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
Saturday, October 31
*#13 Eastern Kentucky at #1 Jacksonville State, 1:00 p.m. (ESPN3)
*Tennessee Tech at Southeast Missouri, 1:00 p.m. (OVC Digital Network)
*Eastern Illinois at Murray State, 1:00 p.m. (OVC Digital Network)
*Austin Peay at Tennessee State, 2:00 p.m. (OVC Digital Network)
UT Martin at Arkansas, 3:00 p.m. (SEC Network)
#13 Eastern Kentucky Colonels (5-2, 4-0 OVC)
at #1 Jacksonville State Gamecocks (6-1, 4-0 OVC)
Saturday, Oct. 31 • 1:00 p.m. CT
Burgess-Snow Field at JSU Stadium (24,000) • Jacksonville, Ala.
TV:...................................................................... ESPN3
Live Stats:
http://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=100490
Series Record:........................................... Series tied 6-6
Last Meeting:........... Jacksonville State won 20-6 (11/8/14)
Dean Hood at Eastern Kentucky:.................. 54-35 (8 yrs.)
Dean Hood Overall:................................................. same
John Grass at Jacksonville State:................... 16-3 (2 yrs.)
John Grass Overall:................................................. same
Eastern Kentucky Last Week: W, 45-21 vs. Tennessee State
Jacksonville State Last Week:........ W, 27-7 at Austin Peay
GAME NOTES: One of the top rivalries in the OVC will be on center stage on Saturday as two nationally-ranked opponents battle for first place in the OVC. Nationally the two teams, who are both undefeated against FCS competition this year, rank in the Top 13 nationally in defense and rank 1-2 in five different OVC categories including scoring defense, total defense, rush defense, sacks and turnover margin. The teams have split the previous 12 matchups since JSU joined the Conference with JSU winning the last two after EKU had won three in a row. Since 2003 the two teams lead the OVC in Conference victories with JSU having won 76 Conference games and EKU having won 75 Conference matchups. This year’s game marks the second-straight year the teams have both been nationally-ranked when they played. In that game No. 4 Jacksonville State used 170 rushing yards from DaMarcus James in topping No. 15 Eastern Kentucky 20-6 in Richmond. Saturday marks the annual Homecoming game for JSU.
SCOUTING EASTERN KENTUCKY: Eastern Kentucky won its third-straight game on Saturday in topping Tennessee State 45-21. The Colonels scored the first 31 points of the game in racking up 549 yards of total offense in the win. Bennie Coney continued his hot stretch in throwing for 292 yards and three touchdowns; over his last five games Coney has completed 68.9 percent of his passes for 1,362 yards and 12 touchdowns. Playing without Dy’Shawn Mobley at running back, the Colonels turned to true freshman Ethan Thomas who carried the ball 18 times for 149 yards (8.3 ypc) and a touchdown in earning OVC Newcomer of the Week honors. Included in his totals was an 80-yard touchdown run, the longest running play for the team since 2007. In seven games Thomas has totaled a team-high 411 rushing yards this season. Noah Spence added a sack and 2.0 tackles-for-loss in the victory; he now has a sack in every game this season and ranks fourth nationally in sacks/game (1.14) and third in tackles-for-loss/game (2.0). As a team Eastern Kentucky is second nationally in kickoff return yardage defense (15.20 yards/return), third in fumbles lost (1), eighth in rushing defense (95.1 yards/game) and ninth in sacks allowed (0.71/game - just 5 in 7 total games).
SCOUTING JACKSONVILLE STATE: Ranked No. 1 in the STATS Top 25 poll for the seventh-straight week, Jacksonville State is coming off a 27-7 victory at Austin Peay where the team rested most of its starters in the second half. The JSU defense held APSU to -2 yards of total offense in the first half and just 82 yards for the game (which established a new school record for total defense). In just one half of play quarterback Eli Jenkins passed for 189 yards and rushed for 25 yards and a touchdown; he is now 22-0 in regular season starts against FCS competition for his career. Jenkins also crossed the 6,000 yard total offense plateau for his career, making him one of just four players in JSU history to accomplish that feat (he is 219 yards away from third place on the list). Overall the JSU offense netted 427 yards of total offense, the 18th-straight game they have totaled at least 400 yards as a team. Miles Jones rushed for a team-best 56 yards and a touchdown while Josh Clemons added 46 yards. JSU has clinched its 13th-straight winning season, the third longest active streak in the FCS. As a team Jacksonville State is fourth nationally in rushing defense (82.1 yards/game), total defense (272.0 yards/game) and fourth down conversion percentage (76.5%), fifth in rushing offense (279.6 yards/game) and tackles-for-loss (8.9/game), seventh in total offense (502.9 yards/game) and eighth in passes intercepted (11).
Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles (2-6, 1-4 OVC)
at Southeast Missouri State Redhawks (2-5, 1-2 OVC)
Saturday, Oct. 31 • 1:00 p.m. CT
Houck Stadium (10,000) • Cape Girardeau, Mo.
TV:................................................... OVC Digital Network
Live Stats:
http://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=92702
Series Record:........................ Tennessee Tech leads 14-9
Last Meeting:............. Tennessee Tech won 27-26 (11/8/14)
Watson Brown at Tennessee Tech:................ 40-59 (9 yrs.)
Watson Brown Overall:......................... 134-210-1 (31 yrs.)
Tom Matukewicz at Southeast Missouri:.......... 7-12 (2 yrs.)
Tom Matukewicz Overall:................................ 8-12 (3 yrs.)
Tennessee Tech Last Week:....... L, 51-20 at Eastern Illinois
Southeast Missouri Last Week:................................... Idle
GAME NOTES: The 24th all-time meeting between Tennessee Tech and Southeast Missouri will take place on Saturday at Houck Stadium. Tennessee Tech enters the game having won the last two and seven of the last nine overall. Southeast Missouri’s last victory came in a thrilling double overtime contest at home in 2012. Last year Willie Davis scored on a 32-yard touchdown run with 4:16 to play to give Tech the one-point victory. Southeast attempted a desperation 62-yard field goal but it was blocked. Jared Davis passed for 216 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 51 yards and another score for the Golden Eagles. Brock McCoin pulled down seven passes for 120 yards while Cody Matthews caught seven passes for 86 yards. DeMichael Jackson rushed for a game-high 172 yards while Kyle Snyder added 64 yards and a rushing score to go along with his 132 passing yards and a touchdown. Saturday’s game will feature Southeast players wearing special pink jerseys have already been auctioned off and raised more than $16,000 for Breast Cancer Awareness.
SCOUTING TENNESSEE TECH: Tennessee Tech suffered its fourth-straight loss last week in falling 51-20 at Eastern Illinois. The Golden Eagles offense got off to a rough start as the team’s first three pass attempts were each picked off which put Tech in a 10-0 hole less than five minutes into the game. Quarterback Jared Davis, who had missed the previous two games with injuries, gave way to Colby Brown who later had to leave the game due to injury. Redshirt freshman Ty Jobe became the third quarterback to play in the game for Tennessee Tech. Ladarius Vanlier led the team with 78 rushing yards and leads the team with 446 rushing yards on the season. Brock McCoin increased his season receptions total to 61, which is just seven away from tying the TTU single-season record. McCoin currently ranks fourth nationally in total receiving yards (747) and eighth in receptions/game (7.6). Maleek Hall had nine tackles and two pass breakups against EIU; Hall now ranks second nationally in passes defended (1.9/game). As a team Tennessee Tech is second nationally in fumbles recovered (13) and blocked kicks (5), eighth in fewest penalty yards/game (38.25) and 10th in fewest penalties/game (4.50).
SCOUTING SOUTHEAST MISSOURI: Southeast Missouri is coming off its bye week and has lost seven of its last eight games following an off week. In its last outing Southeast lost 27-10 to No. 14 Eastern Kentucky, its third game this season against a nationally-ranked opponent. The game was tied at 10 at halftime and was just a seven-point contest entering the final quarter before EKU scored 10 fourth quarter points. The Redhawks offense struggled on the day as the team managed just 191 yards of total offense (including only 52 total yards in the second half). Senior Paul McRoberts caught 10 passes for 93 yards and a touchdown; the touchdown tied McRoberts for the Southeast career receiving touchdowns record (26). McRoberts also made his debut as a punt returner, running back three punts for 37 total yards. Punter Alex Knight continues to rank fourth nationally in punting (46.0 yards/punt); he punted seven times for a 42.9 average against EKU including downing five punts inside the 20-yard line. True freshman Stephon Williams led the Redhawks in tackles for the second-straight game. On the season Roper Garrett leads the team with 66 total tackles.
