OFFENSIVE
Mike Harris, RB • Sr., 5-11, 200 • Tulsa, Okla. • Murray State
Harris rushed for 133 yards and a school record four touchdowns as Murray State came from behind to top Eastern Illinois 36-27 on Saturday. The senior scored on runs of 1 and 22 yards in the first half and 2 and 24 yards in the second half. His touchdown run early in the fourth quarter pulled the Racers to within three points of the Panthers and his 24-yard scamper with one second remaining put the game out of reach. Harris carried the ball 30 times on the afternoon, tying the career-high he set a year ago. The senior also completed a 31-yard pass on the opening possession of the game. It marked his second 100-yard rushing performance of the year and the second time this season he has been named Offensive Player of the Week.
Others Nominated: Chris Wright, Eastern Illinois; Matt Denham, Eastern Kentucky; Washaun Ealey, Jacksonville State; Matt Scheible, Southeast Missouri; Michael German, Tennessee State; Tre Lamb, Tennessee Tech; Quentin Sims, UT Martin.
DEFENSIVE
Antonio Harper, DB • R-So., 6-1, 211 • Memphis, Tenn. • Tennessee State
Harper had a team-high nine tackles to go along with 4.0 tackles-for-loss and 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble in Tennessee State's 42-40 upset of No. 19 Tennessee Tech on Saturday. Harper's biggest play of the game came in the fourth quarter with TTU in makeable field goal range, as he sacked the Golden Eagle quarterback for a loss of six yards and on the next play Tech missed a 42-yard field goal (and ultimately led TSU to a two-point victory). The sophomore also picked up a sack on the final drive of the game. The 4.0 tackles-for-loss and 2.5 sacks were both individual single-game highs in the OVC this season.
Others Nominated: Antonio Taylor, Eastern Illinois; Patrick McClellan, Eastern Kentucky; Brooks Robinson, Jacksonville State; Kevin Robinson, Murray State; Blake Peiffer, Southeast Missouri; Howard Griffin, Tennessee Tech; Ben Johnson, UT Martin.
SPECIALIST
Zach Sharp, K • Fr., 6-2, 190 • Maryville, Tenn. • Tennessee Tech
Sharp made four field goals and four extra point attempts to account for 16 points in Tennessee Tech's 42-40 loss to Tennessee State on Saturday. The freshman connected from 34, 49, 31 and 26 yards in the game, accounting for the second-most field goals in TTU single-game history. His 49-yard field goal came two seconds before halftime and marked his career-long and matched the longest field goal in the OVC this season. His 16 points scored by kicking was also the second-most in Golden Eagle history. Sharp currently ranks 18th nationally in field goals/game (1.33).
Others Nominated: Scott Weatherford, Eastern Illinois; Luke Pray, Eastern Kentucky; Coty Blanchard, Jacksonville State; Kienan Cullen, Murray State.
NEWCOMER
Michael German, QB • R-Fr., 6-3, 220 • Pompano Beach, Fla. • Tennessee State
For the third week in a row Tennessee State redshirt freshman quarterback Michael German earned OVC Newcomer of Week honors after leading the Tigers to their second OVC victory in as many weeks with a 42-40 upset of No. 19 Tennessee Tech. German completed 19-of-29 passes for 232 yards and two touchdowns and carried the ball four times for 15 yards and an additional score. Overall it marked the third consecutive 200-plus yard passing game for German who has not thrown an interception in 131 attempts this season. He is the first OVC player to win the Newcomer of the Week award in three-straight weeks since the 2001 season (EKU's C.J. Hudson).
Others Nominated: AJ Woodson, Eastern Illinois; Kevin Hamlin, Eastern Kentucky; Washaun Ealey, Jacksonville State; Kevin Robinson, Murray State; Spencer Davis, Southeast Missouri; Zach Sharp, Tennessee Tech; Ben Johnson, UT Martin.