OVC Football Report - October 27 - Ohio Valley Conference

OVC Football Report - October 27

10/27/2014 1:59:55 PM

• OVC Football Report - October 27 (PDF)

This Week’s Schedule

Saturday, November 1
*UT Martin at Murray State, 1:00 p.m. (OVC Digital Network)
*Eastern Illinois at Tennessee Tech, 1:30 p.m. (OVC Digital Network)
*#16 Eastern Kentucky at Tennessee State, 2:00 p.m. (ESPN3)
*Austin Peay at #5 Jacksonville State, 3:00 p.m. (OVC Digital Network)

This Week’s OVC Highlights/Storylines
Jacksonville State remained the only team undefeated in OVC play with a convincing victory over Tennessee Tech (the team who handed Eastern Kentucky its lone OVC loss last week); the Gamecocks six-game winning streak is the seventh-longest active streak in the FCS...Eastern Kentucky improved to 7-1 on the season with a win over Southeast Missouri...Jacksonville State moved up to No. 5 in both major FCS Top 25 polls which marks its highest ranking since the program was ranked No. 2 in the 2010 season; Eastern Kentucky moved up a two spots to No. 16 in both polls and is the only other OVC team currently ranked...With its 37-7 victory over Austin Peay, UT Martin finished 3-0 in Sgt. York Trophy play to claim the 2014 Sgt. York Trophy presented by Delta Dental of Tennessee (the series is contested between the four OVC football-playing schools from Tennessee)...It is the second outright title for UT Martin, who also won the title outright in 2010 and shared it in 2012 (although they didn’t take home the trophy that season as they lost a tiebreaker)...Eastern Illinois topped Tennessee State to improve to 3-1 in OVC play; the Panthers control its own fate and would claim at least share the OVC Championship if the team wins out...Murray State scored a school record 86 points in a victory over Kentucky Wesleyan; the 86 points are the most by a Division I team this season...Southeast Missouri kicker Ryan McCrum has made four field goals from 50-plus yards this season; he is the only FCS player to accomplish that feat in 2014...This week’s action includes nationally-ranked Eastern Kentucky playing Tennessee State at LP Field in the OVC Game of the Week on ESPN3...Jacksonville State will host Austin Peay, Tennessee Tech welcomes Eastern Illinois and Murray State will host UT Martin...Southeast Missouri has an open date.

adidas^®OVC Players of the Week

OFFENSIVE
Shepard Little, RB • Jr., 5-10, 197 • Schaumburg, Ill. • Eastern Illinois
After not playing in the first half, Little came off the bench to net 130 rushing yards on 12 carries (10.8 ypc) including a 50-yard touchdown run as Eastern Illinois topped Tennessee State 28-3. He was part of a Panther rushing attack that gained 294 yards on the afternoon against one of the top defensive units in the nation (233 of those yards as a team came in the second half with Little in the lineup). His 50-yard score came with just over four minutes to play in the game and sealed the victory. It marked his 10th career 100-yard rushing game and third this season; during the game Little became the 15th running back in school history to go over 2,000 career yards.

Others Nominated: Jared McClain, Eastern Kentucky; Eli Jenkins, Jacksonville State; Pokey Harris, Murray State; Kyle Snyder, Southeast Missouri; Abou Toure, UT Martin.

DEFENSIVE
Anthony Goodman, S • Jr., 5-9, 185 • Lansing, Mich. • Eastern Illinois
With his team leading 7-3 late in the third quarter Goodman picked off a pass and returned it 46 yards for a touchdown to help spark Eastern Illinois to a 28-3 victory over Tennessee State. The junior added four tackles and a pass breakup for a defensive unit that forced three total turnovers and held TSU to just one field goal and 287 yards of total offense. Goodman now has three career touchdowns, including a fumble return, a blocked punt and an interception.

Others Nominated: Kiante Northington, Eastern Kentucky; Ben Endress, Jacksonville State; Felton Collins, Murray State; Tony Bell, UT Martin.

