• OVC Football Report - November 19 (PDF)
This Week's Schedule
Saturday, November 24
NCAA Division I Championship First Round
#25 Eastern Illinois at #19 South Dakota State, 2:00 p.m. (ESPN3)
This Week OVC Highlights/Storylines
Eastern Illinois, who had already locked up the OVC Championship and league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Football Championship last week, ended the regular season with a non-conference loss at No. 10 Central Arkansas (the Southland Conference champions)...The Panthers will begin the playoffs this week at No. 19 South Dakota State, a team that finished second in the Missouri Valley Football Conference and who are making its second-ever Division I playoff appearance...For EIU it is the program’s 14th overall Division I playoff appearance (1982, 1983, 1986, 1989, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012); the 14 playoff appearances are second-most among current OVC teams and eighth-most in FCS history...EIU was the only OVC team selected to the 20-team field, marking the first time since 2009 that the league has not placed multiple teams in the playoff field; next season the playoff field increases to 24 teams...Eastern Illinois is 3-13 all-time in the Division I playoffs; the last time EIU was in the playoffs the Panthers lost to No. 1 Southern Illinois (2009)...Overall EIU has lost 10 playoff games in a row and searching for its first win since beating Idaho 38-31 in the first round of the 1989 playoffs...Overall OVC teams are looking to snap an 18-game losing streak in the playoffs; the last OVC team to win a playoff game was Western Kentucky in 2000...OVC teams are 24-47 all-time in the FCS Playoffs...EIU junior WR Erik Lora set the NCAA FCS single season record for receptions (124) on Saturday, passing the old mark of 123 by Elon’s Terrell Hudgins (accomplished in 12 games in 2009); Lora’s 1,531 receiving yards this season is 11th-most in FCS history, just 181 away from the all-time record...Murray State junior RS/WR Walter Powell set the NCAA FCS record with a 100-yard punt return for a touchdown on Saturday; it was the first 100-yard punt return since the FCS was formed in 1978...UT Martin senior WR Quentin Sims set the OVC single-season touchdown receptions mark (16) against Tennessee State on Saturday...Eastern Illinois senior Chris Wright tied the OVC career record for touchdown catches (32) at Central Arkansas on Saturday...Murray State senior QB Casey Brockman, who already held most every OVC passing record, finished his season and career by setting the OVC single-season completion percentage record (69.4%)....Tennessee State and UT Martin finished the year 2-1 in the Sgt. York Trophy series to share the championship; TSU will take home the trophy for the fourth time and second-straight year due to the tiebreaker that states if a team with the trophy is part of the tie they will retain the trophy.
adidas® OVC Players of the Week
CO-OFFENSIVE
Jake Ryan, QB • Sr., 6-2, 205 • Knoxville, Tenn. • Austin Peay
Ryan capped his Austin Peay career by completing 27-of-38 passes for 310 yards and a career-high four touchdowns in the Governors 38-31 victory over Tennessee Tech. The win was the first over a Division I opponent this season for the team and snapped a 12-game OVC losing streak dating back to the beginning of last season. Three of his four touchdown passes went to senior Devin Stark, including a 23-yard strike in the third quarter that extended the Govs lead to 38-7 (after the team had led 31-0 at halftime). The 38 points were the most ever scored by Austin Peay in 46 all-time meetings with Tennessee Tech. In the process Ryan became just the second Austin Peay quarterback to throw for over 5,000 yards in his career and he also moved into second place on the APSU career completions list (497). Over his final eight games of the season Ryan tossed 16 touchdowns against only three interceptions.
CO-OFFENSIVE
Quentin Sims, WR • Sr., 6-3, 202 • Cincinnati, Ohio • UT Martin
Sims set the OVC single-season receiving touchdown record (16) in UT Martin’s season finale victory over No. 23 Tennessee State. The senior caught eight passes for 176 yards and three touchdowns as the Skyhawks won 35-26 to finish the season 8-3 overall (6-2 OVC). Sims caught a 32-yard touchdown pass with 10:58 to play in the first quarter and added a season-long 50-yard touchdown three minutes later to put UTM up 14-0. His final touchdown of the day, a 33-yarder, came with 1:10 to play and put the game out of reach. The 16 touchdown catches in a season broke the previous record of 15 held by each Southeast Missouri’s Willie Ponder (2002) and Samford’s Efrem Hill (2003). Sims caught at least one touchdown pass in every Skyhawk game in 2012 and finished the year with 86 catches (sixth-most in OVC history) for 1,092 yards (10th-most in OVC history).
Others Nominated: Erik Lora, Eastern Illinois; Kevyn Cooper, Jacksonville State; Levi Terrell, Southeast Missouri; Michael German, Tennessee State; Darian Stone, Tennessee Tech.
CO-DEFENSIVE
Artavious Dowdell, DE • Sr., 6-2, 230 • Belle Glade, Fla. • Eastern Illinois
Dowdell recorded seven tackles (six solo), 4.0 tackles-for-loss, 2.0 sacks and forced two fumbles in Eastern Illinois’ 48-30 loss at No. 10 Central Arkansas on Saturday night. Both of the forced fumbles came in UCA territory and both were converted into EIU touchdowns. The senior ranks 25th nationally in sacks/game (0.68) and 27th in tackles-for-loss/game (1.23).
CO-DEFENSIVE
Brandon Wicks, LB • Jr., 5-11, 195 • Murray, Ky. • Murray State
Wicks tallied a career-high 16 tackles, including 12 solo stops, in Murray State’s 42-35 victory over Southeast Missouri on Saturday. The junior also added 1.5 tackles-for-loss and 0.5 sacks. He was part of a defensive unit that limited the Redhawks to 91 yards passing on the day.
Others Nominated: Ernest Smith, Austin Peay; Ben Endress, Jacksonville State; Nick Thrasher, Tennessee State; Ben Johnson, UT Martin.
SPECIALIST
Walter Powell, RS • Jr., 6-2, 180 • St. Louis, Mo. • Murray State
Powell set a NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) record with a 100-yard punt return in Murray State’s 42-35 victory over Southeast Missouri on Saturday. The return came with 9:09 to play in the second quarter and put the Racers up 14-3. It marked the first-ever 100-yard punt return since the FCS was formed in 1978; the previous long punt returns were 98 yards by each Barney Bussey of South Carolina State (1981) and Willie Ware of Mississippi Valley State (1985). It tied the OVC all-time record, also held by Murray State’s Phil Foster (set in 1959, prior to the formation of the FCS). It was Powell’s second punt return for a touchdown on the season. Powell finished the day with 302 all-purpose yards, gaining 134 yards on three kick returns (including an 83-yarder), 117 yards on two punt returns and catching four passes for 51 yards and a touchdown. Powell currently ranks second nationally in all-purpose yards (193.0/game), fifth in punt returns (15.84 yards/return) and 19th in kickoff returns (26.26 yards/return).
Others Nominated: Scott Weatherford, Eastern Illinois; Hamish MacInnes, Jacksonville State; Jamin Godfrey, Tennessee State; Chad Zinchini, Tennessee Tech; Jason McNair, UT Martin.
