AROUND THE OVC GRIDIRON
THIS WEEK ON OVCSPORTS.TV: The OVC is excited to offer live and on-demand streaming video/audio straight to your computer during the 2006-07 season. This is a brand-new feature on the league's Official Web Site, ovcsports.com, and can be accessed through the OVC site or directly through OVCSports.TV. Games featured on OVCSports.TV this week are:
Sept. 14 ? Austin Peay at Samford ? 7:00 p.m.
Sept. 16 ? Valparaiso at Morehead State ? 12:00 p.m.
Sept. 16 ? Southeast Missouri at Jacksonville State* ? 2:30 p.m.
Sept. 16 ? Gardner-Webb at UT Martin ? 6:00 p.m.
TENNESSEE TECH ON ESPNU: Tennessee Tech plays the first of two consecutive games on ESPNU this week, visiting arch rival Middle Tennessee on Thursday, Sept. 14. Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m. Central with Charlie Neal and Jay Walker calling the action.
TIME CHANGE FOR UT MARTIN CONTEST: The game time for the Sept. 16 contest between Gardner-Webb and UT Martin has been changed to 1:00 p.m. Central.
OTHER GAMES ON THE TUBE: In addition to Thursday’s EPSNU broadcast, four Sept. 16 contests involving OVC squads will be televised at the regional and local level. Southeast Missouri and Jacksonville State’s OVC matchup will be aired live on Comcast Sports Southeast (CSS) at 2:30 p.m. Central, while Tennessee State’s 6:00 p.m. meeting with Jackson State in the Southern Heritage Classic will be seen live on FSN South. In addition, Murray State’s 11:05 a.m. Central outing at Indiana State can be seen in the Terre Haute area on WTWO-TV, while UT Martin’s afternoon contest against Gardner-Webb will be available on a tape-delayed basis at 9:00 p.m. Central Saturday night on local station WLJT-TV.
EKU WINS BATTLE OF THE BLUEGRASS: Eastern Kentucky’s 26-21 win over arch rival Western Kentucky in last week’s Battle of the Bluegrass was the Colonels’ first against the Hilltoppers in five meetings. The victory also snapped EKU’s nine-game losing streak to non-conference opponents.
EIU, EKU REMAIN IN TOP-25: Eastern Illinois and Eastern Kentucky climbed to No. 18 and No. 19, respectively, in both the Sports Network and CSN Coaches Top-25 I-AA polls, which were released on Monday.
FLEMING ON TARGET: Samford junior Shannon Fleming continues to be one of the league’s most accurate kickers, boasting a perfect score in field goal (5-of-5) and point-after (4-of-4) attempts this season. The Waycross, Ga., native leads all OVC kickers and ranks second overall in scoring (9.5 ppg). Since taking over place-kicking duties for the Bulldogs as a true freshman in 2004, Fleming is 18-of-24 (75%) in field goal tries and 48-of-54 (88.9%) in PAT for his career.
STRONG START FOR REDHAWKS: Wins over Austin Peay and Missouri-Rolla have staked Southeast Missouri to its first 2-0 mark since the 2002 season. That year, the then-Indians finished with an 8-4 record, the school’s best effort at the Division I level.
UT MARTIN BLANKS URBANA: UT Martin’s 28-0 win over NAIA opponent Urbana on Thursday marked the Skyhawks’ first shutout since 1992.
HAPPY RETURNS: Tennessee State senior Mike Mason (39.0 ypr) and Eastern Kentucky’s Davin Walker (37.0 ypr) are in the top five in all of I-AA in kick return yardage, ranking second and fourth, respectively.
OPTING TO PUNT: Three OVC players rank among the Top 10 nationally in I-AA punting, led by Southeast Missouri senior David Simonhoff, who is second with a 45.67 average. Samford senior Chris Hicks is fifth (44.36 ypp), followed by Jacksonville State junior Zach Walden in ninth (42.8 ypp).
