Ohio Valley Conference

Teleconference Audio
Below is embedded audio from this week's OVC Football Coaches media teleconference. For a listing of this week's games and previews scroll down below the audio links.



This Week’s Schedule
 
Thursday, September 11
Cumberland (Tenn.) at UT Martin, 6:30 p.m. (OVC Digital Network)

Saturday, September 13
#24 Eastern Illinois at Illinois State, 12:00 p.m. (CSN Chicago)
#14 Chattanooga at Austin Peay, 4:00 p.m. (OVC Digital Network)
Morehead State at #25 Eastern Kentucky, 5:00 p.m. (OVC Digital Network)
#22 Tennessee State vs. Jackson State 6:00 p.m. (Memphis, Tenn.)
Southeast Missouri at #14 Southern Illinois, 6:00 p.m.

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Cumberland University Bulldogs (1-0, 0-0 MSC)
at UT Martin Skyhawks (0-2, 0-0 OVC)
Thursday, Sept. 11 • 6:30 p.m. CT
Hardy M. Graham Stadium (7,500) • Martin, Tenn.
TV:................................................... OVC Digital Network
Live Stats: http://www.utmsports.com/livestats/football/xlive.htm
Series Record:................................ Cumberland leads 3-0
Last Meeting:................... Cumberland won 12-7 (10/29/48)
Donnie Suber at Cumberland:........................... 8-4 (2 yrs.)
Donnie Suber Overall:.............................................. same
Jason Simpson at UT Martin:........................ 52-41 (9 yrs.)
Jason Simpson Overall:........................................... same
Cumberland Last Week: W, 34-27 vs. #4 Univ. of the Cumberlands
UT Martin Last Week:............. L, 26-24 at Central Arkansas
 
GAME NOTES: UT Martin will play its first home game of the 2014 season on Thursday night when they host in-state foe Cumberland. It marks the fourth all-time meeting between the schools but first since the 1948 season. The teams also played in 1926 and 1932 with Cumberland winning all three games by a combined 54-7 margin. UT Martin is 7-1 all-time in home openers under head coach Jason Simpson. The game begins a season-long three-game home stretch for the Skyhawks.
 
SCOUTING CUMBERLAND: Cumberland, currently ranked No. 25 in the NAIA, opened its 2014 season last week with a 34-27 victory over NAIA No. 4 ranked University of the Cumberland last week. After the game was tied at 20 in the third quarter, Anthony Knight picked off a pass and returned it 74 yards for a touchdown to put the Bulldogs on top for good. Later in the fourth quarter Michael Green had a 59-yard touchdown reception in what proved to be the game-winning touchdown. Quarterbacks Reed Gurchiek and Broc Loveless finished the day a combined 13-of-25 for 213 yards and a touchdown. Defensively Nathan Jernigan had a team-high 15 tackles while Justus Dauscha added 10 tackles, 3.0 tackles-for-loss, a sack and a forced fumble. This marks the second year in a row Cumberland has played an OVC team; the Bulldogs played at Tennessee Tech last season. Cumberland was 7-4 in 2013 under then first-year head coach Donnie Suber.
 
SCOUTING UT MARTIN: After a season-opening loss to FBS Kentucky, UT Martin played a quality FCS opponent in traveling to Central Arkansas last week. The Skyhawks fell behind 7-0 but scored 21 unanswered points to grab a 21-7 halftime advantage. The Skyhawks led until the final 71 seconds of the game, as UCA drove 80 yards in 13 plays to score on a 14-yard pass play with just 1:11 to go. The touchdown came just two plays after the Bears had converted on a 4th-and-15 play. Sophomore Kyle Kerrick had a breakout game for UTM, hauling in nine passes for 150 yards and a touchdown; eight of his nine receptions went for 10 or more yards, including four that were 20 yards or longer. Corey Jordan added five catches for 99 yards and a score. Quarterback Jarod Neal completed 20-of-28 passes for 276 yards and two touchdowns while his 34 rushing yards (and score) were also tops on the team. Through two games this season Neal has completed 71.7 percent of his passes which ranks fifth nationally. Defensively junior Taino Fears-Perez had a game-high 14 tackles (8 solo) while also adding a tackle-for-loss and a pass breakup; Fears-Perez has a team-high 21 tackles after two games. As a team UT Martin ranks ninth nationally in time of possession (33:44).
 
