This Week's Schedule
Saturday, November 19
*UT Martin at Eastern Kentucky, 12:00 p.m. (OVCSports.TV)
*Murray State at Southeast Missouri, 1:00 p.m. (ESPN3)
*Austin Peay at #21 Tennessee Tech, 1:30 p.m. (OVCSports.TV)
*Jacksonville State at Tennessee State, 2:00 p.m. (OVCSports.TV)
This Week's OVC Highlights/Storylines
Entering the final week of play the OVC Champion has still not been determined, although Tennessee Tech took a step in the right direction with a 28-21 road victory over Eastern Kentucky...The Golden Eagles need only to defeat Austin Peay at home (where they are 1-2 in OVC play this season) on Saturday to claim the league's automatic bid and its 10th OVC Championship (and first since 1975); Tech has never appeared in the FCS Playoffs...If TTU falters against Austin Peay, Eastern Kentucky can gain the auto bid (and also win at least a share its record 21st OVC Championship) with a victory against UT Martin...Jacksonville State can claim a share of its third OVC Championship (and first since 2004) with a win at Tennessee State but can only win the automatic bid if they win and both Eastern Kentucky and Tennessee Tech lose...There still remains the possibility of both a five-way or six-way tie...Should Eastern Kentucky, Jacksonville State, Murray State and Tennessee Tech lose, EKU, JSU and TTU would be in a tie with Tennessee State and UT Martin and after tiebreakers the automatic bid would be won by TSU (who would have the best composite record with the group, along with TTU, but would have topped Tech in the head-to-head matchup)...Should EKU, JSU and TTU lose and Murray State, TSU and UTM win; if that would happen the league's automatic bid would eventually have to be determined by a blind draw between EKU, TSU and TTU (as all other tiebreakers would be even)...The 20-team FCS Playoff field will be announced on Sunday, Nov. 20 at 10 a.m. ET (ESPNU)...No matter who wins or share the OVC title, the team(s) will have at least two OVC losses, marking only the third time in history that has happened (joining the 1962 and 2009 champions)...This year also marks the first time since 1967 that no OVC team will finish the regular season with eight victories...Murray State junior quarterback Casey Brockman set the OVC single-season record for completions (285) on Saturday, breaking the record of 279 set in the 2004 season...Brockman's total of 3,054 passing yards this season ranks fourth in OVC single-season history, 443 yards away from the record of Murray State's Justin Fuente; Brockman needs just 111 yards to pass Tony Romo and move into second-place on that list...Murray State kicker Kienan Cullen was named National Specialist of the Week by Sports Network/Fathead.com after kicking five field goals and five PATs in a win over Austin Peay on Saturday...EKU running back Matt Denham rushed for 151 yards against TTU on Saturday, his sixth-straight game with 100-plus yards; he is the first OVC running back to have six-straight 100-plus yard games since JSU's Clay Green had eight-straight in 2005...Southeast Missouri's Matt Scheible became the first SEMO quarterback to rush for 200 or more yards in a game, when netting 209 yards against Jax State; in the process he became just the seventh player in OVC history to have 7,000 or more yards of career total offense (7,188)...EIU head coach Bob Spoo capped his 25-year career with the Panthers (and 50-years in coaching) at Southern Illinois on Saturday.
adidas® OVC Players of the Week
OFFENSIVE
Calvin Middleton, RB • Sr., 5-11, 220 • Acworth, Ga. • Jacksonville State=
Middleton carried the ball a school-record 38 times on Saturday as he rushed for a career-high 191 yards and three touchdowns in Jacksonville State's 22-21 victory at Southeast Missouri. The victory kept the Gamecocks alive in the race for the OVC Championship and league's automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Playoffs. The senior scored on touchdown runs of 17, 1 and 11 yards with the final two touchdowns coming in the third quarter as Jax State overcame a 21-9 deficit to win by one point. The 38 carries were the sixth-most by a player in the FCS this season and his three touchdowns were the most by a Gamecock running back this year. Middleton has 24 career rushing touchdowns, which is first in the OVC and 19th nationally among active players.
Others Nominated: Jake Walker, Eastern Illinois; Mike Harris, Murray State; Matt Scheible, Southeast Missouri; Trabis Ward, Tennessee State; Tre Lamb, Tennessee Tech; Derek Carr, UT Martin.
DEFENSIVE
Blake Peiffer, LB • Jr., 6-1, 225 • Jackson, Mo. • Southeast Missouri
Peiffer had 19 tackles (9 solo) in Southeast Missouri's 22-21 loss to Jacksonville State on Saturday. The 19 tackles equal the season-high in the OVC this season and is the 10th-highest single-game total in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) in 2011. Peiffer currently ranks second nationally in tackles/game (13.6) and has recorded double-digit tackles in eight-straight games.
Others Nominated: Alex McNulty, Eastern Illinois; Emory Attig, Eastern Kentucky; Rashad Smith, Jacksonville State; Qua Huzzie, Murray State; Rico Council, Tennessee State; Cory Webber, Tennessee Tech.
SPECIALIST
Kienan Cullen, K/P • Sr., 6-3, 224 • Louisville, Ky. • Murray State
In Saturday's win over Austin Peay, Cullen was a perfect 5-for-5 on field goal attempts in tying the Murray State single-game record. The senior, who earned OVC Specialist of the Week honors for the second-straight week, connected from 37, 33, 41, 30 and 22 yards including hitting field goals on each of MSU's first four offensive possessions of the game. In the process he extended his OVC record for career field goals to 58. Cullen also converted on five extra points to finish the game with 20 points, just two off the OVC record for points scored by kicking in a game. The 20 points increased his career scoring total to 290, which moved him into fifth place in OVC history. The senior also completed a 21-yard pass attempt on a fake punt in the fourth quarter, which would set up the Racers final touchdown of the day.