RECORDS WATCH: UT Martin senior WR Taurean Stephens caught four passes in the Skyhawks’ shutout of Urbana last week, giving him sole possession of second place on the OVC’s all-time receptions list. Stephens has 198 career catches, just 34 shy of the league record of 232, held by former Austin Peay standout Harold Roberts (1967-70).
GAINING GROUND: Six of the league’s Top 10 rushers are averaging over five yards per carry through two games. Sophomore Norris Smith heads up the list with an impressive 8.7 yards per tote, followed by Southeast Missouri senior John Radney (6.9 ypc) and sophomore Tim Holloman (6.6 ypg), Tennessee State sophomore Javarris Williams (6.3 ypc) , Eastern Illinois senior Vincent Webb 95.7 ypc) and Tennessee Tech senior Anthony Ash (5.2 ypg). Radney leads the goup with four rushing touchdowns, while Holloman and Ash have three scores each.
I-A TRANSFERS HAVING AN IMPACT: Just two games into the 2006 campaign, several former Division I-A players are already making a name for themselves in their I-AA debuts:
Micah Rucker, RB, EIU (Minnesota) - 10 catches, 288 yards, 3 TD
Bobby Washington, RB, EKU (NC State) - 125 yards rushing, 1 TD, 4.8 ypc
Antonio Heffner, QB, TSU (South Carolina) - 27-48, 436 yards, 4 TD
Mike Mason, WR/KR, TSU (North Carolina) - 10 catches, 275 all-purpose yards
E.J. Daniel, WR, UTM (Louisville) - 7 catches, 73 yards, 2 TD
100-YARD MEN: Eight OVC players have already topped the 100-yard mark in either rushing or receiving this season, including two who have done it twice:
100-YARD RUSHING GAMES
179 yards Vincent Webb, Eastern Illinois (9/9/06 vs. Indiana State)
165 yards Norris Smith, Eastern Illinois (9/9/06 vs. Indiana State)
149 yards Tim Holloman, Southeast Missouri (9/9/06 vs. Missouri-Rolla)
123 yards Javarris Williams, Tennessee State (9/9/06 vs. Murray State)
121 yards Javarris Williams, Tennessee State (9/2/06 vs. Alabama A&M)
116 yards John Radney, Southeast Missouri (9/9/06 vs. Missouri-Rolla)
103 yards Bobby Washington, Eastern Kentucky (9/9/06 vs. Western Ky.)
100-YARD RECEIVING GAMES
183 yards Micah Rucker, Eastern Illinois (9/9/06 vs. Indiana State)
105 yards Jeff Moore, Samford (8/31/06 vs. Miles College)
105 yards Micah Rucker, Eastern Illinois (9/2/06 vs. Illinois)
SPOO UPDATE: Eastern Illinois head football coach Bob Spoo continues his recovery at a St. Louis area hosptial following a surgical procedure. Spoo was scheduled to enter his 20th season as the Panthers’ head coach before announcing in mid-August that he had to undergo surgery and would miss 4-to-6 weeks for recovery.
NAME CHANGE FOR NCAA FOOTBALL: At its Aug. 3 meeting, the Division I Board of Directors approved a recommendation to delete the labels Division I-A, I-AA and I-AAA from NCAA use, effective Dec. 15, 2006. Additionally, the Board adopted the title “NCAA Division I Football Championship” to replace the “Division I-AA Football Championship.” The Board also adopted the terms “Football Bowl Subdivision” and “NCAA Football Championship Subdivision” to refer to the level of football played by Division I members.
THREE OVC PLAYERS ON I-AA WATCH LISTS: Three OVC players are among 32 I-AA players nationally listed by The Sports Network as official “Payton Watch” and “Buchanan Battle” members. The OVC players on the preseason lists include Eastern Kentucky QB Josh Greco, Jacksonville State RB Clay Green and Eastern Illinois LB Clint Sellers.
