This Week's Schedule
Saturday, October 15
*Southeast Missouri at Eastern Kentucky, 2:00 p.m. (OVCSports.TV)
UT Martin at South Alabama, 2:30 p.m. (CSS/ESPN3)
*Eastern Illinois at Murray State, 3:00 p.m. (OVCSports.TV)
*#10 Jacksonville State at Austin Peay, 6:00 p.m. (OVCSports.TV)
*Tennessee State at #19 Tennessee Tech, 7:00 p.m. (OVCSports.TV)
This Week's OVC Highlights/Storylines
After the previous seven OVC games (over the past two Saturday's) had been decided by eight points or less, the three OVC games this past Saturday were decided by an average of 40.7 points...Tennessee State exploded for 55 points (its most points in a game since the final game of the 2001 season) in a win over Southeast Missouri; the victory was the first in Conference play for TSU since Nov. 19, 2009 and the first OVC win under second-year head coach Rod Reed...UT Martin piled up 61 points in its victory over Austin Peay; the Skyhawks currently rank first nationally in total offense (511.6 yards/game) and scoring offense (45.2 points/game)...UTM quarterback Derek Carr was named National Player of the Week by both the Sports Network/Fathead.com and College Sporting News after tying the Skyhawk record for passing touchdowns in a game (6)...Southeast Missouri State senior Matt Scheible needs only 21 rushing yards and 73 passing yards to become the first quarterback in OVC history to throw for 4,000 and rush for 2,000 yards in a career; Scheible has 5,906 yards of total offense in his career and is only 571 yards away from the OVC's career Top 10 list...Murray State's Casey Brockman threw for 321 yards and four touchdowns and ran for another in the Racers non-conference win at Georgia State; Brockman currently ranks third nationally in passing yards (328.0/game) and fifth in points responsible for (18.0/game)...After having off weeks last week the league's two nationally-ranked teams - Jacksonville State (No. 10/11) and Tennessee Tech (No. 19) - return to action this week; Jacksonville State will travel to Austin Peay while Tennessee Tech will host Tennessee State in a Sgt. York Trophy series game...In other action Eastern Illinois travels to Murray State and Eastern Kentucky hosts Southeast Missouri...In non-conference action UT Martin will travel to South Alabama.
adidas® OVC Players of the Week
OFFENSIVE
Derek Carr, QB • Jr., 6-1, 196 • McKenzie, Tenn. • UT Martin
Carr completed 24-of-36 passes for 387 yards and a school record six touchdowns in UT Martin's 61-23 victory over Austin Peay on Saturday. Carr eclipsed the old record of five set by Leonard Williams in 1990 and Charles Gamble in 1994; the mark was one touchdown away from the OVC single-game record. Carr threw touchdown passes of 51, 13, 16, 15, 10 and 9 yards. Three of his touchdowns came in the second quarter as the Skyhawks opened up a 34-14 halftime lead. Carr currently ranks 16th nationally in total offense (274.6 yards/game) while UTM ranks first nationally in total offense (511.6 yards/game) and scoring offense (45.2 points/game).
Others Nominated: Matt Denham, Eastern Kentucky; Duane Brady, Murray State; Trabis Ward, Tennessee State.
DEFENSIVE
Ben Johnson, LB • So., 6-2, 215 • Primm Springs, Tenn. • UT Martin
Johnson had nine tackles (4 solo), 1.5 tackles-for-loss, 1.0 sack, an interception and two quarterback hurries in UT Martin's victory over Austin Peay. Johnson had an interception in the second quarter that he returned 13 yards and set up a Skyhawk touchdown four plays later to put UTM up 27-14. The sophomore walk-on was part of a defense that limited Austin Peay to just 124 yards rushing. Johnson currently ranks 25th nationally in sacks (0.88/game).
Others Nominated: Jamal Crook, Murray State; Stephen Godbolt III, Tennessee State.
SPECIALIST
Jamin Godfrey, K • So., 6-0, 180 • Englewood, Tenn. • Tennessee State
Godfrey tied the Tennessee State record with 13 points from kicking in the Tigers 55-3 victory over Southeast Missouri on Saturday. The sophomore connected on 2-of-3 field goal attempts, hitting from 31 and 38 yards, and made seven extra point attempts to tie the record also held by Eric Benson (2008). Godfrey currently ranks fifth nationally in field goals (1.83 made/game) and 10th in scoring (9.33 points/game).
Others Nominated: Luke Pray, Eastern Kentucky; Dontrell Johnson, Murray State; CJ Estelle, UT Martin.
NEWCOMER
Michael German, QB • R-Fr., 6-3, 220 • Pompano Beach, Fla. • Tennessee State
German earned his second-straight Newcomer of the Week honor after completing 20-of-34 passes for 264 yards and two touchdowns in Tennessee State's 55-3 victory over Southeast Missouri on Saturday. The victory was the first for TSU in OVC play since Nov. 19, 2009, snapping a nine-game conference losing streak and giving second-year head coach Rod Reed his first OVC win. German's touchdowns both went to Calvin McNairl on strikes of 25 and 30 yards within a 22-second span in the first quarter as the Tigers jumped out to a 28-0 lead after the opening period. Overall the redshirt freshman led TSU to 55 points, the most for the team since scoring 61 in the final game of the 2001 season. In his two starts this season German has completed 57 passes for 883 yards and six touchdowns and overall he has not thrown an interception in 102 total attempts this year.