Others Nominated: James Esco, Jacksonville State; Matt Moseley, Tennessee State.
NEWCOMER
Michael German, QB • R-Fr., 6-2, 215 • Pompano Beach, Fla. • Tennessee State
German earned his fourth OVC Newcomer of the Week honor of the season after completing 16-of-25 passes for 263 yards and a career-high three touchdowns and also rushing for 27 yards in Tennessee State's come-from-behind victory over UT Martin on Saturday. After his team fell behind 17-0 after one quarter, German led drives of 81 and 74 yards in the second quarter, both of which were capped by touchdown passes to pull the Tigers to within three points at halftime. In the third quarter his 77-yard touchdown pass to Travis James put TSU up 28-17. During the game he became the first freshman quarterback in TSU history to have three 250+ yard passing games in the same season.
Others Nominated: Adam Drake, Eastern Illinois; Qua Huzzie, Murray State; Adam Urbano, Tennessee Tech.
Notes From Around the League
Who Will Be Crowned the Champion: With one week to play in the regular season there is a three-way tie atop the OVC standings with three more teams just one loss back. Tennessee Tech is the only team that controls its own destiny and with a home victory over Austin Peay on Saturday, the Golden Eagles would lock up the OVC's automatic bid to the FCS Playoffs. Eastern Kentucky can win the automatic bid with a victory over UT Martin and a loss by Tennessee Tech while Jacksonville State will earn the bid with a victory over Tennessee State and losses by EKU and TTU. There also remains the possibility of a five-way or six-way tie for the title. In the five-way scenario EKU, JSU, TTU and Murray State would have to lose and TSU and UTM win. If that happens the tiebreaker would come down to composite records and two teams (TSU and TTU) would break out of the tie, making a new two-way tie that would be broken by the head-to-head matchup (which TSU won). In the six-way tie EKU, JSU, TTU would have to lose and MUR, TSU and UTM would have to win. If this happens, the tiebreaker will come down to composite records against tied teams and three teams (EKU, TSU and TTU) would break out of the tie, however, all other tiebreakers would be even, meaning the league's automatic bid would go to one of those three teams and would be determined by a blind draw.
Two Loss Champions: No matter which team(s) is crowned the OVC Champion this season, they will have at least two OVC losses, marking only the third time in 64 years of OVC football that the champion will have two losses in conference action. A two-loss team also won the OVC title in 2009 (Eastern Illinois) and 1962 (East Tennessee - who finished in a four-way tie with Eastern Kentucky, Morehead State and Middle Tennessee). It will also mark the first time since 1967 that no OVC team has won eight regular season games in a season.
What A Championship/Playoff Berth Would Mean: If Tennessee Tech is to win a part of the OVC Championship, it would be the team's 10th overall and first since the 1975 season. Since TTU won that title in 1975, every other active OVC team (and three teams currently not in the league anymore) has won at least one OVC Championship. If Tech was to win the automatic bid, it would be the program's first-ever FCS Playoff berth. If Eastern Kentucky wins a share of the OVC Championship it would be the team's 21st all-time, tying the FCS record for most conference titles (UMass in the A-10/CAA holds the record). If EKU was to win the automatic bid, it would be the team's 20th FCS Playoff appearance, which would be the second most all-time (Montana will most likely make its 21st playoff appearance this season). If Jacksonville State wins a share of the OVC title it would be its third overall and first since 2004; if the Gamecocks win the automatic bid it would be the team's fourth FCS playoff appearance (and second in as many years). If Tennessee State wins a share of the OVC title it will be the team's third title and first since 1999; if they win the league's auto bid, it would be the fifth all-time playoff appearance for the squad and first since 1999. If Murray State wins a share of the OVC title it will be the team's ninth title and first since 2002; should the Racers earn an at-large bid to the FCS Playoffs, they would be making their sixth appearance and first since 2002. If UT Martin wins a share of the OVC title it would be the team's second title and first since 2006.
NCAA Division I Playoff Picture Starts to Take Shape: With one week left in the regular season the FCS Playoff picture is starting to take shape. The field will be announced on Sunday, Nov. 20 at 10:00 a.m. ET on ESPNU. So far four teams have clinched spots in the 20-team field, including Norfolk State (MEAC), Lehigh (Patriot), Georgia Southern (Southern) and Sam Houston State (Southland). The remaining six automatic bids (including the OVC's bid) will be determined in games this weekend as will the 10 teams selected for at-large bids. In 2010 the field was expanded from 16 to 20 teams, marking the first expansion since the field grew from 12 to 16 teams in 1997. The eight lowest-rated teams will play in the first round (games to be played on Saturday, Nov. 26) while the 12-highest rated teams will receive a bye into the second round (games to be played on Saturday, Dec. 3). For the second-straight year the championship game will be played in Frisco, Texas at Pizza Hut Park, a 23,500-seat multi-purpose stadium. The Southland Conference will serve as the host of the championship, which will be held on Saturday, January 7.
More on the Playoffs: In the 33 years of the FCS playoffs (which started in 1979), the OVC has placed two teams in the playoffs 17 total times, including most recently a season ago.
Cullen Named National Special Teams Player of the Week (Nov. 14): Murray State senior kicker Kienan Cullen was honored as the National Special Teams Player of the Week by the Sports Network/Fathead.com on Nov. 14. In the game Cullen was a perfect 5-for-5 on field goal attempts in tying the Murray State single-game record. The senior connected from 37, 33, 41, 30 and 22 yards including hitting field goals on each of MSU's first four offensive possessions of the game. Cullen also converted on five extra points to finish the game with 20 points, just two off the OVC record for points scored by kicking in a game. The senior also completed a 21-yard pass attempt on a fake punt in the fourth quarter, which would set up the Racers final touchdown of the day. He is the first OVC specialist to win National Player of the Week honors this season.
