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

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SoCon Football Media Day: Mercer, Mike Jacobs

SoCon Football Media Day: UTC, Rusty Wright

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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

Mercer Football

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Mercer

2025 Jerry Rice Award Winner: Mercer's Braden Atkinson Interview

<div class="payload-richtext"><a href="https://mercerbears.com/news/2025/12/3/football-braden-atkinson-wins-2025-jerry-rice-award">
 Braden Atkinson Wins 2025 Jerry Rice Award
 </a>MACON – <a href="https://mercerbears.com/sports/football/roster/braden-atkinson/11907">
 Braden Atkinson
 </a> slapped an emphatic entry into a phenomenal rookie campaign on Wednesday morning when Mercer's record-breaking quarterback was announced as the winner of the 2025 Jerry Rice Award which honors the national freshman player of the year in college football's Division I FCS subdivision.   Atkinson picked up 51 out of a possible 54 first-place votes from a national voting panel and compiled 267 points on the way to staking claim to the honor. UC Davis quarterback Caden Pinnick finished second with 149 points, while Houston Christian running back Xai'Shaun Christian was third with 69 points. Wednesday's announcement marked the first time in the history of the award that a Southern Conference student-athlete has been decorated with the award.   The Jerry Rice Award, celebrating its 15th anniversary season, is named after legendary Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice who starred in the FCS at Mississippi Valley State. Past recipients include Cooper Kupp, Chase Edmonds, Trey Lance, Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders.   The Jerry Rice Award includes true and redshirt freshmen, and all 13 FCS conferences were represented on the list of 25 finalists that was announced late last month. Atkinson will be honored at the Stats Perform National Awards Show on January 3 in Nashville, Tenn.   A native of Rolesville, N.C., and a product of Rolesville High School, Atkinson has completed 68.1 percent (250-for-367) of his pass attempts this season and has already broken school single-season records for passing completions (250), attempts (367), yards (3,448) and touchdowns (34). He has thrown for 300 or more yards in eight of his 10 starts, including a school-record 533 yards amid Mercer's 62-0 home win over VMI on October 25. He has also, thrice, matched the program's single-game superlative for passing touchdowns with five scoring tosses against Samford, VMI and Chattanooga.   He currently ranks second among all FCS signal callers in passing yards, passing yards per game (344.8), passing touchdowns and completions per game (25.00), while ranking third, nationally, in points responsible for per game (21.0), total offense per game (345.8) and yards per pass attempt (9.40).   The Bears (9-2, 8-0 SoCon) will begin their road in the NCAA postseason on Saturday when they suit up to take on 11th-seeded South Dakota (9-4, 6-2 MVFC) in the second round of the NCAA FCS Playoffs. Kickoff has been scheduled for noon at Five Star Stadium.   Tickets for the game are still available and can be purchased by visiting <a href="https://www.tixr.com/groups/mercerbears/events/mercer-playoff-game-165504">
 MercerBears.com/Tickets
 </a>.<a href="https://theanalyst.com/articles/jerry-rice-award-mercer-qb-braden-atkinson-2025-fcs-football-freshman-of-year">
 Stats Perform release
 </a></div>

