This Week's Schedule
Saturday, October 1
*#13 Jacksonville State at Murray State, 6:00 p.m. (OVCSports.TV)
*Eastern Illinois at Southeast Missouri, 6:00 p.m. (OVCSports.TV)
*Tennessee State at Austin Peay, 6:00 p.m. (OVCSports.TV)
*Tennessee Tech at UT Martin, 6:30 p.m. (OVCSports.TV)
This Week's OVC Highlights/Storylines
Jacksonville State topped rival Eastern Illinois and Tennessee Tech dispatched of defending champion Southeast Missouri on Saturday night to each improve to 2-0 in OVC play this season...In its OVC opener, Austin Peay topped Eastern Kentucky and is now 1-0 on the year...Those three teams are currently atop of the Conference standings following week No. 4 of the season...Last week began with UT Martin handing No. 24-ranked Murray State a 48-26 defeat to leave both teams 1-1 in the standings...In non-conference action last week Tennessee State lost at FBS foe Air Force (its first game with a FBS opponent since 2006)...Jacksonville State moved up to No. 13 in the FCS Coaches Poll and No. 14 in the Sports Network/Fathead.com poll...Tennessee Tech is currently knocking on the door of both polls, coming in unofficially at No. 26 in the Sports Network and No. 27 in the FCS Coaches polls; the Golden Eagles have not been nationally ranked since the 2002 preseason poll (No. 23)...This week's schedule features four Conference games while Eastern Kentucky has an off week...In Murray, the Racers will host Jacksonville State in a game that features the teams picked No. 1 and No. 2 in the OVC preseason poll...In Martin the Skyhawks and Tennessee Tech play in a key game featuring the top two OVC rushing offenses and top two rushing defenses while Austin Peay hosts Tennessee State...Those two games are part of the Sgt. York Trophy series that is a quadrangular series played between the four OVC schools from the state of Tennessee; UT Martin is the defending Sgt. York champion in the series which enters its fifth season in 2011...The other game on the schedule is Eastern Illinois at Southeast Missouri.
adidas® OVC Players of the Week
OFFENSIVE
Dontey Gay, RB • Sr., 5-9, 205 • Lexington, Ky. • Tennessee Tech
Gay became the first player in Tennessee Tech history to account for 100 or more yards rushing and receiving in the same game on Saturday as the Golden Eagles topped Southeast Missouri 38-31. The senior carried the ball 22 times for 146 yards and two touchdowns and caught seven passes for 101 yards. Overall Gay had 247 all-purpose yards on 29 touches (the second-highest total in the OVC this season). His four-yard touchdown run with 2:38 to play proved to be the game-winner for the Golden Eagles over the defending OVC champion Redhawks. Gay currently ranks 10th nationally in all-purpose yards (172.0/game) and eighth nationally in rushing (126.25 yards/game).
Others Nominated: Devin Stark, Austin Peay; Jake Walker, Eastern Illinois; Tyrone Goard, Eastern Kentucky; Calvin Middleton, Jacksonville State; Mike Harris, Murray State; Levi Terrell, Southeast Missouri; Trabis Ward, Tennessee State; Jason McNair, UT Martin.
DEFENSIVE
Antwaun Majors, DB • Jr., 5-10, 179 • Nashville, Tenn. • Austin Peay
Majors had a game-high 11 tackles (7 solo) and an interception as Austin Peay topped Eastern Kentucky 23-17 on Saturday night in Clarksville. With just under four minutes to play in the game Majors picked off a pass on his team's own four-yard line, preventing a Colonels score. The victory for Austin Peay was only the second over Eastern Kentucky in the past 23 games (but the second in the last three years).
Others Nominated: Nick Beard, Eastern Illinois; Clarence Jackson, Jacksonville State; Brandon Wicks, Murray State; Blake Peiffer, Southeast Missouri; Joseph Wylie, Tennessee State; Austin Tallant, Tennessee Tech; Jarvis McCann, UT Martin.
CO-SPECIALIST
Coty Blanchard, P/QB • So., 6-0, 180 • Leesburg, Ala. • Jacksonville State
Blanchard averaged 34.5 yards on six total punts, helping Jacksonville State win the field position battle in its 28-21 victory over Eastern Illinois. Two of his punts were downed inside the EIU 6-yard line. With the Gamecocks holding on to a seven-point lead with 32 seconds left, Blanchard punted the ball to the one-yard line to seal the victory. As the team's quarterback, Blanchard completed 13-of-19 passes for 121 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 38 yards.