Eastern Illinois Panthers (4-3, 4-0 OVC)
at Murray State Racers (2-5, 1-3 OVC)
Saturday, Oct. 31 • 1:00 p.m. CT
Stewart Stadium (16,800) • Murray, Ky.
TV:................................................... OVC Digital Network
Live Stats:
http://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=91973
Series Record:......................... Eastern Illinois leads 17-13
Last Meeting:............... Eastern Illinois won 48-26 (11/8/14)
Kim Dameron at Eastern Illinois:..................... 9-10 (2 yrs.)
Kim Dameron Overall:.............................................. same
Mitch Stewart at Murray State:............................ 2-5 (1 yr.)
Mitch Stewart Overall:.............................................. same
Eastern Illinois Last Week:.... W, 51-20 vs. Tennessee Tech
Murray State Last Week:................... L, 52-45 at UT Martin
GAME NOTES: Eastern Illinois brings a four-game winning streak to Murray State on Saturday. The teams have played 30 previous times with Eastern Illinois winning the last three and 10 of the last 12 overall. Last year EIU had 654 yards of total offense as they jumped out to a 28-6 advantage. MSU was able to cut the deficit to eight points late in second quarter before three consecutive Panthers touchdowns put the game out of reach. Jalen Whitlow passed for 312 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for another score in the victory while Taylor Duncan rushed for 171 yards and two scores. KD Humphries completed 29-of-38 passes for 306 yards and two touchdowns for the Racers. Pokey Harris returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown for Murray State. Defensively Jonathan Jackson had 17 tackles to lead MSU. The game features a pair of quarterbacks who grew up playing against each other in Montgomery, Alabama.
SCOUTING EASTERN ILLINOIS: Eastern Illinois won its fourth-straight game in remaining perfect in the OVC with a 51-20 victory over Tennessee Tech. The Panthers enter this week tied with Jacksonville State and Eastern Kentucky (who play each other this week) in the standings. EIU intercepted each of TTU’s first three pass attempts of the game and finished the game with five interceptions and seven total turnovers. Defensive lineman Jarvis Williams got into the action with a 24-yard interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Malik Harrison had 18 rushing yards in the season-opener but had not played since but erupted for 123 rushing yards on five carries including an 83-yard touchdown run in the final quarter. Kamu Grugier-Hill was named OVC Defensive Player of the Week after registering eight tackles, 3.0 tackles-for-loss (for 25 total yards), a sack and an interception. On the season he ranks 10th nationally in tackles-for-loss/game (1.6). As a team Eastern Illinois is first in blocked punts (4), second in blocked kicks (5), fourth in passing efficiency defense (95.82), eighth in tackles-for-loss/game (8.6) and 10th in passes intercepted (10).
SCOUTING MURRAY STATE: Murray State jumped out to a 17-3 lead and led rival UT Martin 31-17 in the second quarter before ultimately falling 52-45 on Saturday in Martin. Senior Janawski Davis was named OVC Specialist of the Week after accounting for 241 all-purpose yards (the third-most by an OVC player this season) and three touchdowns in the game. Among the touchdowns was an 85-yard kickoff return in the second quarter, marking the first kickoff return for a touchdown in the OVC this season. Davis also caught four passes for 112 yards and two touchdowns that went for 21 and 71 yards. Paul Rice added seven catches for the Racers and now ranks sixth nationally in receptions/game (7.7). Quarterback KD Humphries, who had gone two games without a touchdown pass, tossed three touchdowns and passed for 351 yards without an interception in the game. Roman Clay rushed for 106 yards and two touchdowns, marking his third-straight contest with 100 or more rushing yards, the first MSU player to accomplish that feat with 1997 (Anthony Downs). The Murray State defense sacked UTM quarterback Jarod Neal twice, matching the total allowed by the Skyhawks all season long. The sacks came from Demetrius Mason and T-Ray Malone. DeQuinten Spraggins led the way with 19 tackles, the most by an OVC player this season, eighth-most by a FCS player in 2015 and fifth-most in Murray State single-game history. As a team Murray State is third nationally in passing offense (351.9 yards/game) and ninth in total offense (482.7 yards/game).