EASTERN ILLINOIS’ NFL COACHING TIES: Eastern Illinois is tied with San Diego State and USC for having the most alumni serving as head coaches in the National Football League. Current NFL skippers who boast Panther ties are Mike Shanahan (Denver Broncos), Sean Payton (New Orleans Saints) and Brad Childress (Minnesota Vikings).
WEEK 3 GAME PREVIEWS
Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles (0-2, 0-0 OVC) at Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (1-1, 0-0 SBC)
Thursday, September 14 ? 6:00 p.m. CT ? Floyd Stadium (30,788) ? Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Time: 6:00 p.m. Central
TV: ESPNU
Series Record: Middle Tennessee leads, 35-32-6
Last Meeting: Middle Tennessee 19, Tennessee Tech 16 (1998)
Doug Malone Overall (Years): 0-2 (1)
Doug Malone at Tennessee Tech (Years): 0-2 (1)
Rick Stockstill Overall (Years): 1-1 (1)
Rick Stockstill at Middle Tennessee (Years): 1-1 (1)
Tennessee Tech Last Week: Lost to Gardner-Webb, 30-26
Middle Tennessee Last Week: Lost to Maryland, 24-10
GAME NOTES: One of Tennessee’s fiercest in-state rivalries is renewed on Saturday when Tennessee Tech visits former OVC member Middle Tennessee in an ESPNU-televised contest. The series dates back to 1917 and includes 72 previous meetings through the 1998 campaign, MTSU’s last year as a football-playing member of the OVC. This marks the first time the two teams will meet with the Blue Raiders as a Division I-A program. Tech is looking to break into the win column for the first time this year following a narrow 30-26 loss to Gardner-Webb last week, while MTSU is coming off a 24-10 setback at Maryland.
SCOUTING TENNESSEE TECH: Redshirt freshman QB Lee Sweeney was 15-for-31 passing for 262 yards and two touchdowns at GWU in just his second career start last week. He ranks third in the league in passing (184.0 ypg) and total offense (173.0 ypg). Sweeney’s go-to guys in the air attack are senior Brent McNeal and Larry Shipp (146 yards, 8 catches). McNeal has caught passes in 24 straight games while Shipp has caught passes in all 23 games in which he has played during his career. Senior RB Anthony Ash has three rushing TDs this season and is averaging 5.2 yards per carry on 25 totes. Senior rover Anthony James and senior LB Craig Simonton rank among the league’s top tacklers, posting career-highs against GWU with 12 and 10 stops, respectively. After not meeting the games-played minimum to rank among OVC leaders last season, senior punter Jon Mahan finds himself fifth in the Conference with a 41.6 average.
SCOUTING MIDDLE TENNESSEE: Points have been hard to come by for the Blue Raider offense early in 2006, as senior TB and lead rusher Eugene Gross (150 yards, 31 attempts) accounts for MTSU’s two lone touchdowns thus far. Senior QB and Davey O’Brien Award candidate Clint Marks recorded his 15th career 200-yard passing game last week at Maryland. Among those on the receiving end of Marks’ tosses were sophomore Bobby Williams and junior Jonathan Grigsby, who hauled in a career-high seven receptions each. A re-tooled MTSU defensive unit, anchored by senior LB and Butkus Award candidate J.K. Sabb (14 tackles, 4.5 TFL), is allowing only 260.5 yards per game. Senior Colby Smith is one of nine players at the I-A level who handles punts, placekicking and kickoffs.