Jerry Rice Award Winner Braden Atkinson.jpg

Mercer's Braden Atkinson Wins 2025 Jerry Rice Award

<div class="payload-richtext"><a href="https://theanalyst.com/articles/buck-buchanan-award-fcs-football-defensive-player-of-year-announcement-2025">
 Stats Perform Buck Buchanan release
 </a><a href="https://theanalyst.com/articles/walter-payton-award-fcs-football-offensive-player-of-year-announcement-2025">
 Stats Perform Walter Payton release
 </a><a href="https://furmanpaladins.com/news/2025/12/2/football-furmans-stoneking-earns-invite-to-2025-buck-buchanan-award-announcement.aspx">
 Furman's Stoneking Earns Invite To 2025 Buck Buchanan Award Announcement
 </a>Stoneking, a 6-foot-3, 264-pound redshirt sophomore from Raleigh, N.C., had FCS regular season highs in sacks (14.5), tackles for loss (23.0), and tackle yards for loss (132). He had at least one TFL in 11 of 12 games, and he matched his season high of 10 tackles out of 79 overall in the other game. He also totaled nine quarterback hurries, two forced fumbles, two pass breakups, and one blocked kick. His 14.5 sacks accounted for 56 percent of Furman's 26 total sacks, and his 23 tackles for loss represented 33.3 percent of the Paladins' tackles for loss this season — by far the highest percentages among SoCon defenders. He was named Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Week a league best three times this fall and was accorded all-conference honors in voting by league head coaches.<a href="https://mercerbears.com/news/2025/12/2/football-zock-earns-invite-to-nashville-as-finalist-for-buck-buchanan-award">
 Mercer's Zock Earns Invite To Nashville As Finalist For Buck Buchanan Award
 </a>With the announcement, Zock becomes the second Mercer student-athlete in as many years to earn an invite to the annual awards ceremony.   Zock has totaled 41 tackles (23 solo), including a school record 20.0 tackles for loss (-109 yards), across 11 starts this season, while also turning in 22 quarterback hurries, three pass break-ups, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. He has also logged a single season school record sack total (11.5). He has tallied multiple tackles for loss in seven outings, including a season-best 4-1/2 drops behind the line in Mercer's Week 3 win over Wofford.   The Citra, Fla., native has accumulated 34-1/2 tackles for loss (18-1/2 sacks) in two seasons and 25 games in the Orange & Black. He also boasts a school record 36 quarterback hurries.<a href="https://catamountsports.com/news/2025/12/2/football-wcus-taron-dickens-invited-to-the-2025-walter-payton-award-announcement.aspx">
 Western Carolina's Taron Dickens Invited to 2025 Walter Payton Award Announcement
 </a>Western Carolina redshirt sophomore quarterback <a href="https://catamountsports.com/sports/football/roster/taron-dickens/14023">
 Taron Dickens
 </a>, who led the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) in five of the top offensive statistical categories through nine regular-season games, has been invited to the announcement of the 2025 Walter Payton Award.   The 2025 award recipient, selected after the regular season by a 56-member national voting panel, will be announced at the Stats Perform FCS National Awards Show on Jan. 3, <a href="https://www.woolworththeatre.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 at the Woolworth Theatre
 </a> in Nashville, Tenn., the site of the NCAA FCS National Championship game.   The Roy M. "Legs" Hawley Southern Conference Offensive Player of the Year and a first-team All-SoCon selection, Dickens ranked No. 1 in the FCS in total passing yards (3,508) despite three fewer games than most other candidates. He also paced the country in passing yards per game (389.8), completion percentage (74.2), total offensive yards per game (425.4), and touchdown passes with a school and SoCon single-season record 38.   The first Catamount football player to ever earn an invite to the national postseason awards ceremony, Dickens will be joined in the Music City by Youngstown State quarterback Beau Brungard and QB Cole Payton of North Dakota State as <a href="https://theanalyst.com/articles/walter-payton-award-fcs-football-offensive-player-of-year-announcement-2025" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 the top three in the final vote count
 </a>. Brungard and Payton both compete in the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC).</div>

