This Week's Games
Saturday, November 5
Central State at Austin Peay, 1:00 p.m. (OVCSports.TV)
Central Methodist at Southeast Missouri, 1:00 p.m. (OVCSports.TV)
*Murray State at #15 Tennessee Tech, 1:30 p.m. (ESPN3)
*Tennessee State at Eastern Illinois, 1:30 p.m. (OVCSports.TV)
*Eastern Kentucky at #18 Jacksonville State, 3:00 p.m. (ESPN3)
UT Martin at Mississippi State, 6:30 p.m. (CSS)
This Week's OVC Highlights/Storylines
Tennessee Tech traveled to Jacksonville State on Saturday and knocked off the first-place Gamecocks for the second-straight season, winning 21-14...That victory and an Eastern Kentucky win at Murray State has forced a three-way tie at the top of the OVC standings with three weeks to play...Eastern Kentucky will play at Jacksonville State this week and host Tennessee Tech the following week...With a win over Southeast Missouri, UT Martin improved to 4-2 in the OVC and is just a game behind each of those teams in the loss column... The possibility exists for the OVC Champion to finish with two Conference losses this season; if that would happen it would only be the second time in OVC history (matching the 1962 and 2009 seasons)...Murray State senior kicker Kienan Cullen connected on two field goals on Saturday and is now tied with Middle Tennessee's Kelly Potter (1981-84) for most career field goals (52); Cullen now has 262 career points scored, which is just one point out of the OVC's career Top 10 scoring list...EKU junior Matt Denham has rushed for 200 or more yards in three of his last four games and now ranks ninth in the FCS in rushing (112.13); Denham is one of only two players in the FCS to have three 200-yard rushing games this season...Murray State's Qua Huzzie was named National Defensive Player of the Week by the Sports Network/Fathead.com after registering 13 tackles, 4.0 tackles-for-loss, 2.0 sacks, two forced fumbles and a pass break-up against EKU...Eastern Illinois snapped a six-game losing streak by beating Austin Peay; the win was the 68th in OVC play for head coach Bob Spoo, moving him out of a tie and into sole possession of fourth place on the all-time list with WKU's Jimmy Feix...Spoo will coach in his last OVC and home game on Saturday when EIU hosts Tennessee State...In addition to that game and the Eastern Kentucky/Jacksonville State game, Murray State plays at Tennessee Tech in OVC action...In non-conference play Austin Peay will host Central State, Southeast Missouri hosts Central Methodist and UT Martin plays at Mississippi State.
adidas® OVC Players of the Week
OFFENSIVE
Matt Denham, RB • Jr., 5-11, 181 • Rineyville, Ky. • Eastern Kentucky
Denham matched his season-high with 35 rushing attempts as he ran for 219 yards and two touchdowns in a 34-33 victory over Murray State on Saturday. It marked his second-straight 200-yard rushing game and his third 200-plus yard rushing game in the last four weeks. The 219 yards was the 11th-highest single-game mark in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) this season; Denham has three of the highest 16 rushing games in the FCS in 2011. Denham scored a 34-yard touchdown on the first offensive play of the game and added a 46-yard score on EKU's first drive of the third quarter. Denham now ranks ninth nationally in rushing (112.13 yards/game) and reached the 1,000-yard career rushing plateau early in the game. The junior is one of just two players at the FCS level this season to have three 200-yard rushing games.
Others Nominated: Jake Walker, Eastern Illinois; Coty Blanchard, Jacksonville State; Mike Harris, Murray State; Matt Scheible, Southeast Missouri; Tre Lamb, Tennessee Tech; Tevin Barksdale, UT Martin.
CO-DEFENSIVE
Qua Huzzie, LB • So., 5-11, 237 • LaGrange, Ga. • Murray State
Huzzie, a transfer from the University of Kentucky, had 13 tackles (8 solo), four tackles-for-loss, two sacks, two forced fumbles and a pass break-up in Murray State's 34-33 home loss to Eastern Kentucky on Saturday. Both of the sophomore's forced fumbles came in the first half, the second occurring in the EKU end zone which was recovered by teammate Jeremy Brackett for a touchdown. Huzzie currently ranks sixth in the OVC and 26th nationally in tackles/game (8.33).
