SEPT 26 SOCON OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Michael Hiers, Jr., QB, Samford, Birmingham, Ala.,...Samford quarterback Michael Hiers led Samford to a 35-12 win over Western Carolina on Saturday as both squads opened league play. The junior from Birmingham, Alabama, connected on 80 percent of his passes on the day, going 24-for-30 for 292 yards and four touchdowns. Hiers connected for scoring strikes with four different receivers, throwing for TDs of 20 and 34 yards in the first quarter before adding a 60-yard score in the third and a 15-yard TD pass in the fourth. Hiers, who posted a 199.09 pass efficiency rating Saturday, ranks sixth in the FCS with 12 touchdown passes this season. Other nominees: Jacob Saylors (ETSU), Jace Wilson (Furman), Devron Harper (Mercer), Ailym Ford (Chattanooga), Jalynn Williams (Western Carolina) and Jimmy Weirick (Wofford). - SoCon Football