-1 in an overtime thriller. Usiyan was named SoCon Player of the Year three times and led App State to a stellar 44-6-3 overall record, which included a 25-0 mark in SoCon regular-season play and three NCAA Tournament appearances. He was named to the Southern Conference's 100th Anniversary Team in 2021. Following his college career, Usiyan spent 14 seasons playing professionally in the United States, both indoor and outdoor. He was named MVP of the MISL in 1992 with the San Diego Sockers, leading the team to a 26-win season and a league championship. Before his time at App State, Usiyan earned a spot on Nigeria's national team roster to play in the 1976 Montreal Olympics, but the country joined 29 other nations in boycotting those games. He was considered a top striker for the Nigerian National Team and scored five career goals in eight international matches played with the Green Eagles. Usiyan passed away on August 31, 2021, at the age of 65 in La Mesa, Calif. The 2007 App State Mountaineers captured the national football spotlight early in 2007, marching into Ann Arbor, Mich., and stunning the No. 5 Michigan Wolverines 34-32 in front of 109,218 fans in the Big House. By September 10, speedster Dexter Jackson was on the cover of Sports Illustrated, and the Mountaineers were heavy favorites to win a third-straight NCAA Division I-AA National Championship. Hall of Fame Coach Jerry Moore's team did just that, rallying in late October to begin an eight-game win streak with a 34-27 road win at Furman. Wins over Western Carolina and Chattanooga closed out the regular season, and two thrilling wins in the playoffs over James Madison (28-27) and Eastern Washington (38-35) vaulted the Mountaineers into the semifinals. They had little trouble from there, dominating Richmond (55-35) to reach the finals and steamrolling Delaware 49-21 in Chattanooga's Finley Stadium to cap a three-peat. The Mountaineers became the first program in NCAA Division I-AA history to win three consecutive national titles. The third straight title also marked the first time a Division I program had won three consecutive national titles since Army in 1944, 1945, and 1946. Guard Kerry Brown, defensive tackle Anthony Williams, linebacker Pierre Banks, safety Corey Lynch, quarterback Armanti Edwards, kicker Julian Rauch, running back Kevin Richardson, guard John Holt, center Scott Suttle, defensive end Gary Tharrington, and corner Jerome Touchstone were named to the Sports Network I-AA All-America Team, giving App State a record 11 selections in 2007. Receivers Hans Batichon and Dexter Jackson, linebackers Jacque Roman and D.J. Smith, and defensive end Tony Robertson earned honorable mention All-America honors from TSN. App State defeated six nationally ranked teams during the 2007 season and averaged a healthy 41.3 points per game offensively. The 2007 Mountaineers had success beyond the college ranks, with eight members going on to appear on NFL rosters. The conference's Executive Committee approved the creation of a Hall of Fame in 2008, with the first class inducted on May 4, 2009, in Spartanburg, S.C. With the most recent class, the Hall of Fame includes 64 individual members and one team.  Current and former members submit nominations, which an internal committee vets before creating a final ballot. A panel consisting of representation from each current SoCon member institution and a group of voters with historical ties to the league determines the final class. The SoCon Fan Vote, introduced in 2024, is also part of the selection process. </div>

SoCon 2026 Hall of Fame Class

Men’s Basketball

Women’s Basketball

Men’s Soccer

Hall of Fame 2026 Announcement1

<div class="payload-richtext">Read the full Stats Perform release <a href="https://theanalyst.com/articles/jerry-rice-award-fcs-football-freshman-player-of-year-watch-list-2025">
 here
 </a>.<a href="https://furmanpaladins.com/news/2025/10/22/football-furmans-james-named-to-jerry-rice-watch-list.aspx">
 Furman's James Named To Jerry Rice Watch List
 </a>GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Furman freshman wide receiver <a href="https://furmanpaladins.com/sports/football/roster/evan-james/6641">
 Evan James
 </a> has been named to the Stats Perform 2025 Jerry Rice Award Watch List, it was announced today. James, a 5-foot-11, 170-pound product of Apopka, Fla., is among a standout group of 22 players to be named to the watch list for the award, which honors the FCS freshman of the year in college football's Division I sub-division. James racked up 32 receptions for 379 yards and two touchdowns, and also rushed four times for 52 yards and a score in Furman's first four games before sustaining a shoulder injury in a 31-13 road victory over Samford on Sept. 27. He pulled down 10 receptions for 134 yards, including a 30-yard touchdown catch, in a 28-24 road win over Campbell — a performance that netted him Stats Perform National Freshman Player of the Week laurels.<a href="https://mercerbears.com/news/2025/10/22/football-atkinson-adorns-jerry-rice-award-watch-list">
 Mercer's Atkinson Adorns Jerry Rice Award Watch List
 </a>MACON – National recognition continued to roll in for newcomer <a href="https://mercerbears.com/sports/football/roster/braden-atkinson/11907">
 Braden Atkinson
 </a> on Wednesday morning when the freshman signal called was among 22 standouts nationwide that have been nominated to the watch list for the 2025 Jerry Rice Award which honors the FCS freshman of the year.   Atkinson has been key amid Mercer's current 5-game win streak, throwing for 1,515 yards and 16 touchdowns on 122-for-174 passing with just four interceptions in his first five games as the starter. He has tossed three or more touchdown passes in four of his five games as a starter under center, including a school record-matching 5-touchdown performance in the home win over Samford on October 4.   Atkinson currently ranks second among FCS quarterbacks with 303.0 yards per game, while also ranking among the top 10 in four other offensive statistical categories.<a href="https://vmikeydets.com/news/2025/10/22/football-sweeney-named-to-2025-jerry-rice-award-watch-list.aspx">
 VMI's Sweeney named to 2025 Jerry Rice Award Watch List
 </a>LEXINGTON, Va. – Redshirt freshman receiver <a href="https://vmikeydets.com/sports/football/roster/owen-sweeney/9373">
 Owen Sweeney
 </a> was named to the 2025 Jerry Rice Award Watch List on Wednesday, which honors the FCS Freshman Player of the Year. A native of Roanoke, Virginia, Sweeney was injured in his third game in 2024 and has come back strong in 2025, hauling in 31 receptions for 580 yards and seven touchdowns in just six games. Sweeney opened up 2025 with 126 yards and a touchdown at Navy, has eclipsed 100 yards three times, and scored a touchdown in all but one game this season. After leaving the prior game due to injury, Sweeney returned against Samford with a career-high 13 catches for 208 yards and a touchdown against Samford. Sweeney became just the sixth Keydet in program history to record a 200-yard receiving game.<a href="https://woffordterriers.com/news/2025/10/22/football-darius-malcom-jr-named-to-jerry-rice-award-watch-list.aspx">
 Wofford's Darius Malcom Jr. Named to Jerry Rice Award Watch List
 </a>SPARTANBURG, S.C. – A standout group of 22 players has been nominated to the watch list of the Stats Perform 2025 Jerry Rice Award, which honors the FCS freshman player of the year in college football's Division I subdivision. Wofford defensive back <a href="https://woffordterriers.com/sports/football/roster/darius-malcolm-jr-/9138">
 Darius Malcolm Jr.
 </a> is one of the 22 players to earn a spot on the watch list.   Malcolm, a second-year freshman from Atlanta, Georgia, leads the team in total tackles with 51. He has seven pass break-ups and 3.5 tackles for loss. Against Western Carolina, he had a career-high 17 tackles, which ranks 13th in the nation for tackles in a single game. Among SoCon leaders, he is ninth in total tackles and second in pass break-ups. </div>