CO-DEFENSIVE
Corey Watson, DB • Sr., 5-10, 185 • Sevierville, Tenn. • Tennessee Tech
Watson had eight tackles, a pass break-up and a forced fumble as No. 19 Tennessee Tech went on the road to No. 13 Jacksonville and won 21-14 to move into a three-way tie for first place in the OVC. The forced fumble, the only turnover of the entire game, came with 1:30 to play in the game and Jax State at the Tennessee Tech 30-yard line driving for a potential game-tying score. The Golden Eagles recovered the fumble and were able to run out the clock and defeat the Gamecocks for the second-straight year.
Others Nominated: Gordy Kickels, Eastern Illinois; Ichiro Vance, Eastern Kentucky; Clarence Jackson, Jacksonville State; Blake Peiffer, Southeast Missouri; Ben Johnson, UT Martin.
SPECIALIST
Nick Campbell, P • Sr., 6-2, 225 • Lawrenceburg, Tenn. • Tennessee Tech
Campbell played a big role in helping the No. 19-ranked Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles top No. 13-ranked Jacksonville State on the road and move into a three-way tie for first place. Campbell punted five times, using high kicks and one kick out-of-bounds, to not allow a single JSU return all day. Four of his five punts were downed inside the Gamecock 20-yard line as Campbell averaged 37.2 yards/punt and had a long punt of 42 yards. As a team this season Tennessee Tech ranks sixth nationally in net punting (38.36 yards/punt) and eighth in punt return yardage defense (3.0 yards/return).
Others Nominated: DJ Bland, Eastern Illinois; Jeremy Caldwell, Eastern Kentucky; Kienan Cullen, Murray State; Cody Sandlin, UT Martin.
NEWCOMER
Qua Huzzie, LB • So., 5-11, 237 • LaGrange, Ga. • Murray State
Huzzie, a transfer from the University of Kentucky, had 13 tackles (8 solo), four tackles-for-loss, two sacks, two forced fumbles and a pass break-up in Murray State's 34-33 home loss to Eastern Kentucky on Saturday. Both of the sophomore's forced fumbles came in the first half, the second occurring in the EKU end zone which was recovered by teammate Jeremy Brackett for a touchdown. Huzzie currently ranks sixth in the OVC in tackles/game (8.33).
Others Nominated: Pat Wertz, Eastern Illinois; Clarence Jackson, Jacksonville State; Spencer Davis, Southeast Missouri; Adam Urbano, Tennessee Tech; Ben Johnson, UT Martin.
Notes From Around the Gridiron
Huzzie Named National Defensive Player of the Week (Oct. 31): Murray State sophomore linebacker Qua Huzzie was named National Co-Defensive Player of the Week by Sports Network/Fathead.com on Oct. 31. Huzzie, a transfer from the University of Kentucky, had 13 tackles (8 solo), four tackles-for-loss, two sacks, two forced fumbles and a pass break-up in Murray State's 34-33 home loss to Eastern Kentucky. Both of the sophomore's forced fumbles came in the first half, the second occurring in the EKU end zone which was recovered by teammate Jeremy Brackett for a touchdown.
Murray State's Cullen Ties OVC Career Field Goals Made Record: With two made field goals against Eastern Kentucky on Oct. 29, Murray State senior Kienan Cullen tied the OVC record for career fields goals made with 52. Cullen is currently tied with Middle Tennessee's Kelly Potter (1981-84) and has three games left this season to add one more field goal and hold the record outright. Cullen has 262 career points scored, which is just one point away from entering the OVC's career Top 10.
EKU's Denham Rushes for 200-Plus Yards in Three of Last Four Games; One of Only Two Players in FCS with Three 200-Plus Yard Games This Season: Eastern Kentucky junior running back Matt Denham has rushed for 200 or more yards in each of his last two games and three of his last four games overall. Denham rushed for 216 yards against Eastern Illinois (Oct. 8), 226 yards against Tennessee State (Oct. 22) and 219 yards against Murray State (Oct. 29). In the one game during the streak he did not reach 200 yards, Denham rushed for 142 yards against Southeast Missouri State. EKU is 4-0 during Denham's recent streak, which started after the team's bye week. Denham is one of only two players in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) to have three or more 200-plus yard rushing games this season (Indiana State's Shakir Bell - 256, 221, 213 - is the other).