Austin Peay Governors (0-8, 0-5 OVC)
at Tennessee State Tigers (3-4, 0-4 OVC)
Saturday, Oct. 31 • 2:00 p.m. CT
Hale Stadium (10,000) • Nashville, Tenn.
TV:................................................... OVC Digital Network
Live Stats:
http://stats.statbroadcast.com/statmonitr/?id=101136
Series Record:....................... Tennessee State leads 11-6
Last Meeting:............ Tennessee State won 31-27 (11/8/14)
Kirby Cannon at Austin Peay:......................... 1-31 (3 yrs.)
Kirby Cannon Overall:............................... 36-117 (14 yrs.)
Rod Reed at Tennessee State:...................... 35-31 (6 yrs.)
Rod Reed Overall:................................................... same
Austin Peay Last Week:... L, 27-7 vs. #1 Jacksonville State
Tennessee State Last Week: L, 45-21 at #13 Eastern Kentucky
GAME NOTES: In-state rivals Austin Peay and Tennessee State will play at Hale Stadium on the TSU campus on Saturday as both teams are looking for its first Conference victory of the season. The Tigers have won the last three meetings in the series after the Governors won three-straight from 2009-11 (all of which were three-point victories). A season ago Austin Peay took a 27-16 lead with 7:16 to play when Trey Taylor scored on a one-yard run. But TSU scored 15 points in the final 4:50 of the game to come-from-behind on the road. Weldon Garlington was the star for Tennessee State, grabbing eight catches for 143 yards and three touchdowns (58, 24 and 4 yards). He caught those passes from Michael German who completed 30-of-46 passes for 395 yards and four touchdowns on the day. Otis Gerron had 62 rushing yards and a touchdown for the Govs who finished the day with 155 yards on the ground. Antonio Turner had 14 tackles to lead Austin Peay while Nick Thrasher had 12 for Tennessee State.
SCOUTING AUSTIN PEAY: Austin Peay suffered its 13th-straight defeat (the longest streak in the FCS) in dropping a 27-7 game to No. 1 ranked Jacksonville State. The Govs held the Gamecocks without a point in the second half and to its fewest amount of points in Conference play this season (JSU had been averaging 46 points/game in OVC play entering the game). APSU struggled on offense in netting -2 yards of total offense in the first half, although the team finished the game with 82 net yards. The Govs scored on a 12-play, 68-yard drive in the third quarter which was capped when Trey Taylor hit Jared Beard for a five-yard touchdown pass; it marked the third-straight game that Beard had caught a touchdown pass, the first time an APSU receiver has accomplished that since 2012. Defensively Zach Stuart had five total tackles, 2.5 tackles-for-loss, shared a sack and recovered a second quarter fumble. Devon Jones led the team with 11 total tackles on the afternoon. Austin Peay is looking to snap a 35-game road losing streak dating back to the 2010 season; that last road victory came against Tennessee State by a 26-23 margin on Sept. 18.
SCOUTING TENNESSEE STATE: Tennessee State suffered its third-straight loss on Saturday in falling 45-21 to No. 13 Eastern Kentucky. The Tigers fell behind 31-0 in the third quarter before Erick Evans scored on a 62-yard run (the longest run for the team in two years) with 4:59 to play in that quarter; Evans finished the game with 85 yards on seven carries (12.1 ypc). Quarterback Ronald Butler completed 22 passes for 222 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 21 yards. Sophomore Patrick Smith caught a career-best nine passes for 119 yards and a touchdown in the loss; Smith now has seven receiving touchdowns on the season, a mark that ranks 11th nationally. Smith’s touchdown was a 64-yarder in the fourth quarter, marking his fourth play this season of 50 or more yards. The offense has done a good job of protecting the ball this season, losing only one fumble, a mark that is third nationally. On defense Vantavious Williams had a team-high eight tackles against EKU while Chris Collins leads the team with 55 total tackles on the season.
