• OVC Football Report – November 4 (PDF)
This Week’s Schedule
Saturday, November 9
*Eastern Kentucky at #17 Southeast Missouri, 1:00 p.m. (ESPN3)
*Jacksonville State at Tennessee Tech, 1:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
*Eastern Illinois at Tennessee State, 2:00 p.m. (ESPN+)
*UT Martin at #24 Austin Peay, 3:00 p.m. (ESPN+)
This Week’s OVC Highlights/Storylines
With three weeks to play in the regular season there are three teams with one Conference loss in Austin Peay, Southeast Missouri and UT Martin...Two of those teams, APSU and UTM, will play on Saturday in Clarksville...Jacksonville State lost its third OVC game of the season which most likely ends its chances to win a sixth-straight OVC Championship...It will mark the first time since 2011 a team not named Eastern Illinois or Jacksonville State will win the OVC title...UT Martin's win over JSU was its first over the Gamecocks since 2012 and was the 86th all-time win for head coach Jason Simpson, the most in school history...UT Martin senior Terry Williams returned his second punt for a touchdown of the season in the win over JSU; he is the only Division I player (FBS or FCS) with multiple punt return scores this season...Southeast Missouri topped Tennessee State 32-13 at Hale Stadium on Saturday; it marked SEMO's first win over TSU in Nashville since 1996...SEMO WR Kristian Wilkerson caught his 30th career touchdown pass, moving him into sixth place in league history, five away from tying the all-time record; Wilkerson also ranks sixth in OVC history in career receiving yards (3,021)...Austin Peay topped Eastern Kentucky 28-21 in overtime, marking the program's first extra period win since November 3, 2007 at Southeast Missouri; it marked just the third win in program history as a ranked team (APSU was No. 25 in the Coaches Poll last week, No. 24 this week)...Tennessee Tech won its third road game of the season, the most since it won four road games during its 2011 OVC Championship season; between 2012 and 2018 the program won only six total road games...Tennessee State senior Chris Rowland now ranks seventh in OVC history in single-season receiving yards (1,234) and eighth in receptions (89)...OVC play continues with four games this weekend (Murray State has a bye)...Three games will air on ESPN+ and one game is on ESPN3...This season 69 of 72 total OVC football games will air on ESPN Networks, including 52 on ESPN+ and 12 on ESPN3.....This year marks the 150th anniversary of the first college football games.
OVC Players of the Week
OFFENSIVE
John Bachus III, QB • 6-2, 210, R-Fr. • Pulaski, Tenn. • UT Martin
Bachus accounted for 268 yards of total offense and two touchdowns as UT Martin topped No. 18 Jacksonville State 22-17, its first win over the Gamecocks since 2012. The redshirt freshman completed 18-of-32 passes for 245 yards and a touchdown and rushed eight times for 23 yards and another score. Bachus completed three passes for over 25 yards including a 26-yard touchdown to Colton Dowell late in the second quarter. His rushing touchdown came on a 10-yard run earlier in the second quarter to put UTM on the board. Bachus currently ranks 22nd nationally in passing yards per completion (14.0) It marks the second time this season he has been named OVC Offensive Player of the Week.
Others Nominated: DeAngelo Wilson, Austin Peay; Daryl McCleskey Jr., Eastern Kentucky; Daniel Santacaterina, Southeast Missouri; Chris Rowland, Tennessee State; David Gist, Tennessee Tech.
DEFENSIVE
Cecil Cherry, LB • 6-0, 235, Graduate Student • Frostproof, Fla. • UT Martin
Cherry came off the bench to record a season-high 14 tackles as UT Martin topped No. 18 Jacksonville State 22-17 to remain in a tie for first place in the OVC. Two of his tackles were for loss and he had half a sack to go along with a game-high five quarterback hurries. With his team leading by five late in the game, he had four tackles, including a sack and tackle-for-loss, and three quarterback hurries on the Skyhawks final two defensive stands, both of which ended with Jacksonville State turning the ball over on downs. With the win the Skyhawks improved to 5-1 in OVC play.
Others Nominated: Pat Walker, Austin Peay; Corey Glass, Eastern Kentucky; Anthony Koclanakis, Murray State; Jahsun Bryant, Tennessee State; Aderick Moore, Tennessee Tech.