Austin Peay Governors (1-1, Independent) at Samford Bulldogs (1-1, 0-0 OVC)
Thursday, September 14 ? 7:00 p.m. CT ? Seibert Stadium (6,700) ? Birmingham, Alabama
Time: 7:00 p.m. Central
TV: None
Series Record: Samford leads, 7-0
Last Meeting: Samford 51, Austin Peay 0 (1999)
Bill Gray Overall (Years): 25-26 (5)
Bill Gray at Samford (Years): 25-26 (5)
Carroll McCray Overall (Years): 9-26 (4)
Carroll McCray at Austin Peay (Years): 9-26 (4)
Samford Last Week: Lost to Georgia Tech, 38-6
Austin Peay Last Week: Defeated Cumberland, 28-21
GAME NOTES: Samford plays host to Austin Peay on Thursday in a final non-conference tuneup before beginning OVC action. The Bulldogs have a short turnaround following last week’s 38-6 loss to Georgia Tech, while the Governors will be looking to ride the momentum from a 28-21 win over Cumberland that snapped a seven-game overall losing streak and a 13-game skid on the road. Samford has won all seven of the previous meetings between the two squads, most recently a 51-0 decision in 1999. Austin Peay head coach Carroll McCray and Samford skipper Bill Gray served together as assistants on the Bulldogs’ coaching staff from 1994-2000.
SCOUTING SAMFORD: While junior Jefferson Adcock remains the Bulldogs’ starting signal-caller, backup Dante Williams is closing the gap. The duo has combined for 424 yards in two games while completing 52 percent of their respective passes. Junior WR Jeff Moore (155 yards, 8 catches) is averaging 19.4 yards per reception in 2006. He has caught at least one pass in all 24 games of his career thus far. Samford’s kicking game rests on the feet of juniors Shannon Fleming and Chris Hicks. Fleming is perfect through two games (5-of-5 FG, 4-of-4 PAT) and ranks second in the OVC in scoring (9.5 ppg), while Hicks sports the league’s third-best punting average (44.4 ypp) after racking up 417 yards on nine punts (46.3 ypp) against Georgia Tech. The Bulldogs’ top stoppers are sophomore LB Rodney Shepherd (17 tackles) and junior LB Jay McCurty (13 tackles).
SCOUTING AUSTIN PEAY: Junior TB Chris Fletcher, who has finished just shy of 1,000 rushing yards in each of his previous two seasons, is off to another strong start, already collecting 278 yards on the ground through two games. Junior QB Mark Cunningham became the first APSU signal-caller in nearly two years to top the 200-yard passing mark in a game, completing 15-of-24 passes for 218 yards and two touchdowns in the win over Cumberland. Sophomore WR Lanis Frederick is averaging 17.8 yards per reception this season, racking up 231 yards on 13 catches. Sophomore FS Jason Vanatta has registered a team-best nine tackles in each of the Govs’ first two games, while junior LB Josh Hackett has 10 solo tackles, a sack and three tackles for loss among 14 stops overall.
Murray State Racers (0-2, 0-1 OVC) at Indiana State Sycamores (0-2, 0-0 GFC)
Saturday, September 16 ? 11:00 a.m. CT ? Memorial Stadium (12,764) ? Terre Haute, Indiana
Time: 11:00 a.m. Central
TV: WTWO-TV
Series Record: Indiana State leads, 5-3
Last Meeting: Murray State 27, Indiana State 15 (2005)
Matt Griffin Overall (Years): 10-26 (4)
Matt Griffin at Murray State (Years): 0-2 (1)
Lou West Overall (Years): 0-13 (2)
Lou West at Indiana State (Years): 0-13 (2)
Murray State Last Week: Lost to Tennessee State, 25-15
Indiana State Last Week: Lost to Eastern Illinois, 31-21
GAME NOTES: Two coaches in search of their first win at their respective institutions will guide two teams seeking their first victory of 2006 when Murray State visits Gateway Conference opponent Indiana State on Saturday. Following last week’s 25-15 OVC-opening loss to Tennessee State, the Racers come into the contest on a three-game slide that goes back to last season, while the Sycamores are looking to halt a two-year skid that extended to 19 games after last week’s 31-21 setback to OVC member Eastern Illinois. The Racers won a 27-15 decision in last year’s meeting to snap a three-game losing streak to ISU, but the Sycamores still hold a slim 5-3 lead in the series. MSU has never won in Terre Haute (0-4).