Others Nominated: Luke Pray, Eastern Kentucky; Ben Johnson, UT Martin.
Notes From Around the Gridiron
Carr Named National Offensive Player of the Week (Oct. 10): UT Martin junior quarterback Derek Carr was named the National Co-Offensive Player of the Week by the Sports Network/Fathead.com as well as a National All-Star by the College Sporting News on Oct. 10 after completing 24-of-36 passing for 387 yards and a school record six touchdowns in a 61-23 victory over Austin Peay. Carr had touchdown passes of 51, 13, 16, 15, 10 and 9 yards to tie the record of six passing touchdowns set twice prior in Skyhawk history.
Conference Games Margin: Through the first 11 Conference games played this season, eight of them were decided by eight points or less (including seven in a row on Oct. 1 and Oct. 8). Week No. 6 of the season proved to be different, as the three Conference games were decided by an average of 40.7 points.
Scheible Nears a First in OVC History: Southeast Missouri State senior quarterback Matt Scheible is closing in on becoming the first player in OVC history to throw for 4,000 yards and rush for 2,000 yards in a career. Scheible enters this week with 1,979 rushing yards and 3,927 passing yards. Overall his 5,906 total yards of offense ranks just outside the OVC's Top 10 and is eighth nationally among active FCS players.
Red Zone Offense: In the latest NCAA statistical rankings, five of the nine OVC teams currently rank in the Top 10 nationally in red zone offense. UT Martin is first having scored 96% of the time the team has reached the red zone. Jacksonville State is second (95%), Eastern Illinois ranks eighth (94%) and Tennessee State and Southeast Missouri are tied for 10th (92%).
OVC Teams Strong in Kick/Punt Returns: So far this season five of the nine OVC teams (Eastern Illinois, Eastern Kentucky, Murray State, Tennessee State and UT Martin) have returned a kickoff for a touchdown. In the national rankings there are two OVC players among the top 10 returners in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) as Tennessee State's Weldon Garlington is sixth (30.7 yards/return) and UT Martin's Kevin Barfield is seventh (30.5 yards/return). In punt returns, three teams rank in the Top 10 nationally, as Tennessee State is second (22.83 yards/return), UT Martin is third (21.23 yards/return) and Murray State is 10th (16.12 yards/return). Individually in punt returns, UT Martin's CJ Estelle ranks first nationally (23.64 yards/return) while Murray State's Dontrell Johnson is third (22.0 yards/return). Tennessee State and UT Martin each returned punts for touchdowns during week No. 6 of the season.
OVC Teams in Top 25: Jacksonville State, who has now been ranked in the Top 25 for 37 consecutive weeks, is No. 10 in this week's FCS Coaches Poll and No. 11 in the Sports Network/Fathead.com poll. It marks the second time this season the Gamecocks have been in the Top 10 (JSU was No. 9 in the preseason poll and No. 10 after the first week of the season). Tennessee Tech garnered its first national ranking since the 2002 preseason poll by jumping into the polls on Oct. 3. Currently the Golden Eagles are No. 19 in both the Sports Network and FCS Coaches polls. TTU is off to a 4-1 overall and 3-0 OVC start (its best conference start since 2000) and is one of just 11 FCS teams that are undefeated against FCS competition this year). Earlier this season Murray State gained its first national ranking since the 2002 season when it was No. 24 in the Sports Network poll, but the Racers dropped out after a loss the following week.
Carr, Estelle, Jones and Garlington Earn College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) For Week No. 6: Four OVC players earned national honors from the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) for performances in Week 6 of the season. UT Martin quarterback Derek Carr was named National Performer of the Week and National Quarterback of the Week after throwing for 387 yards and tying the school record with six touchdowns in a win over Austin Peay. UT Martin's Kenny Jones was named National Tight End of the Week after catching seven of Carr's passes for 127 yards and two scores in the win over Austin Peay. A third Skyhawk - CJ Estelle - returned a third quarter punt 76 yards for a touchdown and was named National Punt Returner of the Week. He shared the National Punt Returner of the Week award with Tennessee State's Weldon Garlington who returned a punt 91 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter (one week after returning a kickoff 100 yards for a score). In addition to those four, three 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 fourth nationally in total offense (332.83 yards/game), third in total passing yards (1,968), third in completions (29.17/game and third in passing yards/game (328.0) and fifth in points responsible for (18.0/game). Tennessee Tech senior Tim Benford ranks 10th in receiving yards/game (98.4) while teammate Dontey Gay is ninth in rushing yards (117.6/game). UT Martin's Cody Sandlin is fifth in scoring (10.40 points/game) while his teammate CJ Estelle is first in punt returns (23.64 yards/return). Tennessee State's Jamin Godfrey is fifth in field goals (1.83 made/game) and 10th in scoring (9.33 points/game). Tennessee State's Weldon Garlington is sixth in kickoff returns (30.7/return) while UT Martin's Kevin Barfield ranks seventh (30.5/return). In punt returns, Murray State's Dontrell Johnson ranks third (22.0 yards/return). Southeast Missouri's Blake Peiffer is sixth in tackles/game (11.6), Tennessee Tech's Corey Watson ranks seventh nationally in interceptions (0.60/game) and UT Martin's Ben Johnson is sixth in forced fumbles (0.50/game). In the team rankings UT Martin is first in total offense (511.6 yards/game), first in scoring offense (45.2 points/game), first in fewest sacks allowed (0.20/game), first in fewest fumbles lost (1), first in red zone offense (96%), third in punt returns (21.23 yards/return), seventh in third down conversion (49.33%) and 10th in rushing offense (228.8 yards/game). Murray State ranks fourth in passing offense (337.5 yards/game), fifth in total offense (458.17 yards/game) and fourth in third down conversion percentage (50.0%). Jacksonville State ranks first in fourth down conversion defense (0%), second in red zone offense (95%), and fifth in fewest interceptions thrown (1). Eastern Kentucky ranks fourth in tackles-for-loss (9.2/game) and fifth in net punting (39.23 yards/punt). Tennessee State is second in punt returns (22.83 yards/return) and fifth in fumbles recovered (9).