SPECIALIST
Hamish MacInnes, P • Jr., 6-1, 180 • Victoria, Australia • Jacksonville State
MacInnes averaged 50.5 yards on two punts in No. 6 Jacksonville State’s 49-3 victory over Tennessee Tech on Saturday. The junior connected on a 51-yard punt during the game and downed one inside the Golden Eagles 20-yard line.

Others Nominated: Nick Bruno, Eastern Illinois; Carson Greifenkamp, Murray State; Jackson Redditt, UT Martin.

NEWCOMER
Dy’Shawn Mobley, RB • Jr., 5-11, 215 • Powell, Tenn. • Eastern Kentucky
Mobley rushed for 111 yards and three touchdowns as Eastern Kentucky improved to 7-1 on the season with a 33-21 victory over Southeast Missouri. The transfer from Kentucky scored on a 1-yard run at the end of the first quarter, a 9-yard run early in the second quarter and added a 13-yard score with 2:21 to play to secure the victory. It marked the sixth time this season and third-straight game Mobley has reached the 100-yard plateau; he also caught four passes for 16 yards. This is the third time this season he has been named OVC Newcomer of the Week. Mobley currently ranks 11th nationally in rushing touchdowns (11) and 15th in rushing (115.3 yards/game)

Others Nominated: Jalen Whitlow, Eastern Illinois; Christian LeMay, Jacksonville State; DeQavius Walker, Murray State; Hunter Bledsoe, Southeast Missouri; Taylor Higgason, UT Martin.

Notes From Around the Gridiron

Murray State Scores Division I Best 86 Points: Murray State scored 86 points in its victory over Kentucky Wesleyan on Oct. 25. The 86 points are the most by a Division I team (FBS or FCS) this season.

Current FCS Winning Streaks: Jacksonville State enters this week having won six-straight games, which is currently tied for the seventh-longest streak nationally. Below is the list of active winning streaks in the FCS.
            32 - North Dakota State
            10 - Harvard
            8 - Coastal Carolina
            7 - Illinois State, Jacksonville, Villanova
            6 - Jacksonville State, Fordham, New Hampshire

Jacksonville State Secures 12th-Straight Winning Season: With its victory on October 25 Jacksonville State has secured its 12th-straight winning season, the longest stretch in school history and the third-longest active streak in FCS football. Here is a list of FCS teams with active consecutive winning seasons:
            14 - Harvard (6-0 in 2014)
            13 - Montana State (7-2)
            12 - Jacksonville State (6-1)
            11 - New Hampshire (6-1)
            9 - McNeese State (5-2)
            9 - Drake (5-3)
            8 - Liberty (5-3)

OVC Teams in the Top 25: After its win over Tennessee Tech, Jacksonville State moved up one spot to No. 5 in both the Sports Network and FCS Coaches Top 25 polls. It is the highest ranking for the Gamecocks this season and highest mark since the team was ranked No. 2 in the 2010 season. Eastern Kentucky moved up to No. 16 in both major polls after its home win over Southeast Missouri. Twice the season (Sept. 8 and Oct. 6) the OVC has had four teams ranked in the same week, the first time that has occurred since the end of the 2002 season. Overall five different OVC teams have been ranked this season and eight of nine current OVC teams have been ranked for at least one week over the past four years (2011-14).

Southeast Missouri Scores Win Over Top 3 Ranked Team; First OVC Non-Conference Win Over Top 3 Squad Since 1990: Southeast Missouri pulled off the biggest win of its Division I Era on Sept. 20 when they topped No. 3 ranked Southeastern Louisiana 24-23 at Houck Stadium. Southeast led the game entering the fourth quarter but fell behind 23-17 on a touchdown with 2:53 to go. But the Redhawks went 80 yards in 15 plays capped by Paul McRoberts 2-yard touchdown catch from Kyle Snyder (who had rushed up-the-middle for 15 yards on the previous play to set up the winning score). It marked the first non-conference victory by an OVC team over a Top 3 ranked squad since Sept. 8, 1990 when former member Middle Tennessee State (ranked No. 4 at the time) beat No. 1 Georgia Southern 16-13. Southeast would go on to defeat No. 20 Tennessee State on Oct. 4, marking the first time in its FCS history the program had bested two ranked teams in the same season.