 
#24 Eastern Illinois Panthers (0-2, 0-0 OVC)
at Illinois State Redbirds (1-0, 0-0 MVFC)
Saturday, Sept. 13 • 12:00 p.m. CT
Hancock Stadium (13,391) • Normal, Ill.
TV:...................................... Comcast Sports Net Chicago
Live Stats:.............................. http://www.goredbirds.com
Series Record:......................... Illinois State leads 52-41-9
Last Meeting:............... Eastern Illinois won 57-24 (9/14/13)
Kim Dameron at Eastern Illinois:......................... 0-2 (1 yr.)
Kim Dameron Overall:.............................................. same
Brock Spack at Illinois State:........................ 34-24 (6 yrs.)
Brock Spack Overall:............................................... same
Eastern Illinois Last Week: L, 38-21 vs. #25 Southern Illinois
Illinois State Last Week: W, 62-0 vs. Mississippi Valley State
 
GAME NOTES: The 103rd playing of the Mid-American Classic will take place on Saturday in Normal. The rivalry began in 1901 and three years ago was re-branded with the Mid-American Classic moniker. Illinois State holds a 52-41-9 advantage in the all-time series, although Eastern Illinois won last year’s meeting by a 57-24 margin. Last year both teams were ranked as EIU came into the contest ranked No. 9 while ISU was No. 16 nationally. Illinois State got off to the quick start, scoring just 2:15 into the game but the high octane Eastern Illinois offense would score 27 unanswered points to lead 27-7 after the first quarter; the Panthers would add 17 more points in the second quarter on its way to a 44-10 halftime advantage and eventually a 57-24 victory. EIU quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo would earn National Player of the Week honors after passing for 480 yards and seven touchdowns (six of which came in the first half). Shepard Little would add 129 rushing yards while Adam Drake pulled down 11 catches for 176 yards and two scores. ISU quarterbacks Jared Barnett and Blake Winkler combined for 277 passing yards and three touchdowns.
 
SCOUTING EASTERN ILLINOIS: Eastern Illinois is 0-2 for the first time since the 2010 season after a season-opening loss to FBS Minnesota and a loss to nationally-ranked FCS opponent Southern Illinois last week. The Panthers got off to a hot start against its rival, grabbing a 21-14 halftime lead. But Eastern would not score in the second half despite out-gaining the Southern Illinois 451 to 379 for the game. Andrew Manley passed for 240 yards and a touchdown while Jalen Whitlow passed for 85 yards and rushed for 39. Junior Shepard Little had a team-high 76 rushing yards on 16 carries. For the second-straight week Adam Drake had a huge receiving game, pulling down nine passes for 139 yards; Drake currently ranks second nationally in receptions/game (10.0) and fifth in receiving yards/game (124.0). Anthony Stanfifer, a transfer from Ole Miss, had five tackles and an interception while Adam Gristick led the way with nine total tackles. After being ranked 16th in last week’s Sports Network poll, the Panthers slipped to No. 25 this week and are down from 14th to 24th in the FCS Coaches Poll; EIU has been ranked for 21-straight weeks dating back to the end of the 2012 season.
 
SCOUTING ILLINOIS STATE: Illinois State will play its first of two-straight games against OVC competition as they host Eastern Illinois this week before entertaining Austin Peay on Sept. 27. After a bye week to open the season the Redbirds throttled Mississippi Valley State 62-0 in week two of the season. It marked the first shutout for the program since the 2005 season. Indiana transfer Tre Roberson rushed for two touchdowns and threw two additional touchdowns in his ISU debut. Junior running back Marshaun Coprich established a new career-high with 169 yards, which marked his fifth career 100-plus yard game. Overall the offense netted 656 total yards of offense was the ISU defense limited MVSU to just 186 yards for the game. Teddy Corwin led the team with eight tackles and a sack.
 
