• OVC Football Report – September 23 (PDF)
This Week’s Schedule
Saturday, September 28
*#11 Jacksonville State at Austin Peay, 2:00 p.m. (ESPN+)
*Tennessee Tech at Eastern Illinois, 4:00 p.m. (ESPN3)
*Tennessee State at Eastern Kentucky, 5:00 p.m. (ESPN+)
*Murray State at UT Martin, 6:00 p.m. (ESPN+)
This Week’s OVC Highlights/Storylines
OVC teams were 5-3 this past weekend and wrapped-up non-conference play with a combined 13-11 record vs. FCS opponents...Tennessee Tech won 38-24 at Western Illinois, marking the first road non-conference win for the program since 2013 (Hampton); the Golden Eagles are off to its best start since 2011 (a year the team won the OVC Championship)...TTU also received votes in this week's FCS Coaches Poll, the first time since 2016 they have gotten votes...TTU quarterback Bailey Fisher accounted for 404 yards of total offense and five touchdowns (3 rushing, 2 passing) in the win...Jacksonville State's 30-12 win over North Alabama marked its 31st-straight regular season home win...JSU's Josh Pearson caught three touchdown passes and moved into second place on the JSU career list (22); the OVC career record is 35...Jacksonville State is currently ranked No. 11 in the STATS poll and No. 12 in the Coaches poll...Tennessee State's Chris Rowland had a career-high 13 receptions in the Tigers loss to Arkansas-Pine Bluff (it was the fourth-most by a FCS player this season); through four games Rowland has 42 catches, putting him on pace 126 (the FCS single-season record is 136 by EIU's Erik Lora)...Murray State had five takeaways against Morehead State and is now first nationally in fumbles recovered (8), sixth in turnovers gained (10) and eighth in turnover margin (+1.5/game) despite having played two FBS opponents...Murray State played in front of its biggest home crowd in 21 years against Morehead State (11,921)...Jacksonville State currently ranks fourth nationally in average attendance (20,768)...Each Larry Wilhoite of Tennessee State and Seth Carlisle of Tennessee Tech had multiple interceptions last week and four different OVC players have multiple picks in the same game so far this season (last year only two players achieved the feat)...OVC play begins this weekend with four games (Southeast Missouri has a bye)...Included is the return of the ESPN3 Game of the Week with the other three games airing on ESPN+...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
CO-OFFENSIVE
Josh Pearson, WR • 6-4, 205, Sr. • Decatur, Ala. • Jacksonville State
Pearson caught seven passes for a career-high 149 yards and three touchdowns as Jacksonville State topped North Alabama 30-12. The win was the 31st consecutive home regular season win for the Gamecocks. It marked his third career three-touchdown game and moved him into second place on the school's career touchdown list (22). Pearson caught a 12-yard touchdown in the first quarter, a 67-yarder in the second quarter and wrapped up the scoring with a 53-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter. The senior ranks fifth nationally in receiving touchdowns (5).
CO-OFFENSIVE
Bailey Fisher, QB • 5-11, 205, So. • Clayton, Ga. • Tennessee Tech
Fisher accounted for 404 yards of total offense and five touchdowns (3 rushing, 2 passing) as Tennessee Tech won at Western Illinois 38-24. It marked the first non-conference road win for the program since 2013 and gives the team its first 3-1 start since the 2011 season. The sophomore completed 23-of-37 passes for 314 yards, including a 31-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter and a 17-yard score just before halftime. With his feet Bailey carried the ball 13 times for 90 yards (6.9 ypc) and scores of 6, 1 and 26 yards. His final touchdown, a 26-yard run with 4:47 to play iced the game. Fisher ranks third nationally in rushing touchdowns (7), fifth in total touchdowns (7), 15th in points responsible for (18.0/game) and scoring (11.0 points/game), 25th in total passing yards (979) and 27th in total offense (274.8 yards/game).
Others Nominated: DeAngelo Wilson, Austin Peay; Daryl McCleskey Jr., Eastern Kentucky; Preston Rice, Murray State; Daniel Santacaterina, Southeast Missouri; Chris Rowland, Tennessee State.