NEWCOMER
Alex Helms, LB • R-Jr., 6-2, 228 • Naperville, Ill. • Eastern Illinois
Helms, the transfer from Concordia University, had a season-high 16 tackles in Eastern Illinois’ regular season finale at No. 10 Central Arkansas on Saturday. Starting for an injured Robert Hayes at middle linebacker, the redshirt junior made 14 solo stops and recovered a fumble in the first half that led to a Panthers touchdown. Helms had entered the game with just 18 total tackles in the previous 10 games of the season. The 16 total tackles are tied for sixth-most by an OVC player in a game this season.
Others Nominated: Adam Noble, Austin Peay; Hamish MacInnes, Jacksonville State; Jaamal Berry, Murray State; Scott Lathrop, Southeast Missouri; A.C. Leonard, Tennessee State; Ladarius Vanlier, Tennessee Tech; Jordan Landry, UT Martin.
Notes From Around the League
All-OVC Teams to Be Announced on Nov. 20: The 2012 All-OVC football teams as well as the Offensive Player, Defensive Player, Freshman and Coach of the Year awards will be announced on Tuesday, Nov. 20.
Lora Sets NCAA Single-Season Receptions Record: It took just eight games for Eastern Illinois wide receiver
Erik Lora to set the OVC single-season receptions record. Lora recorded his 93rd catch of the season on Oct. 27 at Eastern Kentucky, breaking the previous record of 92 catches by Samford’s Efrem Hill (2003). In the regular season finale at No. 10 Central Arkansas on Nov. 17, Lora recorded his 124th catch of the season, setting a new Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) record. Lora passed Elon’s Terrell Hudgins who had 123 catches in 12 games in 2009. Lora has at least one more game this season to add to his record as EIU will play in the first round of the NCAA Division I Football Championship. Lora’s 11.3 receptions/game average currently ranks fourth in FCS history.
Lora Also Sets OVC Single Season Receiving Yards Record, Now Ranks 11th in NCAA History: In a game against Southeast Missouri on Nov. 10 Eastern Illinois junior wide receiver
Erik Lora set the OVC single-season record for receiving yards, breaking the former record of 1,453 yards by Southeast Missouri’s Willie Ponder in 2002. Lora now has an FCS-best 1,531 yards, which is 11th in FCS history. He is just 181 yards away from the all-time FCS record (1,712 by Delaware’s Eddie Conti in 1998) and averaging 139.2 yards/game.
Eastern Illinois Wins 6th OVC Championship, Earns 14th NCAA Division I Playoff Berth: With a victory over Southeast Missouri on Nov. 10 Eastern Illinois finished the season 6-1 in OVC competition to earn its sixth OVC football championship and first since 2009. The Panthers have also won OVC crowns in 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006 and 2009. The six championships are the sixth-most in OVC history. EIU also earned the OVC’s automatic berth into the NCAA Division I Football Championship which will be the 14th playoff appearance for the team who has also been in the field in 1982, 1983, 1986, 1989, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2009. The 14 playoff appearances are the second-most among current OVC teams and the eighth-most in FCS history.
Babers One of Four First-Year Coaches to Win OVC Title: Eastern Illinois head coach
Dino Babers led his team to the OVC Championship in his first year as a collegiate head coach. In doing so he became just the fourth OVC coach to lead his team to the title in his first season as a head coach, joining Austin Peay’s Boots Donnelly (1977), UT Martin’s Jason Simpson (2006) and Eastern Kentucky’s Dean Hood (2008).
From Worst to First: For just the fourth time in the 65-year history of the OVC, a team that finished last in the standings the previous year came back to win the championship the following year. Eastern Illinois was 1-7 in OVC play in 2011 but rebounded to finish 6-1 in 2012 and claim the OVC title. The other teams to achieve the feat include Western Kentucky (1-5-1 in 1977, 6-0 in 1978), Murray State (1-5 in 1978, 6-0 in 1979) and Southeast Missouri (1-7 in 2009, 7-1 in 2010).
NCAA Division I Playoff Information: This season marks the third of the expanded 20-team playoff field. Two years ago the field was expanded from 16 to 20 teams, marking the first expansion since the field grew from 12 to 16 teams in 1997. The eight lowest-rated teams will play in first round games while the 12-highest rated teams will receive a bye into the second round. For the third-straight year the championship game will be played in Frisco, Texas at FC Dallas Stadium. The Southland Conference will serve as the host of the championship, which will be held on Saturday, January 5. It was announced in August 2012 that the field would once again expand, this time to 24 teams beginning in the 2013 season. With the expansion will come an automatic bid for the Pioneer League, giving the playoffs 11 automatic bids and 13 at-large selections.
OVC Teams in the Playoffs: OVC teams are 24-47 all-time in the NCAA Division I Football Championship. The league has not won a playoff game since 2000, when former member Western Kentucky beat Florida A&M 27-0 in the first round. Since that game the teams have lost 18-straight contests. Eastern Kentucky has made the most playoff appearances among OVC schools (20), including winning two national championships.
More on the Playoffs: Eastern Illinois was the only OVC team selected to participate in the playoffs this season. It marks the first time since 2009 that the league has not had multiple teams in the field. In the 35 years of the FCS playoffs (which started in 1979), the OVC has placed two teams in the playoffs 18 total times, including now in four of the past seven seasons.
Sims, Powell Earn National Player of the Week Honors (Nov. 19): UT Martin senior
Quentin Sims was named National Offensive Player of the Week while Murray State junior
Walter Powell was named National Special Teams Player of the Week by the College Sporting News on Nov. 19. Powell also earned the honor from the Sports Network. In his final collegiate game Sims caught eight passes for 176 yards and three touchdowns in setting the OVC single-season record for receiving touchdowns (16). The performance helped UTM to a win over No. 23 Tennessee State as the Skyhawks finished the season 8-3. It marked the seventh time in 12 total weeks this season the OVC has produced the National Offensive Player of the Week. Powell began the first person since the FCS was formed in 1978 to return a punt 100 yards for a touchdown, doing so in a 42-35 win over Southeast Missouri. It was the second punt return touchdown of the season for Powell, who finished the game with 302 all-purpose yards (134 on kick returns, 117 on punt returns and 51 yards in receiving).
Brockman Sets OVC Career Passing Yards and Total Offense Marks: Murray State senior quarterback
Casey Brockman set the OVC career passing yardage mark against Jacksonville State on Oct. 27. Brockman broke the record of 9,028 yards previously held by Morehead State’s Chris Swartz (1987-90) and finished his career with 9,990 career passing yards. A week later (Nov. 3) against Tennessee State Brockman became the OVC career leader for total offense, passing Murray State’s Michael Proctor (who had 9,886 yards from 1986-89); Brockman finished his career with 10,502 yards of total offense.