SPECIALIST
Terry Williams, RS/WR • 5-10, 165, Sr. • Southaven, Miss. • UT Martin
Williams returned a punt 65 yards for a touchdown late in the third quarter to give UT Martin a lead for good in its 22-17 win over No. 18 Jacksonville State. It marked his second punt return for a touchdown this season, making him the only Division I player (FBS or FCS) with multiple punt return scores this season. For the game Williams averaged 28.3 yards on three punt returns and for the season he ranks fourth among FCS players with an 18.7 punt return average. Williams also caught seven passes for 52 yards to finish with 137 all-purpose yards
Others Nominated: Josh Alexander, Austin Peay; Samuel Hayworth, Eastern Kentucky; Steve Dawson, Murray State; Kendrick Tiller, Southeast Missouri.
CO-NEWCOMER
Geno Hess, RB • 5-8, 190, R-Fr. • Peoria, Ill. • Southeast Missouri
Hess ran for a career-high 156 yards and two touchdowns as Southeast Missouri topped Tennessee State 32-13 to remain in a tie for first place in the OVC. The victory was the first for the Redhawks over the Tigers in Nashville since 1996. The 156 rushing yards are the third-most by an OVC player this season Hess carried the ball 14 times in averaging 11.1 yards/carry. He scored his first touchdown on an 18-yard run early in the third quarter and added his second score on a 73-yard scamper to open the fourth quarter and put the game out of reach. The 73-yard run was the longest rushing play for SEMO this season.
CO-NEWCOMER
John Bachus III, QB • 6-2, 210, R-Fr. • Pulaski, Tenn. • UT Martin
Bachus accounted for 268 yards of total offense and two touchdowns as UT Martin topped No. 18 Jacksonville State 22-17, its first win over the Gamecocks since 2012. The redshirt freshman completed 18-of-32 passes for 245 yards and a touchdown and rushed eight times for 23 yards and another score. Bachus completed three passes for over 25 yards including a 26-yard touchdown to Colton Dowell late in the second quarter. His rushing touchdown came on a 10-yard run earlier in the second quarter to put UTM on the board. Bachus currently ranks 22nd nationally in passing yards per completion (14.0)
Others Nominated: Marcis Floyd, Murray State; Dail Dava, Tennessee Tech.
Notes From Around the Gridiron
CFB150: This year marks the 150th anniversary of college football which began on November 6, 1869 when Princeton played Rutgers. The commemoration will showcase the rich history and traditions of the sport and its positive impact on lives and communities, while also promoting the opportunity it continues to provide to thousands of student-athletes across all levels of the sport. Follow the campaign @CFB150 and take part in the conversation with the hashtag #CFB150, and also visit www.OVCSports.com/CFB150.
Cherry Named National Defensive Player of the Week by STATS (Nov. 4): UT Martin linebacker
Cecil Cherry was named the National Defensive Player of the Week by STATS on November 4 after his performance against No. 18 Jacksonville State. Cherry came off the bench to record a season-high 14 tackles, including 2.0 for loss and 0.5 a sack, as well as recording a game-high five quarterback hurries. With his team leading by five points late in the game, he had four tackles, including a sack and tackle-for-loss, and three quarterback hurries on the Skyhawks' final two defensive stands, both of which ended with Jacksonville State turning the ball over on downs.
Southeast Missouri and Austin Peay Ranked in National Polls: Southeast Missouri moved up in the Top 25 polls this week, coming in at No. 17 in the STATS Top 25 and No. 18 in the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll. Austin Peay moved up one spot to No. 24 in the Coaches Poll and are just outside the poll (No. 26) in the STATS Top 25. UT Martin is right behind the Govs in the STATS polls (No. 27) and the first team out in the Coaches Poll. After its loss to UT Martin, Jacksonville State dropped out of the Top 25 polls after 84-straight polls (dating back to the end of the 2013 season).