CO-SPECIALIST
Cody Forbes, KR/RB • So., 5-11, 205 • Elizabethtown, Tenn. • Tennessee Tech
Forbes accounted for a career-best 132 all-purpose yards as Tennessee Tech topped Southeast Missouri to remain undefeated (2-0) in OVC play. The sophomore got 98 of his yards on three kickoff returns, including two crucial ones for the Golden Eagles. After Southeast Missouri had tied the game late in the first half, Forbes returned the ensuing kickoff 38 yards to the TTU 41-yard line to seven up a short scoring drive that gave Tech a 17-10 halftime advantage. With five minutes to play and the scored tied, Forbes had a 36-yard return to the TTU 47-yard line, setting up the team's eight play, 53-yard touchdown drive. Forbes also had six rushes for 22 yards and caught two passes for 12 yards.
Others Nominated: Scott Weatherford, Eastern Illinois; Duane Brady, Murray State; Jamin Godfrey, Tennessee State; Cody Sandlin, UT Martin.
NEWCOMER
Washaun Ealey, RB • Jr., 5-11, 215 • Stillmore, Ga. • Jacksonville State
Ealey, a transfer from Georgia, rushed for a season-high 155 yards on 24 carries (6.5 yards/carry) in Jacksonville State's 28-21 victory over Eastern Illinois on Saturday. The junior rushed for 70 yards in the first half and became the first Jax State player to eclipse the 100-yard plateau this season. The 155 yards rushing was the 14th-highest total in the Gamecocks' Division I history and is tied for the highest single-game total in the OVC this season.
Others Nominated: Sam Small, Murray State; Levi Terrell, Southeast Missouri; Michael German, Tennessee State; Austin Tallant, Tennessee Tech; Ben Johnson, UT Martin.
Notes From Around the Gridiron
Sgt. York Trophy Enters Fifth Season in 2011; First Games Set For This Weekend: The Sgt. York Trophy is a challenge trophy which goes to the annual winner of the quadrangular season series between the four OVC institutions in the state of Tennessee (Austin Peay, Tennessee State and Tennessee Tech and UT Martin). In July 2007, the Nashville Sports Council and the Ohio Valley Conference announced the creation of the trophy, which is only the second traveling trophy involving more than two schools nationwide (the other is the Commander in Chief's Trophy). It is named after Sgt. Alvin C. York, a native of Pall Mall, Tenn. and a Soldier who was one of the most honored of World War I. He received the Congressional Medal of Honor after the war and returned to his home state to dedicate his life to improving education and facilitating educational opportunities for children in the state of Tennessee. The trophy goes to the team with the best record against the other schools, and in case of a tie there will be co-champions and the actual trophy will go to the institution that has gone the most seasons without winning the trophy. In 2007 Tennessee State and Austin Peay finished in a tie for the trophy with identical 2-1 records; both shared the award but Tennessee State went home with the hardware due to a 1-point win in the head-to-head meeting during the season. Tennessee State went 3-0 in Sgt. York play in 2008 to claim its second trophy. In 2009 Tennessee Tech claimed the trophy after going undefeated in Sgt. York games and a year ago UT Martin became the third-straight OVC team to go 3-0 and win the trophy in claiming its first title.
Brady Earns Honors From College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) For Week No. 4: Murray State kick returner Duane Brady was named the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) National Kickoff Returner of the Week for Week 4 after his performance against UT Martin. Brady returned five kickoffs for 149 yards including one that saw him break three tackles to return for a 98-yard touchdown (which was one yard short of the school record). In addition to Brady five other OVC players earned honorable mention honors for the week. The goal of CFPA is to provide the most scientifically rigorous conferments in college football. Recipients are selected exclusively based upon objective scientific rankings of the extent to which individual players increase the overall effectiveness of their teams.