Brockman Sets OVC Single Season Passing Record; EIU’s Garoppolo Close Behind in Third: In a game at Eastern Kentucky on Nov. 10 Murray State senior quarterback
Casey Brockman broke the OVC single-season passing yards record previously held by former Murray State quarterback (and current Memphis head coach) Justin Fuente (3,497 yards in 1999). Brockman finished the season with 3,729 yards. Eastern Illinois quarterback
Jimmy Garoppolo is just 127 yards behind Brockman in second place (3,602 yards) and has at least one more game left, as EIU will compete in the FCS playoffs this week.
Brockman Breaks OVC Single Season Completion Percentage Record: Murray State senior quarterback
Casey Brockman finished the 2012 season with a 69.4 completion percentage, which set the OVC single season record, breaking the previous mark of 68.3 percent by each Mike Simpson (Eastern Illinois, 1997) and Jeff Ehrhardt (Murray State, 2010). Brockman finished his career with a 66.76 career percentage, which was just slightly off the OVC career record of 67.1 (by Simpson).
Wright Ties OVC Career Receiving Touchdown Record: In a game at Central Arkansas on Nov. 17, Eastern Illinois senior wide receiver
Chris Wright pulled in three touchdown catches to increase his career total to 32, tying Tennessee State’s Chris Johnson (2000-03) for the OVC career record.
Powell Sets NCAA FCS Record With 100-Yard Punt Return: Murray State’s
Walter Powell tied the OVC record for longest punt return with a 100-yard touchdown return against Southeast Missouri on Nov. 17. He equaled the record previously set by Murray State’s Phil Foster against Morehead State in 1959. It is the longest punt return in NCAA FCS history (since the division was formed in 1978), passing the 98-yard record previously held by Barney Bussey (South Carolina State, 1981) and Willie Ware (Mississippi Valley State, 1985).
Sims Sets OVC Single Season Receiving Touchdowns Record: With three touchdown catches in his team’s season finale with Tennessee State on Nov. 17, UT Martin senior
Quentin Sims set a new OVC single-season record for touchdown catches with 16. The 16 touchdown receptions broke the previous record of 15 held by Southeast Missouri’s Willie Ponder (2002) and Samford’s Efrem Hill (2003).
The Offensive Valley Conference: OVC teams have put up a lot of points this season. That includes a 70-point outing by Murray State on Sept. 29 (the 6th most points in a FCS game this season), a 66-point outing by UT Martin on Oct. 13 (the 17th most points in a FCS game this season) and a 65-point effort by Eastern Illinois on Sept. 29 (the 20th most points in a FCS game this year). In the four Conference games on Sept. 22, eight OVC teams combined to score 287 points and account for 3,641 yards of total offense. That night saw three teams score 49 or more points, as Eastern Kentucky scored 51, Eastern Illinois scored 50 and Murray State scored 49 points. It is the most combined points in Conference games since the league went from 10 to nine teams in 2007. Through 12 weeks this season OVC teams have scored 40 or more points in a game 27 different times. As a whole the OVC ranks first nationally in average total offense (419.3 yards/game) and points (31.0/game).
The League of Extraordinary Wide Receivers: This season the OVC has showcased what could be considered the best collection of wide receivers in the nation. Currently OVC wideouts rank first (Eastern Illinois’
Erik Lora), fourth (Murray State’s
Walter Powell) and sixth (UT Martin’s
Quentin Sims) in receptions/game giving the OVC three of the top 6 receivers nationally; only one other conference (the Southern) has two individuals in the top 10 nationally. For receptions in a single game in 2012, the OVC has five individuals in the Top 11, including the first (Lora, 21), second (TTU’s Da’Rick Rogers, 18), third (Lora, 17), seventh (Lora, 15) and 11th (Powell, 14); no other conference nationally has more than two individuals in the Top 10 for receptions in a game.
Trio of OVC Quarterbacks Among Nation’s Elite: While OVC wide receivers are putting up extraordinary numbers, they have to have somebody throwing them the ball, and the league has several of the top quarterbacks nationally. The OVC currently has three quarterbacks in the top 7 nationally in passing yards/game, as Murray State’s
Casey Brockman is third (339.0 yards/game), Eastern Illinois’
Jimmy Garoppolo ranks sixth (328.09 yards/game) and UT Martin’s
Derek Carr is seventh (297.18 yards/game). The OVC is the only conference nationally with three quarterbacks in the Top 10 nationally in passing yards/game (only one other conference - The Pioneer - has two players in the Top 10).
OVC Teams in the Top 25: In the final Top 25 polls of the regular season Eastern Kentucky was ranked 16th in the FCS Coaches poll and 21st in the Sports Network Top 25. Eastern Illinois came in at No. 25 in the Sports Network poll and just outside (26th) in the FCS Coaches.
Tennessee State and UT Martin Share Sgt. York Championship; TSU Takes Home Trophy: The Sgt. York Trophy is a challenge trophy which goes to the annual winner of the quadrangular season series between the four football-playing OVC institutions in the state of Tennessee (Austin Peay, Tennessee State and Tennessee Tech and UT Martin). This season Tennessee State and UT Martin finished with identical 2-1 records giving them each a share of the championship. Tennessee State will keep the actual trophy due to the tiebreaker that states that “the trophy will be retained by the defending champion if they are involved in the tie.” Overall it marks the fourth time in six years that TSU will possess the actually trophy (2007, 2008, 2011, 2012).
More on the Sgt. York Trophy: In July 2007, the Nashville Sports Council and the OVC 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. 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 (that was the tiebreaker used only for the first year of the trophy series). 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 UT Martin became the third-straight OVC team to go 3-0 and win the trophy in claiming its first title in 2010. Last year Tennessee Tech and Tennessee State each finished 2-1 in Sgt. York play to share the trophy; Tennessee State, however, took home the actual trophy by a tiebreaker, since they had gone longer without possessing the trophy (TSU had last won in 2008 while TTU won in 2009). The trophy is presented at the Pepsi Celebration of Champions hosted by the Nashville Sports Council in the spring.