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Four SoCon Players Named to the Jerry Rice Watch List

<div class="payload-richtext">SPARTANBURG, S.C. – On Monday, the Southern Conference Football Players of the Week presented by Southern Recognition were awarded for all games played on Oct. 18. Samford quarterback Brady Stober was named the Offensive Player of the Week, Wofford linebacker Javario Tinch was named the Defensive Player of the Week and Chattanooga place kicker Jude Kelley was named the Special Teams Player of the Week. The awards are selected by the league office.   OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Brady Stober, Fr., QB, Samford, Hickory, N.C.In his first collegiate start, Stober completed 79.1 percent of his passes, going 34-of-43 for 285 yards and tossing three touchdowns in a 24-22 road win at VMI. The freshman’s touchdown throws were from 15, 22 and 27 yards out. The native of Hickory, North Carolina, ended the contest leading the Bulldogs on a 14-play, 67-yard drive in the final minutes, setting up Jake Garner’s game-winning field goal. Stober was named the Stats Perform FCS National Freshman Player of the Week on Monday for his performance against the Keydets. Other nominees: Devontae Houston (ETSU), Camden Orth (Chattanooga), Owen Sweeney (VMI), Taron Dickens (Western Carolina), and Ihson Jackson-Anderson (Wofford)    DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Javario Tinch, So., LB, Wofford, Calhoun Falls, S.C.Tinch had five tackles, including a shared sack, and an interception in Wofford’s 31-13 victory versus Furman. The sophomore from Calhoun Falls, South Carolina, returned his interception, which was the first of his career, 66 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, giving the Terriers a 28-13 lead with 12:06 left in the game. Tinch also recorded a pair of quarterback hurries against Paladins. Other nominees: Ty Anderson (ETSU), Jaden Mosley (Samford), Amaje Parker (VMI), and Jordan Thompson (Western Carolina)     SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Jude Kelley, R-Sr., PK, Chattanooga, Acworth, Ga. Kelley scored 12 points in Chattanooga’s 42-38 comeback win over ETSU on Saturday. The redshirt senior went 6-for-6 on PATs and scored a touchdown on an 8-yard run on a fake field goal. The Acworth, Georgia, product’s touchdown marked the first score on a fake field goal for the Mocs since 2013. Kelley also nearly kicked a successful onside kick with 2:29 left in the game, a kick that was recovered by Chattanooga before the call was reversed following a review.   Other nominees: Ewan Johnson (ETSU), Jake Garner (Samford), Marcus Trout (Western Carolina) and Cavan Craig (Wofford)   2025 SoCon Football Players of the Week Offensive Sept. 1             Devontae Houston, Gr., RB, ETSU Sept. 8             Javonte Graves-Billips, Gr., WR, The Citadel Sept. 15            Trey Hedden, So., QB, Furman Sept. 22            Taron Dickens, R-So., QB, Western Carolina  Sept. 29            CJ Miller, R-Jr., RB, Mercer Oct. 6               Taron Dickens, R-So., QB, Western Carolina Oct. 13             Braden Atkinson, Fr., QB, Mercer Oct. 20             Brady Stober, Fr., QB, Samford  Defensive Sept. 1             Taylen Blaylock, Gr., DB, FurmanSept. 8             CJ Coombes, So., DB, Wofford Sept. 15            Joshua Stoneking, R-So., DE, FurmanSept. 22            Julian Fox, R-So., LB, MercerSept. 29            Joshua Stoneking, R-So., DE, FurmanOct. 6               Jordan Miller, R-Fr., DB, FurmanOct. 13             Ken Moore Jr., Jr., DB, Western CarolinaOct. 20             Javario Tinch, So., LB, Wofford  Special teams Sept. 1             Ian Williams, Gr., PK, FurmanSept. 8             Bradlee Jones, Jr., DB, The CitadelSept. 15            AJ Little, R-So., WR, ChattanoogaSept. 22            Reice Griffith, Jr., PK, MercerSept. 29            Reice Griffith, Jr., PK, MercerOct. 6               Ben Shrewsbury, Jr., K/P, VMIOct. 13             Xavier Gaillardetz, R-Jr., WR, ETSUOct. 20             Jude Kelley, R-Sr., PK, Chattanooga</div>