NCAA Stats Leaders: In the latest set of NCAA statistical leaders, Murray State quarterback Casey Brockman ranks sixth nationally in total offense (324.5 yards/game), fifth in total passing yards (1,226), fourth in completions (27.50/game and sixth in passing yards/game (306.50). Tennessee Tech senior running back Dontey Gay ranks 10th nationally in all-purpose yards (172.0 yards/game), eighth in rushing (126.25 yards/game) and ninth in scoring (10.5 points/game). Gay's teammate Tim Benford ranks fifth in total receiving yards (413), seventh in receiving yards/game (103.25) and ninth in receptions (7.50/game). UT Martin's Cody Sandlin is seventh in scoring (10.67 points/game) and 10th in field goals (1.67/game) while his teammate CJ Estelle is fourth in punt returns (21.0 yards/return). Eastern Illinois senior Lorence Ricks is eighth in all-purpose yards (177.0/game) while Southeast Missouri's Blake Peiffer is fourth in tackles/game (12.33) and seventh in forced fumbles/game (0.67). In the team rankings UT Martin is first in fewest sacks allowed (0), first in third down conversion defense (14.63%), first in red zone offense (100%), third in total offense (524.0 yards/game), fourth in scoring offense (44.67 points/game), sixth in fewest fumbles lost (1), seventh in rushing offense (248.67 yards/game) and seventh in scoring defense (16.67 points/game). Murray State ranks sixth in passing offense (320.75 yards/game) and seventh in total offense (464.5 yards/game). Tennessee State ranks third in fumbles recovered (7) and fourth in turnover margin (+1.75/game). Jacksonville State is first in fourth down conversion defense (0%) and third in red zone offense (100%). Eastern Kentucky is third in tackles-for-loss (10.0/game) and ninth in net punting (39.27 yards/punt) and Southeast Missouri is sixth in fewest fumbles lost (1) and fewest turnovers lost (2).
OVC Teams in Top 25: Currently one OVC team is ranked in the two major FCS polls. Jacksonville State, who has now been ranked in the Top 25 for 35 consecutive weeks, is No. 13 in the FCS Coaches poll and No. 14 in the Sports Network/Fathead.com poll. Murray State joined the Sports Network Top 25 poll at No. 24 on Sept. 19 (its first national ranking since the end of the 2002 season) but slipped out after a loss to UT Martin the same week. Tennessee Tech (off to a 3-1 start, its best since 2006) is knocking on the Top 25 door, as the Golden Eagles are now unofficially 26th in the Sports Network poll and 27th in the FCS Coaches Poll. Tennessee Tech has not been ranked nationally since being No. 23 in the 2002 preseason poll. UT Martin, Murray State, Eastern Kentucky and Tennessee State are other OVC schools who received at least one vote in one of the two polls this week.
Attendance Numbers: In the latest FCS attendance numbers, Tennessee State ranks third nationally in average attendance (25,209 in one home game) while Jacksonville State ranks 16th (16,783 in three home games). Of teams that have played more than one home game this season, JSU is 10th in average attendance. Tennessee State has played in front of the second largest crowd to see a FCS vs. FCS game this season, when 43,532 witnessed the Tigers game with Jackson State at the Liberty Bowl on Sept. 10.
Spoo Tied for Fourth All-Time in OVC Wins; Will Retire After 2011 Season: With a victory over Tennessee State on Nov. 6 of last season, Eastern Illinois head coach Bob Spoo moved into a tie for fourth place on the OVC all-time career Conference victory list. Spoo has now won 67 OVC games in his tenure at EIU, which has spanned the school's entire time in the OVC (1996 through the present, although he was not on the sidelines for the 2006 season). Spoo trails only Roy Kidd (207 OVC wins at EKU), Boots Donnelly (102 wins at Austin Peay and Middle Tennessee) and Charles Murphy (73 wins at Middle Tennessee) on the all-time list and he is currently tied with Jimmy Feix (67 wins at Western Kentucky). In all games as head coach since Eastern Illinois joined the OVC in 1996, Spoo has registered 91 victories, fifth-most in league history. Following the end of the 2010 season, Spoo announced he would retire at the conclusion of the 2011 season, which will be his 25th as the Panthers head coach.
OVC Teams Versus FBS Foes: In the first four weeks of the season OVC schools have squared off in games against eight teams from the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS); overall OVC schools will play 10 games against FBS teams during the 2011 season. Despite going 0-8 in those games, the closest game involved Eastern Kentucky losing 10-7 at Kansas State as the Wildcats scored the go-ahead touchdown with 1:39 to play. OVC schools are 18-146-1 all-time against FBS foes. Last year the league snapped a 50-game losing streak to FBS opponents when Jacksonville State topped Ole Miss 49-48 in double overtime to begin the season. That victory was one of seven for Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) foes over FBS teams in 2010; so far six FCS teams have topped FBS teams in 2011 (Richmond beat Duke, Sacramento State beat Oregon State, Indiana State topped Western Kentucky, North Dakota State beat Minnesota, Southern Utah beat UNLV and Sam Houston State beat New Mexico).