NCAA Stats Leaders: In the latest set of NCAA statistical leaders, Eastern Illinois wide receiver
Erik Lora is first nationally in receptions/game (11.27), receiving yards/game (139.18) and total receiving yards (1,531). Murray State wide receiver
Walter Powell is second in all-purpose yards (193.0/game), fourth in receptions (8.55/game), fifth in punt returns (15.84 yards/return), sixth in total receiving yards (1,213) and 10th in receiving yards/game (110.27). UT Martin’s
Quentin Sims is sixth in receptions/game (7.82) and ninth in total receiving yards (1,092). Murray State quarterback
Casey Brockman is first nationally in completions (32.64/game), second in total offense (345.64 yards/game), second in total passing yards (3,729), third in passing yards/game (339.0) and fourth in points responsible for (19.45/game). Eastern Illinois quarterback
Jimmy Garoppolo is fifth nationally in total offense (328.09 yards/game), fifth in total passing yards (3,602), fifth in points responsible for (18.73/game), sixth in passing yards/game (327.45) and seventh in completions/game (27.82). UT Martin quarterback
Derek Carr is sixth in total passing yards (3,276), seventh in passing yards/game (397.82) and seventh in points responsible for (17.45/game). Tennessee State running back
Trabis Ward is eighth in rushing (129.27 yards/game) while Eastern Kentucky’s
Matt Denham is ninth (126.0 yards/game) and Southeast Missouri’s Levi Terrell is 10th (122.64 yards/game). Denham is also 10th in scoring (9.45 points/game). EKU quarterback
T.J. Pryor is sixth in passing efficiency (154.24), UT Martin’s
Jason McNair is second in punt returns (17.56 yards/game), Tennessee State’s Jamin Godfrey is fourth in field goals (1.45/game) and Tennessee Tech’s
Chad Zinchini is fifth in punting (44.77 yards/punt). UT Martin’s
Ben Johnson is fifth in tackles/game (11.91). Tennessee State’s
Steven Godbolt III is second in interceptions (0.60/game), while Eastern Kentucky’s
Brooklyn Fox is third (0.55/game). In the team rankings Eastern Illinois is third in fumbles recovered (16), sixth in total offense (480.45 yards/game), sixth in passing offense (345.27 yards/game), seventh in scoring offense (38.91 points/game) and 10th in tackles-for-loss (7.55/game). Murray State is fifth in total offense (484.36 yards/game), fifth in passing offense (348.91 yards/game) and fifth in scoring offense (39.18 points/game). Eastern Kentucky ranks first in fewest fumbles lost (3), second in time of possession (34:22), second in turnover margin (+1.73), second in turnovers lost (9), fourth in passes intercepted (16), fifth in third down conversion (51.41%), sixth in turnovers gained (28), ninth in rushing defense (108.18 yards/game) and ninth in passing efficiency (152.05). UT Martin ranks seventh in turnover margin (+1.18/game), seventh in kickoff return yardage defense (15.36), eighth in fumbles lost (5), eighth in punt returns (16.47 yards/return), ninth in passing offense (299.55 yards/game), ninth in turnovers gained (26) and 10th in net punting (38.38 yards/punt). Southeast Missouri ranks fourth in fewest yards penalized/game (36.18), seventh in fewest penalties/game (4.36), eighth in fewest interceptions thrown (5) and ninth in rushing offense (262.36 yards/game). Austin Peay ranks fifth in fourth down conversion defense (27.27%) and ninth in sacks allowed/game (0.91).
OVC Has Four Walter Payton Award Finalists: When the Walter Payton Award ballot was released following the end of the regular season the OVC had 20 percent (4-of-20) of the nominees as Eastern Illinois junior wide receiver
Erik Lora, Eastern Illinois junior quarterback
Jimmy Garoppolo, Murray State senior quarterback
Casey Brockman and Eastern Kentucky senior running back
Matt Denham were each on the list. The only other FCS conference to have four finalists was the Big Sky. Brockman and Denham were on the preseason list while Garoppolo and Lora were was added in October. The Walter Payton Award was established in 1987 and is presented annually to the most outstanding college football player on the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) level. Ballots were sent to a panel of about 175 sports information/media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries following the regular season. The top three vote-getters will be invited to The Sports Network FCS Awards Presentation (Dec. 17 in Philadelphia). The only former OVC player to win the award is former Eastern Illinois quarterback Tony Romo who took home the honor in 2002.
Babers, Simpson Finalist for Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award: Eastern Illinois first-year head coach Dino Babers and UT Martin head coach Jason Simpson are two of 20 finalists for the Eddie Robinson National Coach of the Year award given by the Sports Network. Babers became just the fourth coach in OVC history to lead his team to the championship in his first season as a collegiate head coach. Babers took the Panthers from worst-to-first in just one season, becoming just the fourth team in OVC history to accomplish that feat. Overall EIU had a 7-4 record (6-1 OVC), won its sixth OVC Championship and is making its 14th NCAA FCS playoff appearance. Simpson guided the Skyhawks to an 8-3 overall record and 6-2 OVC mark, which tied for second in the league. The Skyhawks started the season with a victory over FBS foe Memphis, one of just 10 victories by FCS teams over FBS foes during the season. The winner will be announced at the annual Sports Network FCS Awards Presentation (Dec. 17 in Philadelphia).
Southeast Missouri’s Peiffer Finalist for Buck Buchanan Award: Southeast Missouri State senior linebacker
Blake Peiffer was one of 20 finalists for the Buck Buchanan as determined by the Sports Network. The Buck Buchanan Award was established in 1995 and is given to the top defensive player at the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) level. Peiffer was on the preseason watch list and remained on the list the entire season. Ballots were sent to a panel of about 175 sports information/media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries following the regular season. The winner will be announced at the annual Sports Network FCS Awards Presentation (Dec. 17 in Philadelphia). An OVC player has never won the Buck Buchanan Award.
Southeast Missouri’s Lathrop Finalist for Jerry Rice Award Watch List: Southeast Missouri redshirt freshman quarterback
Scott Lathrop is one of 20 finalists for the Jerry Rice Award presented by the Sports Network. The award, which was established in 2011, is given to the top freshman in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). The Rice Award, named for the legendary wide receiver, who played in the FCS (then Division I-AA) at Mississippi Valley State, will be voted on by a national panel of sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries following the regular season. The winner will be announced at the annual Sports Network FCS Awards Presentation (Dec. 17 in Philadelphia).
Attendance Figures: Tennessee State played in front of 42,257 fans on Sept. 8 against Jackson State in the Liberty Bowl in Memphis. That is the second-most fans to see a FCS game so far in the 2012 season. In average home attendance Tennessee State ranks 10th nationally, averaging 16,586 in five total home games, while Jacksonville State ranks 13th nationally averaging 16,006 in five home games.
Carr Throws Seven Touchdowns For Second Time This Season: Twice this season UT Martin senior quarterback
Derek Carr has thrown seven touchdowns in a game without throwing an interception. Carr achieved that feat against Murray State on Oct. 13 and against Jacksonville State on Nov. 3. He is the only quarterback in Division I (FBS or FCS) to have two games with seven touchdown passes this season. In fact only three other Division I quarterbacks have thrown seven or more touchdowns in a game this season: Murray State’s Casey Brockman (8 vs. UT Martin), Old Dominion’s Taylor Heinicke (7 vs. Campbell) and West Virginia’s Geno Smith (8 vs. Baylor).
Bonner and Sims Tie OVC Single Game Receiving Touchdowns Record: In a Nov. 3 game between Jacksonville State and UT Martin two players tied the OVC single-game record for receiving touchdowns. Jacksonville State senior
Alan Bonner caught 10 passes for 235 yards and five touchdowns while UT Martin senior
Quentin Sims hauled in 10 passes for 137 yards and the five scores. The five touchdowns by each player tied the OVC record also held by Murray State’s Marcus Harris (2010).