SoCon FCS national award finalists.jpg

Furman Paladins

Furman University

Western Carolina

Three SoCon Players Invited to the 2025 FCS Awards

<div class="payload-richtext">SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference’s nine football coaches have selected their annual all-conference teams and specialty awards for the 2025 season. Western Carolina quarterback Taron Dickens is the Offensive Player of the Year and Mercer defensive lineman Andrew Zock is the Defensive Player of the Year. Bears quarterback Braden Atkinson is the Freshman of the Year and head coach Mike Jacobs is the Coach of the Year. The Citadel offensive lineman Mike Bartilucci is the Jacobs Blocking Award winner.   The coaches, who could not vote for their own players or themselves, selected all-conference first and second teams and all-freshman teams on offense, defense and special teams. Due to a tie in the voting, there was one additional wide receiver, offensive lineman and defensive back on the second team.   2025 Coaches All-Southern Conference Football Team   Roy M. “Legs” Hawley Offensive Player of the Year – Taron Dickens, QB, R-So., Western CarolinaDefensive Player of the Year – Andrew Zock, So., DL, MercerFreshman of the Year – Braden Atkinson, QB, MercerJacobs Blocking Award – Mike Bartilucci, OL, The CitadelWallace Wade Coach of the Year – Mike Jacobs, Mercer First team offenseQB – Taron Dickens, Western CarolinaRB – Devontae Houston, ETSU RB – CJ Miller, MercerOL – Mike Bartilucci, The CitadelOL – Ashton Flinn, ETSUOL – Seth Williams, ETSUOL – Luke Petit, FurmanOL – Xavier Jennings, MercerTE – Josh Burrell, FurmanWR – Adjatay Dabbs, MercerWR – James Tyre, Western Carolina First team defenseDL – Joshua Stoneking, FurmanDL – Andrew Zock, MercerDL – Donovan Grayson, SamfordDL – Brandon Maina, WoffordLB – Ty Anderson, ETSULB – Drew Clare., MercerLB – Jaden Mosley, SamfordDB – William Wells, ETSUDB – Kaleb Hutchinson, MercerDB – Ken Moore, Jr., Western CarolinaDB – Maximus Pulley, Wofford First team special teamsPK – Reice Griffith, MercerP – Ben Shrewsbury, VMILS – Nathan Payne, VMIRS – Dominic Dutton, Western Carolina Second team offenseQB – Braden Atkinson, MercerRB – Ryan Ingram, ChattanoogaRB – Ihson Jackson-Anderson, WoffordOL – Jamari Freeman, MercerOL – Tyler Murray, MercerOL – Amarii Atchison, MercerOL – Ryan Merklinger, ChattanoogaOL – Zack Watson, Western CarolinaOL – Quincy Hughes, WoffordTE – Josiah Thomas, Western CarolinaWR – Evan James, FurmanWR – Owen Sweeney, VMIWR – Malik Knight, Western Carolina Second team defenseDL – Chris Benton, The CitadelDL – Chris Davis, ETSUDL – Jordan Swain, MercerDL – Conroy Cunningham, SamfordLB – Mikey Rosa, The CitadelLB – Zion Rutledge, ChattanoogaLB – Stephen Dean III, VMIDB – Cale Williams, The CitadelDB – Mike Jenkins, ETSUDB – Kam Baah-Slay, ChattanoogaDB – Eli Campbell, WoffordDB – Darius Malcolm, Jr., Wofford Second team special teamsPK – Ian Williams, FurmanP – James Platte, The CitadelLS – Alex Applefield, SamfordRS – Brayden Smith, Mercer All-Freshman OffenseBrady Pickett, The CitadelCobey Thompkins, The CitadelJeremiah Harrison, ETSUCole Norred, ETSUBraden Atkinson, MercerEvan James, FurmanTy Doughty, MercerGavin Marks, MercerOwen Sweeney, VMIJosiah Thomas, Western CarolinaMarkel Townsend, Western Carolina All-Freshman DefenseSayre Smothers, The CitadelDemetrius Baldwin, FurmanKobe McInnis, MercerKJ Thomas, MercerTrey Lenhardt, SamfordKamari Todd, ChattanoogaKJ Sejour, ChattanoogaDonovan Burnett, VMIDerek Hite, VMIDarius Malcolm Jr., WoffordWyatt Ward, Wofford  All-Freshman Special TeamsCaleb Easterling, FurmanJake Garner, SamfordMarcus Trout, Western CarolinaCavan Craig, Wofford Notes: - Mercer quarterback Braden Atkinson and Western Carolina quarterback Taron Dickens (Walter Payton Award), Furman defensive lineman Joshua Stoneking, Mercer defensive lineman Andrew Zock and Wofford defensive back Maximus Pulley (Buck Buchanan Award), Atkinson, Furman wide receiver Evan James and Wofford defensive back Darius Malcolm Jr. (Jerry Rice Award) and Mercer coach Mike Jacobs (Eddie Robinson Award) are all national finalists for FCS legacy awards. - Both Dickens (WCU) and Zock (Mercer) lived up to their billing as Preseason Offensive Player of the Year and Preseason Defensive Player of the Year - Entering postseason play, Western Carolina’s Dickens leads FCS football in seven offensive categories, including passing yards (3,508), completion percentage (.742) and passing TDs (38). His 38 touchdown passes set a new SoCon record for passing touchdowns in a season. Dickens passing efficiency rating of 188.24 this season broke Michael Payton’s previous mark of 181.30 set in 1991. - Dickens claimed SoCon Offensive Player of the Week three times this season, most recently on Monday after a four-touchdown performance at VMI. The other two wins came on Sept. 22 and Oct. 6. - On Oct. 4 at Wofford, Dickens completed his first 46 passes of the contest, setting a new NCAA record in the process. Dickens’ performance against the Terriers led to him being named the Stats Perform FCS National Player of the Year. He was named honorable mention for the national honor on four other occasions. Combined with his final four completions from the week before at Campbell, Dickens’ multi-game NCAA record is 50 consecutive completions. - Dickens is the second Catamount quarterback in the past three seasons to be recognized as the conference’s offensive player of the year, as Cole Gonzales received the honor from the media in 2023.  - Mercer’s Zock is the second Bear to be named Defensive Player of the Year, joining former teammate Brayden Manley (2024). Zock finished the regular season ranked second nationally in tackles for loss per game (1.81), sixth nationally in sacks per game (1.04), and is among the national leaders with 22 quarterback hurries. Zock’s 20 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks are both new career-high totals and raise his career totals to 34.5 tackles for loss and 18.5 sacks in only 25 games played. Zock was the 2024 SoCon Freshman of the Year.  - Zock had five games with multiple sacks and seven games with multiple tackles for loss. His most productive outing came on Sept. 13 vs. Wofford, with eight tackles, 4.5 for loss, a sack and two hurries. He registered at least a half TFL in all but two games in 2025.  - Zock’s most efficient game came on Oct. 25 vs. VMI, when he had two solo stops, both sacks, and four quarterback hurries. - Behind Zock’s pressure, the Mercer defense ranks first nationally in team sacks, third in first-down defense, fourth in rushing defense, fourth in team TFL, and 17th in third down defense. The Bears also rank in the top 25 nationally in red zone defense. - Mercer’s Atkinson has put together one of the best freshman seasons ever by a quarterback nationally. He needs only 370 more yards through the air to break Elon’s Scott Riddle’s 2007 single-season SoCon and FCS freshman passing mark of 3,817 yards. His 34 passing touchdowns broke the previous FCS freshman mark of 31 set in 2004 by New Hampshire’s Ricky Santos and tied in 2007 by Riddle. Atkinson is within striking distance of Riddle’s SoCon and national freshman mark of 3,738 total offensive yards, which Riddle set in 2007 at Elon. He needs five more touchdowns responsible for to catch Riddle for the SoCon’s freshman record (40), also set in 2007. - Atkinson is the second Mercer player in a row to earn SoCon Freshman of the Year honors, joining Andrew Zock (2024). He is the first Mercer offensive player to win the award since quarterback Kaelan Riley (2017). - Atkinson ranks second among all quarterbacks nationally in passing yards per game (344.8), passing yards (3,448), completions (25.0), and touchdowns (34). He ranks third nationally among all quarterbacks in total offense (345.8), passing efficiency (173.80), yards per attempt (9.4) and points responsible for (21.0 per game). He leads all FCS freshman in passing offense (by 921 yards) and total offense (by 619 yards). - Atkinson’s best game through the air this season, a 533-yard effort vs. VMI, fell only seven yards shy of the NCAA FCS freshman record for yards passing in a game. It fell one yard shy of the SoCon freshman mark, set in 2007 by Scott Riddle. Atkinson’s 533 yards are the fifth most in a game in SoCon history overall. He tossed a season-high five touchdowns vs. Samford (10/4), VMI (10/25), and Chattanooga (11/15) and had at least three touchdown passes in eight of the 10 games he played during the regular season. - Atkinson’s current passing efficiency rating (173.80) would rank third all-time in SoCon history, regardless of class, for a season. Dickens’ rating of 188.24 this season broke Michael Payton’s previous mark of 181.30 set in 1991. - Atkinson is one of only two quarterbacks in SoCon history to pass for more than 2,000 yards over a five-game stretch, joining Devlin Hodges (Samford). Hodges did so three times over two different seasons. Atkinson’s stretch of six consecutive games with at least 300 passing yards is second in SoCon history behind Riddle’s nine-game stretch in 2007. - The Citadel’s Bartilucci is the third Bulldog lineman, and second center, to earn the Jacobs Blocking Award. Center Mike Sellers (2012) and tackle Isaiah Pinson (2016) are the other two Bulldogs to earn the prestigious honor. - Bartilucci built on his preseason first-team All-SoCon honors at center by bulldozing the way for an offense that led the SoCon and ranked No. 9 nationally in rushing yards per game (210.6). The Citadel topped the 300-yard mark on the ground three times in 2025 behind Bartilucci, going 3-0 in those games. - Mercer’s Jacobs won SoCon Coach of the Year for the second season in a row after leading the Bears to a top 10 ranking and No. 6 national seed in the playoffs. He is the first coach to win SoCon Coach of the Year in back-to-back seasons since Scott Wachenheim (VMI) did so in 2019 and the spring season of 2021. - Jacobs has posted a 20-5 mark over the past two seasons combined, including a 15-1 mark in SoCon action. His Bears have finished the regular season ranked inside the national top 10 in two consecutive seasons. - Mercer paced the league with 18 players earning postseason distinction. The Bears had 13 all-conference selections for the second season in a row and five all-freshman picks. Western Carolina had 10 players earn postseason honors, including seven All-SoCon choices and three on the all-freshman team. ETSU and Wofford each had nine total, with the Bucs landing seven players on the All-SoCon team. The Terriers had six All-SoCon picks. - Mercer’s 13 all-conference selections included seven on the first team. ETSU was second with five players on the first team. Four of Western Carolina’s seven All-SoCon selections were first teamers.  - Mercer also led the SoCon with five all-freshmen choices. Furman and The Citadel had three each. - Furman’s Luke Petit (OL) and Ian Williams (PK), Mercer’s Brayden Smith (RS) and Andrew Zock (DL), Samford’s Alex Applefield (LS), and The Citadel’s James Platte (P) were repeat All-SoCon selections from the 2024 season.</div>

