• OVC Football Players of the Week - November 4 (PDF)
OFFENSIVE
Derek Carr, QB • Sr., 6-1, 191 • McKenzie, Tenn. • UT Martin
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 UT Martin’s 49-47 victory over Jacksonville State. The win pushed the Skyhawks to 5-1 in OVC play, which ties them for first place with two weeks to play. 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. In the process Carr became UT Martin’s all-time leader in total offense (7,767), a mark that now ranks seventh in OVC history. He also moved into third place in OVC history for touchdown passes (62) and fifth in career passing yards (7,730). Carr currently ranks fifth nationally in points responsible for (16.67/game), 10th in total passing yards (2,578), 10th in passing yards/game (286.44) and 11th in passing efficiency (151.63).
Others Nominated: Jimmy Garoppolo, Eastern Illinois; Jared McClain, Eastern Kentucky; Alan Bonner, Jacksonville State; Jaamal Berry, Murray State; Michael German, Tennessee State.
DEFENSIVE
Brooklyn Fox, DB • Sr., 6-4, 215 • Tulsa, Okla. • Eastern Kentucky
Fox had four tackles, recovered a fumble and intercepted a pass that he returned 59 yards in Eastern Kentucky’s 31-7 road win over Southeast Missouri on Saturday. The interception ended Southeast Missouri’s first drive of the game and Fox’s return to the Redhawks 8-yard line set up a touchdown just four plays later. In the second quarter he recovered a fumble at the Southeast Missouri 29-yard line which led to an EKU field goal four plays later. Overall he was part of a defensive unit that held Southeast to its lowest point total of the season (7) and held its leading rusher Levi Terrell to a season-low 57 rushing yards. Fox currently ranks fourth nationally in interceptions/game (0.60).
Others Nominated: Roosevelt Holliday, Eastern Illinois; Rashod Byers, Jacksonville State; Jeremy Brackett, Murray State; Daniel Fitzpatrick, Tennessee State; Ben Johnson, UT Martin.
SPECIALIST
Steven Mix, P • Jr., 6-2, 225 • Barlow, Ky. • Murray State
Mix helped Murray State win the field position battle in Saturday’s 49-28 victory over No. 18 Tennessee State. Mix punted three times, all of which were downed inside the TSU 20-yard line, for an average of 43.3 yards. Mix also boomed a 55-yard punt that was downed at the 1-yard line and overall did not allow a single punt return yard.
Others Nominated: Gabriel Chambers, Jacksonville State; Weldon Garlington, Tennessee State; James Satterfield, UT Martin.
NEWCOMER
Jaamal Berry, RB • Jr., 5-11, 200 • Miami, Fla. • Murray State
Berry, the transfer from Ohio State, earned his third OVC Newcomer of the Week honor of the season after rushing for a career-high 163 yards and three touchdowns in a 49-28 victory over No. 18 Tennessee State on Saturday. Berry carried the ball 16 times in averaging an impressive 10.2 yards/carry. The junior scored on a 35-yard run late in the second quarter, added a 5-yard rush late in the third quarter and capped the game’s scoring with a 1-yard rush with 3:05 to play in the game. Berry also caught three passes for 19 yards to finish the day with 182 all-purpose yards.
Others Nominated: Jourdan Wickliffe, Eastern Illinois; Deshaun Sands, Eastern Kentucky; Hamish MacInnes, Jacksonville State; A.C. Leonard, Tennessee State; Jeremy Butler, UT Martin.