• OVC Football Report – September 16 (PDF)
This Week’s Schedule
Saturday, September 21
Eastern Illinois at Indiana State, 12:00 p.m. (ESPN+)
Eastern Kentucky at Presbyterian, 12:00 p.m. (ESPN+)
West Virginia State
at #23 Southeast Missouri, 1:00 p.m. (ESPN+)
Arkansas-Pine Bluff
at Tennessee State, 2:00 p.m. (ESPN+)
Tennessee Tech at Western Illinois, 3:00 p.m. (ESPN3)
North Alabama
at #10 Jacksonville State, 6:00 p.m. (ESPN+)
Morehead State
at Murray State, 6:00 p.m. (ESPN+)
Austin Peay at East Tennessee State, 6:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
This Week’s OVC Highlights/Storylines
After falling behind 28-7 after the first quarter, Jacksonville State outscored No. 4 ranked Eastern Washington 42-17 over the final three quarters, scoring the winning touchdown with 59 seconds remaining to extend its regular season home winning streak to 30 games...It was the highest-ranked opponent the Gamecocks have topped since 2002 (No. 2 Northwestern State) and highest ranked opponent topped by an OVC team since 2014 (Southeast Missouri beat No. 3 Southeastern Louisiana)...JSU quarterback Zerrick Cooper accounted for 337 yards of total offense and four touchdowns in the win; Cooper currently ranks first nationally in total offense (372.0 yards/game)...JSU safety Marlon Bridges was named National Defensive Player of the Week by STATS after returning an interception 67 yards for a touchdown to begin the comeback in the second quarter; Bridges also had nine tackles (3.0 for loss), a sack and forced a fumble...JSU is back in the Top 10 after the victory, making it 72 out of the last 77 weeks the teams has been in the Top 10)...Austin Peay's 48-34 win at Mercer was its first non-conference road win over a scholarship opponent since besting Indiana State 32-17 on September 8, 2007...Austin Peay junior Kordell Jackson had interception returns of 29 and 69 yards for touchdowns in the win; it marked the first time in program history a Governors player had accomplished that feat and the first time in the OVC since 2017 (TSU's Vincent Sellers)...There were two kickoff returns for touchdowns last week (there have been 11 in the FCS so far this season); TSU's Chris Rowland returned one 96 yards on TSU's first possession against Jackson State while TTU's Metrius Fleming had a 91-yard return for a score against UVa-Wise...Rowland is first nationally in all-purpose yards (234.33/game) while Fleming has three total kickoff returns this year for an average of 60.7 yards/return...TTU is 2-1 on the season, which is the same number of combined wins the program had over the past two seasons...SEMO punter Jake Reynolds set the school record and tied the OVC record with 14 punts against Missouri...Murray State was shutout 45-0 at Toledo, snapping its streak of scoring in 156 consecutive games, which was the ninth-longest streak in FCS history; it was the first time the Racers had been shutout since 2005 (42-0 at Illinois State)...Seven of eight this week can be seen on ESPN+ with one airing on ESPN3...This season 69 of 72 total OVC football games will air on ESPN Networks, including 52 on ESPN+ and 12 on ESPN3.....This year marks the 150th anniversary of the first college football games.
OVC Players of the Week
OFFENSIVE
Zerrick Cooper, QB • 6-4, 225, Jr. • Jonesboro, Ga. • Jacksonville State
Cooper accounted for 337 yards of total offense and four touchdowns as No. 16 Jacksonville State overcame a 28-7 deficit after one quarter to defeat No. 4 Eastern Washington 49-45. It marked the highest-ranked opponent the Gamecocks had beaten since 2002 and extended the team's regular season home winning streak to 30 games. Cooper passed for 249 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for a team-high 88 yards and a score. Cooper led three touchdown drives in the fourth quarter (as JSU outscored EWU 21-0 in the final frame), including two over 70 yards, as the Gamecocks scored the winning touchdown with 59 seconds left (marking the team's only lead of the day). Cooper ranks first nationally in total offense (372.0 yards/game), sixth in passing yards (1,007), seventh in passing yards/game (335.7), ninth in passing efficiency (159.3) and points responsible for/game (20.0), 10th in completion percentage (67.9%), 11th in completions/game (24.67) and 14th in passing touchdowns (7). It marks the second-straight week he has won the award.