OVC in NCAA Statistical Leaders: In the latest NCAA statistical rankings, Austin Peay ranks first in fumbles lost (1), fourth in sacks allowed/game (0.67), sixth in punt return defense (3.0 yards/return), eighth in rushing defense (96.0 yards/game), 10th in turnovers lost (9), 13th in total defense (317.8 yards/game) and passes intercepted (11) and 16th in turnover margin (+0.78/game). UT Martin ranks fifth in punt returns (18.69 yards/return), red zone defense (65.5%) and defensive touchdowns (3), sixth in blocked kicks (4) and blocked punts (2), 13th in passes intercepted (11) and 14th in sacks/game (2.89). Southeast Missouri ranks sixth in fumbles lost (2), ninth in turnover margin (+0.89/game) and red zone offense (91.7%) and 12th in fourth down conversion (66.7%). Jacksonville State ranks sixth in kickoff returns (15.27 yards/return) and eighth in fourth down conversion defense (33.3%). Eastern Kentucky ranks fourth in kickoff returns (26.46 yards/return), 11th in third down defense (30.5%) and red zone offense (91.4%), 12th in red zone defense (69.0%), 14th in pass efficiency defense (114.36), 15th in total defense (321.8 yards/game) and 20th in scoring defense (21.4 points/game). Tennessee Tech is first in kickoff return yardage defense (12.7 yards/return) while Murray State is second in fumbles recovered (13) and fifth in defensive touchdowns (3). Individually, Tennessee State's
Chris Rowland is first nationally in all-purpose yards (202.0/game), receiving yards/game (137.1), total receiving yards (1,234) and receptions/game (9.9). Jacksonville State's
Zerrick Cooper is fifth in total passing yards (2,781), 10th in total offense (303.1 yards/game) 11th in passing touchdowns (22) and 14th in passing yards/game (278.1 yards/game). JSU's
Josh Pearson is first in receiving touchdowns (11) while Austin Peay's
DeAngelo Wilson is third in total receiving yards (966), fifth in receiving yards/game (107.3) and ninth in receiving touchdowns (9). Eastern Kentucky's
Daryl McCleskey Jr. is eighth in total rushing yards (947), 10th in rushing yards/game (105.2) and 12th in rushing yards/carry (6.5) while teammate
Alonzo Booth is 12th in rushing touchdowns (11). Tennessee Tech's
Bailey Fisher is ninth in points responsible for/game (18.0) while teammate
Metrius Fleming is 12th in kickoff returns (27.7 yards/return). UT Martin's
Peyton Logan is sixth in rushing yards/carry (7.19) while teammate
Terry Williams is fourth in punt returns (18.7 yards/return). Tennessee State's
Antonio Zita is second in field goals made/game (1.89). APSU's
Kordell Jackson is third in interceptions/game (0.7) and Murray State's
Anthony Koclanakis is 11th in tackles (10.3/game).
Attendance: Jacksonville State ranks ninth in the FCS in average attendance so far this season, averaging 17,221 fans per game (6 total games).
Sgt. York Trophy Presented by Delta Dental and Farm Bureau Health Plans: This year marks the 13th of the Sgt. York Trophy presented by Delta Dental of Tennessee and Farm Bureau Health Plans. The trophy (founded in 2007 by the Nashville Sports Council and OVC) goes to the winner of the quadrangular season football series between the four OVC football-playing schools located in the state of Tennessee (Austin Peay, Tennessee State, Tennessee Tech and UT Martin). The award is only the second traveling trophy that involves more than two teams in college sports; the other is the Commander in Chief’s Trophy which has been contested between Air Force, Army and Navy annually since 1972. The award is named in honor of Alvin C. York, the most noted Soldier of World War I. As a corporal in the 2nd battalion, 328th Infantry, in the Battle of the Meuse River-Argonne (Oct. 8, 1918), York and seven other soldiers captured 132 prisoners, was promoted to sergeant and received the Distinguished Service Cross, the French Croix de Guerre, the French Legion of Honor, the Croce di Guerra of Italy and the War Medal of Montenegro. Upon his return to the United States in 1919, he was bestowed the Congressional Medal of Honor. The trophy goes to the team with the best record against the other schools (in case of a tie there will be co-champions and the actual trophy will be retained by the defending champion if they are involved in the tie or if the defending champion is not involved in the tie it will go to the institution that has gone the most seasons without winning the trophy).