More on Multiple 100-Yard Games: Eastern Kentucky's Matt Denham has rushed for 100 or more yards in four-straight games, becoming the second player in the OVC to do that this season (JSU's Washaun Ealey had a streak of four-straight 100-yard games snapped on Oct. 29). The last OVC player to have five-straight 100-yard rushing games was UT Martin's Don Chapman, who rushed for 100 or more yards in the final five games of the 2007 season (Oct. 13 - Nov. 17).
EIU's Leman Named Finalist for ARA Sportsmanship Award: Eastern Illinois senior linebacker Cory Leman is one of 10 finalists for the ARA (Awards and Recognition Association) Sportsmanship Award, which is given to one outstanding NCAA Division I collegiate football player who best personifies the spirit of sportsmanship. Leman, a four-year starter and team captain this season, leads EIU in tackles. To qualify for the award, an athlete must be a starting player or significant contributor on his team; be in good academic standing; demonstrate great respect for competitors, school, teammates and coaches; show an ability to accept victory and defeat graciously; convey a high degree of humility and integrity; and demonstrate commitment in the classroom and to the community.
Harris Earns College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) For Week No. 8: Murray State senior running back Mike Harris earned national honors from the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) for his performance in Week 9 of the season. Harris was named National Running Back Performer of the Week after rushing for 206 yards on 21 carries (9.8 yards/carry). Harris also had six catches for 66 yards. In addition to Harris, two 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.
Red Zone Offense: In the latest NCAA statistical rankings, four of the nine OVC teams currently rank in the Top 10 nationally in red zone offense. UT Martin is first having scored 97% of the time the team has reached the red zone. Tennessee State ranks third (94%) while Jacksonville State and Eastern Illinois are tied for seventh (92%).
OVC Teams Strong in Kick/Punt Returns: So far this season six of the nine OVC teams (Eastern Illinois, Eastern Kentucky, Jacksonville State, Murray State, Tennessee State and UT Martin) have returned a kickoff for a touchdown. In punt returns, three OVC teams rank in the Top 10 nationally, as Tennessee State is second (19.88 yards/return), UT Martin is sixth (15.76 yards/return) and Murray State is ninth (13.91 yards/return). Individually in punt returns, UT Martin's CJ Estelle ranks first nationally (19.60 yards/return) while Murray State's Dontrell Johnson is third (16.20 yards/return). Tennessee State's Weldon Garlington has returned each a kickoff and a punt for a touchdown this season, going 100 yards for the kickoff return and 91 yards for the punt return.
OVC Teams in Top 25: Jacksonville State, who has now been ranked in the Top 25 for 40 consecutive weeks, is No. 18 in this week's FCS Coaches Poll and also in the Sports Network/Fathead.com poll. 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. 15 in the FCS Coaches poll and No. 20 in the Sports Network/Fathead.com poll. 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.
NCAA Stats Leaders: In the latest set of NCAA statistical leaders, Murray State quarterback Casey Brockman ranks sixth nationally in total offense (316.5 yards/game), second in completions (28.63/game), third in passing yards/game (313.38), fourth in total passing yards (2,507) and seventh in points responsible for (16.50/game). Eastern Kentucky running back Matt Denham is ninth in rushing (112.13 yards/game). UT Martin's Cody Sandlin is eighth in scoring (9.14 points/game) while his teammate CJ Estelle is first in punt returns (19.60 yards/return) while Murray State's Dontrell Johnson is third (16.20 yards/return). Tennessee State's Jamin Godfrey is third in field goals (1.75 made/game) and 10th in scoring (9.0 points/game), tied with UT Martin's Cody Sandlin. Southeast Missouri's Blake Peiffer is sixth in tackles/game (12.38), UT Martin's Ben Johnson and Tennessee Tech's Dwight Evans are tied for ninth in forced fumbles (0.43/game) and Eastern Kentucky's Myer Nolan is fourth in fumbles recovered/game (0.38/game). In the team rankings UT Martin is first in fewest fumbles lost (3), first in fewest sacks allowed (0.38/game), first in red zone offense (97%), third in scoring offense (39.75 points/game), fifth in tackles-for-loss (8.63/game) and sixth in punt returns (15.76 yards/return). Murray State ranks fourth in passing offense (324.38 yards/game), sixth in total offense (458.13 yards/game) and ninth in punt returns (13.91 yards/return). Tennessee State ranks third in punt returns (19.88 yards/return), ninth in fumbles recovered (12) and third in red zone offense (94%). Eastern Kentucky is fifth in fourth down conversion percentage (75.0%) and seventh in net punting (38.21 yards/punt). Tennessee Tech ranks sixth in net punting (38.36 yards/punt) and eight in punt return defense (3.00 yards/return). Eastern Illinois is fifth in fewest yards penalized/game (38.22), 10th in fewest yards penalties/game (4.67), ninth in pass defense (161.89 yards/game) and seventh in red zone offense (92%).