SoCon Football Award Winners.jpg

Chattanooga Mocs

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

ETSU Buccaneers

East Tennessee State University

The Citadel

Citadel

Wofford

Wofford College

All-Southern Conference football teams announced

<div class="payload-richtext"><a href="https://mercerbears.com/news/2025/11/25/atkinson-among-30-finalists-for-walter-payton-award">
 Mercer's Atkinson Among 30 Finalists For Walter Payton Award
 </a>Atkinson, a native of Rolesville, N.C., and a product of Rolesville High School, has completed 68.1 percent (250-for-367) of his pass attempts this season and has already broken school single-season records for passing completions (250), attempts (367), yards (3,448) and touchdowns (34). He has thrown for 300 or more yards in eight of his 10 starts this season, including a school record 533 yards amid Mercer's 62-0 home win over VMI on October 25.   He has also, thrice, matched the program's single-game superlative for passing touchdowns with five scoring tosses against Samford, VMI and Chattanooga.   Atkinson currently ranks second among all FCS signal callers in passing yards, passing yards per game (344.8), passing touchdowns and completions per game (25.00), while ranking third, nationally, in points responsible for per game (21.0), total offense per game (345.8) and yards per pass attempt (9.40).<a href="https://catamountsports.com/news/2025/11/25/football-taron-dickens-named-a-finalist-for-the-2025-walter-payton-award.aspx">
 Western Carolina's Taron Dickens Named a Finalist for the 2025 Walter Payton Award
 </a>Dating back to 2015, Dickens is the fifth Catamount to advance to the finalist list, joining former QB <a href="https://catamountsports.com/sports/football/roster/cole-gonzales/13339">
 Cole Gonzales
 </a>, who appeared on the list twice over the past two seasons (2023, 2024), and finished a program-best 17th in the final voting in 2023. Other Catamount offensive players among the national finalists and their finishing order in the national vote include Troy Mitchell (2015, 25th), Detrez Newsome (2017, 24th), and Tyrie Adams (2018, 19th-t).   Dickens compiled arguably the best season ever by a Western Carolina and Southern Conference quarterback. The Miami, Fla., product amassed 3,829 yards of total offense over 462 plays between his nine starts, averaging a NCAA-best at all levels 425.4 yards per game, one of just two QBs nationally to finish the year above the 400-yard per game mark. He was second in the nation with 271 pass completions despite the three fewer games played than the national leader and was intercepted just twice among his 365 pass attempts – one coming on an end-of-half heave to the endzone. Among his completions on the season were 50 straight between the end of the Campbell game and 46-consecutive to open the Wofford road win, both NCAA records.   Dickens eclipsed the 300-yard passing mark seven times in his nine games, surpassing 400 yards four times with a pair of 500-yard passing efforts. He threw for a career-high – and NCAA FCS seasonal-best – 582 yards in his season debut against Samford back on Sept. 20. Dickens finished with a WCU single-season record – and NCAA FCS-leading – 3,508 passing yards on the year, averaging 389.8 yards per game to lead the nation.</div>