SCOUTING MSU: Sluggish starts have been the tale of the tape early as the Racers have allowed 57 points and 627 yards combined in the first halves of their first two games of the 2006 season. After intermission, however, the MSU defense has knuckled down and surrendered just 15 points and 303 yards. Seven freshmen started against TSU, including QB Zach Barnard, who completed 15-of-30 passes for 193 yards and a touchdown, despite getting picked off three times. Senior RB Chad Cook (127 yards, 36 carries) moved into a tie for sixth place on the school’s career touchdown list (21) after scoring once against TSU. Sophomore CB Dominic Spinks has intercepted a pass in each of the first two games this season, tying for third nationally.
SCOUTING ISU: The Sycamore offense is headed up by junior newcomers Reilly Murphy and Tony West. Murphy has taken every snap under center thus far in 2006, completing 42-of-72 passes for 470 yards and a touchdown. West has carried the ball 39 times for 204 yards and three TD’s while averaging 5.2 yards per carry. Indiana State’s top receiver is Carl Berman with 14 catches for 169 yards. Opponents have tagged the ISU defense for nearly 45.5 points and 565.0 yards per game so far in 2006. Ten Sycamore defenders have recorded 10 tackles through two games this season, including junior LB Scooter Archie, who has a team-high 16 stops after collecting a career-best 13 last week against EIU.
Gardner-Webb Bulldogs (2-0, 0-0 Big South) at UT Martin Skyhawks (1-1, 0-0 OVC)
Saturday, September 16 ? 1:00 p.m. CT ? Hardy Graham Stadium (7,500) ? Martin, Tennessee
Time: 1:00 p.m. Central
TV: WLJT-TV (tape-delayed)
Series Record: Gardner-Webb leads, 2-1
Last Meeting: UT Martin 31, Gardner-Webb 28 (2005)
Jason Simpson Overall (Years): 1-1 (1)
Jason Simpson at UT Martin (Years): 1-1 (1)
Steve Patton Overall (Years): 93-60-1 (14)
Steve Patton at Gardner-Webb (Years): 63-37 (10)
UT Martin Last Week: Defeated Urbana, 28-0
Gardner-Webb Last Week: Defeated Tennessee Tech, 30-26
GAME NOTES: UT Martin will be looking to even its record against Gardner-Webb when the Bulldogs visit town on Saturday. The Skyhawks posted their first victory in the brief series last year with a 31-28 triumph in Boiling Springs, N.C. Game time for the contest has been changed to 1:00 p.m. UT Martin is riding last week’s 28-0 rout of Urbana, its first shutout since 1992, while GWU is coming off a 30-26 win over Tennessee Tech. The contest will pit UT Martin’s 10th-ranked defense (177.5 ypg) against GWU’s third-ranked offense (482.5 ypg).
SCOUTING UTM: Head coach Jason Simpson continues to entertain candidates for the starting QB job, rotating freshmen Dexter Anoka and Greg Preston and junior college transfer James Pritchard under center last week. Preston turned in the most impressive stats, completing 5-of-7 passes for 145 yards and two touchdowns. Junior RB Don Chapman (6 carries, 47 yards) was slowed by an ankle injury last week and is listed as day-to-day heading into Saturday’s action. Sophomore CB/S Dante Harrold recorded the league’s first interception returned for a touchdown this season with his 32-yard runback last week. He has picked off passes in two straight games, doubling his count from a year ago and tying for third nationally. Senior LB Markeseo Jackson was the team’s top stopper with 10 tackles.
SCOUTING GWU: Gardner-Webb’s high-octane offense is rolling up 39.5 points and 482.5 yards of total offense each time out in 2006. Sophomore QB Devin Campbell has completed 31-of-57 passes for 526 yards and five touchdowns this season, ranking among national leaders in passing efficiency (153.83) and total offense (286.0 ypg). Junior WR Duvaugnn Flagler has a combined 24 receptions in his first two outings and is among I-AA’s national receiving leaders. Bulldog sophomore Michael Hanna leads I-AA football with a 48.8 yard punting average after setting new Big South and GWU records with 52.8 yards per punt in the Tech contest.