All-OVC Teams to Be Announced on Nov. 22: The 2011 All-OVC football teams as well as the Player, Defensive Player, Freshman and Coach of the Year awards will be announced on Tuesday, Nov. 22.
EKU's Denham Rushes for 200-Plus Yards in Four of Last Six Games; Is One of Only Two Players in FCS Player with Four 200-Plus Yard Games This Season: Eastern Kentucky junior running back Matt Denham has rushed for 200 or more yards in four of his last six games overall. Denham rushed for 216 yards against Eastern Illinois (Oct. 8), 226 yards against Tennessee State (Oct. 22), 219 yards against Murray State (Oct. 29) and 209 yards against Jacksonville State (Nov. 5). In the two games during the streak he did not reach 200 yards, Denham rushed for 142 yards against Southeast Missouri State and 151 yards against Tennessee Tech. Denham is one of only two players in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) to have four 200-plus yard rushing games this season (the other is Indiana State's Shakir Bell). Denham currently ranks ninth nationally in rushing (125.70 yards/game). He is the first OVC player in at least a decade (if not longer; records are incomplete) to have three-straight 200-plus yard games.
More on Multiple 100-Yard Games: Eastern Kentucky's Matt Denham has rushed for 100 or more yards in six-straight games (four of those games have been 200+ yards), becoming the first OVC player to achieve that feat since Jacksonville State's Clay Green did so in eight-straight games during the 2005 season (Sept. 24 - Nov. 19).
Sgt. York Trophy Up for Grabs on Saturday; Tennessee State Will Share Title With Either Austin Peay or Tennessee Tech: The Sgt. York Trophy is a challenge trophy which goes to the annual winner of the quadrangular season series between the four OVC institutions in the state of Tennessee (Austin Peay, Tennessee State and Tennessee Tech and UT Martin). In July 2007, the Nashville Sports Council and the OVC announced the creation of the trophy, which is only the second traveling trophy involving more than two schools nationwide (the other is the Commander in Chief's Trophy). It is named after Sgt. Alvin C. York, a native of Pall Mall, Tenn. and a Soldier who was one of the most honored of World War I. He received the Congressional Medal of Honor after the war and returned to his home state to dedicate his life to improving education and facilitating educational opportunities for children in the state of Tennessee. 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). In 2007 Tennessee State and Austin Peay finished in a tie for the trophy with identical 2-1 records; both shared the award but Tennessee State went home with the hardware due to a 1-point win in the head-to-head meeting during the season (that was the tiebreaker used only for the first year of the trophy series). Tennessee State went 3-0 in Sgt. York play in 2008 to claim its second trophy. In 2009 Tennessee Tech claimed the trophy after going undefeated in Sgt. York games and a year ago UT Martin became the third-straight OVC team to go 3-0 and win the trophy in claiming its first title. Last week Tennessee State finished the season 2-1 in Sgt. York games and will share the title with whichever teams wins the Austin Peay/Tennessee Tech matchup on Saturday. As for taking home the actual trophy, Tennessee State will if Tennessee Tech wins on Saturday (TSU last won in 2008, TTU won in 2009), while Austin Peay will if they win on Saturday (they have never taken home the trophy).
Cullen Earns College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) For Week No. 11: Murray State senior kicker Kienan Cullen earned national honors from the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) for his performance in Week 11 of the season. Cullen was named National Place Kicker of the Week after converting on 5-of-5 field goal attempts and making five extra points in Murray State's 56-24 victory over Austin Peay. In addition to Cullen, eight other OVC players earned honorable mention honors for the week. The goal of CFPA is to provide the most scientifically rigorous conferments in college football. Recipients are selected exclusively based upon objective scientific rankings of the extent to which individual players increase the overall effectiveness of their teams.
OVC Teams in Top 25: Tennessee Tech is currently the only OVC team in either of the two FCS Top 25 polls. The Golden Eagles garnered its first national ranking since the 2002 preseason poll by jumping into the polls on Oct. 3. Currently the Golden Eagles are No. 21 in the FCS Coaches poll and No. 23 in the Sports Network/Fathead.com poll. After not being in the Top 25 polls since Oct.19, 2009 (when they were No. 21 in the Sports Network and No. 20 in the FCS Coaches poll), Eastern Kentucky returned to the Top 25 on Nov. 7 but that ranking lasted just one week, after a home loss to Tennessee Tech. On Nov. 7 Jacksonville State fell out of the Top 25 polls on for the first time in 40 weeks. Earlier this season Murray State gained its first national ranking since the 2002 season when it was No. 24 in the Sports Network poll, but the Racers dropped out after a loss the following week.