 
#14 Chattanooga Mocs (0-2, 0-0 Southern)
at Austin Peay Governors (0-1, 0-0 OVC)
Saturday, Sept. 13 • 4:00 p.m. CT
Governors Stadium (7,000) • Clarksville, Tenn.
TV:................................................... OVC Digital Network
Live Stats: http://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=60268
Series Record:............................... Chattanooga leads 5-0
Last Meeting:................. Chattanooga won 42-10 (9/14/13)
Russ Huesman at Chattanooga:.................... 31-27 (6 yrs.)
Russ Huesman Overall:............................................ same
Kirby Cannon at Austin Peay:........................ 0-13 (2 yrs.)
Kirby Cannon Overall:................................. 35-99 (13 yrs.)
Chattanooga Last Week: L, 26-23 vs. #9 Jacksonville State in OT
Austin Peay Last Week:.............................................. Idle
 
GAME NOTES: After not playing for 45 years, Austin Peay and Chattanooga are meeting on the gridiron for the second consecutive year in 2014. The game is the first in the newly renovated Governor’s Stadium which underwent a $16.9 million dollar renovation that replaced the west side grandstands with a state-of-the art structure that includes skyboxes and club seating among other amenities. Prior to last year the four all-time meetings between the programs occurred between 1958 and 1968. Chattanooga holds a 5-0 lead in the all-time advantage and will be playing its second game against an OVC team this season (they played Jacksonville State last week). In last year’s matchup UTC jumped out to a 35-7 halftime advantage on its way to a 42-10 victory. The Mocs were led by quarterback Jacob Huesman who passed for 142 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 40 yards. Keon Williams added 106 rushing yards and three scores as Chattanooga had 270 total rushing yards on the night. APSU was led by Tim Phillips who rushed for 78 yards and a touchdown.
 
SCOUTING CHATTANOOGA: Nationally-ranked Chattanooga came up just short for the second-straight week in falling 26-23 in overtime to No. 9 ranked Jacksonville State. That came on the heels of a 20-16 loss to FBS foe Central Michigan in week one of the season (a game the team led 16-0 late in the second quarter). Against JSU the Mocs fell behind 17-7 behind an offense that struggled to rack up yards early in the game. It was the team’s defense that kept them in the contest, scoring on a pair of interception returns for touchdowns in the first half, one of 55 yards by Dee Virgin and one of 37 yards by Lucas Webb. The Mocs stayed close and were able to tie the contest at 20 with a Henrique Ribeiro field goal with 12:19 to play in the fourth quarter. A 29-yard field by Ribeiro on the first possession of overtime gave the team its first lead of the game, before JSU scored a touchdown three plays later. Quarterback Jacob Huesman passed for 38 yards while Keon Williams rushed for 62 yards as the team managed just 111 yards of total offense for the game. UTC is ranked No. 14 in the Sports Network poll and No. 17 in the FCS Coaches poll this week.
 
SCOUTING AUSTIN PEAY: Austin Peay is coming off an open date after its season-opening loss to FBS Memphis. Last season the Govs had to go through five road games and an open date before playing a home game, but this year’s schedule is much more favorable. Justin Roberson led the team with 50 rushing yards on eight carries (6.2 ypc) as the Govs team had 116 total rushing yards against Memphis. The Govs also played two quarterbacks with Trey Taylor and Darrien Boone each seeing action. Senior punter Ben Campbell averaged 41.1 yards/punt on 10 attempts against the Tigers. Despite playing in rain and cross winds, Campbell had two punts of 50 or more yards and two that were downed inside the 20-yard line. Campbell now has 205 career punts, fourth place in APSU history; he currently ranks 30th nationally in punting average. Defensively safeties Damien Whitfield and Johnathan Shuler had nine tackles apiece to lead Austin Peay.
 