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Chattanooga Mocs

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Samford Bulldogs

Samford University

<div class="payload-richtext">SPARTANBURG, S.C. – On Monday, the Southern Conference Football Players of the Week presented by Southern Recognition were awarded for all games played on Oct. 11. Mercer quarterback Braden Atkinson was named the Offensive Player of the Week, Western Carolina defensive back Ken Moore, Jr. was named the Defensive Player of the Week and ETSU wide receiver Xavier Gaillardetz was named the Special Teams Player of the Week. The awards are selected by the league office.   OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Braden Atkinson, Fr., QB, Mercer, Rolesville, N.C.Atkinson was 27-of-42 passes, throwing for 347 yards in Mercer’s 38-14 win at Princeton. The native of Rolesville, North Carolina, recorded touchdown passes from 2, 23 and yards out during the contest. The freshman completed passes to 11 different receivers in the contest en route to his fourth 300-plus yard passing game of the season, which is a school record. Atkinson led the Bears to their fifth straight win against Princeton, elevating Mercer to <a href="https://www.afca.com/polls/">
 No. 16 in the AFCA poll
 </a> and <a href="https://theanalyst.com/articles/fcs-top-25-poll-week-7-football-rankings-2025">
 No. 20 in the Stats Perform poll
 </a>. Other nominees: Devontae Houston (ETSU), Taron Dickens (Western Carolina), and Ihson Jackson-Anderson (Wofford)    DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Ken Moore Jr., Jr., DB, Western Carolina, Miami, Fla.Moore had two interceptions and a tackle for loss in Western Carolina’s 52-7 win over Furman on Saturday. In the second quarter, the junior logged his tackle for loss before returning his first pick of the day 64 yards for a touchdown with 1:38 on the clock. Moore’s touchdown was the team’s first defensive score of the season. The product of Miami, Florida, got his second interception of the day inside the Catamounts’ endzone, ending Furman’s drive and keeping the squad ahead 31-7 with 10:20 remaining in the third quarter. Western Carolina, who is on a four-game winning streak, received votes in the AFCA and Stats Perform polls. Other nominees: William Wells (ETSU), Isaac Prince (Mercer), Kouri Crump (VMI), and Marion Smokes (Wofford)     SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Xavier Gaillardetz, R-Jr., WR, ETSU, Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada Gaillardetz scored ETSU’s first points of the day as the Buccaneers topped VMI, 45-10, on Saturday. Following a 3-and-out by the ETSU defense to begin the game, the redshirt junior from Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada returned a punt for 80 yards for a touchdown. Gaillardetz’s return marked the first punt return touchdown for the Bucs since 2018.   Other nominees:  Reice Griffith (Mercer) and Marcus Trout (Western Carolina)   2025 SoCon Football Players of the Week Offensive Sept. 1             Devontae Houston, Gr., RB, ETSU Sept. 8             Javonte Graves-Billips, Gr., WR, The Citadel Sept. 15            Trey Hedden, So., QB, Furman Sept. 22            Taron Dickens, R-So., QB, Western Carolina  Sept. 29            CJ Miller, R-Jr., RB, Mercer Oct. 6               Taron Dickens, R-So., QB, Western Carolina Oct. 13             Braden Atkinson, Fr., QB, Mercer  Defensive Sept. 1             Taylen Blaylock, Gr., DB, FurmanSept. 8             CJ Coombes, So., DB, Wofford Sept. 15            Joshua Stoneking, R-So., DE, FurmanSept. 22            Julian Fox, R-So., LB, MercerSept. 29            Joshua Stoneking, R-So., DE, FurmanOct. 6               Jordan Miller, R-Fr., DB, FurmanOct. 13             Ken Moore Jr., Jr., DB, Western Carolina  Special teams Sept. 1             Ian Williams, Gr., PK, FurmanSept. 8             Bradlee Jones, Jr., DB, The CitadelSept. 15            AJ Little, R-So., WR, ChattanoogaSept. 22            Reice Griffith, Jr., PK, MercerSept. 29            Reice Griffith, Jr., PK, MercerOct. 6               Ben Shrewsbury, Jr., K/P, VMIOct. 13             Xavier Gaillardetz, R-Jr., WR, ETSU </div>