Walter Payton Award.jpg

Two SoCon Players Named finalist for Walter Payton Award

<div class="payload-richtext"><a href="https://theanalyst.com/articles/buck-buchanan-award-finalists-fcs-football-2025">
 Stats Perform release
 </a><a href="https://furmanpaladins.com/news/2025/11/25/football-furmans-stoneking-named-finalist-for-buck-buchanan-award.aspx">
 Furman's Stoneking Named Finalist For Buck Buchanan Award
 </a>Stoneking, a 6-foot-3, 264-pound native of Raleigh, N.C., tallied a team leading 79 tackles and paced the FCS in both total tackles for loss (23.0) and sacks (14.5) this season. He was named Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Week a league best three times this fall. In Furman's 28-24 win over Campbell on Sept. 13 he tallied six tackles, including 4.5 for a loss of 21 yards, 2.5 sacks, and a forced fumble. His final sack, which came on fourth down and with 16 seconds on the clock a dnd Campbell at Furman's 17-yard line, preserved the win for the Paladins. <a href="https://mercerbears.com/news/2025/11/25/football-zock-one-of-30-finalists-for-buck-buchanan-award">
 Mercer's Zock One Of 30 Finalists For Buck Buchanan Award
 </a>Zock has totaled 41 tackles (23 solo), including a school record 20.0 tackles for loss (-109 yards), across 11 starts this season, while also turning in 22 quarterback hurries, three pass break-ups, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. He has also logged a single season school record sack total (11.5). He has tallied multiple tackles for loss in seven outings, including a season-best 4-1/2 drops behind the line in Mercer's Week 3 win over Wofford.   The Citra, Fla., native has accumulated 34-1/2 tackles for loss (18-1/2 sacks) in two seasons and 25 games in the Orange & Black. He also boasts a school record 36 quarterback hurries.<a href="https://woffordterriers.com/news/2025/11/25/football-maximus-pulley-named-finalist-for-buck-buchanan-award.aspx">
 Wofford's Maximus Pulley Named Finalist for Buck Buchanan Award
 </a>Pulley, a fifth-year senior from Fort Worth, Texas, started eleven games for the Terriers this season and is second on the team in tackles with 85. His five interceptions lead the Southern Conference and are the second-most in the nation. He returned two interceptions for touchdowns, which is tied for the most in the nation. Pulley added 2.5 tackles for loss, five pass break-ups, one forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and a blocked punt.   Pulley is the fourth Terrier to be named a finalist, joining Matt Nelson (2003), Lee Basinger (2004), and Ameet Pall (2010).</div>