 
Morehead State Eagles (1-1, 0-0 Pioneer)
at #25 Eastern Kentucky Colonels (2-0, 0-0 OVC)
Saturday, Sept. 13 • 5:00 p.m. CT
Roy Kidd Stadium (20,000) • Richmond, Ky.
TV:................................................... OVC Digital Network
Live Stats:........ http://www.sidearmstats.com/eku/football/
Series Record:................. Eastern Kentucky leads 51-16-4
Last Meeting:.......... Eastern Kentucky won 56-24 (9/21/13)
Rob Tenyer at Morehead State:..................... 4-10 (2 yrs.)
Rob Tenyer Overall:................................................. same
Dean Hood at Eastern Kentucky:.................. 42-29 (7 yrs.)
Dean Hood Overall:................................................. same
Morehead State Last Week:............. W, 49-36 vs. Pikeville
Eastern Kentucky Last Week:...... W, 17-10 at Miami (Ohio)
 
GAME NOTES: Longtime rivals Eastern Kentucky and Morehead State are playing for the third consecutive season and the 72nd time overall on Saturday night in EKU’s home opener. Morehead State, who plays in the OVC in all other sports, is a member of the Pioneer League for football. The two teams played annually until 1995 (the last season for the Eagles playing OVC football) but did not play again until 2008. Overall EKU has won eight in a row and 26 of the last 27 in the series; the lone victory for MSU in that stretch was a 27-17 win in the 1990 season. In last year’s meeting EKU held a 21-17 advantage behind outscoring MSU 35-10 in the second half on the way to the 56-24 victory. Eastern totaled 606 yards of total offense including 195 rushing yards and four touchdowns from then freshman JJ Jude. Quarterback Jared McClain added 250 passing yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for 27 yards. MSU was led by Austin Gahafer who passed for 220 yards and two scores.
 
SCOUTING MOREHEAD STATE: After a loss to nationally-ranked Richmond in week one, Morehead State won its first game of the season last week, powering past Pikeville by a 49-36 margin. The Eagles racked up 439 yards of total offense in front of a crowd of 8,918 fans at Jayne Stadium. After trailing 10-7 after the first quarter, MSU scored 28 unanswered points in the second quarter to pull away. Quarterback Austin Gahafer completed 30-of-43 passes for 277 yards and five touchdowns while also rushing for a team-high 44 yards. That performance earned him Pioneer League Co-Offensive Player of the Week; through two games this season he has six touchdown passes and no interceptions. Lawrence Jones added 41 rushing yards (and a touchdown) while Brandon Reeves had 40 rushing yards. Junior linebacker Luke Keller was named Pioneer League Defensive Player of the Week after netting a career-high 11 tackles, 2.0 tackles-for-loss, a sack, forcing two fumbles and netting a pass breakup.
 
SCOUTING EASTERN KENTUCKY: Eastern Kentucky is off to a 2-0 start for the first time since 2000 after its 17-10 road victory over FBS opponent Miami (Ohio) on Saturday. The victory was the first over a FBS team for the Colonels since 1985, snapping an 18-game losing streak to teams in the higher subdivision. The win also got the Colonels back into the Top 25 poll for the first time in a year, coming in at No. 25 in the FCS Coaches poll. Despite struggling to get its offense into gear (EKU had 198 yards of total offense against Miami), the Colonel defense was stiff and proved to be the difference maker. The RedHawks led 7-3 at halftime and were looking to go up 14-3 when Stanley Absanon broke up a third down play with a hard hit in the end zone, as Miami settled for a field goal. Three minutes later Absanon intercepted a pass and raced 55 yards for a touchdown that tied the game at 10. The game remained tied until just under five minutes to play in the game when Jeff Glover took a reverse handoff and threw a 43-yard touchdown to Deno Montgomery. It was the second career touchdown pass for the wideout Glover who also had two catches for 18 yards. With Miami trying to tie the game it was Absanon who proved to be the hero again, intercepting a pass with a minute to go to clinch the game; the junior finished the game with two interceptions, six tackles and three pass breakups in earning National Defensive Player of the Week honors. Kicker Andrew Lloyd connected on his lone field goal of the game (he is 4-for-4 on the season) and all 11 of his kickoffs this year have gone for touchbacks. As a team EKU ranks fourth nationally in rush defense (44.0 yards/game) and sixth in scoring defense (10.0 points/game).
 