Eastern Kentucky Tops FBS Miami (Ohio) In Week 1: For the fourth time in the last five years an OVC team has beaten a team from the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) as Eastern Kentucky won 17-10 at Miami (Ohio) on Sept. 6. The win was the first for the Colonels over a FBS team since the 1985 season, snapping an 18-game losing streak for EKU against teams from the higher subdivision; EKU is now 7-20 all-time against FBS opponents while OVC teams are 33-191-1 all-time against FBS opponents. The streak of winning a FBS game in 4 of the past 5 years is even more impressive when you consider the OVC went from Sept. 25, 2004 to Sept. 4, 2010 without an FBS victory (a 50-game losing streak). Here is a list of OVC wins over FBS teams over the past five years:
            Jacksonville State 49, Ole Miss 48 (2OT) (2010)
            UT Martin 20, Memphis 17 (2012)
            Eastern Illinois 40, San Diego State 19 (2013)
            Jacksonville State 32, Georgia State 26 (OT) (2013)
            Eastern Kentucky 17, Miami (Ohio) 10 (2014)

#FearTheFCS: In 2013 a record 16 Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) teams topped opponents from the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). So far in 2014 eight FCS teams have been victorious against teams from the FBS.
            North Dakota State 34, Iowa State 14 (Aug. 30)
            Bethune-Cookman 14, Florida International 12 (Aug. 30)
            Eastern Kentucky 17, Miami (Ohio) 10 (Sept. 6)
            Indiana State 27, Ball State 20 (Sept. 13)
            Abilene Christian 38, Troy 35 (Sept. 13)
            Northwestern State 30, Louisiana Tech 27 (Sept. 20)
            Yale 49, Army 43 (OT) (Sept. 27)
            Liberty 55, Appalachian State 48 (OT) (Oct. 11)

Southeast’s McCrum With FCS-Best Four Field Goals of 50-Plus Yards: Southeast Missouri State sophomore kicker Ryan McCrum is the only kicker in the FCS with four field goals of 50 yards or longer this season, and is tied with West Virginia’s Josh Lambert by the most by a Division I player. McCrum has connected from 55, 54, 52 and 51 yards this season; his 55-yard field goal against Tennessee State is currently the third-longest field goal in the FCS this season. Overall McCrum is 13-of-16 in field goal attempts this season with seven of those coming from 40 yards or longer; he had misses of 46 and 43 yards in the Murray State game (Oct. 11) and missed from 52 yards against Eastern Illinois (Oct. 18).

Vanlier Among Top Returners Nationally: Tennessee Tech junior return specialist Ladarius Vanlier is one of just four FCS players who have returned both a kickoff and punt for a touchdown this season. Vanlier currently ranks fifth nationally in punt returns (17.1 yards/return) and 31st in kickoff returns (24.6 yards/return).

OVC in the NCAA Statistical Leaders: In the latest set of NCAA statistical leaders (Oct. 26), Eastern Kentucky’s Devin Borders ranks first nationally in blocked kicks (4) while teammate Dy’Shawn Mobley is 11th in rushing touchdowns (11) and 15th in rushing (115.3 yards/game). Eastern Illinois’ Adam Drake is fourth in receptions/game (7.5) and total receiving yards (824) and seventh in receiving yards/game (103.0). Murray State’s Janawski Davis is sixth in receiving touchdowns (8), while teammate KD Humphries is eighth in completion percentage (66.9%) and the Racers’ Pokey Harris is 10th in rushing yards/carry (6.62). Jacksonville State’s J.D. Williams is fourth in kickoff returns (32.1 yards/return) while Tennessee Tech’s Ladarius Vanlier is fifth in punt returns (17.1 yards/return). Jacksonville State’s Jermaine Hough is seventh in interceptions (0.6/game) and ninth in passes defending (1.6/game). UT Martin’s Tony Bell is second in fumbles recovered (3) and 11th in tackles-for-loss/game (1.7) while Southeast Missouri’s Roper Garrett is fourth in forced fumbles/game (0.56). In the team rankings Tennessee State is first nationally in pass defense (123.8 yards/game), pass efficiency defense (85.48) and fourth down conversion defense (0.0%), third in sacks/game (3.44), fifth in total defense (264.4 yards/game), sixth in passes intercepted (12), eighth in punt return yardage defense (3.64) and 10th in scoring defense (17.6 points/game). Eastern Kentucky is second in turnovers gained (23) and blocked kicks (6), third in red zone defense (60.0%), fifth in fumbles recovered (11) and blocked punts (2), sixth in passes intercepted (12) and 10th in rushing offense (243.8 yards/game), kickoff returns (24.58 yards/return). Jacksonville State is third in third down conversion defense (26.0%), sixth in rushing offense (265.4 yards/game) and 11th in total offense (486.6 yards/game). Tennessee Tech is fifth in fourth down conversion defense (27.3%) and eighth in fumbles recovered (10).