Lora Sets OVC Record for Consecutive 100-Yard Receiving Games (7): Eastern Illinois wide receiver
Erik Lora started the 2012 season by gaining 100 or more receiving yards in each of his first seven games (the streak ended with a 97-yard game at Eastern Kentucky on Oct. 27). The seven-straight 100-yard receiving games broke the previous OVC record of five held by Southeast Missouri’s Willie Ponder (Ponder accomplished the feat twice, both in the 2001 season and at the end of the 2001 season continuing over to the beginning of the 2002 season). In the last 12 years in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), only two players have had streaks equal to Lora, as Gramblings’ Tramon Douglas (2002) and Elon’s Aaron Mellette (2011) each had seven-straight games with 100-plus receiving yards.
Carr Sets NCAA Record for Single Game Passing Efficiency: In the Oct. 13 game against Murray State, UT Martin senior quarterback
Derek Carr set the NCAA record for passing efficiency (Min. 45 attempts). The senior completed 42-of-46 passes (91.3%) for 560 yards and seven touchdowns without an interception, giving him a passing efficiency of 243.78. That broke the previous record of 220.8 held by Stephen F. Austin’s Todd Hammel and set against Louisiana-Monroe on Nov. 11, 1989.
Eastern Illinois/Murray State Set NCAA Record for Combined Plays: In its Sept. 22 game, Eastern Illinois and Murray State combined for 210 plays which shattered the previous NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) record of 196 plays set by Villanova and UConn in 1989. Eastern Illinois won the game 50-49 in overtime.
UT Martin and Murray State Combine For Most Points in an OVC Game: When UT Martin defeated Murray State 66-59 on Oct. 13, the 125 combined points shattered the record for most combined points in an OVC game. The previous record was 110 set by the same two teams in 2007 (UTM won that game 76-34).
Brockman Establishes OVC Single-Game Passing Touchdown Record: In Murray State’s game against UT Martin on Oct. 13, Racers senior quarterback
Casey Brockman set a new OVC record for touchdown passes in a game with eight. The eight touchdowns broke the previous mark of seven which had been accomplished four times, including twice by Brockman (2010 vs. Missouri State and 2011 vs. Tennessee State). UT Martin’s Derek Carr had seven touchdown passes in the same Oct. 13 game and shared the record for one quarter until Brockman broke it late in the fourth quarter. The other instance of seven touchdown passes was by Morehead State’s Chris Swartz against Murray State in 1990.
Brockman Sets OVC Career Record for Completions: Murray State senior quarterback
Casey Brockman established a new OVC record for career completions in his team’s win over Austin Peay on Oct. 6. Brockman broke the record of 774 previously held by Morehead State’s Chris Swartz. Brockman finished his career with 938 career completions. He fell just shy of setting the OVC career attempts record, finishing with 1,405, two shy of the record held by Swartz.
TTU’s Vanlier Sets OVC Kick Return Attempts Record: Tennessee Tech freshman
Ladarius Vanlier set the OVC record with 11 kickoff returns in a Sept. 29 game at Murray State. The 11 returns were one off the NCAA record. Vanlier ended that game with 237 yards of kick return offense (13 yards shy of the OVC record) including a 94-yard touchdown.
Lora Establishes OVC Single-Game Receptions Record: Eastern Illinois redshirt junior wide receiver
Erik Lora broke one of the oldest standing records in the OVC record book on Sept. 22 when he caught 21 passes in the Panthers 50-49 overtime victory over Murray State. The record was previously 20 set by Austin Peay’s Harold Roberts against Murray State in the 1969 season. The 21 catches are the fourth-most in a single game in Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) history (the record is 24 by Mississippi Valley State’s Jerry Rice and Brown’s Chas Gessner). The 21 catches are the most by a player at the Division I level this season.
Murray State Ties OVC Record for Points in a Half: With 49 points in the first half against Tennessee Tech on Sept. 29, Murray State tied the OVC record for most points in a half of football. The output tied the mark also set by UT Martin in the first half against Murray State on Nov. 10, 2007 and by Eastern Kentucky in the first half against Tennessee Tech on Nov. 7, 1981.
Murray State Sets OVC Record for Total Plays: In its Sept. 22 game at Eastern Illinois, Murray State set a new OVC record for total plays by one team, running 110 plays and breaking the previous mark of 106 set by Eastern Illinois the previous week against Illinois State.
Spann Ties OVC Record With 100-Yard Interception Return: Southeast Missouri State senior safety
Branden Spann intercepted a pass against Tennessee Tech on Sept. 22 and returned it 100 yards for a touchdown. The interception return tied the OVC record also held by
Ray Oldham of Middle Tennessee (1970),
George Floyd of Eastern Kentucky (1980) and
Eddie Calvin of Southeast Missouri (2007). Spann is one of 39 all-time players in NCAA FCS history to return an interception 100 yards for a score. Later in the season Spann returned a fumble 98 yards for a touchdown.
OVC Teams Versus FBS Foes: OVC schools will play 11 games against teams from the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) this season. In week one of the season UT Martin topped Memphis 20-17 in the Liberty Bowl as Cody Sandlin hit a 43-yard field goal with four seconds remaining. It marked the first-ever win over an FBS team for UT Martin and the first loss for Memphis against an FCS foe in 23 years. It was the first OVC win over an FBS team since the 2010 season when Jacksonville State topped Ole Miss in double overtime. Overall OVC teams are 19-158-1 all-time against FBS foes. Below is a listing of the current OVC schools and wins over FBS schools while a member of the league. Five of the wins over FBS teams for OVC teams have been accomplished by teams no longer in the OVC (Akron, Middle Tennessee, Morehead State and Youngstown State - twice) and are not listed below.
1979 - Eastern Kentucky vs. Kent State (W, 17-14)
1979 - Eastern Kentucky vs. Cal State Fullerton (W, 33-17)
1980 - Eastern Kentucky vs. East Carolina (W, 28-16)
1980 - Murray State vs. Louisville (W, 13-9)
1984 - Austin Peay vs. Central Florida (W, 24-21)
1984 - Murray State vs. Louisville (W, 26-23)
1985 - Eastern Kentucky vs. Louisville (W, 45-21)
1987 - Austin Peay vs. Kansas State (W, 25-22)
1996 - Eastern Illinois vs. Western Michigan (W, 28-20)
1998 - Eastern Illinois vs. Northern Illinois (W, 24-10)
2002 - Southeast Missouri vs. Middle Tennessee (W, 24-14)
2004 - Eastern Illinois vs. Eastern Michigan (W, 31-28)
2010 - Jacksonville State vs. Ole Miss (W, 49-48, 2OT)
2012 - UT Martin vs. Memphis (W, 20-17)
FCS over FBS: Including UT Martin’s win against Memphis in Week 1 of the 2012 season, four Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) teams topped Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) teams. Other FCS teams to win included Eastern Washington (Idaho), McNeese State (Middle Tennessee) and Youngstown State (Pitt). Week two of the season saw four more FCS schools (Illinois State over Eastern Michigan, North Dakota State over Minnesota, Northern Arizona over UNLV and Sacramento State over Colorado) win games against FBS schools, while Cal Poly made it nine teams with a win over Wyoming in Week 3 and Stony Brook made it 10 teams with a win over Army in Week 5.