Murray State's Brockman on Walter Payton Award Watch List: Murray State junior quarterback Casey Brockman is one of 20 candidates on the 2011 Walter Payton Award Preseason Watch list, released by The Sports Network and sponsored by Fathead.com. Brockman is one of 12 quarterbacks on the initial list honoring the top offensive player in the FCS. The Walter Payton Award was established in 1987, will celebrate its 25th anniversary this season and is presented annually to the most outstanding college football player on the FCS level. When the award was established, it was the only such award to be presented to an individual player in FCS football. It has since been joined by the Buck Buchanan Award, which was established in 1995 and honors the outstanding defensive player in the FCS. The OVC has had one player previously win the Walter Payton Award, when Eastern Illinois quarterback Tony Romo took home the award in 2002 after passing for 2,950 yards and 33 touchdowns while leading the Panthers to a playoff berth. The Payton Award Watch List will undergo revision during the 2011 season. Ballots will be sent to a panel of about 200 sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries after the regular season on Nov. 21. Three finalists will be announced on Dec. 1 and invited to The Sports Network/Fathead FCS Awards Presentation.
EKU's Caldwell on Buck Buchanan Award Watch List: Eastern Kentucky senior cornerback Jeremy Caldwell is one of 20 candidates on the 2011 Buck Buchanan Award Preseason Watch List released by The Sports Network and sponsored by Fathead.com. Caldwell is one of six senior defensive backs named to the list (five or which are cornerbacks). The Buchanan Award is in its 17th season and will be presented to the FCS' outstanding defensive player at the national awards banquet Thursday night, Jan. 5 in Frisco, Texas. The OVC has never had a player win the Buchanan Award. The Buchanan Award Watch List will undergo revision during the 2011 season. Ballots will be sent to a panel of about 200 sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries after the regular season on Nov. 21. The Buck Buchanan award is named for Junious "Buck" Buchanan, the NAIA All-American and Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive lineman who played for Grambling State University from 1959 through 1962. As a freshman, Buchanan came to Grambling on an "if" scholarship, to receive financial help if he played well. After a season of playing both varsity basketball and football, Buchanan decided to concentrate solely on football. By the time he finished four years at Grambling, his coach, Eddie Robinson, asserted that Buchanan was "... the finest tackle I have ever seen."
Brockman Sets NCAA Record for Passing Yards and Total Yards in a Half: Murray State junior quarterback Casey Brockman had 422 passing yards in the first half of the Racers 58-27 victory over Tennessee State on Sept. 17. The 422 yards was the most in one half in Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) history, breaking the previous record of 383 passing yards held by Marshall's Michael Payton (done in the first half against VMI on Nov. 16, 1991) and 404 total yards held by Stephen F. Austin's Todd Hammel (done in the first half against Louisiana-Monroe on Nov. 11, 1989).
Brockman Etches Name in OVC Record Book: Murray State junior quarterback Casey Brockman continues to put his name all over the OVC record book. After setting two records a season ago, Brockman set two and tied another record against Tennessee State on Sept. 17. Brockman completed 45-of-67 passes for 600 yards and seven touchdowns in the victory. The 45 completions broke the previous record of 44 held by UT Martin's Brady Wahlberg (set against Jacksonville State in the 2003 season). The 600 yards broke the previous mark of 570 that Brockman set against Missouri State during the 2010 season The seven passing touchdowns (five of which came in the first half) tied the OVC single-game record that Brockman set last year and that he shares with Morehead State's Chris Swartz (established in the 1990 season).
Murray State Sets Six OVC Single-Game Team Records: In Murray State's 58-27 victory over Tennessee State on Sept. 17, Murray State set OVC team single-game records for passing yards (630), touchdown passes (8), passes completed (48), passes attempted (73), first downs (37) and first downs by passing (30).