Others Nominated: JaVaughn Craig, Austin Peay; Daryl McCleskey Jr., Eastern Kentucky; Preston Rice, Murray State; Cameron Rosendahl, Tennessee State; David Gist, Tennessee Tech.
DEFENSIVE
Kordell Jackson, DB • 5-11, 163, Jr. • Birmingham, Ala. • Austin Peay
Jackson became the first player in Austin Peay history to return a pair of interceptions for touchdowns in the team's 48-34 road victory over Mercer. The junior had a 29-yard return in the third quarter to put the Governors up 27-13. Early in the fourth quarter he had a 69-yard return, the fourth-longest in school history, to put APSU ahead 41-20. It marked the sixth-longest interception return in the FCS this season. Jackson is one of just three players in school history with multiple interception returns for a score in the same season. He is the first OVC player to return two interceptions for a score in the same game since 2017 (Tennessee State's Vincent Sellers). Jackson also had two tackles and a pass breakup.
Others Nominated: Dytarious Johnson, Eastern Illinois; Aaron Patrick, Eastern Kentucky; Marlon Bridges, Jacksonville State; Aderick Moore, Tennessee Tech.
SPECIALIST
Chris Rowland, RS/WR • 5-8, 180, Sr. • Nolensville, Tenn. • Tennessee State
Rowland accounted for 267 all-purpose yards, including a 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, in Tennessee State's 49-44 loss to Jackson State in the Southern Heritage Classic played at the Liberty Bowl in Memphis. Rowland's return came on Tennessee State's first possession of the game; for the game he returned two kickoffs for 124 total yards. The senior also had seven catches for 139 yards and a touchdown and four rushing yards. Rowland ranks first nationally in all-purpose yards (234.33 yards/game), seventh in total touchdowns (5) and 21st in combined kick return yards (185) and is one of 11 FCS players to return a kickoff for a touchdown so far this season.
Others Nominated: Prince Momodu, Austin Peay; Preston Knight, Jacksonville State; Jake Reynolds, Southeast Missouri; Metrius Fleming, Tennessee Tech.
NEWCOMER
Metrius Fleming, RS/WR • 6-0, 173, Fr. • Elberton, Ga. • Tennessee Tech
Fleming accounted for 161 all-purpose yards, including a 91-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, in Tennessee Tech's 31-14 victory over UVa-Wise. With his team trailing 7-0 late in the first quarter, Fleming took the kickoff 91 yards to even the score; that marks one of 11 kickoff return touchdowns in the FCS so far this season. Fleming also had three catches for 65 yards and three rushes for five yards. He is averaging 60.7 yards on three kickoff returns this season and ranks 23rd nationally in combined kick return yards (182). Fleming has made big plays this season, as he also has a 66-yard rushing touchdown (coming in week one versus Samford). Fleming is averaging 115.0 all-purpose yards/game (third nationally among freshmen).
Others Nominated: Keenan Barnes, Austin Peay; Jaelin Benefield, Eastern Illinois.
Notes From Around the Gridiron
CFB150: This year marks the 150th anniversary of college football which began on November 6, 1869 when Princeton played Rutgers. The commemoration will showcase the rich history and traditions of the sport and its positive impact on lives and communities, while also promoting the opportunity it continues to provide to thousands of student-athletes across all levels of the sport. Follow the campaign @CFB150 and take part in the conversation with the hashtag #CFB150.
Bridges Named National Defensive Player of the Week by STATS (Sept. 16): Jacksonville State senior defensive back
Marlon Bridges was named the National Defensive Player of the Week by STATS on September 16 for his play in the Gamecocks win over No. 4 Eastern Washington. With the team trailing 28-7 after one quarter, Bridges intercepted a pass on the first play of the second quarter and returned it 67 yards for a touchdown to ignite the comeback. It marked his third career interception return for a touchdown, tying the school record. Bridges also forced a fumble, had nine tackles (3.0 for loss) and added a sack as JSU would win 49-45.