Attendance Numbers: In the latest FCS attendance numbers, Jacksonville State ranks 13th nationally (an average of 17,321 fans in four home games). Tennessee State has played in front of the third-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 Fourth All-Time in OVC Wins; Will Retire After 2011 Season: With a victory over Austin Peay on Oct. 29, Eastern Illinois head coach Bob Spoo moved out of a tie and into sole possession of fourth place on the OVC all-time career Conference victory list. Spoo has now won 68 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. In all games as head coach since Eastern Illinois joined the OVC in 1996, Spoo has registered 92 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.
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. At the halfway point of the season all four teams currently have 1-1 records. If defending champion UT Martin tops Tennessee State on Nov. 12, it can finish in no worse than a tie for the award and under the rules would retain the trophy.
OVC Teams Versus FBS Foes: So far this season OVC schools have squared off in games against nine teams from the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS); overall OVC schools will play 10 games against FBS teams during the 2011 season. Despite going 0-9 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."
German Added to Jerry Rice Award Watch List: Tennessee State redshirt freshman quarterback Michael German has been added to the Jerry Rice Award Watch List, which was updated and released by the Sports Network on Oct. 18. The award, which is sponsored by Fathead.com, is given to the most outstanding freshman in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) and is in its inaugural season in 2011. The award is named after legendary wide receiver Jerry Rice who played college football at then I-AA (now FCS) Mississippi Valley State before going on to a Hall of Fame career with the San Francisco 49ers. A national panel of sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries will select the first Jerry Rice Award winner after the regular season. Rice will be on hand at the national awards banquet on Jan. 6 in Frisco, Texas, to present the award. German is currently one of 18 freshmen on the watch list.
Scheible Becomes First OVC Player to Pass for 4,000 and Rush for 2,000 Yards in a Career: In the Oct. 15 game at Eastern Kentucky, Southeast Missouri State senior quarterback Matt Scheible became the first player in OVC history to throw for 4,000 yards and rush for 2,000 yards in a career. Scheible currently has 4,101 passing yards and 2,054 rushing yards in his four-year career. His 6,155 yards of total offense for his career is just 322 yards away from the OVC career top 10 and currently ranks ninth nationally among active FCS players.
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).
Three OVC Student-Athletes 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 - finished as semifinalists 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.
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.
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.
Hughes, Chambers and Moseley Earn College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) For Week No. 8: Three OVC players earned national honors from the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) for performances in Week 8 of the season. UT Martin junior nose guard Montori Hughes was named National Defensive Performer of the Week and National Defensive Lineman of the Week after recording 10 tackles, a sack, 5.5 tackles-for-loss and forcing and recovering a fumble in a 24-23 victory over Eastern Illinois. Jacksonville State freshman Gabriel Chambers was named National Kickoff Returner of the Week after registering a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against Kentucky. Tennessee State punter Matt Moseley averaged 50.8 yards/punt on four punts at Eastern Kentucky, including a school record 73-yard punt and two punts downed inside the EKU 20-yard line. In addition to those three, 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.
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.
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: Currently there are 14 former Ohio Valley Conference players are on NFL rosters (10 active players, 3 practice squad members, one IR). 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.