SoCon Announces Football Players of the Week

SPARTANBURG, SC – The Southern Conference Football Players of the Week, presented by Southern Recognition, were awarded on Monday for all games played on November 15.

Mercer quarterback Braden Atkinson (Rolesville, NC / Rolesville HS) was named Offensive Player of the Week, Mercer defensive end Andrew Zock (Hawthorne, FL / Citra HS) was named Defensive Player of the Week, and ETSU receiver Jackson Crosby (Six Mile, SC / Daniel HS) was named Special Teams Player of the Week. The league office selects the awards.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Braden Atkinson, Fr., QB, Mercer (Rolesville, NC)

Atkinson powered the nationally-ranked Bears to their ninth-straight win, delivering a 63-17 decision over Chattanooga on Homecoming at Five Star Stadium. Atkinson completed 28-of-37 passes for 321 yards and five touchdowns, finding the end zone on throws of 33, 6, 12, 6, and 32 yards. Atkinson tied his own school record for single-game touchdown passes and broke three Mercer single-season records. A strong candidate for national postseason honors, Atkinson has completed 230-of-334 passes this season for 3,238 yards and 33 touchdowns. He has also rushed for a score. Saturday’s effort marked the eighth time in nine games that he has topped the 300-yard mark through the air.

Other nominees: Taron Dickens (Western Carolina), Jeremiah Harrison (ETSU), Gerald Modest, Jr. (Wofford)

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Andrew Zock, So., DE (Hawthorne, FL)

Zock was a wrecking ball in Mercer’s 63-17 win over Chattanooga, registering six total tackles (four solo), 3.5 tackles for loss (minus-21 yards), 1.5 sacks (minus-11 yards), one fumble recovery, and a quarterback hurry. Zock anchored a defensive effort that held the Mocs to only 12 first downs, 60 yards rushing, and 198 yards of total offense. Zock set new Mercer single-season records for tackles for loss and sacks, leading the team this season with 18.5 tackles behind the line (minus-103 yards) and 11.5 sacks (minus-83 yards). One of the nation’s best pass rushers also has a team-high 22 quarterback hurries in 2025.

Other nominees: Samaurie Dukes (Western Carolina), Darius Malcolm (Wofford), Trevor Moffitt (ETSU)

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Jackson Crosby, Gr., WR (Six Mile, SC)

Crosby had perhaps the biggest special teams play of the day for ETSU in its win at No. 25 Western Carolina on Saturday afternoon. He powered through to block a punt with just five seconds left in the third quarter, and his team was clinging to a 38-35 lead. The block set the Bucs’ offense up nicely at the Western Carolina five, and power back Jason Albritton bulled into the end zone on the first play of the fourth quarter for a 45-35 ETSU lead that would hold. Crosby has played a key role on special teams this season after transferring from Clemson.

Other nominees: John McConnell (Mercer)