NCAA Stats Leaders: In the latest set of NCAA statistical leaders, Murray State quarterback Casey Brockman ranks fifth nationally in total offense (317.10 yards/game), third in completions (28.50/game), sixth in passing yards/game (305.40), fifth in total passing yards (3,054) and ninth in points responsible for (16.20/game). Eastern Kentucky running back Matt Denham is ninth in rushing (125.70 yards/game) while Tennessee Tech running back Dontey Gay is sixth in scoring (9.33 points/game). UT Martin's CJ Estelle is first in punt returns (17.69 yards/return). Tennessee State's Jamin Godfrey and Murray State's Kienan Cullen are tied for eighth in field goals (1.50 made/game). Southeast Missouri's Blake Peiffer is second in tackles/game (13.60) while Eastern Kentucky's Myer Nolan is sixth in fumbles recovered/game (0.33/game) and Southeast Missouri's Steve Hendry ranks ninth (0.30/game). In the team rankings UT Martin is first in fewest sacks allowed (0.40/game), first in red zone offense (96%), seventh in scoring offense (36.5 points/game), second in fewest fumbles lost (4), sixth in turnovers lost (12), eighth in punt returns (14.55 yards/return) and fifth in kickoff return yardage defense (16.35 yards/return). Murray State ranks fourth in scoring offense (37.3 points/game), sixth in total offense (459.3 yards/game), seventh in passing offense (316.30 yards/game) and ninth in third down conversion percentage (46.25%). Tennessee State ranks second in punt returns (18.22 yards/return), ninth in fumbles recovered (14), second in fourth down conversion percentage (80%) and fourth in red zone offense (92%). Eastern Kentucky is seventh in kickoff return defense (16.76 yards/return), fifth in fourth down conversion percentage (75.0%), ninth in turnover margin (+1.20/game), seventh in turnovers gained (27) and fifth in fumbles recovered (15). Tennessee Tech ranks fifth in net punting (37.97 yards/punt) and sixth in punt return defense (3.22 yards/return). Jacksonville State ranks ninth in least number of interceptions thrown (5) and ninth in tackles-for-loss allowed/game (4.20).
Spoo Finishes Career Fourth All-Time in OVC Wins: With a victory over Austin Peay on Oct. 29, Eastern Illinois head coach Bob Spoo moved out of a tie and into sole possession of fourth place on the OVC all-time career Conference victory list. Spoo finished his career with 68 OVC wins in his tenure at EIU (1996-2011), which spanned the school's entire time in the OVC, although he was not on the sidelines for the 2006 season. Spoo trails only Roy Kidd (207 OVC wins at EKU), Boots Donnelly (102 wins at Austin Peay and Middle Tennessee) and Charles Murphy (73 wins at Middle Tennessee) on the all-time list. In all games as head coach since Eastern Illinois joined the OVC in 1996, Spoo registered 92 victories, fifth-most in league history. Spoo, who coached his last game on Nov. 12 at Southern Illinois, finished his career with a record of 144-131-1 with nine FCS Playoff appearances, four OVC Championships and three OVC Coach of the Year awards.
OVC Teams Strong in Kick/Punt Returns: So far this season six of the nine OVC teams (Eastern Illinois, Eastern Kentucky, Jacksonville State, Murray State, Tennessee State and UT Martin) have returned a kickoff for a touchdown. Three OVC teams (Austin Peay, Tennessee State, UT Martin) have returned punts for touchdowns while two others (Jacksonville State, Murray State) have blocked punts that have been returned for scores. In punt returns, two OVC teams rank in the Top 10 nationally, as Tennessee State is second (18.22 yards/return) and UT Martin is eighth (14.55 yards/return). Individually in punt returns, UT Martin's CJ Estelle ranks first nationally (17.69 yards/return). Tennessee State's Weldon Garlington has returned each a kickoff and a punt for a touchdown this season, going 100 yards for the kickoff return and 91 yards for the punt return.
Attendance Numbers: In the latest FCS attendance numbers, Jacksonville State ranks 12th nationally (an average of 17,226 fans in five home games) while Tennessee State is 13th (an average of 16,993 fans in three home games). Tennessee State has played in front of the third-largest crowd to see a FCS vs. FCS game this season, when 43,532 witnessed the Tigers game with Jackson State at the Liberty Bowl on Sept. 10.
Murray State's Brockman on Walter Payton Award Watch List: Murray State junior quarterback Casey Brockman is one of 20 candidates on the 2011 Walter Payton Award Watch list, released by The Sports Network and sponsored by Fathead.com. Brockman was on the preseason list as well as the updated list released on Oct. 4 for the award honoring the top offensive player in the FCS. The Walter Payton Award was established in 1987, will celebrate its 25th anniversary this season and is presented annually to the most outstanding college football player on the FCS level. When the award was established, it was the only such award to be presented to an individual player in FCS football. It has since been joined by the Buck Buchanan Award, which was established in 1995 and honors the outstanding defensive player in the FCS. The OVC has had one player previously win the Walter Payton Award, when Eastern Illinois quarterback Tony Romo took home the award in 2002 after passing for 2,950 yards and 33 touchdowns while leading the Panthers to a playoff berth. The Payton Award Watch List will undergo revision during the 2011 season. Ballots will be sent to a panel of about 200 sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries after the regular season on Nov. 21. Three finalists will be announced on Dec. 1 and invited to The Sports Network/Fathead FCS Awards Presentation.
EKU's Caldwell on Buck Buchanan Award Watch List: Eastern Kentucky senior cornerback Jeremy Caldwell is one of 20 candidates on the 2011 Buck Buchanan Award Watch List released by The Sports Network and sponsored by Fathead.com. Caldwell was on the preseason list as well as the updated list released on Oct. 4. The Buchanan Award is in its 17th season and will be presented to the FCS' outstanding defensive player at the national awards banquet Thursday night, Jan. 5 in Frisco, Texas. The OVC has never had a player win the Buchanan Award. The Buchanan Award Watch List will undergo revision during the 2011 season. Ballots will be sent to a panel of about 200 sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries after the regular season on Nov. 21. The Buck Buchanan award is named for Junious "Buck" Buchanan, the NAIA All-American and Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive lineman who played for Grambling State University from 1959 through 1962. As a freshman, Buchanan came to Grambling on an "if" scholarship, to receive financial help if he played well. After a season of playing both varsity basketball and football, Buchanan decided to concentrate solely on football. By the time he finished four years at Grambling, his coach, Eddie Robinson, asserted that Buchanan was "... the finest tackle I have ever seen."