SEMO's Jake Reynolds Ties OVC Single-Game Punts Record: Southeast Missouri junior punter
Jake Reynolds tied the OVC single-game record with 14 punts against Missouri on September 14. Reynolds now shares the record with Austin Peay's Mike Johnson (1971) and UT Martin's Bubba Beasley (1993).
Murray State Sees 156 Game Scoring Streak Snapped; Streak Ranks Ninth-Longest in FCS History: In a 45-0 loss to Toledo on September 14, Murray State failed to score for the first time in 156 games dating back to a loss at Illinois State on September 24, 2005. The 156-game streak was the ninth-longest in FCS history.
OVC in NCAA Statistical Leaders: In the latest NCAA statistical rankings, Austin Peay is ranked first in fumbles lost (0) and sacks allowed (0.0/game), second in punt return defense (-5.0 yards/return) and second in rush defense (42.7 yards/game), third in defensive touchdowns (2) and eighth in total defense (279.0 yards/game) and tackles-for-loss (9.7/game). Jacksonville State is first in fourth down conversion defense (0.0%) and eighth in passing offense (335.7 yards/game). Tennessee State is eighth in kickoff return yardage defense (0.0 yards/return), 10th in total offense (481.0 yards/game) and 11th in passing offense (326.0 yards/game). Eastern Kentucky is first in fumbles lost (0), fourth in red zone defense (58.3%), eighth in kickoff return defense (14.33 yards/return), 11th in tackles-for-loss (9.3/game) and 15th in pass defense (156.3 yards/game). Tennessee Tech is second in kickoff returns (37.43 yards/return), third in fumbles recovered (5) and 12th in kickoff return defense (15.0 yards/return) and fourth down conversion (80.0%). Eastern Illinois is fifth in fewest penalty yards/game (31.0). Southeast Missouri is first in fumbles lost (0) and 10th in punt returns (16.0 yards/return) while UT Martin is eighth in punt returns (17.0 yards/return). Individually, Tennessee State's
Chris Rowland is first nationally in all-purpose yards (234.33/game) and total receiving yards (513), second in receptions/game (9.7) and receiving yards/game (171.0) and fifth in receiving touchdowns (4). Jacksonville State's
Zerrick Cooper is first in total offense (372.0 yards/game), sixth in total passing yards (1,007), seventh in passing yards/game (335.7 yards/game), ninth in passing efficiency (159.3) and points responsible for (20.0/game), 10th in completion percentage (67.9%), 11th in completions/game (24.67) and 14th in passing touchdowns (7). Murray State's
Preston Rice is sixth in completion percentage (71.7%) while Austin Peay's
Kentel Williams is 11th in all-purpose yards (151.33/game) and 20th in rushing (86.3 yards/game). Austin Peay's
Logan Birchfield is fourth in field goals made/game (2.33) and ninth in scoring (11.0 points/game). JSU's
Marlon Bridges is first in forced fumbles (1.0/game) while Murray State's
Tay Carothers is first in fumbles recovered (2). APSU's
Kordell Jackson and UTM's
Wanya Moton are tied for seventh nationally in interceptions (0.7/game) while Southeast Missouri's Zach Hall is 12th in tackles (10.7/game).
Jacksonville State and Southeast Missouri Ranked in National Polls: Jacksonville State and Southeast Missouri remain ranked in the Top 25 polls this week. After its win over No. 4 Eastern Washington, Jacksonville State is now No. 10 in the STATS Top 25 and No. 13 in the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll. JSU has been ranked in 78-straight polls and in the Top 10 in 72 of the past 77 weeks. Southeast Missouri slipped to No. 23 in the STATS poll and No. 25 in the FCS Coaches poll after its loss at FBS foe Missouri. Austin Peay is currently receiving votes in both polls while Eastern Kentucky is picking up votes in the STATS poll.