Brockman Named National Player of the Week (Sept. 19): For the third time in his career Murray State junior quarterback Casey Brockman has been named National Player of the Week, doing so on Sept. 19 by both the Sports Network and the College Sporting News. The honors came after Brockman completed 45-of-67 passes for 600 yards and seven touchdowns and also caught a 15-yard touchdown pass in Murray State's 58-27 win over Tennessee State. The 45 completions and 600 yards were both OVC records and the seven passing touchdowns tied the OVC mark (already held by Brockman). The 600 passing yards was the fifth-most in Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) history and was just 24 yards short of the all-time record (held by Weber State's Jamie Martin). Brockman threw for 422 yards in the first half, which set a new FCS single-game record, breaking the old record of 383 held by Marshall's Michael Payton. Brockman was named National Player of the Week on Oct. 10 and Nov. 14 of the 2010 season.
Vance Earns National All-Star Honor from College Sporting News (Sept. 12): Eastern Kentucky sophomore linebacker Ichiro Vance was named a National All-Star (National Defensive Player of the Week) by College Sporting News on Sept. 12 following his performance against Missouri State. Vance had a career-high 19 tackles, two tackles-for-loss and forced a fumble in the win. The 19 stops were the most tackles for an EKU player in a game since Bob Head had 21 against Eastern Illinois during the 1996 season. In the second quarter the sophomore forced a fumble at mid-field that led to the Colonels second touchdown of the game just four plays later (putting the team up 14-0).
EKU's McClellan Earns National All-Star Honor from College Sporting News (Sept. 5): Eastern Kentucky senior Patrick McClellan earned National Defensive All-Star (National Player of the Week) honors from the College Sporting News on Sept. 5 for his performance in EKU's near upset of FBS foe Kansas State. He was part of a defensive unit that forced five Kansas State turnovers and held them to their lowest point total in more than a year as EKU lost 10-7 in the final two minutes of the game. The senior forced two fumbles and recovered one in the third quarter that he returned 18 yards to the 1-yard line which set up EKU's lone touchdown of the night (and the first score of the game by either team). McClellan also had seven tackles (six solo) and 1.5 tackles-for-loss.
Brockman Earns Honors From College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) For Week No. 3: Murray State junior quarterback Casey Brockman named the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) National Quarterback of the Week for Week 3 after his performance against Tennessee State. Brockman completed 45-of-67 passes for 600 yards and seven touchdowns and also caught a 15-yard touchdown pass in a 58-27 win over Tennessee State. In addition to Brockman five other OVC players earned honorable mention honors for the week. The goal of CFPA is to provide the most scientifically rigorous conferments in college football. Recipients are selected exclusively based upon objective scientific rankings of the extent to which individual players increase the overall effectiveness of their teams.
Caldwell Earns Honors From College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) For Week No. 2: Eastern Kentucky kick returner Jeremy Caldwell was named the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) National Kick Returner of the Week for Week 2 after his performance against Missouri State. Caldwell returned a kickoff 88 yards for a touchdown to give EKU an 11-point lead. In addition to Caldwell five other OVC players earned honorable mention honors for the week. The goal of CFPA is to provide the most scientifically rigorous conferments in college football. Recipients are selected exclusively based upon objective scientific rankings of the extent to which individual players increase the overall effectiveness of their teams.
Sandlin Earns Honors From College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) For Week No. 1: UT Martin kicker Cody Sandlin was named the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) National Placekicker of the Week for Week 1 after his performance against nationally-ranked Jacksonville State. Sandlin connected on field goals of 43, 25 and 45 yards in the Skyhawks 24-23 at No. 9 JSU. Sandlin was also a perfect 2-for-2 on extra points and accounted for 11 total points. In addition to Sandlin seven other OVC players earned honorable mention honors for the week. The goal of CFPA is to provide the most scientifically rigorous conferments in college football. Recipients are selected exclusively based upon objective scientific rankings of the extent to which individual players increase the overall effectiveness of their teams.
A Look at the Coaches: All nine head coaches from last season return to their schools in the Ohio Valley Conference this season. The Dean of OVC Coaches is Eastern Illinois coach Bob Spoo who is in his 25th and final season with the Panthers in 2011. Jacksonville State's Jack Crowe is the second longest tenured coach in the league (in his 12th season at JSU) while Murray State's Chris Hatcher and Tennessee State's Rod Reed have been at their schools the fewest years, as each are in their second seasons.