German Added to Jerry Rice Award Watch List: Tennessee State redshirt freshman quarterback Michael German has been added to the Jerry Rice Award Watch List, which was updated and released by the Sports Network on Oct. 18. The award, which is sponsored by Fathead.com, is given to the most outstanding freshman in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) and is in its inaugural season in 2011. The award is named after legendary wide receiver Jerry Rice who played college football at then I-AA (now FCS) Mississippi Valley State before going on to a Hall of Fame career with the San Francisco 49ers. A national panel of sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries will select the first Jerry Rice Award winner after the regular season. Rice will be on hand at the national awards banquet on Jan. 6 in Frisco, Texas, to present the award. German is currently one of 18 freshmen on the watch list.
Scheible Becomes First OVC Player to Pass for 4,000 and Rush for 2,000 Yards in a Career: In the Oct. 15 game at Eastern Kentucky, Southeast Missouri State senior quarterback Matt Scheible became the first player in OVC history to throw for 4,000 yards and rush for 2,000 yards in a career. Scheible currently has 4,672 passing yards and 2,281 rushing yards in his four-year career. His 7,188 yards of total offense for his career ranks him seventh in OVC history and fifth among active NCAA FCS players.
Brockman Sets NCAA Record for Passing Yards and Total Yards in a Half: Murray State junior quarterback Casey Brockman had 422 passing yards in the first half of the Racers 58-27 victory over Tennessee State on Sept. 17. The 422 yards was the most in one half in Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) history, breaking the previous record of 383 passing yards held by Marshall's Michael Payton (done in the first half against VMI on Nov. 16, 1991) and 404 total yards held by Stephen F. Austin's Todd Hammel (done in the first half against Louisiana-Monroe on Nov. 11, 1989).
Brockman Etches Name in OVC Record Book: Murray State junior quarterback Casey Brockman continues to put his name all over the OVC record book. After setting two records a season ago, Brockman set two and tied another record against Tennessee State on Sept. 17. Brockman completed 45-of-67 passes for 600 yards and seven touchdowns in the victory. The 45 completions broke the previous record of 44 held by UT Martin's Brady Wahlberg (set against Jacksonville State in the 2003 season). The 600 yards broke the previous mark of 570 that Brockman set against Missouri State during the 2010 season The seven passing touchdowns (five of which came in the first half) tied the OVC single-game record that Brockman set last year and that he shares with Morehead State's Chris Swartz (established in the 1990 season). On Nov. 12 Brockman added another record to his list, setting the OVC single-season completions mark, passing Southeast Missouri's Andrew Goodenough's record of 279 set in 2004; Brockman has 285 completions entering the final game of the season. Brockman also needs 443 passing yards in the final game of the season to break the OVC's single-season passing mark of 3,497.
Murray State Sets Six OVC Single-Game Team Records: In Murray State's 58-27 victory over Tennessee State on Sept. 17, Murray State set OVC team single-game records for passing yards (630), touchdown passes (8), passes completed (48), passes attempted (73), first downs (37) and first downs by passing (30).
Murray State's Cullen Sets OVC Career Field Goals Made Record: With a 33-yard field goal with 3:22 to play in the second quarter at Tennessee Tech on Nov. 5, Murray State senior Kienan Cullen became the OVC career field goals made leader with 53. Cullen broke the record formerly held by Middle Tennessee's Kelly Potter (1981-84), and which had stood for 27 years. Cullen added five field goals last week to extend his record to 58. Cullen now has 290 career points, which ranks fifth in OVC history.
Garlington Records Ninth 100-Yard Kick Return in OVC History: Tennessee State freshman Weldon Garlington returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown on Oct. 1 at Austin Peay. It marked the ninth time in OVC history that a player had recorded a 100-yard kickoff return and first since the 2006 season. Overall Garlington's return was the third time a TSU player has accomplished that feat while a member of the OVC, as Avion Black did it twice in 1999.
Seven OVC Student-Athletes Named to CoSIDA/Capital One Academic All-District Teams: Seven Ohio Valley Conference football student-athletes have been named to the Capital One Academic All-District® football teams as selected by CoSIDA. The selections included one student-athlete from District II, five from District III and one from District VI. The selections were Austin Peay's Reese Bulmash, Josh Carroll and Iosua Siliva, Eastern Kentucky's Emory Attig, Southeast Missouri's Bradley Montgomery and Tennessee Tech's James Normand and Corey Watson. Each of the seven were first-team selections and for making the first-team each will have his name appear on the national ballot for consideration for Academic All-American. The Capital One Academic All-America football team will be announced on Thursday, December 8. To be eligible for nomination, a student-athlete must have reached sophomore academic standing and have at least a 3.30 cumulative grade point average.
Three OVC Student-Athletes Semifinalist for William V. Campbell Trophy: Three Ohio Valley Conference football student-athletes - Austin Peay's Nick Newsome, Eastern Illinois' Cory Leman and Eastern Kentucky's Emory Attig - finished as semifinalists for the 2011 William V. Campbell Trophy (formerly known as the Draddy Trophy), endowed by HealthSouth. The semifinalists were announced by the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) and are part of the 2011 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards, presented by Fidelity Investments®, a leading provider of not-for-profit workplace retirement savings plans in higher education. The award honors the best and brightest from the college gridiron and is often called the "Academic Heisman." Overall there are 127 semifinalists for the award but Newsome, Leman and Attig are three of only 33 selected from the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). Nominated by their schools, which are limited to one nominee each, candidates for the awards must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of eligibility, have a GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale, have outstanding football ability as a first team player or significant contributor, and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship. The class is selected each year by the NFF Awards Committee, which is comprised of a nationally recognized group of media, College Football Hall of Famers and athletics administrators.