JSU's Cooper and Pearson on Walter Payton Award Watch List: Jacksonville State junior quarterback
Zerrick Cooper and senior wide receiver
Josh Pearson are two of the initial 25 players named to the Walter Payton Award Watch List. The award, sponsored by STATS and first awarded in 1987, is given to the top offensive player in the FCS and has twice been won by an OVC player: Eastern Illinois’ Tony Romo (2002) and Jimmy Garoppolo (2013). The Payton Watch List can undergo revision during the season. A national panel of over 150 sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries will vote on the winner following the regular season.
Three OVC Players on Buck Buchanan Award Watch List: Three OVC players have been named to the 2019 Buck Buchanan Award Watch List by STATS. The award is given to the top defensive player in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). The OVC selections were Jacksonville State senior defensive back
Marlon Bridges, Southeast Missouri senior linebacker
Zach Hall and Eastern Kentucky senior defensive lineman
Aaron Patrick. The watch list will have updates during the season. A national panel of over 150 sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries will vote on 25 finalists following the regular season. The award was first bestowed in 1995 and the first OVC player to win the honor was Jacksonville State's Darius Jackson in 2017. A year ago it became back-to-back OVC winners as SEMO's Hall won the honor. Hall is seeking to become the second two-time winner of the Buck Buchanan Award (Appalachian State linebacker Dexter Coakley in 1995-96).
Sgt. York Trophy Presented by Delta Dental and Farm Bureau Health Plans: This year marks the 13th of the Sgt. York Trophy presented by Delta Dental of Tennessee and Farm Bureau Health Plans. The trophy (founded in 2007 by the Nashville Sports Council and OVC) goes to the winner of the quadrangular season football series between the four OVC football-playing schools located in the state of Tennessee (Austin Peay, Tennessee State, Tennessee Tech and UT Martin). The award is only the second traveling trophy that involves more than two teams in college sports; the other is the Commander in Chief’s Trophy which has been contested between Air Force, Army and Navy annually since 1972. The award is named in honor of Alvin C. York, the most noted Soldier of World War I. As a corporal in the 2nd battalion, 328th Infantry, in the Battle of the Meuse River-Argonne (Oct. 8, 1918), York and seven other soldiers captured 132 prisoners, was promoted to sergeant and received the Distinguished Service Cross, the French Croix de Guerre, the French Legion of Honor, the Croce di Guerra of Italy and the War Medal of Montenegro. Upon his return to the United States in 1919, he was bestowed the Congressional Medal of Honor. The trophy goes to the team with the best record against the other schools (in case of a tie there will be co-champions and the actual trophy will be retained by the defending champion if they are involved in the tie or if the defending champion is not involved in the tie it will go to the institution that has gone the most seasons without winning the trophy).
NCAA Division I Playoff Information: This season marks the seventh of an expanded 24-team field for the NCAA Division I Football Championship; in 2010 the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoff field expanded to 20 teams, up from 16 previously, and in 2013 the field increased to 24 for the first time. The expansion in 2010 to 20 teams was the first since the field grew from 12 to 16 teams in 1997. The 24-team field is comprised of 10 automatic bids and 14 at-large berths. There are eight first round matchups (16 total teams), while eight (8) teams receive a bye into the second round. For the 10th time in 2019, the championship game will be played in Frisco, Texas at Toyota Stadium, a 20,500-seat multi-purpose stadium. The Southland Conference serves as the host of the championship, which will be held on Saturday, January 11.
Recent Playoff Success: Beginning with the 2001 season the OVC went until 2013 without a FCS Playoff victory. But over the past six seasons OVC teams have performed well in the playoffs. In 2013 the OVC placed three teams in the field for the first time and each won at least one game with Eastern Illinois and Jacksonville State advancing to the quarterfinals (the first time that had happened in the league since 1991). In 2015 Jacksonville State (who during that year became the first OVC team ranked No. 1 in the Top 25 since 1999) won three playoff games to become the first OVC team to advance to the National Championship game since 1982. Along the way JSU set an OVC record for points in a playoff game with 58 against Charleston Southern in the quarterfinals, and then broke the record a week later in a 62-10 victory over Sam Houston State in the semifinals. A year ago Jacksonville State and Southeast Missouri each won a game in the playoffs.