Southeast Missouri Redhawks (2-0, 0-0 OVC) at Jacksonville State Gamecocks (0-1, 0-0 OVC)
Saturday, September 16 ? 2:30 p.m. CT ? Paul Snow Memorial Stadium (15,000) ? Jacksonville, Ala.
Time: 2:30 p.m. Central
TV: CSS
Series Record: Jacksonville State leads, 6-4
Last Meeting: Jacksonville State 24, Southeast Missouri 10 (2005)
Tony Samuel Overall (Years): 36-57 (9)
Tony Samuel at Southeast Missouri (Years): 2-0 (1)
Jack Crowe Overall (Years): 51-60 (12)
Jack Crowe at Jacksonville State (Years): 37-30 (7)
Southeast Missouri Last Week: Defeated Missouri-Rolla, 44-23
Jacksonville State Last Week: Did not play
GAME NOTES: Southeast Missouri and Jacksonville State square off Saturday in the OVC opener for both squads. The Gamecocks have won four straight over the Redhawks and hold a 6-4 edge in the series, which featured seven meetings between 1961-1971 before resuming on an annual basis when JSU joined the OVC in 2003. Southeast’s last win against JSU was a 19-13 decision in 1969. The Redhawks are enjoying a 2-0 start with wins over Austin Peay and Missouri-Rolla, while JSU is coming off a bye week following a season-opening loss to nationally-ranked Furman. The game will be televised live on CSS, with Herb Winches and Ryan Brown calling the action while Keeli Davidson covers the sidelines.
SCOUTING SEMO: New head coach Tony Samuel’s re-tooled offensive scheme is gaining 379.5 yards per game, including a league-best 240.5 yards on the ground. Senior QB Kevin Ballatore (278 yards, 1 TD) boasts a 65.7 completion percentage, nailing 23-of-35 passes without an interception. The running back tandem of sophomore Tim Holloman (123.0 ypg, 3 TD) and senior John Radney (79.5 ypg, 4 TD) is averaging a combined 6.75 yards per carry while ranking among Conference rushing leaders at first and sixth, respectively. Senior DE Edgar Jones is tied for first nationally in I-AA in sacks (2.5 pg) and tackles for loss (3.25 pg) while anchoring a defensive line that is yielding an OVC-low 75.5 rushing yards.
SCOUTING JSU: Jacksonville State’s offense is under the direction of first-year starting QB Matt Hardin, who completed 9-of-17 passes for 108 yards at Furman. Senior RB/KR and Payton Award candidate Clay Green, who topped the century mark in every OVC contest last season, saw his string of 100-yard rushing efforts end at eight with 80 yards on 19 carries against the Paladins. Senior LB LeMarcus Rowell, returning from a redshirt season in 2005, scored the Gamecocks’ first touchdown of 2006, returning a fumble 36 yards for the score at Furman. Senior safety Kenny Brown is the team’s iron man, having started all 35 games during his three-year JSU career. The Gamecocks special team unit welcomes back senior WR/DB Craig Agee, who returned two punts for 29 yards in the season opener. Agee missed the 2005 campaign due to injury.
Eastern Kentucky Colonels (1-1, 0-0 OVC) at Western Carolina Catamounts (1-0, 0-0 SoCon)
Saturday, September 16 ? 5:00 p.m. CT ? E.J. Whitmire Stadium (13,742) ? Cullowhee, NC
Time: 5:00 p.m. Central
TV: None
Series Record: Eastern Kentucky leads, 2-0
Last Meeting: Eastern Kentucky 31, Western Carolina 13 (1989)
Danny Hope Overall (Years): 21-15 (4)
Danny Hope at Eastern Kentucky (Years): 21-15 (4)
Kent Briggs Overall (Years): 20-24 (5)
Kent Briggs at Western Carolina (Years): 20-24 (5)
Eastern Kentucky Last Week: Defeated Western Kentucky, 26-21
Western Carolina Last Week: Defeated Chowan, 42-0
GAME NOTES: Eastern Kentucky closes out the non-conference portion of its schedule Saturday, paying a visit to Southern Conference opponent Western Carolina. The 19th-ranked Colonels are 2-0 against the Catamounts, having won the only other two previous meetings in 1988 and 1989, but will be looking for their first non-conference road victory in eight tries under head coach Danny Hope. Both teams enter the contest on a winning note following EKU’s 26-21 victory over Western Kentucky and WCU’s 42-0 rout of Division II Chowan. Eastern Kentucky offensive coordinator Kurt Beathard served in the same capacity at Western Carolina for six years (1999-01).