Attendance Numbers: In the latest FCS attendance numbers, Jacksonville State ranks 15th nationally (16,783 in three home games). 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.
Three OVC Student-Athletes Named Semifinalist for William V. Campbell Trophy: Three Ohio Valley Conference football student-athletes - Austin Peay's Nick Newsome, Eastern Illinois' Cory Leman and Eastern Kentucky's Emory Attig - have been named semifinalist for the 2011 William V. Campbell Trophy (formerly known as the Draddy Trophy), endowed by HealthSouth. The semifinalists were announced by the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) and are part of the 2011 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards, presented by Fidelity Investments®, a leading provider of not-for-profit workplace retirement savings plans in higher education. The award honors the best and brightest from the college gridiron and is often called the "Academic Heisman." Overall there are 127 semifinalists for the award but Newsome, Leman and Attig are three of only 33 selected from the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). Nominated by their schools, which are limited to one nominee each, candidates for the awards must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of eligibility, have a GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale, have outstanding football ability as a first team player or significant contributor, and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship. The class is selected each year by the NFF Awards Committee, which is comprised of a nationally recognized group of media, College Football Hall of Famers and athletics administrators. The NFF Awards Committee will select up to 16 recipients, and the results will be announced via a national press release on Wednesday, October 26. Each recipient will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship, and they will vie as finalists for the 2011 William V. Campbell Trophy. Each member of the 2011 National Scholar-Athlete Class will also travel to New York City be honored December 6 during the 54th NFF Annual Awards Dinner at the Waldorf-Astoria where their accomplishments will be highlighted in front of one of the most powerful audiences in all of sports. One member of the class will also be announced live at the event as the winner of the Campbell Trophy.
Sgt. York Trophy Enters Fifth Season in 2011: 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. Early on this season Tennessee Tech has an early lead (1-0), while Austin Peay and UT Martin are tied for second (1-1) and Tennessee State is fourth (0-1).
OVC Teams Versus FBS Foes: In the first six 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 Watch list, released by The Sports Network and sponsored by Fathead.com. Brockman was on the preseason list as well as the updated list released on Oct. 4 for the award 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 Watch List released by The Sports Network and sponsored by Fathead.com. Caldwell was on the preseason list as well as the updated list released on Oct. 4. 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."
Garlington Records Ninth 100-Yard Kick Return in OVC History: Tennessee State freshman Weldon Garlington returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown on Oct. 1 at Austin Peay. It marked the ninth time in OVC history that a player had recorded a 100-yard kickoff return and first since the 2006 season. Overall Garlington's return was the third time a TSU player has accomplished that feat while a member of the OVC, as Avion Black did it twice in 1999.
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).
Jackson Named National Defensive Player of the Week (Oct. 3): Jacksonville State sophomore linebacker Clarence Jackson was named the National All-Star Defensive Player of the Week by the College Sporting News on Oct. 3 after his play in a road win over Murray 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 the win. 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.
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.
Scheible, Barfield, Crawford and Garlington Earn College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) For Week No. 5: Four OVC players earned national honors from the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) for performances in Week 5 of the season. Southeast Missouri State quarterback Matt Scheible was named National Performer of the Week and National Quarterback of the Week after accounting for 291 yards of total offense and all five of his team's touchdowns in a win over Eastern Illinois. Three other players - UT Martin's Kevin Barfield, Eastern Illinois' Tavares Crawford and Tennessee State's Weldon Garlington shared National Kickoff Returner of the Week honors. Barfield returned a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown against Tennessee Tech (and finished the game with 171 return yards), Crawford returned a kickoff 83 yards for a touchdown against Southeast Missouri (and finished the game with 190 return yards) while Garlington returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown against Austin Peay (and finished the game with 133 return yards). In addition to those four, four 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.
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.
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.