Buck Buchanan Award.jpg

Three SoCon Players Named Finalists for 2025 Buck Buchanan Award

<div class="payload-richtext"><a href="https://theanalyst.com/articles/jerry-rice-award-freshman-finalists-fcs-football-2025">
 Stats Perform Release
 </a><a href="https://furmanpaladins.com/news/2025/11/24/football-furmans-james-named-jerry-rice-award-finalist.aspx">
 Furman's James Named Jerry Rice Award Finalist
 </a>James, a 5-foot-11, 170-pound product of Apopoka, Fla., caught a team leading 65 passes for 796 yards and seven touchdowns and also rushed for a score this season for the Paladins, setting new school freshman records in all three categories despite missing three games due to injury. His 65 catches ranked fourth overall, 796 receiving yards seventh all-time, and seven touchdowns tied for eight  all-time in a season among all Paladin receivers. <a href="https://mercerbears.com/news/2025/11/24/football-atkinson-among-lists-of-finalists-for-jerry-rice-award">
 Mercer's Atkinson Among Lists Of Finalists For Jerry Rice Award
 </a>Atkinson, a native of Rolesville, N.C., and a product of Rolesville High School, has completed 68.1 percent (250-for-367) of his pass attempts this season and has already broken school single-season records for passing completions (250), attempts (367), yards (3,448) and touchdowns (34). He has thrown for 300 or more yards in eight of his 10 starts this season, including a school record 533 yards amid Mercer's 62-0 home win over VMI on October 25. He has also, thrice, matched the program's single-game superlative for passing touchdowns with five scoring tosses against Samford, VMI and Chattanooga.   Atkinson currently ranks second among all FCS signal callers in passing yards, passing yards per game (344.8), passing touchdowns and completions per game (25.00), while ranking third, nationally, in points responsible for per game (21.0), total offense per game (345.8) and yards per pass attempt (9.40).<a href="https://woffordterriers.com/news/2025/11/24/football-darius-malcom-jr-named-finalist-for-jerry-rice-award.aspx">
 Wofford's Darius Malcom Jr. Named Finalist for Jerry Rice Award
 </a> Malcolm, a second-year freshman from Atlanta, Georgia, is third on the team in total tackles with 76. He has 13 pass break-ups and 4.0 tackles for loss. Among SoCon leaders, he is 16th in total tackles and first in pass break-ups. He is also ranked 15th in the nation in pass break-ups.</div>

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Three SoCon players Named Finalists for 15th Annual Jerry Rice Award

<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. 22. Western Carolina quarterback Taron Dickens was named the Offensive Player of the Week, Wofford defensive lineman Brandon Maina was named the Defensive Player of the Week and Catamounts kicker Bryan McCollum 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 accounted for four touchdowns in Western Carolina’s 48-6 win over VMI. The native of Miami, Florida, logged 362 yards of total offense, throwing for 330 yards and rushing for 32 yards. The redshirt sophomore had touchdown passes of 12, 1 and 22 yards, along with a 3-yard score on the ground, marking his first touchdown run of the season. Dickens broke the SoCon’s single-season record for touchdown passes in the contest, bringing his season total to 38 to top the mark of 36 set by Samford’s Micheal Hiers in 2022 and Devlin Hodges in 2016. Dickens leads the FCS in passing yards (3,508). Other nominees: Devontae Houston (ETSU), Adjatay Dabbs (Mercer), and JT Fayard (Wofford)   DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Brandon Maina, Sr., DL, Wofford, Hiram, Ga.Maina had nine tackles, including 2.5 sacks, one quarterback hurry and a forced fumble in Wofford’s 35-13 win against Chattanooga. The senior logged two of his sacks in the first half and the shared sack in the fourth quarter. The product of Hiram, Georgia, led a defense that held the Mocs scoreless in the second half. Maina finished the season with 11 sacks, which is ranked fifth in program history. Other nominees: Ty Anderson (ETSU), Isaac Prince (Mercer), Jaden Mosley (Samford), and Jordan Thompson (Western Carolina)    SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Bryan McCollum, Fr., PK, Western Carolina, Sanford, N.C. McCollum, who was making his collegiate debut at VMI, scored 12 points on Saturday. The freshman was 6-for-6 on PAT attempts and made field goals from 24 and 29 yards out. The native of Sanford, North Carolina, is the younger brother of former Catamount kicker Richard McCollum, who finished second in WCU's all-time record books with 300 career points. Other nominees: 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 Nov. 3              Braden Atkinson, Fr., QB, Mercer Nov. 10             Battle Alberson, R-Fr., QB, Chattanooga Nov. 17             Braden Atkinson, Fr., QB, Mercer Nov. 24             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, 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, WoffordNov. 10             Maximus Pulley, Sr., DB, WoffordNov. 17             Andrew Zock, So., DE, MercerNov. 24             Brandon Maina, Sr., DL, 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, WoffordNov. 10             Reice Griffith, Jr., PK, MercerNov. 17             Jackson Crosby, Gr., WR, ETSUNov. 24             Bryan McCollum, Fr., PK, Western Carolina</div>