JSU's Cooper and Pearson on Walter Payton Award Watch List: Jacksonville State junior quarterback
Zerrick Cooper and senior wide receiver
Josh Pearson are two of the initial 25 players named to the Walter Payton Award Watch List. The award, sponsored by STATS and first awarded in 1987, is given to the top offensive player in the FCS and has twice been won by an OVC player: Eastern Illinois’ Tony Romo (2002) and Jimmy Garoppolo (2013). The Payton Watch List can undergo revision during the season. A national panel of over 150 sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries will vote on the winner following the regular season.
Three OVC Players on Buck Buchanan Award Watch List: Three OVC players have been named to the 2019 Buck Buchanan Award Watch List by STATS. The award is given to the top defensive player in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). The OVC selections were Jacksonville State senior defensive back
Marlon Bridges, Southeast Missouri senior linebacker
Zach Hall and Eastern Kentucky senior defensive lineman
Aaron Patrick. The watch list will have updates during the season. A national panel of over 150 sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries will vote on 25 finalists following the regular season. The award was first bestowed in 1995 and the first OVC player to win the honor was Jacksonville State's Darius Jackson in 2017. A year ago it became back-to-back OVC winners as SEMO's Hall won the honor. Hall is seeking to become the second two-time winner of the Buck Buchanan Award (Appalachian State linebacker Dexter Coakley in 1995-96).
NCAA Division I Playoff Information: This season marks the seventh of an expanded 24-team field for the NCAA Division I Football Championship; in 2010 the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoff field expanded to 20 teams, up from 16 previously, and in 2013 the field increased to 24 for the first time. The expansion in 2010 to 20 teams was the first since the field grew from 12 to 16 teams in 1997. The 24-team field is comprised of 10 automatic bids and 14 at-large berths. There are eight first round matchups (16 total teams), while eight (8) teams receive a bye into the second round. For the 10th time in 2019, the championship game will be played in Frisco, Texas at Toyota Stadium, a 20,500-seat multi-purpose stadium. The Southland Conference serves as the host of the championship, which will be held on Saturday, January 11.
Recent Playoff Success: Beginning with the 2001 season the OVC went until 2013 without a FCS Playoff victory. But over the past six seasons OVC teams have performed well in the playoffs. In 2013 the OVC placed three teams in the field for the first time and each won at least one game with Eastern Illinois and Jacksonville State advancing to the quarterfinals (the first time that had happened in the league since 1991). In 2015 Jacksonville State (who during that year became the first OVC team ranked No. 1 in the Top 25 since 1999) won three playoff games to become the first OVC team to advance to the National Championship game since 1982. Along the way JSU set an OVC record for points in a playoff game with 58 against Charleston Southern in the quarterfinals, and then broke the record a week later in a 62-10 victory over Sam Houston State in the semifinals. A year ago Jacksonville State and Southeast Missouri each won a game in the playoffs.
OVC Game of the Week on ESPN3: For the seventh-straight year the OVC is producing a “Game of the Week” package that will air on ESPN3 this fall. The eight-game schedule is once again in conjunction with Tupelo Raycom. Kevin Ingram, host of “The Wake Up Zone” on 104.5 The Zone in Nashville, will handle play-by-play duties while Bob Belvin, on-air talent and contributor at ESPN Clarksville, will provide analysis. The duo has worked together each of the past seven years in the league’s TV package.
Sept. 28 - Tennessee Tech at Eastern Illinois, 4 p.m. CT
Oct. 5 - UT Martin at Eastern Kentucky, 3 p.m. ET/2 p.m. CT
Oct. 19 - Southeast Missouri at Jacksonville State, 3 p.m. CT
Oct. 26 - Murray State at Jacksonville State, 3 p.m. CT
Nov. 2 - Southeast Missouri at Tennessee State, 2 p.m. CT
Nov. 9 - Eastern Kentucky at Southeast Missouri, 1 p.m. CT
Nov. 16 - Austin Peay at Murray State, 12 p.m. CT
Nov. 23 - Eastern Kentucky at Jacksonville State, 1 p.m. CT
ESPN+: The OVC enters year two with ESPN+, the multi-sport, direct-to-consumer video service from The Walt Disney Company's Direct-to-Consumer & International segment, being the exclusive home of regular season and OVC Championship broadcasts. This season 52 OVC football games will air on ESPN+ (eight other games will be on ESPN3). Fans can subscribe to ESPN+ for $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year). ESPN+ is an integrated part of the ESPN App and (on mobile and connected devices) and ESPN.com. More information can be found at
www.OVCSports.com/ESPN.