DEFENSIVE
Seth Carlisle, LB • 6-0, 221, So. • Red Boiling Springs, Tenn. • Tennessee Tech
Carlisle had two interceptions, including one on the final Western Illinois drive of the game, as Tennessee Tech topped the Leathernecks 38-24 on the road. His first interception of the game came in the second quarter and led to a Golden Eagle field goal as the team extended its lead to 24-3. Carlisle also added three tackles in the win. He is one of four players in the OVC with multiple interceptions in the same game. It marked the first non-conference road win for the program since 2013 and gives the team its first 3-1 start since the 2011 season.
Others Nominated: Jack McDonald, Austin Peay; Austin Johnson, Eastern Illinois; Joseph Sayles, Eastern Kentucky; Traco Williams, Jacksonville State; Scotty Humpich, Murray State; Larry Wilhoite, Tennessee State.
CO-SPECIALIST
Jason Pierce, P • 6-3, 215, So. • Powder Spring, Ga. • Jacksonville State
Pierce punted five times for an average of 41.4 yards in Jacksonville State's 30-12 win over North Alabama. The senior pinned two of those five punts inside the UNA 2-yard line and had a long punt of 54 yards.
CO-SPECIALIST
Ty Terrell, RS/WR • 6-0, 203, R-Fr. • Leesburg, Ga. • Murray State
Terrell returned a punt 67 yards for a touchdown in Murray State's 59-7 victory over Morehead State. The return came on the Racers first possession of the second half and extended the lead to 38-0. Terrell is one of 11 players at the FCS level to return a punt for a touchdown this season.
Others Nominated: Devin Stuart, Austin Peay; Stone Galloway, Eastern Illinois; Kendrick Tiller, Southeast Missouri; Kaleb Mosley, Tennessee State.
NEWCOMER
Metrius Fleming, WR/RS • 6-0, 173, Fr. • Elberton, Ga. • Tennessee Tech
Fleming caught seven passes for a season-best 165 yards in Tennessee Tech's 38-24 road victory over Western Illinois. It marked the first non-conference road win for the program since 2013 and gives the team its first 3-1 start since the 2011 season. It marked the 13th-most receiving yards in a game in Golden Eagle history. Fleming also had a kickoff return for 18 yards to finish the contest with 183 all-purpose yards. The freshman currently ranks 35th nationally in all-purpose yards (132.0/game) and is averaging 50.0 yards on kickoff returns (4 total).
Others Nominated: Austin Shockey, Eastern Illinois; Parker McKinney, Eastern Kentucky; Ty Terrell, Murray State; Domonique Williams, Tennessee State.
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.
OVC in NCAA Statistical Leaders: In the latest NCAA statistical rankings, Austin Peay is first in fumbles lost (0), second in punt return defense (-5.0 yards/return), third in defensive touchdowns (2), fourth in rushing defense (69.5 yards/game), eighth in sacks allowed (0.5/game) and 14th in total defense (290.3 yards/game). Tennessee Tech is third in kickoff returns (32.44 yards/return), sixth in kickoff return defense (13.94 yards/return) and eighth in fumbles recovered (5). Eastern Kentucky is first in fumbles lost (0), eighth in pass defense (148.3 yards/game) and red zone defense (61.5%) and 14th in tackles-for-loss (8.5/game). Murray State is first in fumbles recovered (8), third in defensive touchdowns (2), sixth in turnovers gained (10) and eighth in turnover margin (+1.5/game). Tennessee State is first in blocked kicks (4) and eighth in passing offense (328.0 yards/game). Individually, Tennessee State's
Chris Rowland is first nationally in receptions/game (10.5) and total receiving yards (667), second in receiving yards/game (166.8), third in all-purpose yards (222.0/game) and fifth in receiving touchdowns (5). Jacksonville State's
Zerrick Cooper is fourth in total offense (348.8 yards/game), ninth in passing yards/game (318.3), 10th in total passing yards (1,273), passing touchdowns (10) and points responsible for (19.5/game), 13th in passing efficiency (160.7) and 15th in completions/game (23.25). JSU's
Josh Pearson is fifth in receiving touchdowns (5). Eastern Kentucky's
Daryl McCleskey Jr. is sixth in rushing yards/carry (7.61), ninth in total rushing yards (388) and 15th in rushing (97.0 yards/game) while teammate
Alonzo Booth is eighth in rushing touchdowns (5). Tennessee Tech's
Bailey Fisher is third in rushing touchdowns (7) and 15th in scoring (11.0 points/game). Murray State's
Preston Rice is fifth in completion percentage (71.7%). Austin Peay's
Logan Birchfield is eighth in field goals made/game (1.75). JSU's
Marlon Bridges is fourth in forced fumbles (0.75/game).