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ETSU Buccaneers

East Tennessee State University

Western Carolina

<div class="payload-richtext">SPARTANBURG, S.C. – On Monday, the Southern Conference Football Players of the Week presented by Southern Recognition were awarded for all games played on Oct. 4. Western Carolina Taron Dickens was named the Offensive Player of the Week, Furman defensive back Jordan Miller was named the Defensive Player of the Week and VMI kicker/punter Ben Shrewsbury was named the Special Teams Player of the Week. The awards are selected by the league office.   OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Taron Dickens, R-So., QB, Western Carolina, Miami, Fla.Dickens, who also won the honor on Sept. 22, set an NCAA passing record in Western Carolina’s 23-21 road win at Wofford on Saturday. The native of Miami, Florida, threw for 378 yards, completing 53-of-56 passes, including connecting on his first 46 attempts, and three touchdowns. Dickens also ran for 44 yards in the contest. The 46 straight completions to begin the game established a new NCAA record for consecutive pass completions in a game at all levels of competition – NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), NCAA Division II, and NCAA Division III. The previous record was 28, set in 2013 by Princeton’s Quinn Epperly. Dickens’ 53 completions also set the school record for completions in a game, breaking Troy Mitchell’s mark of 46, which was set in 2014 at USF. Dickens was named the Stats Perform FCS National Player of the Week on Monday. On Saturday, he was featured on a segment on ESPN’s SportsCenter and College Football Final, receiving a helmet sticker for his play against the Terriers. Other nominees: Devontae Houston (ETSU), Trey Hedden (Furman), Braden Atkinson (Mercer), Samuel Pickett III (Samford), Justus Durant (Chattanooga), and Noah Grevious (VMI)    DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Jordan Miller, R-Fr., DB, Furman, Conyers, Ga.Miller had four tackles, two pass breakups and the game-sealing interception, which he returned for a touchdown, in Furman’s 31-22 win over ETSU. The redshirt freshman made his most impactful plays of the day on the final drive of the game, beginning with a pass breakup in the final minute to save a potential game-winning touchdown by the Bucs. The product of Conyers, Georgia, finished the game by intercepting a pass at the Furman 5-yard line and returning it for a score on the game’s final play. Miller’s score was the third-longest pick-6 in Furman history and punctuated a 15-point comeback win, giving the Paladins their fifth-biggest comeback win since 1973. On Monday, Furman received votes in the <a href="https://www.afca.com/polls/">
 AFCA
 </a> and <a href="https://theanalyst.com/articles/fcs-top-25-poll-week-6-2025-stats-perform-rankings">
 Stats Perform
 </a> polls.  Other nominees: Mike Jenkins, Jr. (ETSU), Drew Clare (Mercer), Lashon Young (Samford), Kamari Todd (Chattanooga), Stephen Dean III (VMI), Jordan Thompson (Western Carolina), and Wyatt Ward (Wofford)     SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Ben Shrewsbury, Jr., K/P, VMI, Jonesborough, Tenn. Shrewsbury had the best game of his Keydet career on Saturday against Chattanooga, a 21-14 win for the Mocs. The junior from Jonesborough, Tennessee, made a pair of field goals and launched all four of his punts over 50 yards. Two of the punts were downed inside the 20-yard line, including a second quarter boot that went out of bounds at the one-yard line. Shrewsbury leads the SoCon in punt average at 47.1 yards per kick, which is ranked sixth in the nation. Other nominees: Cole Keller (ETSU), Reice Griffith (Mercer), Jake Garner (Samford), Marcus Trout (Western Carolina), and Isaiah Scott (Wofford)   2025 SoCon Football Players of the Week Offensive Sept. 1             Devontae Houston, Gr., RB, ETSU Sept. 8             Javonte Graves-Billips, Gr., WR, The Citadel Sept. 15            Trey Hedden, So., QB, Furman Sept. 22            Taron Dickens, R-So., QB, Western Carolina  Sept. 29            CJ Miller, R-Jr., RB, Mercer Oct. 6               Taron Dickens, R-So., QB, Western Carolina  Defensive Sept. 1             Taylen Blaylock, Gr., DB, FurmanSept. 8             CJ Coombes, So., DB, Wofford Sept. 15            Joshua Stoneking, R-So., DE, FurmanSept. 22            Julian Fox, R-So., LB, MercerSept. 29            Joshua Stoneking, R-So., DE, FurmanOct. 6               Jordan Miller, R-Fr., DB, Furman  Special teams Sept. 1             Ian Williams, Gr., PK, FurmanSept. 8             Bradlee Jones, Jr., DB, The CitadelSept. 15            AJ Little, R-So., WR, ChattanoogaSept. 22            Reice Griffith, Jr., PK, MercerSept. 29            Reice Griffith, Jr., PK, MercerOct. 6               Ben Shrewsbury, Jr., K/P, VMI</div>

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<div class="payload-richtext">SPARTANBURG, S.C. – On Monday, the Southern Conference Football Players of the Week presented by Southern Recognition were awarded for all games played on Sept. 27. Mercer running back CJ Miller was named the Offensive Player of the Week, Furman defensive lineman Joshua Stoneking was named the Defensive Player of the Week and Bears kicker Reice Griffith was named the Special Teams Player of the Week. The awards are selected by the league office.   OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: CJ Miller, R-Jr., RB, Mercer, Gadsden, Ala. Miller rushed for 172 yards on 29 carries, scoring a pair of rushing touchdowns in Mercer’s 38-34 comeback win over ETSU on Saturday. Both of the redshirt junior’s scores came from 1-yard out, including the go-ahead touchdown with 5:40 left in the contest. The native of Gadsden, Alabama, also caught four passes for 41 yards in the game. Miller’s 172 rushing yards were the highest output by any SoCon player on the ground this season. Miller was also named the <a href="https://theanalyst.com/articles/fcs-football-awards-week-5-2025-season">
 Stats Perform FCS National Offensive Player of the Week
 </a> for his performance against the Bucs. Other nominees: Quentin Hayes (The Citadel), Cade McNamara (ETSU), Trey Hedden (Furman), and Taron Dickens (Western Carolina)    DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Joshua Stoneking, R-So., DE, Furman, Raleigh, N.C. Stoneking, who also won the honor on Sept. 15, logged six tackles, including two sacks, and a blocked field goal in Furman’s 31-13 road win against Samford. The product of Raleigh, North Carolina, recorded his blocked field goal on the final play of the first half, keeping the Paladins’ lead at 21-7. The redshirt sophomore also batted a pass in the game’s final minute, leading to an interception by Garrison Butler at the Furman 14-yard line to end Samford’s final drive of the contest. Stoneking currently leads FCS football in sacks (6.5) and tackles for loss (10.5).  Other nominees: Cale Williams (The Citadel), Jivon Oggs (ETSU), Andrew Zock (Mercer), Jaden Mosley (Samford), and Jordan Thompson (Western Carolina)     SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Reice Griffith, Jr., PK, Mercer, Pace, Fla. Griffith, who won the honor for the second consecutive week, went 6-for-6 on kick attempts, including a 49-yard field goal in the opening quarter of Mercer’s win. The junior from Pace, Florida, went 5-for-5 on extra-point kicks and logged four touchbacks on seven kickoffs. Griffith is a perfect 4-fot-4 on field goals over 40 yards this season. Mercer is now ranked <a href="https://www.afca.com/polls/">
 No. 22 in the AFCA Coaches poll
 </a>. Other nominees: Ewan Johnson (ETSU) and Marcus Trout (Western Carolina)   2025 SoCon Football Players of the Week Offensive Sept. 1             Devontae Houston, Gr., RB, ETSU Sept. 8             Javonte Graves-Billips, Gr., WR, The Citadel Sept. 15            Trey Hedden, So., QB, Furman Sept. 22            Taron Dickens, R-So., QB, Western Carolina  Sept. 29            CJ Miller, R-Jr., RB, Mercer  Defensive Sept. 1             Taylen Blaylock, Gr., DB, FurmanSept. 8             CJ Coombes, So., DB, Wofford Sept. 15            Joshua Stoneking, R-So., DE, FurmanSept. 22            Julian Fox, R-So., LB, MercerSept. 29            Joshua Stoneking, R-So., DE, Furman  Special teams Sept. 1             Ian Williams, Gr., PK, FurmanSept. 8             Bradlee Jones, Jr., DB, The CitadelSept. 15            AJ Little, R-So., WR, ChattanoogaSept. 22            Reice Griffith, Jr., PK, MercerSept. 29            Reice Griffith, Jr., PK, Mercer</div>