OVC Game of the Week on ESPN3: For the seventh-straight year the OVC is producing a “Game of the Week” package that will air on ESPN3 this fall. The eight-game schedule is once again in conjunction with Tupelo Raycom. Kevin Ingram, host of “The Wake Up Zone” on 104.5 The Zone in Nashville, will handle play-by-play duties while Bob Belvin, on-air talent and contributor at ESPN Clarksville, will provide analysis. The duo has worked together each of the past seven years in the league’s TV package.
Sept. 28 - Tennessee Tech at Eastern Illinois, 4 p.m. CT
Oct. 5 - UT Martin at Eastern Kentucky, 3 p.m. ET/2 p.m. CT
Oct. 19 - Southeast Missouri at Jacksonville State, 3 p.m. CT
Oct. 26 - Murray State at Jacksonville State, 3 p.m. CT
Nov. 2 - Southeast Missouri at Tennessee State, 2 p.m. CT
Nov. 9 - Eastern Kentucky at Southeast Missouri, 1 p.m. CT
Nov. 16 - Austin Peay at Murray State, 12 p.m. CT
Nov. 23 - Eastern Kentucky at Jacksonville State, 1 p.m. CT
ESPN+: The OVC enters year two with ESPN+, the first multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company Direct-to-Consumer & International segment, being the exclusive home of regular season and OVC Championship broadcasts. This season 52 OVC football games will air on ESPN+ (eight other games will be on ESPN3). Fans can subscribe to ESPN+ for $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year). ESPN+ is an integrated part of the completely redesigned ESPN App and also available on the web, iPhone, iPad, tvOS, Android Handset, Apple TV, Roku, Chromecast and FireTV. More information can be found at
www.OVCSports.com/ESPN.
OVC Teams Against FBS Opponents: OVC teams will play nine total games against Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) opponents in 2019. OVC teams are now a combined 35-245-1 all-time against FBS foes, including wins over FBS teams in six of the past nine seasons (2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017).
Three OVC Quarterbacks on CFPA FCS National Performer of the Year Watch List: Three OVC quarterbacks are among the 40 players named to the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) FCS National Performer of the Year Watch List. The selections were Austin Peay junior
Jeremiah Oatsvall, Jacksonville State junior
Zerrick Cooper and Southeast Missouri senior
Daniel Santacaterina. The 2019 CFPA FCS National Performer of the Year Trophy is a 22-inch K-9 optic crystal tower with eight-inch crystal football on top. All FCS players are eligible for the award. The award winner will be announced January 15, 2020.
Two OVC Punters Named to FCS Punter of the Year Watch List: Murray State's
Steve Dawson and Southeast Missouri's
Jake Reynolds are two of 28 players nationally named to the inaugural FCS Punter of the Year Preseason Watchlist by the Augusta Sports Council. The 2019 season will be the first for the FCS Punter of the Year Award which is presented by the Augusta Sports Council. Based in Augusta, Georgia, the Council is also home to the Ray Guy Award, which honors the nation's top FBS punter each year. The FCS Punter of the Year Preseason Watchlist was chosen based on 2018 All-Americans, 2018 All-Conference selections, and conference nominations. Players were reviewed based on their eligibility and inclusion on their team's 2019 roster.
Fisher Named National Player of the Week (Sept. 2): Tennessee Tech sophomore quarterback
Bailey Fisher was named the FCS National Offensive Player of the Week by STATS on Sept. 2 after his performance in a 59-58 double overtime victory over Samford. Fisher accounted for 463 yards of total offense, five touchdowns (2 passing, 3 rushing) and three two-point conversions as Tennessee Tech overcame a 23-point second half deficit. From the 0:51 mark in the third quarter, Fisher threw two touchdowns passes, rushed for three touchdowns, then also completed three of four 2-point conversions, including the game-tying (rush) to send the game to overtime. The final two touchdowns and two-point conversions came in the final 1:18 of regulation, as Tech had trailed 44-28 with 2:20 to play. After the teams traded touchdowns in the first overtime, Samford took a lead on the first possession of the second extra period. Following a touchdown run by Andrew Fleming, Bailey converted the winning two-point conversion, a pass to David Gist, to give his team the win. Fisher finished the game 31-of-44 for 415 yards and two touchdowns (no interceptions) and rushed 13 times for 48 yards and three touchdowns. The 415 passing yards and the 463 yards of total offense were each the third-best performances in TTU history. In addition, Fisher also punted the ball twice for 76 yards, pinning both inside the Samford 20-yard line. Fisher was responsible for 36 points, the most of any Division I player (FBS or FCS) in the country in week one.