EIU's Leman Named Finalist for ARA Sportsmanship Award: Eastern Illinois senior linebacker Cory Leman is one of 10 finalists for the ARA (Awards and Recognition Association) Sportsmanship Award, which is given to one outstanding NCAA Division I collegiate football player who best personifies the spirit of sportsmanship. Leman, a four-year starter and team captain this season, leads EIU in tackles. To qualify for the award, an athlete must be a starting player or significant contributor on his team; be in good academic standing; demonstrate great respect for competitors, school, teammates and coaches; show an ability to accept victory and defeat graciously; convey a high degree of humility and integrity; and demonstrate commitment in the classroom and to the community.
JSU's Esco Earns Fred Mitchell Award for October: Jacksonville State's James Esco was among 36 players that received the Fred Mitchell Award for excellence on the football field and in the community during the month of October. Esco, a junior from Leesburg, Ga., spent the summer as a volunteer at the Gadsden Museum of Cultural Arts Center, and also routinely speaks to juvenile diabetes patients as a diabetic himself. The recipient of the Fred Mitchell Award will be announced in mid-December based on performance on the field and in the community.
OVC Teams Versus FBS Foes: OVC schools played 10 games against teams from the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) this season, going 0-10 in those games. The closest game involved Eastern Kentucky losing 10-7 at Kansas State as the Wildcats scored the go-ahead touchdown with 1:39 to play. OVC schools are 18-147-1 all-time against FBS foes. Last year the league snapped a 50-game losing streak to FBS opponents when Jacksonville State topped Ole Miss 49-48 in double overtime to begin the season. That victory was one of seven for Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) foes over FBS teams in 2010; so far six FCS teams have topped FBS teams in 2011 (Richmond beat Duke, Sacramento State beat Oregon State, Indiana State topped Western Kentucky, North Dakota State beat Minnesota, Southern Utah beat UNLV and Sam Houston State beat New Mexico).
Pryor Named National Offensive Player of the Week (Nov. 7): Eastern Kentucky junior quarterback T.J. Pryor was named National All-Star Offensive Player of the Week by the College Sporting News on Nov. 7 after his efforts against Jacksonville State. Pryor led Eastern Kentucky back from a 24-point fourth quarter deficit to top No. 18 JSU 52-48 on the road and claim sole possession of first place in the OVC. The junior completed 16-of-26 passes for a season-high 282 yards and a school-record five touchdowns and rushed for an additional 20 yards. With his team trailing 48-24 with 7:25 to play in the game, Pryor led the team on drives of 64, 58 and 37 yards over the next 6:01, throwing touchdown passes to Cameron Bailey (60 yards, 6:42 left in the game), Justin Williams (18 yards, 4:14 left in the game) and Tyrone Goard (37 yards, 1:24 left in the game) to complete the improbable comeback. Pryor also had touchdown passes of 29 and 42 yards (both to Goard) in the first half.
Huzzie Named National Defensive Player of the Week (Oct. 31): Murray State sophomore linebacker Qua Huzzie was named National Co-Defensive Player of the Week by Sports Network/Fathead.com on Oct. 31. Huzzie, a transfer from the University of Kentucky, had 13 tackles (8 solo), four tackles-for-loss, two sacks, two forced fumbles and a pass break-up in Murray State's 34-33 home loss to Eastern Kentucky. Both of the sophomore's forced fumbles came in the first half, the second occurring in the EKU end zone which was recovered by teammate Jeremy Brackett for a touchdown.
Carr Named National Offensive Player of the Week (Oct. 10): UT Martin junior quarterback Derek Carr was named the National Co-Offensive Player of the Week by the Sports Network/Fathead.com as well as a National All-Star by the College Sporting News on Oct. 10 after completing 24-of-36 passing for 387 yards and a school record six touchdowns in a 61-23 victory over Austin Peay. Carr had touchdown passes of 51, 13, 16, 15, 10 and 9 yards to tie the record of six passing touchdowns set twice prior in Skyhawk history.
Jackson Named National Defensive Player of the Week (Oct. 3): Jacksonville State sophomore linebacker Clarence Jackson was named the National All-Star Defensive Player of the Week by the College Sporting News on Oct. 3 after his play in a road win over Murray State. Jackson had seven tackles, 2.0 tackles-for-loss, a sack for a loss to 12 yards, forced and recovered a fumble, three pass breakups and blocked a field goal in the win. Jackson was part of the Gamecock defense that held the Racers to just 11 rushing yards on 27 carries, the fewest yards allowed by the team to an OVC opponent since 2008.
Brockman Named National Player of the Week (Sept. 19): For the third time in his career Murray State junior quarterback Casey Brockman has been named National Player of the Week, doing so on Sept. 19 by both the Sports Network and the College Sporting News. The honors came after Brockman completed 45-of-67 passes for 600 yards and seven touchdowns and also caught a 15-yard touchdown pass in Murray State's 58-27 win over Tennessee State. The 45 completions and 600 yards were both OVC records and the seven passing touchdowns tied the OVC mark (already held by Brockman). The 600 passing yards was the fifth-most in Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) history and was just 24 yards short of the all-time record (held by Weber State's Jamie Martin). Brockman threw for 422 yards in the first half, which set a new FCS single-game record, breaking the old record of 383 held by Marshall's Michael Payton. Brockman was named National Player of the Week on Oct. 10 and Nov. 14 of the 2010 season.
Vance Earns National All-Star Honor from College Sporting News (Sept. 12): Eastern Kentucky sophomore linebacker Ichiro Vance was named a National All-Star (National Defensive Player of the Week) by College Sporting News on Sept. 12 following his performance against Missouri State. Vance had a career-high 19 tackles, two tackles-for-loss and forced a fumble in the win. The 19 stops were the most tackles for an EKU player in a game since Bob Head had 21 against Eastern Illinois during the 1996 season. In the second quarter the sophomore forced a fumble at mid-field that led to the Colonels second touchdown of the game just four plays later (putting the team up 14-0).