FCS Playoff Information: For the second time this season the NCAA Division I playoff field features 20 teams (the field was upped from 16 prior to the 2010 season, which was the first expansion since the field grew from 12 to 16 teams in 1997). The field will include 10 automatic bid teams and 10 at-large selections. The eight lowest-rated teams will play in the first round, while the 12-highest rated teams will receive a bye into the second round. For the second-straight year the championship game will be played in Frisco, Texas at Pizza Hut Park, a 23,500-seat multi-purpose stadium. The Southland Conference will serve as the host of the championship, which will be held on Saturday, Jan. 7.
Preseason Forecasts: For the third time in the past four seasons Jacksonville State University was picked the favorite in the Ohio Valley Conference football race. The Gamecocks picked up 13 of the 18 first-place votes in the 2011 poll which is a vote of league head coaches and sports information directors. Jacksonville State was one of three schools to receive at least one first-place vote in the poll and the Gamecocks received 123 total points, which was 17 points ahead of second-place Murray State. The Racers received four first-place votes and were tabbed second in the poll (106). Eastern Kentucky (93) was picked third and defending champion Southeast Missouri (81) was picked fourth and received the remaining first-place vote. The poll is rounded out by Tennessee Tech (73), UT Martin (64), Eastern Illinois (57), Tennessee State (33) and Austin Peay (18). Is being picked first in the preseason poll necessarily a good thing? In the past 33 years of preseason polls (all that were available), the preseason predicted champion has only gone on to win the OVC Championship 12 times (36.4%). Over the past eight years not once has the eventual champion been predicted in the preseason poll (it was last done correctly in 2002).
Murray State's Brockman, Jacksonville State's Lewis and Tennessee State's Council Headline Preseason All-OVC Team: Murray State junior quarterback Casey Brockman was named 2011 Ohio Valley Conference Preseason Offensive Player of the Year while Jacksonville State senior defensive lineman Monte Lewis and Tennessee State senior linebacker Rico Council were tabbed OVC Preseason Co-Defensive Players of the Year in a vote on by the league's head football coaches and sports information directors. Eastern Kentucky led the way with seven selections on the preseason team while Jacksonville State and Murray State had five players apiece on the squad. Each of the league's nine teams had at least one player on the preseason squad. Returning players who were first-team All-OVC selections last season (nine in total) were automatic selections to the preseason team this year. The squad also included 10 players who were second-team selections in 2010. Of the 31 total selections, 21 were seniors, seven were juniors and three were sophomores.
NFL Connections: As of the start of the 2011 season, 13 former Ohio Valley Conference players are on NFL rosters (11 active players, 2 practice squad members). Those players include former Eastern Illinois standout Tony Romo, a three-time Pro Bowl pick, Cortland Finnegan (Samford), who has been a Pro Bowl defensive back selection with the Tennessee Titans and Tennessee State's Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who was a starter for the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII, has been a Pro Bowl selection and is now in his first season with the Philadelphia Eagles. Seven of the nine current OVC football schools have at least one player in the NFL with Eastern Kentucky leading the way with three active players. Several NFL coaches also have connections to OVC schools, including two who went to Eastern Illinois, the "Cradle of NFL Head Coaches." Those coaches include Super Bowl champion Sean Payton (New Orleans) and Mike Shanahan (Washington). UT Martin graduate and former assistant coach Jerry Reese made waves in 2007 when he led the New York Giants to Super Bowl XLII in his first season as General Manager with the franchise.
I-AA No More: Although some people may accidentally still refer to it as I-AA football, the term that represents the level of Division I football in which the Ohio Valley Conference competes has been retired. Beginning with the 2006 National Championship game, the term Football Championship Subdivision (or FCS) is to be used. FCS is the only Division I football rank to host a NCAA-sponsored national championship (one of 89 championships the NCAA sponsors). The division formerly known as I-A was changed to Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and those teams compete for the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) national championship. Teams who play at the FCS level can offer a maximum of 63 scholarships (FBS teams can offer 85) and compete in a 20-team playoff at the end of the season to determine the national champion.
OVCSports.TV: For the sixth consecutive year, fans can watch every Conference matchup and all non-conference home contests at OVCSports.TV. The venture with NeuLion (formerly JumpTV Sports) allows fans to access live and on-demand streaming video and audio of all conference matchups on their home computer. The premium Web site was launched in July 2006 and streamed over a thousand events in its first five seasons, including all Conference matchups in football and men's and women's basketball as well as select baseball, soccer, softball and volleyball games and OVC Championship events. Packages are available on a yearly, seasonally, monthly or per-event basis.