OVC Teams Against FBS Opponents: OVC teams will play nine total games against Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) opponents in 2019. OVC teams are now a combined 35-245-1 all-time against FBS foes, including wins over FBS teams in six of the past nine seasons (2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017).
SEMO's Jake Reynolds Ties OVC Single-Game Punts Record: Southeast Missouri junior punter
Jake Reynolds tied the OVC single-game record with 14 punts against Missouri on September 14. Reynolds now shares the record with Austin Peay's Mike Johnson (1971) and UT Martin's Bubba Beasley (1993).
Murray State Sees 156 Game Scoring Streak Snapped; Streak Ranks Ninth-Longest in FCS History: In a 45-0 loss to Toledo on September 14, Murray State failed to score for the first time in 156 games dating back to a loss at Illinois State on September 24, 2005. The 156-game streak was the ninth-longest in FCS history.
Three OVC Quarterbacks on CFPA FCS National Performer of the Year Watch List: Three OVC quarterbacks are among the 40 players named to the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) FCS National Performer of the Year Watch List. The selections were Austin Peay junior
Jeremiah Oatsvall, Jacksonville State junior
Zerrick Cooper and Southeast Missouri senior
Daniel Santacaterina. The 2019 CFPA FCS National Performer of the Year Trophy is a 22-inch K-9 optic crystal tower with eight-inch crystal football on top. All FCS players are eligible for the award. The award winner will be announced January 15, 2020.
Two OVC Punters Named to FCS Punter of the Year Watch List: Murray State's
Steve Dawson and Southeast Missouri's
Jake Reynolds are two of 28 players nationally named to the inaugural FCS Punter of the Year Preseason Watchlist by the Augusta Sports Council. The 2019 season will be the first for the FCS Punter of the Year Award which is presented by the Augusta Sports Council. Based in Augusta, Georgia, the Council is also home to the Ray Guy Award, which honors the nation's top FBS punter each year. The FCS Punter of the Year Preseason Watchlist was chosen based on 2018 All-Americans, 2018 All-Conference selections, and conference nominations. Players were reviewed based on their eligibility and inclusion on their team's 2019 roster.
Craig Named National FCS Performer of the Week by CFPA (Oct. 28): Austin Peay senior quarterback
JaVaughn Craig was named the FCS National Performer of the Week by the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) after his performance against Tennessee Tech. Craig accounted for seven touchdowns (5 passing, 2 rushing) in the 58-21 victory. He completed 16-of-23 passes for 294 yards and a program record tying five passing touchdowns (46, 30, 5, 53, 9) and rushed seven times for a game-high 84 yards and two scores (1 and 27 yards). He was involved in seven of the Govs eight touchdowns in the win as APSU scored 58 points, its most points ever in a Conference road game.
Bridges Named National Defensive Player of the Week by STATS (Sept. 16): Jacksonville State senior defensive back
Marlon Bridges was named the National Defensive Player of the Week by STATS on September 16 for his play in the Gamecocks win over No. 4 Eastern Washington. With the team trailing 28-7 after one quarter, Bridges intercepted a pass on the first play of the second quarter and returned it 67 yards for a touchdown to ignite the comeback. It marked his third career interception return for a touchdown, tying the school record. Bridges also forced a fumble, had nine tackles (3.0 for loss) and added a sack as JSU would win 49-45.
Fisher Named National Player of the Week (Sept. 2): Tennessee Tech sophomore quarterback
Bailey Fisher was named the FCS National Offensive Player of the Week by STATS on Sept. 2 after his performance in a 59-58 double overtime victory over Samford. Fisher accounted for 463 yards of total offense, five touchdowns (2 passing, 3 rushing) and three two-point conversions as Tennessee Tech overcame a 23-point second half deficit. From the 0:51 mark in the third quarter, Fisher threw two touchdowns passes, rushed for three touchdowns, then also completed three of four 2-point conversions, including the game-tying (rush) to send the game to overtime. The final two touchdowns and two-point conversions came in the final 1:18 of regulation, as Tech had trailed 44-28 with 2:20 to play. After the teams traded touchdowns in the first overtime, Samford took a lead on the first possession of the second extra period. Following a touchdown run by Andrew Fleming, Bailey converted the winning two-point conversion, a pass to David Gist, to give his team the win. Fisher finished the game 31-of-44 for 415 yards and two touchdowns (no interceptions) and rushed 13 times for 48 yards and three touchdowns. The 415 passing yards and the 463 yards of total offense were each the third-best performances in TTU history. In addition, Fisher also punted the ball twice for 76 yards, pinning both inside the Samford 20-yard line. Fisher was responsible for 36 points, the most of any Division I player (FBS or FCS) in the country in week one.