 
#22 Tennessee State Tigers (1-1, 0-0 OVC)
vs. Jackson State Tigers (2-0, 0-0 SWAC)
Saturday, Sept. 13 • 6:00 p.m. CT
Liberty Bowl (61,008) • Memphis, Tenn.
TV:.......................................................................... none
Live Stats:........................................ www.TSUTigers.com
Series Record:................... Tennessee State leads 25-20-2
Last Meeting:............ Tennessee State won 26-16 (9/14/13)
Rod Reed at Tennessee State:...................... 27-22 (5 yrs.)
Rod Reed Overall:................................................... same
Harold Jackson at Jackson State:..................... 2-0 (1 yr.)
Harold Jackson Overall:........................................... same
Tennessee State Last Week:...... L, 27-21 at Alabama State
Jackson State Last Week:.. W, 59-0 vs. Virginia-Lynchburg
 
GAME NOTES: Tennessee State and Jackson State meet in the 25th annual Southern Heritage Classic at the Liberty Bowl in Memphis on Saturday night. This marks the 21st year in a row (and 23rd overall) that the teams have squared off in this Classic which began in 1990 (the two other games were between TSU and Mississippi Valley State and Grambling). Tennessee State had won seven-straight in the series until Jackson State pulled off wins in 2010 and 2011, but since TSU has claimed victory in each of the last two years. In last year’s game Jackson State took a 10-9 lead early in the third quarter on a 22-yard field goal by Ryan Deising. But TSU would counter with a touchdown late in that period to go ahead for good and win 26-16. Among the scoring was a 50-yard interception return by All-American Daniel Fitzpatrick. Tennessee State rushed for 174 yards on the night, with Telvin Hooks finishing with 92 yards and Tim Broughton adding 91. Clayton Moore passed for 126 yards and rushed for 64 yards for Jackson State. Tennessee State is 13-11 all-time in the event while Jackson State is 9-13. The all-time series between the two schools is at 25-20-2 in favor of Tennessee State.
 
SCOUTING TENNESSEE STATE: Tennessee State suffered its first loss of the season on Saturday, falling behind 24-2 at Alabama State before seeing its furious rally coming up just short (27-21). TSU scored 13 points in the fourth quarter and had 207 of its 432 yards of total offense in that period. Quarterback Michael German set a school record with 61 pass attempts; he completed 26 passes for 340 yards and two touchdowns but was picked off three times. German now ranks second in TSU history for career completions (471), third in attempts (829) and fifth in yardage (6,229). Newcomer Tom Smith, who had four rushing touchdowns the first week of the season, ran for 70 yards in this contest and ranks 20th nationally in rushing (110.5 yards/game). Weldon Garlington hauled in a game-high eight receptions for 134 yards and a touchdown; the receptions and yards were both career-highs for Garlington. Reigning OVC Defensive Player of the Year Anthony Bass had a safety in the game to go along with seven tackles, 2.5 tackles-for-loss, a forced fumble and a pass breakup. Seniors Daniel Fitzpatrick and Nick Thrasher each had 11 tackles while De’Ante Saunders had his first interception of the season. As a team TSU is third nationally in passes intercepted (4) and second nationally in turnovers gained (7). After ranking No. 14/16 in last week’s FCS polls, the Tigers slipped to No. 22 in both the Sports Network and FCS Coaches polls this week.
 
SCOUTING JACKSON STATE: Jackson State is off to a 2-0 start under first year head coach Harold Jackson after wins over Florida A&M and Virginia-Lynchburg. Jackson is a former JSU All-American wide receiver who took over as head coach after a standout career as a NFL player and coach. As a NFL player he was a five-time Pro Bowl selection and led the NFL in receiving yards in each 1969 and 1972. After 10 years as a NFL assistant coach he also had stints at Kentucky and Baylor and most recently with the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League. In the season-opening 22-17 win over FAMU, DeSean McKenzie hauled in a 49-yard touchdown pass as time expired to lift the team to the five-point victory. A week later the victory came a little easier as JSU out-gained Virginia-Lynchburg 430 to 94 yards as the game was never in doubt. In two games this season quarterback La Montiez Ivy has completed 63.1 percent of his passes for 515 yards and four touchdowns while Rakeem Sims has run for a team-high 165 yards and two scores.
 