Academic Success: During the past academic year (2018-19) there were 106 OVC football student-athletes who were named to the Commissioner’s Honor Roll for having a 3.25 grade point average or higher. In addition, 10 student-athletes were awarded the OVC Academic Medal of Honor for achieving perfect 4.0 GPAs. The OVC also awards a Team Academic Award for the football program with the highest percentage of players with a 3.25 grade point average or higher; that award went to Murray State for 2018-19.
A Look at the Coaches: Seven of the nine OVC coaches from last season return to their respective teams in 2019. Jacksonville State's
John Grass, Tennessee State's
Rod Reed and Tennessee Tech's
Dewayne Alexander are currently coaching at their alma maters. The longest tenured coach in the league is UT Martin’s
Jason Simpson who is in his 14th season with the Skyhawks in 2019. Simpson has 81 overall victories in his career, tied for sixth-most in OVC history (one win away from tying for sixth-place).
NFL Connections: As of September 12, there are 17 former Ohio Valley Conference players on NFL rosters (10 active, 4 practice squad, 3 injured reserve). Those players include former Eastern Illinois standout quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, who has won two Super Bowl Championship with the Patriots and is now the starter for the San Francisco 49ers, and Tennessee State’s Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, a former First Round Draft pick who was a starter for the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII and who has been a Pro Bowl selection. Seven of the nine current OVC football schools have at least one player in the NFL.
Preseason Forecasts: For the sixth-straight year and eighth time in the past 10 years, Jacksonville State has been picked the preseason football favorite in the Ohio Valley Conference for 2019. The Gamecocks, who have won five-straight OVC Championships and 39 of its last 40 OVC games, received 14 of a possible 18 first-place votes in a poll of league head coaches and communications directors. The Gamecocks totaled 126 total points to out-distance Southeast Missouri, who ended the Gamecocks 36-game OVC win streak a season ago and earned an at-large berth into the FCS playoffs, who picked up the other four first-place votes and was tabbed second (115 points). Eastern Kentucky was picked third (98) and followed by Austin Peay (70), Murray State and Tennessee State (61), UT Martin (60), Eastern Illinois (35) and Tennessee Tech (22).
JSU's Cooper, SEMO's Hall Headline Preseason All-OVC Team: Jacksonville State junior quarterback
Zerrick Cooper and Southeast Missouri State senior linebacker
Zach Hall were named the 2019 OVC Preseason Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year in a vote of by the league’s head football coaches and communications directors. Jacksonville State led the way with seven total preseason selections, while Southeast Missouri followed with six picks, Tennessee State had four selections, Eastern Kentucky, Murray State and UT Martin had three apiece, Austin Peay had two picks and Eastern Illinois had one. Returning players who were first-team All-OVC selections last year (15 in total) were automatic selections to the preseason team this year. The squad also included eight players who were second-team picks in 2018. Of the 29 total selections, 26 were seniors and three were juniors.
Let’s Get It Started: The 72nd season of Ohio Valley Conference football got underway on Thursday, August 29. The OVC is made up of nine football-playing schools; since its beginning, 15 of the 18 total schools that have played football in the league have claimed at least one championship.
Instant Replay: For the third-straight year, the OVC will have instant replay for all non-conference and conference home football contests. The league has partnered with DVSport to implement replay which is defined by Rule 12 of the NCAA Football Rule Book.
I-AA No More: Although some people may still refer to it as I-AA football, the term that represents the level of Division I football in which the Ohio Valley Conference competes has been long retired. Beginning with the 2006 National Championship game, the term Football Championship Subdivision (or FCS) is to be used. Teams who play at the FCS level can offer a maximum of 63 scholarships (Football Bowl Subdivision teams can offer 85) and compete in a 24-team playoff at the end of the season to determine the national champion.