Academic Success: During the past academic year (2018-19) there were 106 OVC football student-athletes who were named to the Commissioner’s Honor Roll for having a 3.25 grade point average or higher. In addition, 10 student-athletes were awarded the OVC Academic Medal of Honor for achieving perfect 4.0 GPAs. The OVC also awards a Team Academic Award for the football program with the highest percentage of players with a 3.25 grade point average or higher; that award went to Murray State for 2018-19.
A Look at the Coaches: Seven of the nine OVC coaches from last season return to their respective teams in 2019. Jacksonville State's
John Grass, Tennessee State's
Rod Reed and Tennessee Tech's
Dewayne Alexander are currently coaching at their alma maters. The longest tenured coach in the league is UT Martin’s
Jason Simpson who is in his 14th season with the Skyhawks in 2019. Simpson has 86 overall victories in his career, sixth-most in OVC history (six away from tying for fifth-place).
NFL Connections: As of October 28, there are 18 former Ohio Valley Conference players on NFL rosters (11 active, 4 practice squad, 4 injured reserve). Those players include former Eastern Illinois standout quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, who has won two Super Bowl Championship with the Patriots and is now the starter for the San Francisco 49ers, and Tennessee State’s Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, a former First Round Draft pick who was a starter for the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII and who has been a Pro Bowl selection (he is currently on IR with the Redskins). Seven of the nine current OVC football schools have at least one player in the NFL.
Preseason Forecasts: For the sixth-straight year and eighth time in the past 10 years, Jacksonville State has been picked the preseason football favorite in the Ohio Valley Conference for 2019. The Gamecocks, who have won five-straight OVC Championships and 39 of its last 40 OVC games, received 14 of a possible 18 first-place votes in a poll of league head coaches and communications directors. The Gamecocks totaled 126 total points to out-distance Southeast Missouri, who ended the Gamecocks 36-game OVC win streak a season ago and earned an at-large berth into the FCS playoffs, who picked up the other four first-place votes and was tabbed second (115 points). Eastern Kentucky was picked third (98) and followed by Austin Peay (70), Murray State and Tennessee State (61), UT Martin (60), Eastern Illinois (35) and Tennessee Tech (22).
JSU's Cooper, SEMO's Hall Headline Preseason All-OVC Team: Jacksonville State junior quarterback
Zerrick Cooper and Southeast Missouri State senior linebacker
Zach Hall were named the 2019 OVC Preseason Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year in a vote of by the league’s head football coaches and communications directors. Jacksonville State led the way with seven total preseason selections, while Southeast Missouri followed with six picks, Tennessee State had four selections, Eastern Kentucky, Murray State and UT Martin had three apiece, Austin Peay had two picks and Eastern Illinois had one. Returning players who were first-team All-OVC selections last year (15 in total) were automatic selections to the preseason team this year. The squad also included eight players who were second-team picks in 2018. Of the 29 total selections, 26 were seniors and three were juniors.
Let’s Get It Started: The 72nd season of Ohio Valley Conference football got underway on Thursday, August 29. The OVC is made up of nine football-playing schools; since its beginning, 15 of the 18 total schools that have played football in the league have claimed at least one championship.
Instant Replay: For the third-straight year, the OVC will have instant replay for all non-conference and conference home football contests. The league has partnered with DVSport to implement replay which is defined by Rule 12 of the NCAA Football Rule Book.
I-AA No More: Although some people may still refer to it as I-AA football, the term that represents the level of Division I football in which the Ohio Valley Conference competes has been long retired. Beginning with the 2006 National Championship game, the term Football Championship Subdivision (or FCS) is to be used. Teams who play at the FCS level can offer a maximum of 63 scholarships (Football Bowl Subdivision teams can offer 85) and compete in a 24-team playoff at the end of the season to determine the national champion.