Jacksonville State and Southeast Missouri Ranked in National Polls: Jacksonville State and Southeast Missouri remain ranked in the Top 25 this week. Despite a win over North Alabama, Jacksonville State slipped one spot from 10 to 11 in the STATS Top 25 poll while they jumped from 13 to 12 in the AFCA FCS Top 25 poll. JSU has been ranked for 79-straight weeks (and in the Top 10 in 72 of the past 78 weeks). After a win over Division II West Virginia State, Southeast Missouri remained No. 23 in the STATS poll but slipped from 25 to just outside the poll (26th) in the Coaches Poll. Eastern Kentucky is receiving votes in the STATS poll while Tennessee Tech picked up votes in the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll; it marks the first time TTU has received votes since 2016.
Attendance: Jacksonville State is ranked fourth in the FCS in average attendance so far this season, averaging 20,768 fans per game (3 total games).
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 multi-sport, direct-to-consumer video service from The Walt Disney Company's Direct-to-Consumer & International segment, being the exclusive home of regular season and OVC Championship broadcasts. This season 52 OVC football games will air on ESPN+ (eight other games will be on ESPN3). Fans can subscribe to ESPN+ for $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year). ESPN+ is an integrated part of the ESPN App and (on mobile and connected devices) and ESPN.com. More information can be found at
www.OVCSports.com/ESPN.
OVC Teams Against FBS Opponents: OVC teams will play nine total games against Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) opponents in 2019. OVC teams are now a combined 35-245-1 all-time against FBS foes, including wins over FBS teams in six of the past nine seasons (2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017).
SEMO's Jake Reynolds Ties OVC Single-Game Punts Record: Southeast Missouri junior punter
Jake Reynolds tied the OVC single-game record with 14 punts against Missouri on September 14. Reynolds now shares the record with Austin Peay's Mike Johnson (1971) and UT Martin's Bubba Beasley (1993).
Murray State Sees 156 Game Scoring Streak Snapped; Streak Ranks Ninth-Longest in FCS History: In a 45-0 loss to Toledo on September 14, Murray State failed to score for the first time in 156 games dating back to a loss at Illinois State on September 24, 2005. The 156-game streak was the ninth-longest in FCS history.
Three OVC Quarterbacks on CFPA FCS National Performer of the Year Watch List: Three OVC quarterbacks are among the 40 players named to the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) FCS National Performer of the Year Watch List. The selections were Austin Peay junior
Jeremiah Oatsvall, Jacksonville State junior
Zerrick Cooper and Southeast Missouri senior
Daniel Santacaterina. The 2019 CFPA FCS National Performer of the Year Trophy is a 22-inch K-9 optic crystal tower with eight-inch crystal football on top. All FCS players are eligible for the award. The award winner will be announced January 15, 2020.
Two OVC Punters Named to FCS Punter of the Year Watch List: Murray State's
Steve Dawson and Southeast Missouri's
Jake Reynolds are two of 28 players nationally named to the inaugural FCS Punter of the Year Preseason Watchlist by the Augusta Sports Council. The 2019 season will be the first for the FCS Punter of the Year Award which is presented by the Augusta Sports Council. Based in Augusta, Georgia, the Council is also home to the Ray Guy Award, which honors the nation's top FBS punter each year. The FCS Punter of the Year Preseason Watchlist was chosen based on 2018 All-Americans, 2018 All-Conference selections, and conference nominations. Players were reviewed based on their eligibility and inclusion on their team's 2019 roster.