Four Named to CoSIDA Academic All-District Team: Four Ohio Valley Conference football student-athletes have been named to the Capital One Academic All-District ® football teams as selected by CoSIDA. The selections were Austin Peay’s
Ben Stansfield and
Iosua Siliva, Eastern Kentucky’s
Patrick Ford and Tennessee Tech’s
Stephen Bush. Each of the four were first-team selections and for making the first-team each will have his name appear on the national ballot for consideration for Academic All-American. The Capital One Academic All-America football team will be announced on Thursday, December 6. To be eligible for nomination, a student-athlete must have reached sophomore academic standing and have at least a 3.30 cumulative grade point average. District II selections come from schools located within the states of Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. District III selections include schools from the states of North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. District VI selections are from the states of Arkansas, Iowa, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
Two OVC Football Student-Athletes Named Semifinalists for William V. Campbell Trophy: Two OVC student-athletes, Austin Peay running back
Wesley Kitts and Eastern Kentucky offensive lineman
Patrick Ford, are among the 147 semifinalist named for the 2012 William V. Campbell Trophy, endowed by HealthSouth, which recognizes an individual as the absolute best football scholar-athlete in the nation. The list was announced by the National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame and are part of the 2012 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards, presented by Fidelity Investments®, a leading provider of not-for-profit workplace retirement savings plans in higher education. 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 Thursday, October 25. Each recipient will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship, and they will vie as finalists for the 2012 William V. Campbell Trophy. Each member of the 2012 National Scholar-Athlete Class will also travel to New York City to be honored December 4 during the 55th 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.
Five OVC Players Earn Honors From College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) For Week No. 12: Five OVC players earned National Positional Player of the Week honors from the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) following week 12 of the season. Tennessee State’s
A.C. Leonard was named National Tight End of the Week after catching seven passes for 90 yards and two touchdowns in a loss at UT Martin. UT Martin’s
Jason McNair and Murray State’s
Walter Powell shared National Punt Returner of the Week honors after big games. McNair had a 75-yard punt return for a touchdown while Powell set a FCS record with a 100-yard punt return for a score. UT Martin’s
Quentin Sims was named National Wide Receiver of the Week after hauling in eight catches for 176 yards and three touchdowns in a win over Tennessee State. Murray State’s
Duane Brady was named National Kick Returner of the Week after returning a kickoff 85 yards for the game-winning score with 2:55 to play against Southeast Missouri. In addition to those winners, nine 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.
Stone Named National Offensive Player of the Week by Sports Network and College Sports Journal (Nov. 12): Once again the OVC produced the National Offensive Player of the Week this time by both the Sports Network and College Sports Journal. This week it is Tennessee Tech sophomore quarterback
Darian Stone who accounted for 467 yards of total offense (2nd most in TTU history) in his team’s 45-44 victory over No. 23 UT Martin. In just his third career start Stone completed 16-of-29 passes for 277 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 190 yards (a TTU quarterback record) on 25 carries (7.6 ypc). Stone threw a pair of 20-yard touchdown passes to Cody Matthews and had a 79-yard strike to Ryan Tilghman with 1:10 to play to help Tech snap a seven-game losing streak.
Goard Named National Wide Receiver of the Week From College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) For Week No. 11: Eastern Kentucky senior wide receiver Tyrone Goard was named National Wide Receiver of the Week from the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) following his performance against Murray State on Nov. 10. Goard caught seven passes for 152 yards and a touchdown in the win over the Racers In addition to him, 10 other OVC players earned honorable mention honors for the week.
Carr Named National Player of the Week By Sports Network and College Sporting News (Nov. 5): UT Martin senior quarterback
Derek Carr earned his second National Offensive Player of the Week honors of the 2012 season on Nov. 5 by each the Sports Network and College Sporting News after his performance against Jacksonville State. Carr became the first player in Division I (FBS or FCS) this year to throw for seven touchdowns twice, as the senior tossed seven touchdown passes in the 49-47 victory. Carr completed 28-of-43 passes for 402 yards and the seven touchdowns without an interception; earlier this season Carr threw for seven touchdowns in a win over Murray State, a game where he also did not throw an interception. Five of his seven touchdown passes went to senior Quentin Sims who tied the OVC record for touchdown catches in a game. Carr threw four touchdowns in the first quarter alone as the Skyhawks jumped out to a 28-7 lead. He added one touchdown pass in each the second and third quarters and tossed his final score to Jeremy Butler with 5:31 to play; that strike proved to be the game-winning score.
Carr Named National Performer of the Week, Three Others Receive National Positional Awards From College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) For Week No. 10: For the second time this year UT Martin quarterback
Derek Carr was named National Performer of the Week by the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) after his seven touchdown performance against Jacksonville State. Carr completed 28-of-43 passes for 402 yards in that victory. Carr was also named National Quarterback of the Week as well. Jacksonville State wide receiver
Alan Bonner was named National Wide Receiver of the Week after tying the OVC single-game record with five touchdown catches; in total Bonner caught 10 passes for 235 yards. Murray State’s
Walter Powell was named National All-Purpose Performer of the Week after totaling 204 all-purpose yards including eight catches for 117 yards and a touchdown, 32 kickoff return yards and 55 punt return yards. Tennessee State’s
A.C. Leonard was named National Tight End of the Week after catching seven passes for 115 yards at Murray State. In addition to those four winners, eight other OVC players earned honorable mention honors for the week.
Godfrey Named National Special Teams Player of the Week (Oct. 29): Tennessee State junior kicker
Jamin Godfrey was named National Special Teams Player of the Week by both the Sports Network and College Sporting News following his performance in a 22-21 win over Tennessee Tech on Oct. 27. A week after missing two field goals late in an overtime loss at Jacksonville State, Godfrey was a perfect 5-of-5 in lifting the 21st-ranked Tigers to the one-point win. Godfrey connected from 37 and 32 yards in the first quarter, 27 and 41 yards in the second quarter and added a 22-yard field goal in the third quarter. With TSU trailing 21-15 and Godfrey’s 15 points being the only points the team had scored all day, the Tigers scored a touchdown with no time remaining to tie the game and Godfrey made the extra point attempt to lift TSU to the victory. The five made field goals set a new Tennessee State record and are tied for the most made field goals in a FCS game this season (with Murray State’s Jordan Benton).
Three OVC Players Earn Honors From College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) For Week No. 9: Three OVC players earned National Positional Player of the Week honors from the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) following week nine of the season. Tennessee State kicker
Jamin Godfrey was named National Place Kicker of the Week after connecting on 5-of-5 field goals and the winning PAT in the team’s 22-21 victory over Tennessee Tech; the five made field goals is tied for the most in the FCS in a game this season. TSU’s
A.C. Leonard was named National Tight End of the Week after catching eight passes for 102 yards and the game-winning touchdown in the victory over TTU. Tennessee Tech punter
Chad Zinchini was named National Punter of the Week after averaging 52.6 yards/punt on five attempts, including a long of 60 yards and one punt downed inside the 20-yard line. In addition to those three winners, six other OVC players earned honorable mention honors for the week.
