SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Samford junior quarterback Liam Welch was named the Southern Conference Offensive Player of the Week, and sophomore place-kicker Mitchell Fineran was named the league's Special Teams Player of the Week presented by GEICO when the league released its weekly football awards Monday morning.
 
This marks the fourth-straight game a Samford quarterback has been named Offensive Player of the Week, as Chris Oladokun earned the award after games against Tennessee Tech, Wofford and Alabama A&M.
 
Welch entered Saturday's game against The Citadel in the third quarter with Samford trailing 21-17. With Samford trailing, 38-24, he led two scoring drives within the last eight minutes to tie the game at 38-38 and force overtime. In the four overtime periods, he threw another touchdown pass and rushed for the game-winner in the fourth overtime to give Samford the 61-55 win.

Fineran scored 13 points to help lead to the win Saturday. He made field goals from 33 and 34-yards out, including one in the third overtime to keep the team's hopes alive. He was good on all seven of his extra-point attempts in the game as well. Fineran also handled kickoff duties for Samford. He kicked off seven times, averaging 64.0 yards per kick. His seven kickoffs produced five touchbacks.  
 
The Bulldogs will host Furman Saturday afternoon at Seibert Stadium. The game is set for a 2 p.m. start and can be seen live on ESPN+.