Attendance: In the latest NCAA attendance rankings Jacksonville State currently ranks seventh in averaging 16,577 fans per game.

UT Martin Claims 2014 Sgt. York Trophy Presented by Delta Dental of Tennessee: With a perfect 3-0 record this season UT Martin has claimed the 2014 Sgt. York Trophy presented by Delta Dental of Tennessee. It is the second outright title for the Skyhawks (2010 being the other). 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). Tennessee State won its fifth Sgt. York Championship in 2014. The trophy is presented at the Pepsi Celebration of Champions hosted by the Nashville Sports Council in the spring.

OVC Game of the Week on ESPN3: For the second-straight year the OVC is producing a “Game of the Week” package that will air on ESPN3 this fall. The eight-game schedule is one again in conjunction with WebStream Sports, an Indianapolis-based company which is a proven leader in video production, streaming video and content creation 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 100.7 FM/AM 540 (ESPN Clarksville), will provide analysis. The duo has worked together each of the past two years in the league’s TV package. The OVC Football Game of the Week package is part of an overall five-year agreement with ESPN which was announced last October. The deal runs through the completion of the 2017-18 season.
            Sept. 20 - Eastern Kentucky at UT Martin, 12:00 p.m. CT
            Oct. 4 - UT Martin at Jacksonville State, 3:00 p.m. CT
            Oct. 11 - Jacksonville State at Tennessee State, 2:00 p.m. CT
            Oct. 18 - Murray State at Austin Peay, 6:00 p.m. CT
            Oct. 25 - Tennessee State at Eastern Illinois, 1:30 p.m. CT
            Nov. 1 - Eastern Kentucky at Tennessee State, 2:00 p.m. CT
            Nov. 8 - Southeast Missouri at Tennessee Tech, 1:30 p.m. CT
            Nov. 15 - Eastern Illinois at Jacksonville State, 3:00 p.m. CT

The FCS Playoffs: In 2010 the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoff field expanded to 20 teams, up from 16 previously, and last year (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 field for the 2014 NCAA Division I Football Championship will be announced on Sunday, Nov. 23. The 24-team field is comprised of 11 automatic bids and 13 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 fifth time in 2014, the championship game will be played in Frisco, Texas at Toyota Stadium, 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 10.

OVC Playoff Success in 2013: After going since 2000 without a postseason victory the OVC had a breakout season in 2013. For the first time in its history the League put three teams (Eastern Illinois, Jacksonville State and Tennessee State) in the playoffs and all three teams scored victories. TSU played first and snapped the OVC’s 19-game losing streak with a 31-0 win over Butler (only the second shutout ever by an OVC team in the playoffs). Jacksonville State would then defeat Samford, setting an OVC playoff record with 55 points in the victory. In the second round Eastern Illinois topped TSU while Jacksonville State bested McNeese State to each advance to the quarterfinals. It marked just the second time in OVC history that two OVC teams advanced to the quarterfinals in the same postseason (1991 being the other). The four total wins in the postseason was the most in one postseason by the OVC and the four wins came by an average margin of 33.5 points/game.