UT Martin Skyhawks (5-2, 4-1 OVC)
at Arkansas Razorbacks (3-4, 2-2 SEC)
Saturday, Oct, 31 • 3:00 p.m. CT
Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium (72,000) • Fayetteville, Ark.
TV:............................................................. SEC Network
Live Stats:
http://stats.statbroadcast.com/statmonitr/?id=100347
Series Record:............................................. First meeting
Last Meeting:.............................................................. n/a
Jason Simpson at UT Martin:...................... 63-47 (10 yrs.)
Jason Simpson Overall:........................................... same
Bret Bielema at Arkansas:............................. 13-19 (3 yrs.)
Bret Bielema Overall:.................................. 81-43 (10 yrs.)
UT Martin Last Week:................ W, 52-45 vs. Murray State
Arkansas Last Week:................ W, 54-46 vs. Auburn (4OT)
GAME NOTES: UT Martin travels to Arkansas for the first-ever meeting between the two schools. The game pits teams who both played in shootout contests last week as the two teams had combined game totals of 197 points. Saturday marks the second game against a FBS opponent this season for the Skyhawks who opened the year at Ole Miss. UT Martin is 1-19 all-time against FBS opponents, with the lone win coming in 2012 when they topped Memphis. Saturday is the annual Homecoming game for the Razorbacks.
SCOUTING UT MARTIN: UT Martin won its fourth-straight game by out-scoring rival Murray State 52-45 in a shootout on Saturday. The Skyhawks are now 4-1 in OVC play for the first time since 2012 and are just one loss behind a trio of teams tied for first place (UTM still has games remaining with two of those teams). UT Martin racked up 661 yards of total offense in the win over Murray State and overcame a pair of 14-point deficits to win. Senior quarterback Jarod Neal was named OVC Offensive Player of the Week after passing for 420 yards and five touchdowns. Through seven games this season Neal has already set career-highs for passing yards (1,893) and touchdowns (22 - a mark that currently ranks third nationally). Neal also moved into fourth place in school history for total offense (5,686) and touchdowns (54). Neal completed six passes for 143 yards and three touchdowns to Rod Wright; Wright now has 10 receiving touchdowns on the year, a mark that ranks second in the FCS. Neal also completed seven passes for 103 yards and two touchdowns to William Tanner. Senior Trent Garland became the first UTM player to rush for 100 yards in a game this season when he carried the ball 26 times for 123 yards and two touchdowns; he has now tallied multiple touchdowns in back-to-back games. The 97 combined points in the game marked the highest scoring contest in the OVC this season. Defensively Caleb Counce had six total tackles, 2.5 tackles-for-loss, 1.5 sacks, a quarterback hurry and forced a fumble at the 1-yard line. The victory was the 63rd for head coach Jason Simpson at UTM (ninth in OVC history).
SCOUTING ARKANSAS: Arkansas won its second SEC game of the season on Saturday in topping Auburn 54-46 in quadruple overtime in a game that lasted over four hours. The game was tied at 24 at the end of regulation before the teams combined for 52 points in overtime. The game-winning score in the final period came when Brandon Allen connected with Drew Morgan for a 25-yard touchdown on the first play of the fourth overtime. The Arkansas defense then stopped Auburn on four downs to clinch the victory. Allen finished the game with 233 passing yards and three touchdowns and moved into sixth place in school history in passing yards (5,792). On the season he has completed 62.3 percent of his passes and tossed 13 touchdowns. Alex Collins had 105 rushing yards and a score and now has 12 100-yard rushing games in his career and moved into sixth place on the school’s all-time rushing list (2,913). Collins is averaging 112.4 yards/game on the season. Defensively Dre Greenlaw had 16 tackles for the Hogs; he has led the team in tackles in three of the last four games and leads all SEC freshmen with 53 total tackles on the season. Overall it marked the team’s third-straight SEC home victory, the first time the program has accomplished that feat since 2011.