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<div class="payload-richtext">SPARTANBURG, S.C. – On Monday, the Southern Conference Football Players of the Week presented by Southern Recognition were awarded for all games played on Sept. 20. Western Carolina quarterback Taron Dickens was named the Offensive Player of the Week, Mercer linebacker Julian Fox was named the Defensive Player of the Week and Bears kicker Reice Griffith was named the Special Teams Player of the Week. The awards are selected by the league office.   OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Taron Dickens, R-So., QB, Western Carolina, Miami, Fla. Dickens had one of the best passing games in SoCon history during Western Carolina’s 50-35 victory over Samford. The redshirt sophomore went 35-for-46 through the air, finishing with 582 yards and a career-high six touchdown passes. His 582 passing yards, which were the second-most in conference history, and six passing scores set Whitmore Stadium records. The native of Miami, Florida, also ran for 42 yards, giving him a program-record 624 yards of total offense. Dickens’ six touchdown passes also matched a Catamount record for one game. Other nominees: Ephraim Floyd (ETSU), Braden Atkinson (Mercer), Quincy Crittendon (Samford), Ryan Merklinger (Chattanooga), and Owen Sweeney (VMI)    DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Julian Fox, R-So., LB, Mercer, Cordele, Ga. Fox had eight tackles, including five solo stops, and an interception in the team’s 38-0 shutout win at The Citadel. The redshirt sophomore of Cordele, Georgia, logged his first career interception in the fourth quarter at the 10:01 mark. Behind its strong defensive effort, Mercer is now ranked <a href="https://www.afca.com/polls/">
 No. 23 in the AFCA Coaches poll
 </a>. Fox is second on Mercer in tackles this season with 18.  Other nominees: Mike Jenkins, Jr. (ETSU), Jaden Mosley (Samford), Zion Rutledge (Chattanooga), and Hasaan Sykes (Western Carolina)     SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Reice Griffith, Jr., PK, Mercer, Pace, Fla. Griffith scored eight points in Mercer’s victory. The product of Pace, Florida, booted a career-long 51-yard field goal in the first quarter, which matched a school record. The junior was also 5-for-5 on extra-point kicks and averaged 62.7 yards on five kickoffs, four of which resulted in touchbacks. Griffith is a perfect 3-for-3 on field goals over 40 yards this season.  Other nominees: William Wells (ETSU), Jake Garner (Samford), Heath Jehu (Chattanooga), Ben Shrewsbury (VMI), and Marcus Trout (Western Carolina)   2025 SoCon Football Players of the Week Offensive Sept. 1             Devontae Houston, Gr., RB, ETSU Sept. 8             Javonte Graves-Billips, Gr., WR, The Citadel Sept. 15            Trey Hedden, So., QB, Furman Sept. 22            Taron Dickens, R-So., QB, Western Carolina  Defensive Sept. 1             Taylen Blaylock, Gr., DB, FurmanSept. 8             CJ Coombes, So., DB, Wofford Sept. 15            Joshua Stoneking, R-So., DE, FurmanSept. 22            Julian Fox, R-So., LB, Mercer  Special teams Sept. 1             Ian Williams, Gr., PK, FurmanSept. 8             Bradlee Jones, Jr., DB, The CitadelSept. 15            AJ Little, R-So., WR, ChattanoogaSept. 22            Reice Griffith, Jr., PK, Mercer</div>

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<div class="payload-richtext">SoCon names football players of the weekFurman and Chattanooga players honored  SPARTANBURG, S.C. – On Monday, the Southern Conference Football Players of the Week presented by Southern Recognition were awarded for all games played on Sept. 13. Furman quarterback Trey Hedden was named the Offensive Player of the Week, Paladins defensive lineman Joshua Stoneking was named the Defensive Player of the Week and Chattanooga wide receiver AJ Little was named the Special Teams Player of the Week. The awards are selected by the league office.   OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Trey Hedden, So., QB, Furman, Tampa, Fla. Hedden completed 26-of-35 passes, throwing for a career-high 314 yards and two touchdowns in Furman’s 28-24 road win against Campbell on Saturday. The sophomore led the Paladins to back-to-back scoring drives in the fourth quarter, overcoming a 24-18 deficit. The Tampa, Florida, native’s first touchdown pass was a 24-yard strike in the second quarter, and the second was the go-ahead score to Evan James, who was named the <a href="https://theanalyst.com/articles/fcs-football-awards-stats-perform-players-teams-week-3-2025-season">
 FCS National Freshman Player of the Week on Monday
 </a>, from 30 yards out with 4:50 remaining in the game. Hedden’s completion percentage (.731) this season leads the SoCon and is third in the FCS. Other nominees: Jacolby Criswell (ETSU), Braden Atkinson (Mercer), Torrey Ward (Samford), Camden Orth (Chattanooga), Collin Shannon (VMI) and James Tyre (Western Carolina)    DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Joshua Stoneking, R-So., DE, Furman, Raleigh, N.C. Stoneking had six tackles, including 2.5 sacks, and a forced fumble in the squad’s win over Campbell. The redshirt sophomore, who completed the contest with 4.5 tackles for loss, logged his forced fumble on a sack in the fourth quarter on the third play of Campbell’s drive following the Paladins’ late touchdown. The native of Raleigh, North Carolina, clinched the win for Furman with a sack on fourth down with 16 seconds left in the game. Stoneking is second in the FCS in sacks per game (1.50).  Other nominees: William Wells (ETSU), Andrew Zock (Mercer), Jaden Mosley (Samford), KJ Sejour (Chattanooga), Stephen Dean III (VMI), Jordan Thompson (Western Carolina) and Eli Campbell (Wofford)     SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: AJ Little, R-So., WR, Chattanooga, Macon, Miss. Little returned a punt for a touchdown in the first quarter of Chattanooga’s 63-0 rout of Stetson in the team’s home opener on Saturday. The product of Macon, Mississippi, finished the game with three returns for 65 yards. The redshirt sophomore’s return score, which covered 59 yards and put the Mocs ahead 14-0, was the school’s first since the 2014 season.   Other nominees: Ewan Johnson (ETSU), John McConnell (Mercer) and Dominic Dutton (Western Carolina)   2025 SoCon Football Players of the Week Offensive Sept. 1 Devontae Houston, Gr., RB, ETSU Sept. 8 Javonte Graves-Billips, Gr., WR, The Citadel Sept. 15 Trey Hedden, So., QB, Furman   Defensive Sept. 1 Taylen Blaylock, Gr., DB, FurmanSept. 8 CJ Coombes, So., DB, Wofford Sept. 15 Joshua Stoneking, R-So., DE, Furman  Special teams Sept. 1 Ian Williams, Gr., PK, FurmanSept. 8 Bradlee Jones, Jr., DB, The CitadelSept. 15 AJ Little, R-So., WR, Chattanooga -www.SoConSports.com- </div>