Hough Named National Freshman of the Week by Sports Network (Oct. 22): Jacksonville State true freshman defensive back
Jermaine Hough was named National Freshman of the Week by the Sports Network on Oct. 22. Hough had two interceptions as Jacksonville State handed No. 17 Tennessee State its first loss of the season on Saturday by winning 31-28 in overtime. He also added three tackles on the day. Hough intercepted TSU’s Michael German on the third play of the game which led to a Gamecocks touchdown nine plays later as the team took an early 7-0 lead. In the fourth quarter, one play after JSU had fumbled at its own 40-yard line, Hough intercepted his second pass of the day, returning it 14 yards. Hough also earned National Freshman Defensive Player of the Week by College Sports Journal.
Carr Named National Offensive Player of the Week by Sports Network, College Sporting News and College Sports Journal (Oct. 15): UT Martin senior quarterback
Derek Carr was named National Offensive Player of the Week by both the Sports Network, College Sporting News and College Sports Journal on Oct. 15 following his record-breaking performance against Murray State. Carr completed 42-of-46 passes (91.3%) for 560 yards and seven touchdowns without an interception or being sacked. He had touchdown passes of 22, 15, 22, 34, 17, 42 and 34 yards in the victory. The seven touchdown passes set the UT Martin school record (and momentarily tied the OVC record, until broken later in the game by Murray State’s Casey Brockman), as did his 560 passing yards. For the game Carr had an passing efficiency rating of 243.78, which set the NCAA record (minimum of 45 attempts), breaking the previous mark of 220.8. The 560 passing yards are the second-most in a single game in the FCS this season and the seven touchdowns are tied for second among all FCS players. It marks the second-straight week and fourth time this season (in 7 total weeks) the OVC has produced the National Offensive Player of the Week.
Carr Named National Performer of the Week, Ward National Running Back of the Week Honors From College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) For Week No. 7: UT Martin senior quarterback
Derek Carr was named National Performer of the Week by the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) after completing 42-of-46 passes for 560 yard and seven touchdowns while setting the NCAA record for passing efficiency (min. 45 attempts) with a mark of 243.78. Carr was also named the National Quarterback of the Week. In addition Tennessee State junior running back
Trabis Ward was named National Running Back of the Week after carrying the ball 43 times (an FCS high this season) for 267 yards (the fourth-most yards nationally this year) and four touchdowns (tying the FCS high this year) in a win over Southeast Missouri.
TSU’s Ward Named National Co-Player of the Week By College Sports Journal (Oct. 15): Tennessee State running back
Trabis Ward joined UT Martin quarterback Derek Carr as National Co-Players of the Week by College Sports Journal following his performances in Week 7 of the season. Ward carried the ball 43 times for 267 yards (6.2 ypc) and four touchdowns in a 40-28 victory at Southeast Missouri. The 267 yards and four touchdowns were both the second-highest single-game totals in Tennessee State history. Among all FCS performances this season, the 43 carries were the most, the four rushing touchdowns were tied for the most and the 267 yards were the fourth most this season. Ward scored on a seven-yard run in the second quarter and then added three fourth quarter scores, running it in from four yards out, one yard out and capping the game with a 30-yard touchdown scamper with 1:26 to play.
Brockman Named National Player of the Week by Sports Network (Oct. 8): Murray State senior quarterback
Casey Brockman was named National Co-Offensive Player of the Week by the Sports Network after throwing for as many touchdown passes (5) as incompletions (5) in the Racers 52-14 road win over Austin Peay. Brockman completed 38-of-43 passes for 455 yards and in the process set the OVC career completions record and become MSU’s all-time leader in touchdown passes. It marks the fifth time in his career he has been named National Player of the Week by either the Sports Network or College Sporting News.
Thrasher Named National Defensive All-Star by College Sporting News (Oct. 8): Tennessee State sophomore linebacker
Nick Thrasher was named the National Defensive All-Star of the Week by College Sporting News after his performance against nationally-ranked Eastern Kentucky. Thrasher had a game-high 12 tackles (including 9 solo stops) and a key sack in the win that helped TSU improve to 6-0 on the season. With the Tigers trailing by four points late in the fourth quarter he sacked the EKU quarterback, setting up a 4th and long that the Colonels did not convert and setting TSU up for the game-winning drive (which covered 68 yards on 13 plays).
Three OVC Players Earn Honors From College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) For Week No. 6: Three OVC players earned National Positional Player of the Week honors from the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) following week six of the season. Murray State quarterback
Casey Brockman was named National Quarterback of the Week after completing 38-of-43 passes for 455 yards and five touchdowns in a win over Austin Peay. UT Martin return specialist Kevin Barfield was named National Kickoff Returner of the Week after returning the opening kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown and finishing the game with 161 all-purpose yards and a receiving touchdown. Jacksonville State wide receiver and return specialist was named National All-Purpose Performer of the Week after registering 275 all-purpose yards in a win at Tennessee Tech, including an 86-yard receiving touchdown and 144 yards in kickoff returns.
JSU’s Brown Named National Freshman of the Week by College Sports Journal (Oct. 10): Jacksonville State freshman wide receiver/return specialist
Telvin Brown was named National Co-Freshman of the Week by College Sports Journal following the sixth week of the season. Brown had 275 all-purpose yards in a come-from-behind win at Tennessee Tech. Brown caught two passes for 98 yards including an 86-yard touchdown that put JSU ahead for good in the third quarter. Brown also had 144 yards on four kickoff returns (including a long of 72 yards), 29 yards on four punt returns and a rush attempt for four yards.
Vanlier Named National Specialist of the Week by Sports Network (Oct. 1): Tennessee Tech freshman
Ladarius Vanlier was named National Specialist of the Week by the Sports Network after netting 291 all-purpose yards, the fourth-most in school history, in a loss at Murray State on Sept. 29. Vanlier returned an OVC record 11 kickoffs (just one shy of the NCAA all-time mark) for 237 yards (13 yards shy of the OVC record), including a 94-yard touchdown in the second quarter (the sixth-longest in school history). He also returned a punt 30 yards and caught four passes for 24 yards to account for his 291 all-purpose yards.
Four OVC Players Earn Honors From College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) For Week No. 5; Garoppolo Named National Performer of the Week for Second Time This Season: Eastern Illinois quarterback
Jimmy Garoppolo was named the National Performer of the Week by the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) after throwing for 453 yards and five touchdowns and rushing for another score in his team’s 65-15 victory over Austin Peay. It marks the second time this season he has been named National Performer of the Week (he also earned the honor in week one). Garoppolo was also named National Quarterback of the Week. In addition Eastern Kentucky’s
Tyrone Goard was named National Wide Receiver of the Week after catching four touchdowns in his team’s come-from-behind win over UT Martin. Murray State return specialist
Walter Powell was named National Punt Returner of the Week after returning a punt 70 yards for a touchdown. Tennessee Tech freshman return specialist
Ladarius Vanlier was named National Kick Returner of the Week after netting 237 yards on an OVC record 11 kickoff returns. In addition to this group six other OVC players earned honorable mention honors for the week.