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SoCon names football players of the week

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Mercer's Jacobs Named Finalist For Eddie Robinson Award

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Mercer Bears Awarded No. 6 National Seed, 1st Round Bye In NCAA Playoffs

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Western Carolina’s Nelson Named Doris Robinson Award Finalist

<div class="payload-richtext">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)</div>

SoCon Football Players of the Week

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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 Nov. 8. Chattanooga quarterback Battle Alberson was named the Offensive Player of the Week, Wofford defensive back Maximus Pulley was named the Defensive Player of the Week and Mercer place 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: Battle Alberson, R-Fr., QB, Chattanooga, Gulf Breeze, Fla.Alberson won his first career start with a record-setting day in Chattanooga’s 45-28 win over Furman. The native of Gulf Breeze, Florida, set a school freshman record with 362 yards of total offense, throwing for 277 yards and rushing for 85 more while connecting on four touchdown passes. The redshirt freshman, who led the league with a 233.9 passer rating this past Saturday, led the Mocs offense that was 8 of 16 on first down, converting four on the ground and two through the air. Alberson was named the <a href="https://theanalyst.com/articles/fcs-football-awards-week-11-2025">
 Stats Perform FCS National Freshman Player of the Week
 </a> on Monday. Other nominees: Devontae Houston (ETSU), CJ Miller (Mercer), Taron Dickens (Western Carolina) and JT Fayard (Wofford)   DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Maximus Pulley, Sr., DB, Wofford, Fort Worth, TexasPulley, who won the honor for the second straight week, had five tackles and two interceptions as Wofford topped VMI, 52-10, on Saturday. The senior’s first pick was on the first play of the second quarter, which he returned 18 yards to set up a Wofford field goal. The native of Fort Worth, Texas, returned his second interception of the day for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, giving the Terriers a 45-7 lead. In the last two weeks, Pulley has four interceptions and two touchdowns. Other nominees: Trevor Moffitt (ETSU), Julian Fox (Mercer), Ky Tayo (Chattanooga), and Samaurie Dukes (Western Carolina)     SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Reice Griffith, Jr., PK, Mercer, Pace, Fla. Griffith, who won the honor for the third time this season, scored 11 points as Mercer won its top-25 matchup at Western Carolina, 49-47, on Saturday. The junior went 5-for-5 on PAT attempts and connected on field goals from 24 and 37 yards out. The 37-yarder was the game-winning field goal with under two minutes left. The product of Pace, Florida, also kicked four touchbacks on nine kickoffs. Mercer is ranked No. 8 in both the <a href="https://theanalyst.com/articles/fcs-top-25-poll-stats-perform-rankings-week-11-2025">
 AFCA
 </a> and <a href="https://www.afca.com/polls/">
 Stats Perform
 </a> polls. Other nominees: Jude Kelley (Chattanooga), Ben Shrewsbury (VMI), and Stephen Brantley (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 Oct. 20             Brady Stober, Fr., QB, Samford Oct. 27             Braden Atkinson, Fr., QB, Mercer Nov. 3              Braden Atkinson, Fr., QB, Mercer Nov. 10             Battle Alberson, R-Fr., QB, Chattanooga  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, FurmanNov. 3              Maximus Pulley, Sr., DB, WoffordNov. 10             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, WoffordNov. 10             Reice Griffith, Jr., PK, Mercer</div>

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No. 10 Mercer Tops No. 24 Western Carolina In Shootout, Clinches Share Of SoCon Title

<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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<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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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>

Jerry Rice Watch List 2025.jpg

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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