SoCon names football players of the week

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. 7. Wofford quarterback Amari Odom was named the Offensive Player of the Week, Terriers defensive back Amir Annoor was named the Defensive Player of the Week and Mercer punter John McConnell was named the Special Teams Player of the Week. The awards are selected by the league office.
 
 
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Amari Odom, R-Fr., QB, Wofford, Inglewood, Calif.
Odom threw two touchdowns in the Terriers’ 26-19 upset win at 14th-ranked Richmond on Saturday. The redshirt freshman went 16-for-28 through the air en route to helping Wofford to its first 2-0 start since 2018. The Inglewood, California, native’s first touchdown pass came from 10 yards out on the final play of the first half, making the score 12-10 in favor of Richmond at halftime. Odom’s second touchdown toss came at the 10:09 mark of the third quarter from 12 yards out, putting the Terriers up 16-12. Wofford was named the Stats Perform FCS National Team of the Week on Monday for its victory over Richmond.

Other nominees: Jaylen King (ETSU), DJ Smith (Mercer), Quincy Crittendon (Samford), Sam Phillips (Chattanooga) and Hunter Rice (VMI)
 
 
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Amir Annoor, Sr., DB, Wofford, Nashville, Tenn.
Annoor had three tackles and two second-half interceptions in Wofford’s win on Saturday. The senior’s first pick came on Richmond’s first drive of the second half, which he returned 22 yards to the Richmond 13-yard line, setting the stage for a Terrier touchdown three plays later. The native of Nashville, Tennessee, intercepted his second pass of the game with 49 seconds left, securing the win for Wofford. Annoor’s big day helped Wofford’s defense hold the Spiders to just 129 passing yards in the contest.

 
Other nominees: Ray Coney (ETSU), Isaac Dowling (Mercer), Noah Martin (Samford), Jordan Walker (Chattanooga) and Samaurie Dukes (Western Carolina)
 
 
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: John McConnell, R-Jr., P, Morgantown, W.Va..
McConnell had a total of four punts for Mercer as the Bears defeated Bethune-Cookman, 31-2, on the road. The redshirt junior averaged 50.3 yards per punt, pinning the Wildcats inside the 20 on each of his kicks, including one being down at the 1-yard line in the fourth quarter. The Morgantown, West Virginia, product currently leads the SoCon in yards per punt (49.7).

 
Other nominees:  Will Thorley (Samford), Christian Lowery (Western Carolina) and Bridger Jones (Wofford)
 
2024 SoCon Football Players of the Week
Offensive
Sept. 2             DJ Smith, Jr., QB, Mercer
Sept. 9             Amari Odom, R-Fr., QB, Wofford

 
Defensive
Sept. 2             Jalen Marshall, Jr., LB, Wofford
Sept. 9             Amir Annoor, Sr., DB, Wofford

 
Special teams
Sept. 2             Brayden Smith, So., WR, Mercer

Sept. 9             John McConnell, R-Jr., P, Mercer