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The Citadel

Citadel

SoCon names football players of the week 9/15/25

<div class="payload-richtext">SPARTANBURG, S.C. – On Monday, the Southern Conference Football Players of the Week presented by Southern Recognition were awarded for all games played so far this season. The Citadel wide receiver Javonte Graves-Billips was named the Offensive Player of the Week, Wofford defensive back CJ Coombes was named the Defensive Player of the Week and Bulldogs defensive back Bradlee Jones was named the Special Teams Player of the Week. The awards are selected by the league office.   OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK Javonte Graves-Billips, Gr., WR, The Citadel, Mobile, Ala. Graves-Billips scored two touchdowns in the Bulldogs’ 40-13 win at Samford on Saturday. The native of Mobile, Alabama, registered a career-best 139 receiving yards on six catches in the contest. The graduate student’s first touchdown was a 43-yard score in the second quarter, and the second came from 13 yards out in the fourth quarter. Graves-Billips is currently fourth in the SoCon in receiving yards. Other nominees: Markell Quick (Chattanooga) and Collin Shannon (VMI)     DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: CJ Coombes, So., DB, Wofford, Bellefonte, Del. Coombes had five tackles, including an assisted tackle for loss, and a 72-yard interception returned for a touchdown in the Terriers’ 14-10 setback against Richmond. The sophomore’s pick-six, which was the 10th-longest in school history, was the first interception returned for a touchdown for Wofford since 2018. The Bellefonte, Delaware, native is currently tied for fourth in the SoCon in tackles this season with 17.  Other nominees: Tyrik McDaniel (The Citadel), Billy Lewis (Furman), Jaden Mosley (Samford) and Isaiah Grevious (VMI)     SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Bradlee Jones, Jr., DB, The Citadel, Greenwood, S.C. Jones returned a fake field goal 59 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of The Citadel’s win on Saturday. Samford attempted a fake with the score sitting at 20-6 but threw an unsuccessful lateral, which was dropped and scooped up by the junior for a score. The product of Greenwood, South Carolina, also had seven tackles, including one for a loss, and a pass breakup in the contest. Jones currently leads the league in solo tackles this season with 12.  Other nominees: Nate Brackett (ETSU), Jake Garner (Samford), Jaden Nelson (Chattanooga) and Kouri Crump (VMI)   2025 SoCon Football Players of the Week Offensive Sept. 1             Devontae Houston, Gr., RB, ETSU Sept. 8             Javonte Graves-Billips, Gr., WR, The Citadel   Defensive Sept. 1             Taylen Blaylock, Gr., DB, FurmanSept. 8             CJ Coombes, So., DB, Wofford   Special teams Sept. 1             Ian Williams, Gr., PK, FurmanSept. 8             Bradlee Jones, Jr., DB, The Citadel</div>

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SoCon names football players of the week 9/8/25

<div class="payload-richtext">SPARTANBURG, S.C. – On Monday, the Southern Conference Football Players of the Week presented by Southern Recognition were awarded for all games played so far this season. ETSU running back Devontae Houston was named the Offensive Player of the Week, Furman defensive back Taylen Blaylock was named the Defensive Player of the Week and Paladins kicker Ian Williams was named the Special Teams Player of the Week. The awards are selected by the league office.   OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Devontae Houston, Gr., RB, ETSU, Roanoke, Ala. Houston scored a pair of touchdowns in the Buccaneers’ 45-17 victory over Murray State on Saturday. The product of Roanoke, Alabama, rushed for 128 yards on 14 carries, marking the fourth time in his ETSU career that he surpassed 100 yards rushing. The graduate student’s first score came in the first quarter from the 1-yard line, and his second was in the third quarter from the 7-yard line. Houston’s big game helped ETSU rush for 392 yards, which is the team's highest single-game total since 2021. Other nominees: Owen Sweeney (VMI) and Patrick Boyd Jr. (Western Carolina)     DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Taylen Blaylock, Gr., DB, Furman, Houston, Texas Blaylock recorded six tackles, including two tackles for loss, a pass breakup and an interception during is first start with the Paladins, which was a 23-21 win for Furman over William & Mary on Saturday. The graduate student returned his interception 43 yards for a touchdown on the opening drive of the game, giving the team the early lead. The native of Houston, Texas, ended the game with a flurry, logging a tackle for a loss and a pass breakup on back-to-back plays with 1:56 left in the game, forcing a turnover on downs and sealing the win.  Other nominees: Cale Williams (The Citadel), Ty Anderson (ETSU), Malik Thornton (Samford), Kam Baah-Slay (Chattanooga), Kouri Crump (VMI), Hayward McQueen Jr. (Western Carolina) and Brandon Maina (Wofford)     SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Ian Williams, Gr., PK, Furman, Charlotte, N.C. Williams scored 11 points in Furman’s win. The Charlotte, North Carolina, native made three field goals from 50, 42, and 32 yards out, accounting for all of the team’s points in the second half after the Paladins fell behind 21-14. The graduate student also recorded six kickoffs, five of those ending in touchbacks, and six punts, which included a 61-yard boot in the first quarter. Williams was named the <a href="https://theanalyst.com/articles/fcs-football-awards-stats-perform-week-1">
 Stats Perform FCS National Special Teams Player of the Week
 </a> on Monday for his performance against William & Mary.  Other nominees: James Platte (The Citadel), Brayden Smith (Mercer), Noah Jones (Samford), Heath Jehu (Chattanooga), Christian Lowery (Western Carolina) and Colby Alexander (Wofford)   2025 SoCon Football Players of the Week Offensive Sept. 1             Devontae Houston, Gr., RB, ETSU   Defensive Sept. 1             Taylen Blaylock, Gr., DB, Furman   Special teams Sept. 1             Ian Williams, Gr., PK, Furman</div>

