CO-OFFENSIVE
Jake Ryan, QB • Jr., 6-2, 210 • Knoxville, Tenn. • Austin Peay
Ryan netted his first 300-yard career passing game and threw two touchdowns passes in leading Austin Peay back from a 27-6 second quarter deficit to top rival Tennessee State 37-34 on Saturday night. Ryan completed 21-of-41 passes for 314 yards and the two scores. Included in those totals was a 72-yard strike to Darryl Clack to open the third quarter and bring his team within seven points. After The Governors recovered a TSU fumble with 2:21 to play in the game, Ryan completed a key 17-yard pass to Devin Stark that setup Stephen Stansell's 35-yard game-winning field goal with 10 seconds left. Ryan has helped Austin Peay to its first 2-0 start in OVC play since the 1977 season (the year APSU won its only OVC Championship).
CO-OFFENSIVE
Matt Scheible, QB • Sr., 6-1, 200 • Washington, Mo. • Southeast Missouri
Scheible accounted for 291 yards of total offense and all five of his team's touchdowns as Southeast Missouri won for the first time this season with a 37-30 victory over Eastern Illinois. The senior ran for a career-high 161 yards (the most by a player in the OVC this season) on 19 carries (8.5 yards/carry) and two touchdowns, including a 71-yard score on the opening drive of the third quarter to put his team on top for good. He added an 18-yard rushing score with 1:55 to play to give his team a 14-point lead. Under center Scheible completed 14-of-18 passes for 130 yards and three touchdowns, completing scoring strikes of 19, 2 and 31 yards, two of which went to D.J. Foster.
Others Nominated: Washaun Ealey, Jacksonville State; Arthur Brackett, Murray State; Michael German, Tennessee State; Tre Lamb, Tennessee Tech.
DEFENSIVE
Clarence Jackson, LB • So., 6-2, 220 • Atlanta, Ga. • Jacksonville State
Jackson had seven tackles, 2.0 tackles-for-loss, a sack for a loss to 12 yards, forced and recovered a fumble, three pass breakups and blocked a field goal in Jacksonville State's 38-30 road victory over Murray State. Jackson was part of the Gamecock defense that held the Racers to just 11 rushing yards on 27 carries, the fewest yards allowed by the team to an OVC opponent since 2008. His blocked field goal came in the second quarter after JSU had overcome a 10-0 deficit to take a 14-10 advantage.
Others Nominated: Antwaun Majors, Austin Peay; Qua Huzzie, Murray State; Blake Peiffer, Southeast Missouri; Joseph Wylie, Tennessee State; Corey Watson, Tennessee Tech; Darrin Nalls, UT Martin
SPECIALIST
Stephen Stansell, K • Jr., 5-11, 193 • Athens, Tenn. • Austin Peay
Stansell booted three field goals, including a 35-yard game-winning with 10 seconds to play, to help Austin Peay rally from a 27-6 second quarter deficit to go on to win 37-34. Stansell entered the game having made only 1-of-4 field goals on the season and missing his last three but was solid on the night connecting from 43, 23 and 35 yards. The last came at the conclusion of a 7-play, 29-yard drive and won the game for the Governors who are now 2-0 in the OVC for the first time since 1977.
Others Nominated: Tavares Crawford, Eastern Illinois; Coty Blanchard, Jacksonville State; Weldon Garlington, Tennessee State; Kevin Barfield, UT Martin.
CO-NEWCOMER
Washaun Ealey, RB • Jr., 5-11, 215 • Stillmore, Ga. • Jacksonville State
Ealey earned his second OVC Newcomer of the Week honor in a row (and third of the season) after carrying the ball a career-high 28 times for 143 yards and two touchdowns in Jacksonville State's 38-30 road victory over Murray State. The transfer from Georgia hit the 100-yard rushing plateau for the second-straight week, becoming the first JSU player to do so since the 2008 season (Daniel Jackson). Ealey scored a first quarter touchdown on a 13-yard run and added a 12-yard score to open the third quarter and put his team on top 21-10.
CO-NEWCOMER
Michael German, QB • R-Fr., 6-3, 220 • Pompano Beach, Fla. • Tennessee State
In just his second collegiate start, German completed 21-of-26 passes for 304 yards and two touchdowns in Tennessee State's 37-34 loss at Austin Peay. The redshirt freshman became the first TSU quarterback to pass for 300 or more yards since the 2001 season (Shannon Harris). German's 80.7 completion percentage was the second-best in Tigers history. German had touchdown passes of 11 and 25 yards in the first half and even completed two passes to himself. He currently ranks 17th nationally in passing efficiency (150.29).
Others Nominated: D.J. Bland, Eastern Illinois; Qua Huzzie, Murray State; Levi Terrell, Southeast Missouri; Austin Tallant, Tennessee Tech; Ben Johnson, UT Martin.