• OVC Football Players of the Week – October 14 (PDF)
OFFENSIVE
Drew Anderson, QB • 6-4, 221, Sr. • Orinda, Calif. • Murray State
Anderson accounted for six touchdowns (5 passing, 1 rushing) as Murray State topped Tennessee State 45-21 to improve to 3-0 in OVC play for the first time since 1997. Anderson completed 33-of-51 passes for 348 yards and his five scores and carried the ball 10 times for 63 yards and a score on a 19-yard keeper in the second quarter. The transfer from Buffalo completed passes to 11 different receivers and engineered four touchdown drives of 70 yards of longer. After MSU fell behind 14-3 after one quarter, he had a 1-yard and 9-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter to give his team a 24-14 halftime lead. He added touchdown passes of 14 and 12-yards in the third quarter and capped the game with a 16-yard score in the fourth frame. He became the eighth quarterback in MSU history to throw five or more touchdowns in a game. Anderson ranks 20th nationally in completions/game (21.0), 30th in passing yards (1,407) and total offense (257.8 yards/game) and 40th in passing touchdowns (10).
Others Nominated: DeAngelo Wilson, Austin Peay; Daryl McCleskey, Jr., Eastern Kentucky; Josh Pearson, Jacksonville State; Daniel Santacaterina, Southeast Missouri; Chris Rowland, Tennessee State.
DEFENSIVE
Gavin Bryant, LB • 6-1, 232, Sr. • Jackson, Ala. • Eastern Kentucky
In a game decided by one point, Bryant had game-high 11 tackles and a sack plus picked up a fumble in the first quarter and returned it 43 yards for a touchdown. Brant also added a pair of quarterback hurries as EKU topped UT Martin 35-34 to improve to 2-1 in OVC play.
Others Nominated: Juantarius Bryant, Austin Peay; Yul Gowdy, Jacksonville State; Quincy Williams, Murray State; Zach Hall, Southeast Missouri.
CO-SPECIALIST
Matthew Jackson, LB • 6-2, 195, R-Fr. • Nashville, Tenn. • Eastern Kentucky
With Eastern Kentucky trailing by six points late in the third quarter, Jackson raced downfield on a kickoff and recovered the ball at the UT Martin 23-yard line before any Skyhawk players could field the traditional kickoff. With excellent field position, EKU needed only six plays to score what proved to be the game-winning touchdown in the 35-34 victory. He is the third different EKU linebacker to be named OVC Defensive Player of the Week this season.
CO-SPECIALIST
Gabriel Vicente, K • 6-3, 190, Jr. • Miami, Fla. • Murray State
Vicente was a perfect 7-of-7 on kicks in Murray State's 45-21 win over Tennessee State. The junior connected on a season-long 47-yard field goal in the first quarter and was 6-of-6 on PATs; he also averaged 58.4 yards on eight kickoffs. Vicente is now 29-of-29 on kicks in 2018, including 8-of-8 on field goals. His played has helped Murray State to a 3-0 OVC record, its best Conference start since 1997. Vicente ranks first nationally in field goal percentage (100%).
Others Nominated: Nick Bruno, Eastern Illinois; Jason Pierce, Jacksonville State.
NEWCOMER
Drew Anderson, QB • 6-4, 221, Sr. • Orinda, Calif. • Murray State
Anderson accounted for six touchdowns (5 passing, 1 rushing) as Murray State topped Tennessee State 45-21 to improve to 3-0 in OVC play for the first time since 1997. Anderson completed 33-of-51 passes for 348 yards and his five scores and carried the ball 10 times for 63 yards and a score on a 19-yard keeper in the second quarter. The transfer from Buffalo completed passes to 11 different receivers and engineered four touchdown drives of 70 yards of longer. After MSU fell behind 14-3 after one quarter, he had a 1-yard and 9-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter to give his team a 24-14 halftime lead. He added touchdown passes of 14 and 12-yards in the third quarter and capped the game with a 16-yard score in the fourth frame. He became the eighth quarterback in MSU history to throw five or more touchdowns in a game. Anderson ranks 20th nationally in completions/game (21.0), 30th in passing yards (1,407) and total offense (257.8 yards/game) and 40th in passing touchdowns (10).
Others Nominated: Johnathan Brantley, Eastern Illinois; Phillip Richards, Eastern Kentucky; Zerrick Cooper, Jacksonville State; Daniel Santacaterina, Southeast Missouri.