Lora Named National Player of the Week by Sports Network, National All-Star of the Week by College Sporting News and National Player of the Week by College Sports Journal (Sept. 24): After catching an OVC record 21 passes for 269 yards and three touchdowns and also throwing the winning two-point conversion pass to lift his team to a 50-49 overtime win over Murray State, Eastern Illinois redshirt junior wide receiver
Erik Lora was named National Co-Player of the Week by the Sports Network, National All-Star of the Week by the College Sporting News and National Player of the Week by College Sports Journal on Sept. 24. Lora broke a 43-year old OVC record by catching the 21 passes; the mark is the fourth-most catches in FCS single-game history (just three off the all-time record). Lora had 13 catches for 172 yards and three touchdowns in the first quarter of that game.
Rogers, Ceniza and Benton Earn National Positional Honors From College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) For Week No. 4: Four OVC players earned National Positional Player of the Week honors from the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) following week four of the season. Tennessee Tech’s
Da’Rick Rogers was named National Wide Receiver of the Week, Eastern Kentucky’s
Cejay Ceniza was named National Defensive Back of the Week and Murray State’s
Jordan Benton was named National Placekicker of the Week. Rogers caught 18 passes for 303 yards and two touchdowns, Ceniza forced three turnovers including returning an interception 84 yards for a touchdown and Benton was a perfect 5-of-5 on field goals and 4-of-4 on PATs. In addition to those players 14 other OVC players earned honorable mention honors for the week.
Smith Named National Defensive All-Star of the Week (Sept. 10): Jacksonville State junior linebacker
Rashad Smith was named the National Defensive All-Star of the Week by the College Sporting News following his performance against Chattanooga on Sept. 8. Smith had a career-high 15 tackles (11 solo stops) in the team’s 27-24 victory over the Mocs. He also forced a fumble that teammate Pierre Warren recovered and returned 75 yards for a touchdown.
Huzzie Named National Linebacker of the Week From College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) For Week No. 2: Murray State junior
Qua Huzzie was named the National Linebacker of the Week from the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) after registering nine tackles, four tackles-for-loss and his first career interception against nationally-ranked Central Arkansas. In addition to Huzzie seven other OVC players earned honorable mention honors for the week.
Garoppolo and Fox Earn National Player of the Week Honors From College Sports Journal (Sept. 5): Eastern Illinois quarterback
Jimmy Garoppolo and Eastern Kentucky defensive back
Brooklyn Fox earned National Player of the Week honors from College Sports Journal for their performances in Week 1 of the season. Garoppolo completed 32-of-49 passes for a career-high 369 yards and five touchdowns in the 49-28 victory while Fox intercepted two passes and recovered a fumble in a loss to FBS Purdue.
Garoppolo Named National All-Star By College Sporting News (Sept. 3): Eastern Illinois junior quarterback
Jimmy Garoppolo was named a National All-Star by College Sporting News after his performance in Week 1 of the season against Southern Illinois. Garoppolo completed 32-of-49 passes for a career-high 369 yards and five touchdowns in the 49-28 victory.
Five OVC Players Earns Honors From College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) For Week No. 1; Garoppolo Named National Performer of the Week: Eastern Illinois quarterback
Jimmy Garoppolo was named the National Performer of the Week by the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) after throwing for 369 yards and five touchdowns in EIU’s win over Southern Illinois. Garoppolo was also named one of the organization’s National Quarterbacks of the Week, sharing the honor with Tennessee Tech’s
Tre Lamb, who threw for 339 yards and four touchdowns in a win over Hampton. Eastern Illinois wide receiver
Erik Lora was named National Wide Receiver of the Week after catching 13 passes for 151 yards and two touchdowns. Among the other wideouts sharing the award is Jacksonville State’s
Alan Bonner who had eight catches for 107 yards and a touchdown against No. 10 Arkansas. Eastern Kentucky defensive back
Brooklyn Fox was named National Defensive Back of the Week after picking off two passes and recovering a fumble in the Colonels game at Purdue. In addition to this group seven other OVC players earned honorable mention honors for the week.
A Look at the Coaches: Eight of the nine head coaches from last season return to their schools in the Ohio Valley Conference this season. The only newcomer is Eastern Illinois head coach Dino Babers, who took over for Bob Spoo who retired following a 25-year career at the school. Babers was most recently the special teams coordinator and wide receivers coach at Baylor. Jacksonville State’s
Jack Crowe is the longest tenured coach in the league (in his 13th season at JSU). Two OVC coaches, Austin Peay’s
Rick Christophel and Tennessee State’s
Rod Reed, are currently coaching at their alma maters.
Preseason Forecasts: For the 12th time in the last 25 years (and first time since 2009), Eastern Kentucky was picked as the preseason favorite in the Ohio Valley Conference football race. The Colonels picked up 12 of the 18 possible first-place votes (124 points) while second-place Jacksonville State received the other six first-place votes (117). The poll was rounded out by Murray State (85 points), Tennessee Tech (83), Tennessee State (69), UT Martin (67), Southeast Missouri (44), Eastern Illinois (42) and Austin Peay (17). Is being picked first in the preseason poll necessarily a good thing? In the past 34 years of preseason polls (all that were available), the preseason predicted champion has only gone on to win the OVC Championship 13 times (38.2%). After eight years of not picking the champion right (2003-2010), last season the preseason poll and actual champion (be it by a three-way tie) were the same.
Murray State’s Brockman, Southeast Missouri’s Peiffer Headline Preseason All-OVC Team: Murray State senior quarterback
Casey Brockman was named 2012 Ohio Valley Conference Preseason Offensive Player of the Year while Southeast Missouri State senior linebacker
Blake Peiffer was tabbed OVC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year in a vote of by the league’s head football coaches and sports information directors. Eastern Kentucky led the way with 10 selections on the preseason team while Murray State, Tennessee State and Tennessee Tech had three picks apiece. Returning players who were first-team All-OVC selections last season (13 in total) were automatic selections to the preseason team this year. The squad also included nine players who were second-team selections in 2011. Of the 26 total selections, 18 were seniors, six were juniors and two were sophomores.
NFL Connections: As of October 1, there are 13 former Ohio Valley Conference players are on NFL rosters (8 active players, 4 practice squad players and 1 on 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 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 and Southeast Missouri leading the way with two active players apiece.
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.
OVC Digital Network: The OVC launched the OVC Digital Network (OVCDN) in August 2012. The OVCDN is the exclusive home for live web streamed athletic contests involving OVC schools. This marks the seventh year the OVC has streamed live events, but first time the events will be offered free of charge and in an HD format and will feature improved quality thanks to an investment in new equipment conference-wide. Fans will also find it easier to log onto
OVCDigitalNetwork.com and access the streams and can do so without any registration. The events will be available on any computer, tablet or smart phone without needing any special downloads or apps thanks new streaming technology.