SCOUTING EKU: After leading the league with 283.5 passing yards a year ago, the Colonels’ air attack has not been nearly as potent early in the 2006 campaign, averaging just 142 yards through two games. Junior QB and Payton Award candidate Josh Greco has been picked off four times while throwing a lone touchdown. Junior RB Bobby Washington had a breakout game against WKU, registering the first touchdown and 100-yard rushing performances of his career. A transfer from NC State, Washington finished with 103 yards on 19 carries (5.4 ypc). The Colonel defense is still looking for its first interception of the year, despite getting five pass break-ups from junior CB Derrick Huff over the first two games, a mark that equals his season total from a year ago. Senior LB Brandon Rosser (19 tackles) has been the Colonels’ lead stopper each time out thus far.
SCOUTING WCU: With senior QB Justin Clark sidelined due to injury, fellow senior Bennett Swygert will get the start again this week. Swygert, who took off the 2005 season to recuperate from his own set of injuries, played well against Chowan in his return to the gridiron, completing 8-of-16 passes for 156 yards and two touchdowns. The Catamounts’ ground game features speedy tailbacks Darius Fudge and Mike Malone, the latter of whom is a six-time SoCon champion in track and field. Fudge and Malone both average 5.5 yards per carry for their career. WCU’s defensive unit forced five turnovers and gave up just 176 yards of total offense while recording the team’s fourth shutout since 2000. Junior LB Travis Hill had a game-high seven tackles, while senior LB Shelton Gaffney added six stops.
Tennessee State Tigers (1-1, 1-0 OVC) at Jackson State Tigers (1-0, 0-0 SWAC)
Saturday, September 16 ? 6:00 p.m. CT ? Libery Bowl (62,380) ? Memphis, Tennessee
Time: 6:00 p.m. Central
TV: FSN South
Series Record: Tennessee State leads, 20-18-2
Last Meeting: Tennessee State 20, Jackson State 14 (2005)
James Webster Overall (Years): 3-10 (2)
James Webster at Tennessee State (Years): 3-10 (2)
Rick Comegy Overall (Years): 109-51 (15)
Rick Comegy at Jackson State (Years): 1-0 (1)
Tennessee State Last Week: Defeated Murray State, 25-15
Jackson State Last Week: Did not play
GAME NOTES: Tennessee State travels to Memphis and the Liberty Bowl to take on long-time rival Jackson State in the Southern Heritage Classic on Saturday. The TSU Tigers have won three straight meetings with the JSU Tigers, including a 20-14 overtime thriller in 2005, and leads the series 20-18-2. Tennessee State is fresh off a 25-15 OVC win over Murray State, while Jackson State had a bye week following a 44-20 rout of Paul Quinn College in its season opener.
SCOUTING TSU: Under the direction of new offensive coordinator Fred Kaiss and junior transfer QB Antonio Heffner, TSU has employed a number of new schemes in 2006, including a no-huddle offense that produced 341 total yards in last week’s win over Murray State. Heffner has completed 27-of-48 passes thus far to lead the league in both passing (218.0 ypg) and total offense (209.5 ypg). Senior WR/KR Mike Mason is Heffner’s top target with 10 catches for 114 yards. Meanwhile, sophomore RB Javarris Williams has the ground game well in hand, rushing for over 100 yards in each of his first two outings to rank second in the OVC with a 122.0 average (6.3 ypc). Williams (186.0 ypg) and Mason (137.5 ypg) also rank first and third, respectively, in the Conference in all-purpose yardage. On defense, junior DB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie has picked off a league-best three passes while adding 11 tackles.