EKU's McClellan Earns National All-Star Honor from College Sporting News (Sept. 5): Eastern Kentucky senior Patrick McClellan earned National Defensive All-Star (National Player of the Week) honors from the College Sporting News on Sept. 5 for his performance in EKU's near upset of FBS foe Kansas State. He was part of a defensive unit that forced five Kansas State turnovers and held them to their lowest point total in more than a year as EKU lost 10-7 in the final two minutes of the game. The senior forced two fumbles and recovered one in the third quarter that he returned 18 yards to the 1-yard line which set up EKU's lone touchdown of the night (and the first score of the game by either team). McClellan also had seven tackles (six solo) and 1.5 tackles-for-loss.
Howell Earns College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) For Week No. 10: Austin Peay sophomore Tee Howell earned national honors from the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) for his performance in Week 10 of the season. Howell was named National Punt Returner of the Week after returning a punt 65 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter of its 40-0 victory over Central State. In addition to Howell, 10 other OVC players earned honorable mention honors for the week. The goal of CFPA is to provide the most scientifically rigorous conferments in college football. Recipients are selected exclusively based upon objective scientific rankings of the extent to which individual players increase the overall effectiveness of their teams.
Harris Earns College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) For Week No. 9: Murray State senior running back Mike Harris earned national honors from the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) for his performance in Week 9 of the season. Harris was named National Running Back Performer of the Week after rushing for 206 yards on 21 carries (9.8 yards/carry). Harris also had six catches for 66 yards. In addition to Harris, two other OVC players earned honorable mention honors for the week. The goal of CFPA is to provide the most scientifically rigorous conferments in college football. Recipients are selected exclusively based upon objective scientific rankings of the extent to which individual players increase the overall effectiveness of their teams.
Hughes, Chambers and Moseley Earn College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) For Week No. 8: Three OVC players earned national honors from the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) for performances in Week 8 of the season. UT Martin junior nose guard Montori Hughes was named National Defensive Performer of the Week and National Defensive Lineman of the Week after recording 10 tackles, a sack, 5.5 tackles-for-loss and forcing and recovering a fumble in a 24-23 victory over Eastern Illinois. Jacksonville State freshman Gabriel Chambers was named National Kickoff Returner of the Week after registering a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against Kentucky. Tennessee State punter Matt Moseley averaged 50.8 yards/punt on four punts at Eastern Kentucky, including a school record 73-yard punt and two punts downed inside the EKU 20-yard line. In addition to those three, four other OVC players earned honorable mention honors for the week. The goal of CFPA is to provide the most scientifically rigorous conferments in college football. Recipients are selected exclusively based upon objective scientific rankings of the extent to which individual players increase the overall effectiveness of their teams.
Carr, Estelle, Jones and Garlington Earn College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) For Week No. 6: Four OVC players earned national honors from the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) for performances in Week 6 of the season. UT Martin quarterback Derek Carr was named National Performer of the Week and National Quarterback of the Week after throwing for 387 yards and tying the school record with six touchdowns in a win over Austin Peay. UT Martin's Kenny Jones was named National Tight End of the Week after catching seven of Carr's passes for 127 yards and two scores in the win over Austin Peay. A third Skyhawk - CJ Estelle - returned a third quarter punt 76 yards for a touchdown and was named National Punt Returner of the Week. He shared the National Punt Returner of the Week award with Tennessee State's Weldon Garlington who returned a punt 91 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter (one week after returning a kickoff 100 yards for a score). In addition to those four, three other OVC players earned honorable mention honors for the week. The goal of CFPA is to provide the most scientifically rigorous conferments in college football. Recipients are selected exclusively based upon objective scientific rankings of the extent to which individual players increase the overall effectiveness of their teams.
Scheible, Barfield, Crawford and Garlington Earn College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) For Week No. 5: Four OVC players earned national honors from the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) for performances in Week 5 of the season. Southeast Missouri State quarterback Matt Scheible was named National Performer of the Week and National Quarterback of the Week after accounting for 291 yards of total offense and all five of his team's touchdowns in a win over Eastern Illinois. Three other players - UT Martin's Kevin Barfield, Eastern Illinois' Tavares Crawford and Tennessee State's Weldon Garlington shared National Kickoff Returner of the Week honors. Barfield returned a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown against Tennessee Tech (and finished the game with 171 return yards), Crawford returned a kickoff 83 yards for a touchdown against Southeast Missouri (and finished the game with 190 return yards) while Garlington returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown against Austin Peay (and finished the game with 133 return yards). In addition to those four, four other OVC players earned honorable mention honors for the week. The goal of CFPA is to provide the most scientifically rigorous conferments in college football. Recipients are selected exclusively based upon objective scientific rankings of the extent to which individual players increase the overall effectiveness of their teams.
Brady Earns Honors From College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) For Week No. 4: Murray State kick returner Duane Brady was named the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) National Kickoff Returner of the Week for Week 4 after his performance against UT Martin. Brady returned five kickoffs for 149 yards including one that saw him break three tackles to return for a 98-yard touchdown (which was one yard short of the school record). In addition to Brady five other OVC players earned honorable mention honors for the week. The goal of CFPA is to provide the most scientifically rigorous conferments in college football. Recipients are selected exclusively based upon objective scientific rankings of the extent to which individual players increase the overall effectiveness of their teams.
Brockman Earns Honors From College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) For Week No. 3: Murray State junior quarterback Casey Brockman named the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) National Quarterback of the Week for Week 3 after his performance against Tennessee State. Brockman completed 45-of-67 passes for 600 yards and seven touchdowns and also caught a 15-yard touchdown pass in a 58-27 win over Tennessee State. In addition to Brockman five other OVC players earned honorable mention honors for the week. The goal of CFPA is to provide the most scientifically rigorous conferments in college football. Recipients are selected exclusively based upon objective scientific rankings of the extent to which individual players increase the overall effectiveness of their teams.