James on Walter Payton Award Watch List: Jacksonville State running back DaMarcus James is among 20 players nationally named to the updated Walter Payton Award Watch List as announced by the Sports Network on Sept. 30. EIU running back Shepard Little had been on the preseason list but was not included in the latest update. The Walter Payton Award was established in 1987 and is presented annually to the most outstanding college football player on the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) level. The Sports Network will present the Heisman of the FCS for the 28th time on December 15 at the national awards banquet. Last season EIU quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo became the second OVC player to win the Walter Payton Award; overall the OVC had three of the 20 finalists for the award, the most of any FCS conference (Erik Lora finished seventh and Walter Powell was 17th a year ago). The Walter Payton Award Watch List can undergo revision during the 2014 season. Ballots will be sent to a national panel of over 150 sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries following the regular season. The top three vote-getters will be invited to the presentation of the award.

Bell, Fitzpatrick Remain on Updated Buck Buchanan Award Watch List: Two OVC players were among the 20 players nationally included on the updated Buck Buchanan Award Watch List on Sept. 30 by the Sports Network. The players were UT Martin senior linebacker Tony Bell and Tennessee State senior defensive back Daniel Fitzpatrick who were each on the preseason list. The Buchanan Award, established in 1995, is presented annually to the top defensive player in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). No player from the OVC has ever won the award. The Buchanan Award Watch List can undergo revision during the 2013 season. Ballots will be sent to a panel of about 175 sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries following the regular season. The winner will be invited to The Sports Network FCS Awards Presentation on Dec. 15.

Lea on Jerry Rice Award Watch List: Jacksonville State offensive tackle Justin Lea is one of 21 players nationally named to the initial Watch List for the 2014 Jerry Rice Award. The award is presented by the Sports Network to the National Freshman of the Year in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). The award is named for the legendary wide receiver Jerry Rice, who played in the FCS (then Division I-AA) at Mississippi Valley State. The award will be voted on by a national panel of sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries following the regular season. The winner will be announced at The Sports Network FCS Awards Presentation Dec. 15 in Philadelphia.

Humphries Sets OVC Single-Game Completions Record: Murray State sophomore quarterback KD Humphries set the OVC single-game completions record in a road game at Tennessee Tech on Oct. 4. The sophomore completed 48 passes to best the previous record of 45 set by former Murray State All-American Casey Brockman in each 2011 and 2012.

Jones Ties OVC Single-Game Record for Interceptions: Tennessee Tech senior Marty Jones tied the OVC single-game record for interceptions when he picked off four passes (including two in the final 1:07 of the game in a victory over No. 12 Eastern Kentucky on Oct. 18. He now shares the OVC interceptions record with Jim Pickens (WKU, 1948), Buddy Pfaadt (EKU, 1966), Bud Qualk (Murray State, 1969), Jim Hardie (APSU, 1970) and Pat Smith (EKU, 1986). The four interceptions are the most by a Division I players in 2014.

Austin Peay Snaps Longest Losing Streak in Division I: It was a long time coming but Austin Peay finally picked up its first win under second-year head coach Kirby Cannon and ended the longest losing streak in Division I (FBS or FCS) with a 20-13 win over rival Murray State on Oct. 18. Freshman quarterback Mickey Macius threw three touchdown passes to freshman Jared Beard to secure the victory. It snapped an 18-game losing streak dating back to the first game of the 2013 season; it was the first win since the team topped Tennessee Tech 38-31 on Nov. 17, 2012 in the final game of the 2012 campaign.

Jones Named National Player of the Week (Oct. 20): Tennessee Tech senior free safety Marty Jones was named the National Defensive Player of the Week by the Sports Network and College Sporting News on Oct. 20 after tying the OVC single-game record with four interceptions (two of which came in the final 1:07 of the game) as Tennessee Tech upset No. 12 Eastern Kentucky 39-31. Jones had two interceptions in the second quarter, ending EKU drives at the TTU 39 and 32-yard lines. After the Golden Eagles had pulled ahead 39-31 late in the fourth quarter, he picked off Bennie Coney with 1:07 to play. But after a three-and-out possession Tech punted the ball back and this time Jones intercepted the other EKU quarterback, Jared McClain, at the Tech 35-yard line with 16 seconds left to seal the victory. Jones also added a game-high 12 tackles and ran in a two-point conversion when he picked up a low snap and rushed to the end zone with 3:41 to play in the fourth quarter to give Tech a 32-31 lead and proved to be the game-winner.