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SoCon names football players of the week 9/1/25

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SoCon Football Preview 2025

SoCon AD Interview: Jamaal Walton, VMI

<div class="payload-richtext"><a href="https://mercerbears.com/news/2025/7/30/football-zock-named-to-buck-buchanan-award-watch-list.aspx">
 Mercer's Zock Named To Buck Buchanan Award Watch List
 </a>The native of Citra, Fla., Zock was a finalist for the 2024 Jerry Rice Award (top freshman player in FCS) last season after starting all 14 games at defensive end while amassing 38 tackles (21 solo), including 14-1/2 tackles for loss (-77 yards). He also logged seven sacks (-58 yards), two forced fumbles and a pair of pass break-ups, while also registering a school record 15 quarterback hurries as well.<a href="https://samfordsports.com/news/2025/7/30/football-samfords-perkins-named-to-watch-list-for-buck-buchanan-award.aspx">
 Samford’s Perkins Named To Watch List For Buck Buchanan Award
 </a>Earlier this month Perkins was also named preseason All-American by Stats Perform.   Perkins is entering his first season at Samford after transferring from Fordham where he was a three-year starter. Last season, he was named second team All-American by Blue Blood FCS Central. He also earned first team All-ECAC and All-Patriot League honors.   During the 2024 season, Perkins intercepted five passes, including a pair of games with two interceptions each. His five interceptions were tied for the most in the Patriot League. He tallied 56 total tackles, including 5.0 tackles for loss.<a href="https://woffordterriers.com/news/2025/7/30/football-c-j-coombes-placed-on-buck-buchanan-award-watch-list.aspx">
 C.J. Coombes Placed on Buck Buchanan Award Watch List
 </a>Coombes, a sophomore from Bellefonte, Delaware, started all 12 games last season at safety. He finished second on the team in tackles with 88 and added five tackles for loss and an interception to earn SoCon All-Freshman team honors. He was a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award and finished 11th in the voting. He was named to the FCS Freshman All-America teams by Stats Perform, FCS Central and Phil Steele. During the 2025 preseason he has earned second team All-America and first team All-SoCon honors.<a href="https://theanalyst.com/articles/buck-buchanan-award-preseason-watch-list-fcs-football-2025">
 Stats Perform 2025 Buck Buchanan Award Preseason Watch List Full Story
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Three SoCon Players Named to Buck Buchanan Award Preseason Watch List 7/30/25

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Two SoCon Players Named to Walter Payton Award Preseason Watch List 7/29/25