 
Southeast Missouri State Redhawks (1-1, 0-0 OVC)
at #14 Southern Illinois Salukis (2-0, 0-0 MVFC)
Saturday, Sept. 13 • 6:00 p.m. CT
Saluki Stadium (15,000) • Carbondale, Ill.
TV:.......................................................................... none
Live Stats:........................................ http://bit.ly/1vXVK5u
Series Record:............... Southeast Missouri leads 39-34-8
Last Meeting:............. Southern Illinois won 36-19 (9/21/13)
Tom Matukewicz at Southeast Missouri:............. 1-1 (1 yr.)
Tom Matukewicz Overall:......................................... same
Dale Lennon at Southern Illinois:................... 44-28 (7 yrs.)
Dale Lennon Overall:................................. 131-46 (18 yrs.)
Southeast Missouri Last Week:............. L, 34-28 at Kansas
Southern Illinois Last Week: W, 38-21 at #14 Eastern Illinois
 
GAME NOTES: The regional rivals are meeting for the 82nd time as Southeast Missouri leads the all-time series by a 39-33-8 margin. SIU has won seven of the last eight meetings including a 36-19 victory last season in the first-ever football game played at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. The lone win by the Redhawks during that stretch was a 24-21 win over the nationally-ranked Salukis in 2010, a victory that eventually propelled Southeast to a Top 10 national ranking and OVC Championship. In last year’s game at the home of the St. Louis Cardinals, the game was tied at 19 in the third quarter when Kyle Snyder hit Paul McRoberts for a 75-yard touchdown pass. But that would be the last score of the game for the Redhawks, as SIUE scored the final 17 points of the game. Southeast was limited to just 53 yards rushing on the afternoon although Snyder was effective through the air, passing for 249 yards and three touchdowns. Malcolm Agnew rushed for 127 yards and a score for the Salukis. The game marks a return to Carbondale for current Southeast Missouri head coach Tom Matukewicz who was an assistant at Southern Illinois from 2001-07 and was part of three MVFC Championships.
 
SCOUTING SOUTHEAST MISSOURI: Southeast Missouri had a 77-0 blowout of Missouri Baptist to begin the 2014 season and then found itself down 24-0 at FBS Kansas in week two. But the Redhawks did not fold, scoring 28 second half points to pull within six points of the Jayhawks. Junior wide receiver Paul McRoberts had a monster game, catching six passes for 173 yards and two touchdowns; he now ranks fifth nationally in receiving touchdowns (3) this season. Senior Kyle Snyder had another solid outing, passing for 269 yard and three touchdowns (despite throwing three interceptions); he also rushed for 33 yards, third-most on the team. Snyder currently ranks third nationally in passing yards/completion (21.23), fourth in points responsible for (21.0/game), fifth in passing touchdowns (5) and sixth in passing efficiency (183.9). Sophomore linebacker Roper Garrett had his second-straight double-digit tackle performance, making 14 tackles, which is tied for the most by an OVC player this season. Garrett is third nationally in forced fumbles (1.5/game) and 16th in total tackles (12.0/game).
 
SCOUTING SOUTHERN ILLINOIS: After a season-opening blowout of Taylor University, Southern Illinois stepped up its play a week ago in topping rival and No. 14 ranked Eastern Illinois 38-21 in Charleston. It marked the fifth Top 25 road victory for the Salukis over the past three seasons. After being ranked No. 25 a week ago, SIU is now ranked No. 14 in the FCS Coaches Top 25 and No. 20 in the Sports Network poll. After falling behind 21-14 at halftime, Southern Illinois shutout Eastern Illinois over the final 30 minutes while limiting the Panthers to just 112 yards of total offense in the second half. Quarterback Mark Iannotti passed for 233 yards and two scores while Malcolm Agnew rushed for 147 yards and three scores in the win over EIU. In two games this season Iannotti has completed 72 percent of his passes while Agnew is averaged 146.0 yards/game (which ranks eighth nationally). Senior kicker Thomas Kinney was named MVFC Specialist of the Week by the Sports Network after hitting a 50-yard field goal, adding five successful PATs and sending three kickoffs out of the end zone. SIU is looking to go 3-0 for the first time since the 2007 season with a victory on Saturday.