Humphries Named National Offensive Player of the Week (Oct. 13): Murray State sophomore quarterback KD Humphries was named National Co-Offensive Player of the Week by the Sports Network and National Offensive All-Star of the Week by the College Sporting News on Oct. 13 after his six touchdown performance in a double overtime win over No. 23 Southeast Missouri. Humphries completed 21-of-36 passes for 297 yards and the six scores; he had at least one touchdown in each quarter, including the game-tying touchdown with 46 seconds left in regulation and the game-winning touchdown pass in double overtime to give the Racers the 44-41 victory.

Hough Named National Defensive All-Star of the Week by College Sporting News (Oct. 13): Jacksonville State junior defensive back Jermaine Hough was named National Defensive All-Star of the Week by the College Sporting News on Oct. 13 after picking off two passes in a road win over No. 25 Tennessee State. Hough picked off a pass deep in his team’s territory in the second quarter and then essentially ended the game with an interception in the end zone with six seconds to play as TSU was marching for a potential game-tying touchdown. Hough also added five tackles for the Gamecocks.

Hamm-Bey Named Sports Network’s National Defensive Player of the Week (Oct. 6): Southeast Missouri State senior cornerback Tim Hamm-Bey was named National Defensive Player of the Week by the Sports Network on Oct. 6 for his play in a victory over nationally-ranked Tennessee State. Hamm-Bey had six tackles, five pass breakups and blocked a field goal as Southeast Missouri knocked off its second nationally-ranked opponent of the season, the first time that has happened in school history. He anchored a Redhawk defense that had a season-high 12 pass breakups as a unit and in the first quarter got a hand on TSU’s field goal attempt, marking the fourth blocked kick of his career.

Jenkins Named National All-Star of the Week (Sept. 29): Jacksonville State quarterback Eli Jenkins was named National Offensive All-Star of the Week by College Sporting News after his performance in a 52-28 win over Murray State on Sept. 27. Jenkins rushed for a career-high 149 yards and rushed for three touchdowns while also completing 15-of-20 passes for 180 yards and another touchdown. The 15 completions and 180 passing yards were also career-highs for Jenkins who had touchdown runs of 12, 7 and 15 yards.

EKU’s Absanon Named National Defensive Player of the Week (Sept. 8): Eastern Kentucky junior defensive back Stanley Absanon was named the National Defensive Player of the Week by the Sports Network and College Sporting News following his performance in the team’s win over FBS opponent Miami (Ohio). Early in the third quarter Absanon made a jarring hit in the end zone on a 3rd-and-4 play that prevented a RedHawk touchdown and saved four points (MU added a field goal instead). Three minutes later he picked off a pass and returned it 55 yards for a touchdown to tie the game at 10. He would then seal the game by making an interception at midfield with less than one minute to play in the game. Absanon finished the game with two interceptions, six tackles and three pass breakups as EKU topped a FBS foe for the first time since the 1985 season.

Three OVC Student-Athletes Named Semifinalists for William V. Campbell Trophy: Three OVC football student-athletes were among the 167 semifinalists for the 2014 William V. Campbell Trophy®, presented by Fidelity Investments® and announced by The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF). The three OVC selections were Austin Peay punter Ben Campbell, Eastern Kentucky fullback Caleb Watkins and Jacksonville State offensive lineman Max Holcombe. The trio are three of just 37 student-athletes selected from the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). The award recognizes an individual as the absolute best football scholar-athlete in the nation, and up to 16 of the candidates will be named recipients of a prestigious NFF National Scholar-Athlete Award. 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.