Caldwell Earns Honors From College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) For Week No. 2: Eastern Kentucky kick returner Jeremy Caldwell was named the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) National Kick Returner of the Week for Week 2 after his performance against Missouri State. Caldwell returned a kickoff 88 yards for a touchdown to give EKU an 11-point lead. In addition to Caldwell five other OVC players earned honorable mention honors for the week. The goal of CFPA is to provide the most scientifically rigorous conferments in college football. Recipients are selected exclusively based upon objective scientific rankings of the extent to which individual players increase the overall effectiveness of their teams.
Sandlin Earns Honors From College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) For Week No. 1: UT Martin kicker Cody Sandlin was named the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) National Placekicker of the Week for Week 1 after his performance against nationally-ranked Jacksonville State. Sandlin connected on field goals of 43, 25 and 45 yards in the Skyhawks 24-23 at No. 9 JSU. Sandlin was also a perfect 2-for-2 on extra points and accounted for 11 total points. In addition to Sandlin seven other OVC players earned honorable mention honors for the week. The goal of CFPA is to provide the most scientifically rigorous conferments in college football. Recipients are selected exclusively based upon objective scientific rankings of the extent to which individual players increase the overall effectiveness of their teams.
A Look at the Coaches: All nine head coaches from last season return to their schools in the Ohio Valley Conference this season. The Dean of OVC Coaches is Eastern Illinois coach Bob Spoo who is in his 25th and final season with the Panthers in 2011. Jacksonville State's Jack Crowe is the second longest tenured coach in the league (in his 12th season at JSU) while Murray State's Chris Hatcher and Tennessee State's Rod Reed have been at their schools the fewest years, as each are in their second seasons.
Preseason Forecasts: For the third time in the past four seasons Jacksonville State University was picked the favorite in the Ohio Valley Conference football race. The Gamecocks picked up 13 of the 18 first-place votes in the 2011 poll which is a vote of league head coaches and sports information directors. Jacksonville State was one of three schools to receive at least one first-place vote in the poll and the Gamecocks received 123 total points, which was 17 points ahead of second-place Murray State. The Racers received four first-place votes and were tabbed second in the poll (106). Eastern Kentucky (93) was picked third and defending champion Southeast Missouri (81) was picked fourth and received the remaining first-place vote. The poll is rounded out by Tennessee Tech (73), UT Martin (64), Eastern Illinois (57), Tennessee State (33) and Austin Peay (18). Is being picked first in the preseason poll necessarily a good thing? In the past 33 years of preseason polls (all that were available), the preseason predicted champion has only gone on to win the OVC Championship 12 times (36.4%). Over the past eight years not once has the eventual champion been predicted in the preseason poll (it was last done correctly in 2002).
Murray State's Brockman, Jacksonville State's Lewis and Tennessee State's Council Headline Preseason All-OVC Team: Murray State junior quarterback Casey Brockman was named 2011 Ohio Valley Conference Preseason Offensive Player of the Year while Jacksonville State senior defensive lineman Monte Lewis and Tennessee State senior linebacker Rico Council were tabbed OVC Preseason Co-Defensive Players of the Year in a vote on by the league's head football coaches and sports information directors. Eastern Kentucky led the way with seven selections on the preseason team while Jacksonville State and Murray State had five players apiece on the squad. Each of the league's nine teams had at least one player on the preseason squad. Returning players who were first-team All-OVC selections last season (nine in total) were automatic selections to the preseason team this year. The squad also included 10 players who were second-team selections in 2010. Of the 31 total selections, 21 were seniors, seven were juniors and three were sophomores.
NFL Connections: Currently there are 15 former Ohio Valley Conference players are on NFL rosters (10 active players, 4 practice squad members, one IR). Those players include former Eastern Illinois standout Tony Romo, a three-time Pro Bowl pick, Cortland Finnegan (Samford), who has been a Pro Bowl defensive back selection with the Tennessee Titans and Tennessee State's Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who was a starter for the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII, has been a Pro Bowl selection and is now in his first season with the Philadelphia Eagles. Seven of the nine current OVC football schools have at least one player in the NFL with Eastern Kentucky leading the way with three active players. Several NFL coaches also have connections to OVC schools, including two who went to Eastern Illinois, the "Cradle of NFL Head Coaches." Those coaches include Super Bowl champion Sean Payton (New Orleans) and Mike Shanahan (Washington). UT Martin graduate and former assistant coach Jerry Reese made waves in 2007 when he led the New York Giants to Super Bowl XLII in his first season as General Manager with the franchise.
I-AA No More: Although some people may accidentally 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 retired. Beginning with the 2006 National Championship game, the term Football Championship Subdivision (or FCS) is to be used. FCS is the only Division I football rank to host a NCAA-sponsored national championship (one of 89 championships the NCAA sponsors). The division formerly known as I-A was changed to Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and those teams compete for the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) national championship. Teams who play at the FCS level can offer a maximum of 63 scholarships (FBS teams can offer 85) and compete in a 20-team playoff at the end of the season to determine the national champion.
OVCSports.TV: For the sixth consecutive year, fans can watch every Conference matchup and all non-conference home contests at OVCSports.TV. The venture with NeuLion (formerly JumpTV Sports) allows fans to access live and on-demand streaming video and audio of all conference matchups on their home computer. The premium Web site was launched in July 2006 and streamed over a thousand events in its first five seasons, including all Conference matchups in football and men's and women's basketball as well as select baseball, soccer, softball and volleyball games and OVC Championship events. Packages are available on a yearly, seasonally, monthly or per-event basis.