Football Players of the Week: Week 9

11/1/2021 10:00:00 AM

Following Week 9, the Gulf South Conference Football Offensive, Defensive, Special Teams and Freshman of the Week were announced on Nov. 1. Below are the honorees:

Offensive Player of the Week: Ivory Durham, QB – Valdossta State
Durham helped propel Valdosta State to a 36-34 victory over West Georgia in a matchup of top five teams. The junior quarterback completed 83 percent of his passes as he was 19-of-23 with no interceptions and two touchdown tosses for 212 yards, while recording a career-high 10 rushes for 72 yards and two scores. He had a total of 284 yards of total offense as he registered his third game this season with two rushing TDs.

Other Nominees: Jack McDaniels, UWA; Quan Harrison, UWG; Deion Dampier, DSU; Larry Rembert, UWF

Defensive Player of the Week: Cory Roberts, DB, Valdosta State
Roberts recorded eight solo tackles, nine total, along with his first interception of the season and a pass breakup in the No. 2 Blazers held off No. 3 West Georgia, 36-34 on Saturday. The senior defensive backs' interception in the second quarter ended a UWG drive after it cut the deficit to 14-10 and was gaining momentum. The pick led to a Valdosta State touchdown making it 21-10 with 9:03 left in the first half.

Other Nominees: Josh Hatcher, UWA; Marvin Terry, DSU; Shea Campbell

Special Teams Player of the Week: Quan Harrison, WR – West Georgia
Harrison returned a punt 76 yards for a touchdown late in the third quarter as West Georgia fell to No. 2 Valdosta State. The senior wideout also had two kickoff returns for 44 yards in the game.

Other Nominees: Gabriel Dunkle, UWA; Tim Williams Jr., DSU; Danny Laudet, UWF; Myles Prosser, NGU

Freshman Player of the Week: Cole Kirk, QB – Delta State & Will Breland, LB – West Florida
Kirk completed 17-of-30 passes for 117 yards with no interceptions to help direct the Statesmen to a 14-13 win over Shorter.

Breland had six solo stops in West Florida's win over Mississippi College. The freshman linebacker played a key role in helping UWF hold the Choctaws to 83 rushing yards in the second half & just three first downs.

Other Nominees: Brock Pellegrino, UWG