<div class="payload-richtext">GREENVILLE, S.C. – Western Carolina redshirt sophomore quarterback Taron Dickens has been named the Southern Conference Preseason Offensive Player of the Year and Mercer sophomore defensive lineman Andrew Zock has been tabbed the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year in voting by the league's nine head coaches. The coaches picked the Bears to win the SoCon.The coaches also selected the preseason all-conference first and second teams and were not allowed to vote for their own student-athletes or teams in the voting process. Due to ties in the voting, the first and second teams both include additional offensive linemen. The second team also features an additional wide receiver.Dickens was voted onto the conference's all-freshman team following last season. He was also a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award, which is awarded annually to the nation's top freshman.The redshirt sophomore saw action in seven games, including four starts, as the Catamounts went 7-5 overall and 6-2 in league games last season. Dickens, who was 3-1 as a starter, threw for 1,428 yards and 12 touchdowns, while running for 56 yards and a pair of scores. He was named the SoCon Offensive Player of the Week twice during the season and national freshman of the week on Nov. 4, 2024, following 431 passing yards and five touchdowns in Western Carolina's 38-34 comeback win over Chattanooga.Zock had a stellar freshman campaign in 2024. The Citra, Fla., native was named SoCon Freshman of the Year, a second-team all-conference selection, and a SoCon all-freshman team pick.Along with Dickens, Zock was a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award. Zock logged 14.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks last season, both of which were in the top five in the SoCon in 2024. His best games of the season came at Wofford on Sept. 28, when he finished with five tackles, including three tackles for loss and a sack, and a quarterback hurry, and against Furman on Nov. 23, when he had three tackles, one for a loss, a pass breakup, a forced fumble, which was returned for a touchdown, and a school-record seven quarterback hurries.Mercer went 11-3 overall and 7-1 in conference play last season. Helmed by SoCon Wallace Wade Coach of the Year Mike Jacobs, the Bears completed their season ranked No. 7 in the AFCA Coaches Poll and No. 8 in the Stats Perform poll. Mercer collected 60 points and six first-place votes in this year's preseason poll. The Bears tied with Western Carolina for a league-best 11 selections on the preseason all-conference team. Mercer is No. 12 in the HERO Sports FCS Preseason Top 25.Chattanooga collected 50 points and a pair of first-place votes in the preseason poll. The Mocs received votes in the final Stats Perform Top 25 poll last season after posting a 7-5 overall record and 5-3 mark in SoCon play.Western Carolina finished third in the preseason poll, taking 49 points and the final first-place vote. The Catamounts return 35 lettermen from their 2024 squad, and enter this season ranked 18th by Hero Sports. Six of Western Carolina's 11 preseason All-SoCon picks earned first team honors.ETSU is fourth in the preseason poll, finishing six points behind Western Carolina. The Bucs have nine players on the preseason all-conference squad.Samford and Furman follow in fifth and sixth, respectively. The Bulldogs placed four players on the preseason team, while the Paladins had five selections.Wofford is seventh in the preseason poll with 19 points. The Terriers logged six preseason all-conference selections. The Citadel is in eighth with 17 points and five all-conference picks. VMI rounded out the poll with 10 points and one preseason all-conference selection.The SoCon's 2025 season gets underway with defending champion Mercer in action on Thursday, Aug. 23. Samford will open its season on Thursday, Aug. 28. The rest of the league will get its season underway on Saturday, Aug. 30.2025 Preseason Southern Conference Coaches PollTeam (1st-place votes)Total1. Mercer (6)                        602. Chattanooga (2)              503. Western Carolina (1)      494. ETSU                               435. Samford                           406. Furman                            367. Wofford                            198. The Citadel                      179. VMI                                  10 2025 Preseason All-Southern Conference Football TeamsOffensive Player of the Year: Taron Dickens, R-So., QB, Western CarolinaDefensive Player of the Year: Andrew Zock, So., DL, Mercer First team offenseQB          Taron Dickens, Western CarolinaRB          Devontae Houston, ETSURB          Branson Adams, Western CarolinaOL          Mike Bartilucci, The CitadelOL          Ashton Flinn, ETSUOL          Eli Brasher, FurmanOL          Xavier Jennings, MercerOL          B J Ragland, ChattanoogaOL          Zach Watson, Western CarolinaTE          Jackson Pryor, FurmanWR         Hakeem Meggett, ETSUWR         Adjatay Dabbs, Mercer First team defenseDL          Nick Hunter, ETSUDL          Andrew Zock, MercerDL          Conroy Cunningham, SamfordDL          Caleb Fisher, Western CarolinaLB           Je'Mazin Roberts, The CitadelLB           Ryan Earl, FurmanLB           Hayward McQueen Jr., Western CarolinaDB          Cale Williams, The CitadelDB          Kouri Crump, VMIDB          Ken Moore Jr., Western CarolinaDB          CJ Coombes, Wofford First team specialistsPK          Ian Williams, FurmanP             James Platte, The CitadelLS           Alex Applefield, SamfordRS          Brayden Smith, Mercer Second team offenseQB          Quincy Crittendon, SamfordRB          Autavius Ison, MercerRB          CJ Miller, MercerOL          Johnathan Cline, ETSUOL          Micah Sumpter, ETSUOL          Luke Petit, FurmanOL          Tyler Murray, MercerOL          Aaron Sanez, Western CarolinaOL          Quincy Hughes, WoffordTE          John McIntyre, ChattanoogaWR         Adonis McDaniel, MercerWR         Malik Knight, Western CarolinaWR         Isaiah Scott, Wofford Second team defenseDL          Brenden LeBlanc, ETSUDL          Micah Nelson, Western CarolinaDL          Brandon Maina, WoffordDL          Marion Smokes, WoffordLB           Ty Anderson, ETSULB           Jaden Mosley, SamfordLB           Blue Monroe, Western CarolinaDB          Donovan Watkins, MercerDB          Jeremiah Batiste, ChattanoogaDB          Samaurie Dukes, Western CarolinaDB          Maximus Pulley, Wofford Second team specialistsPK          Ewan Johnson, ETSUP             John McConnell, MercerLS           Jaiden Hamilton, MercerRS          Braylon Knauth, The CitadelNOTE: Coaches were not permitted to vote for their own players or team.</div>

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SoCon football preseason all-conference team, poll announced 7/22/25

<div class="payload-richtext">SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc., Ingles Markets and the Southern Conference announced Monday the Ingles SoCon Game of the Week football broadcast package on select Nexstar affiliates for the 2025 season. Eight SoCon squads will make at least one appearance over the course of the six-game broadcast schedule."We're excited to partner once again with Nexstar Media Group and Ingles Markets to bring SoCon football to television screens across our region," said Southern Conference Commissioner Michael Cross. "These six games showcase the competitive excellence and regional rivalries that make our conference special. Fans will witness the passion and tradition that defines SoCon football. With Ingles Markets' continued support of our student-athletes and institutions, we're able to provide enhanced visibility for our member schools and the communities they represent. In the Southern Conference, It's All Here – and now more fans than ever can experience it."   The schedule kicks off on Thursday, Aug. 28, with Samford hosting West Georgia at 7:30 p.m. in its season opener.   The first Saturday game in the package will be on Aug. 30, when defending national champion North Dakota State travels to The Citadel for a noon kickoff.Furman will appear twice on the schedule, the first coming on Oct. 18, when the Paladins takes on rival Wofford at noon. The second game to feature Furman will be on Nov. 8, as the Chattanooga Mocs welcome the Paladins for a noon start.Western Carolina plays in a pair of games on the schedule. The Catamounts’ first appearance will be on Nov. 15, when ETSU travels to Cullowhee. One week later, Western Carolina will head north to take on VMI in the regular season finale for both clubs.  Each game in the Nexstar package will air concurrently on ESPN+.“Ingles and The Southern Conference have partnered for over 15 years, delivering the best in education, tradition and community outreach. Ingles’s locations and Southern Conference schools along with alumni destinations offer a wonderful opportunity for Ingles both from a marketing and public relations standpoint,” Melissa Leavell, the Advertising Director of Ingles Markets, said. “Offering this television schedule provides the schools and the conference with the deserved exposure that make SoCon Saturday’s great. Ingles is proud to bring these exciting games and tremendous athletes into homes across the Southern Conference marketing area.” Nexstar affiliates with the opportunity to air games include: ECBD (Charleston), WMYT (Charlotte), WWCW (Lynchburg/Roanoke) and WYCW (Greenville/Spartanburg/Asheville). Although not Nexstar stations, WMUB (Macon) and EFLI (Chattanooga) can also air select contests. Nexstar football broadcast schedule (all times Eastern) 8/28 – West Georgia at Samford, 7:30pm 8/30 – North Dakota State at The Citadel, Noon10/18 – Furman at Wofford, Noon 11/8 - Furman at Chattanooga, Noon11/15 – ETSU at Western Carolina, Noon 11/22 – Western Carolina at VMI, Noon</div>

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SoCon announces Nexstar football broadcast schedule 7/21/25

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 FB Notes - Oct. 29
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