SCOUTING JSU: Jackson State is off to a 1-0 start under new head coach Rick Comegy following the Tigers’ season-opening blowout win over Paul Quinn College. Sophomore RB Eric Haw, a transfer from Ohio State, scored four touchdowns in the contest, finishing with 53 rushing yards on eight carries and also hauling in one pass for 74 yards. Junior QB Jimmy Oliver, making his first start at quarterback, completed 7-of-13 passes for 184 yards and one touchdown. Junior LB Marcus Smith registered a game-high 12 tackles while helping the JSU defensive unit hold PQC to 127 yards of offense, including just 54 on the ground.
Eastern Illinois Panthers (1-1, 0-0 OVC) at Illinois State Redbirds (1-1, 0-0 GFC)
Saturday, September 16 ? 6:30 p.m. CT ? Hancock Stadium (15,000) ? Normal, Illinois
Time: 6:30 p.m. Central
TV: None
Series Record: Illinois State leads, 47-37-9
Last Meeting: Illinois State 27, Eastern Illinois 6
Bob Spoo Overall (Years): 1-1 (1)
Bob Spoo at Eastern Illinois (Years): 1-1 (1)
Denver Johnson Overall (Years): 54-48 (10)
Denver Johnson at Illinois State (Years): 33-36 (7)
Eastern Illinois Last Week: Defeated Indiana State, 31-21
Illinois State Last Week: Defeated Central Arkansas, 18-3
GAME NOTES: Saturday marks the 94th meeting between Eastern Illinois and Gateway Football Conference opponent Illinois State, and will feature a showdown between two teams ranked in the I-AA Top 25. The 7th-ranked Redbirds leads the all-time series 47-37-9, which dates back to 1901. As I-AA opponents, the teams are tied at 11-11-1. The 18th-ranked Panthers, who have lost three straight to the Redbirds, will be looking for their second straight win against a Gateway foe following last week’s 31-21 victory over Indiana State. ISU is coming off an 18-3 win over Central Arkansas following a one-point loss at I-A Kansas State in its season opener. Redbird coach Denver Johnson has OVC ties, having spent three years at the helm of the Murray State program (1997-99).
SCOUTING EIU: Eastern Illinois ranks fifth nationally in total offense (461.0 ypg) after rolling up 629 yards against Indiana State, the highest single-game output in I-AA football this season. Accounting for over half of those yards was the deadly tailback combo of senior Vincent Webb (179 yards) and sophomore Norris Smith (165 yards), who became the first EIU running backs to both rush for 150 yards in a game. Webb moved into sixth place on the school’s all-time rushing chart (3,071 yards). Junior WR Micah Rucker has registered 100-yard receiving efforts in each of his first two games as a Panther to rank second nationally (144.0 ypg). Junior LB Donald Thomas leads the team with 21 tackles, followed by senior LB Lucius Seymour and senior rover Tristan Burge with 19 stops each.
SCOUTING ISU: The Redbirds have been ranked in the Top 10 of I-AA football all season. Senior and ead rusher Pierre Rembert has 259 yards on 56 carries (4.4 ypc) thus far in 2006, including 139 yards last week against Central Arkansas. Senior WR Pierre Jackson is the Redbirds’ top receiver with 201 yards. In his first season as the defensive coordinator, ISU assistant coach Galen Scott’s defense is throwing a shutout as the Redbird unit has not allowed an offensive touchdown in two consecutive games. Junior LB Kye Stewart collected a career-high 14 stops against UCA as ISU held the Bears to 63 yards rushing and a 1-for-5 success rate on fourth down attempts.