A Look at the Coaches: Six of the nine OVC coaches from last season returned to their respective teams in 2014. The three new coaches to the league are at Eastern Illinois (Kim Dameron), Jacksonville State (John Grass) and Southeast Missouri (Tom Matukewicz). Dameron comes to Charleston after most recently serving as the defensive coordinator at Louisiana Tech. Grass was elevated from Offensive Coordinator to head coach after helping JSU to the FCS Quarterfinals a season ago. Matukewicz is at Southeast Missouri after a stint at Toledo. Grass and Tennessee State’s Rod Reed are the only two OVC coaches who are currently coaching at their alma mater. The longest tenured coach in the league is UT Martin’s Jason Simpson who enters his ninth season with the Skyhawks in 2014.

Preseason Forecasts: Jacksonville State has been picked the preseason favorite in the 2014 Ohio Valley Conference football race both a vote of league head coaches and sports information directors and in the inaugural OVC media poll. In the coaches poll, the Gamecocks, who have also been picked preseason favorites in 2005, 2008, 2010 and 2011, picked up 10 of the 18 first-place votes to top the poll. The Gamecocks totaled 118 total points to out-distance two-time defending champion Eastern Illinois in the vote. The Panthers picked up four first-place votes and 110 total points in being picked second. Tennessee State picked up the other four first-place votes and was third with 107 points. Eastern Kentucky was picked fourth (82 points) and was followed in the poll by UT Martin (79), Murray State (54), Tennessee Tech (48), Southeast Missouri State (34) and Austin Peay (16). In the media poll the pollsters gave JSU 9 of 14 first-place votes and 118 total points. Tennessee State picked up four first-place votes and 113 total points in being picked second. Eastern Illinois received the other first-place vote and was picked third (98 points). The poll was rounded out by Eastern Kentucky (79), UT Martin (77), Murray State (56), Tennessee Tech (44), Southeast Missouri State (29) and Austin Peay (16).

JSU’s James and TSU’s Fitzpatrick Headline Preseason All-OVC Team: Jacksonville State senior running back DaMarcus James was named the 2014 OVC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year while Tennessee State senior defensive end Anthony Bass was named Preseason Defensive Player of the Year in a vote of by the league’s head football coaches and sports information directors. Eastern Illinois and Jacksonville State each had eight Preseason All-OVC selections to lead all teams. Tennessee State had six picks, Tennessee Tech and UT Martin had two apiece while Eastern Kentucky and Southeast Missouri each had one. Returning players who were first-team All-OVC selections last season (10 in total) were automatic selections to the preseason team this year. The squad also included nine players who were second-team picks in 2013. Of the 28 total selections, 20 were seniors, six were juniors and two were sophomores.

NFL Connections: As of October 20, there are 18 former Ohio Valley Conference players on NFL rosters (9 active, 2 practice squad, 7 on IR). Those players include former Eastern Illinois standout Tony Romo, 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 with the New York Giants, and first-year quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo who won the Walter Payton Award in 2013 with Eastern Illinois and who is now the backup for Tom Brady in New England. Seven of the nine current OVC football schools have at least one player in the NFL.

Let’s Get It Started: The 67th season of Ohio Valley Conference football got underway on Thursday, August 28. The OVC is made up of nine football-playing schools in 2014. Since its beginning, 15 of the 18 total schools that have played football in the league have claimed at least one championship

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 long 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 24-team playoff at the end of the season to determine the national champion.

OVC Digital Network: The OVC launched the OVC Digital Network (OVCDN) in August 2012. The OVCDN is the exclusive home for live web streamed athletic contests involving OVC schools. Overall 2014-15 marks the ninth year the OVC has streamed live events. Starting with the re-branding of the streaming in 2012-13, events were offered free of charge and in an HD format and featured improved quality thanks to an investment in new equipment conference-wide. Fans also find it easier to log onto OVCDigitalNetwork.com and access the streams and can do so without any registration. The events are available on any computer, tablet or smart phone without needing any special downloads or apps thanks new streaming technology. Approximately 41 OVC football games will be available on the OVCDN this season.