• OVC Football Players of the Week – October 8 (PDF)
OFFENSIVE
Roc Thomas, RB • 5-11, 193, Sr. • Oxford, Ala. • Jacksonville State
Thomas rushed 18 times for 136 yards (7.5 ypc) and two touchdowns as No. 4 ranked Jacksonville State won its record-tying 26th consecutive OVC game, 34-14 at Austin Peay. The performance came against a team that entered the game ranked seventh nationally in total defense and how had not allowed any team to rush for more than 165 yards in a game in 2017 (JSU finished with a combined 296 yards). Thomas scored on a 23-yard touchdown in the first quarter and added a three-yard score late in the second quarter. It marked his second-straight and third overall 100-plus yard rushing game of the season; Thomas has seven 100-yard rushing games in his two years at JSU, most among active OVC players (and seventh in JSU history). Thomas currently ranks 11th nationally in rushing yards/game (106.4), 16th in total rushing yards (532), 18th in rushing touchdowns (5), 20th in all-purpose yards (131.0/game) and 27th in rushing yards/carry (5.85).
Others Nominated: Bud Martin, Eastern Illinois; Shuler Bentley, Murray State; Michael Hughes, Tennessee State; Andrew Goldsmith, Tennessee Tech.
DEFENSIVE
Vincent Sellers, S • 6-1, 180, Fr. • Sarasota, Fla. • Tennessee State
Sellers tied the NCAA FCS record with two interception returns for touchdowns in Tennessee State’s 45-21 victory at Eastern Kentucky. With TSU clinging to a 24-21 lead in the fourth quarter, Sellers picked off Tim Boyle and returned the ball 34 yards for a touchdown with 6:40 to play. Less than three minutes later, Sellers once again picked off Boyle and returned it 44 yards for a touchdown to give the Tigers a 38-21 lead. Sellers became the 29th person in FCS history to achieve the feat. The freshman also added eight tackles (seven solo) and added a pass breakup.
Others Nominated: Jaison Williams, Austin Peay; Mark Williams, Eastern Illinois; Jonathan Hagler, Jacksonville State; Lamont Crittendon, Murray State; Kahlid Hagens, UT Martin.
CO-SPECIALIST
De’Marcus Flowers, RS • 5-8, 175, R-Jr. • Daleville, Ala. • Jacksonville State
Flowers returned a kickoff 87 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter to help No. 4 ranked Jacksonville State put away Austin Peay 34-14. It marked the first kickoff return for a score for the Gamecocks since the 2011 season. Overall the junior finished the game with three returns for 120 yards.
CO-SPECIALIST
Gabriel Vicente, K • 6-4, 200, Jr. • Miami, Fla. • Murray State
Vicente kicked a 32-yard field goal as time expired to lift Murray State to a 13-10 victory over No. 25 UT Martin, snapping a six-game losing streak to the Skyhawks. Playing in rainy conditions for most of the game, the junior kicked a 22-yard field goal in the second quarter and added an extra point during a downpour (with a backup holder) with 4:34 to play to tie the game. The game-winning score came after Vicente missed his first field goal of the game in the third quarter, a 41-yard attempt into the wind. Vicente is now 8-of-9 on field goal attempts which ranks him seventh nationally (88.9%); he also ranks 12th nationally in field goals/game (1.33).
Others Nominated: Devin Stuart, Austin Peay; Keith Wrzuszczak, Eastern Kentucky; Lane Clark, Tennessee State; Nick Madonia, Tennessee Tech; Kahlid Hagens, UT Martin.
NEWCOMER
Vincent Sellers, S • 6-1, 180, Fr. • Sarasota, Fla. • Tennessee State
Sellers tied the NCAA FCS record with two interception returns for touchdowns in Tennessee State’s 45-21 victory at Eastern Kentucky. With TSU clinging to a 24-21 lead in the fourth quarter, Sellers picked off Tim Boyle and returned the ball 34 yards for a touchdown with 6:40 to play. Less than three minutes later, Sellers once again picked off Boyle and returned it 44 yards for a touchdown to give the Tigers a 38-21 lead. Sellers became the 28th person in FCS history to achieve the feat. The freshman also added eight tackles (seven solo) and added a pass breakup.
Others Nominated: Alexander Hollins, Eastern Illinois; Trae Berry, Jacksonville State; Rodney Castille, Murray State.