Bridges Named National Defensive Player of the Week by STATS (Sept. 16): Jacksonville State senior defensive back
Marlon Bridges was named the National Defensive Player of the Week by STATS on September 16 for his play in the Gamecocks win over No. 4 Eastern Washington. With the team trailing 28-7 after one quarter, Bridges intercepted a pass on the first play of the second quarter and returned it 67 yards for a touchdown to ignite the comeback. It marked his third career interception return for a touchdown, tying the school record. Bridges also forced a fumble, had nine tackles (3.0 for loss) and added a sack as JSU would win 49-45.
Fisher Named National Player of the Week (Sept. 2): Tennessee Tech sophomore quarterback
Bailey Fisher was named the FCS National Offensive Player of the Week by STATS on Sept. 2 after his performance in a 59-58 double overtime victory over Samford. Fisher accounted for 463 yards of total offense, five touchdowns (2 passing, 3 rushing) and three two-point conversions as Tennessee Tech overcame a 23-point second half deficit. From the 0:51 mark in the third quarter, Fisher threw two touchdowns passes, rushed for three touchdowns, then also completed three of four 2-point conversions, including the game-tying (rush) to send the game to overtime. The final two touchdowns and two-point conversions came in the final 1:18 of regulation, as Tech had trailed 44-28 with 2:20 to play. After the teams traded touchdowns in the first overtime, Samford took a lead on the first possession of the second extra period. Following a touchdown run by Andrew Fleming, Bailey converted the winning two-point conversion, a pass to David Gist, to give his team the win. Fisher finished the game 31-of-44 for 415 yards and two touchdowns (no interceptions) and rushed 13 times for 48 yards and three touchdowns. The 415 passing yards and the 463 yards of total offense were each the third-best performances in TTU history. In addition, Fisher also punted the ball twice for 76 yards, pinning both inside the Samford 20-yard line. Fisher was responsible for 36 points, the most of any Division I player (FBS or FCS) in the country in week one.
Academic Success: During the past academic year (2018-19) there were 106 OVC football student-athletes who were named to the Commissioner’s Honor Roll for having a 3.25 grade point average or higher. In addition, 10 student-athletes were awarded the OVC Academic Medal of Honor for achieving perfect 4.0 GPAs. The OVC also awards a Team Academic Award for the football program with the highest percentage of players with a 3.25 grade point average or higher; that award went to Murray State for 2018-19.
A Look at the Coaches: Seven of the nine OVC coaches from last season return to their respective teams in 2019. Jacksonville State's
John Grass, Tennessee State's
Rod Reed and Tennessee Tech's
Dewayne Alexander are currently coaching at their alma maters. The longest tenured coach in the league is UT Martin’s
Jason Simpson who is in his 14th season with the Skyhawks in 2019. Simpson has 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 23, there are 18 former Ohio Valley Conference players on NFL rosters (11 active, 4 practice squad, 4 injured reserve). Those players include former Eastern Illinois standout quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, who has won two Super Bowl Championship with the Patriots and is now the starter for the San Francisco 49ers, and Tennessee State’s Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, a former First Round Draft pick who was a starter for the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII and who has been a Pro Bowl selection (he is currently on IR with the Redskins). Seven of the nine current OVC football schools have at least one player in the NFL.
Preseason Forecasts: For the sixth-straight year and eighth time in the past 10 years, Jacksonville State has been picked the preseason football favorite in the Ohio Valley Conference for 2019. The Gamecocks, who have won five-straight OVC Championships and 39 of its last 40 OVC games, received 14 of a possible 18 first-place votes in a poll of league head coaches and communications directors. The Gamecocks totaled 126 total points to out-distance Southeast Missouri, who ended the Gamecocks 36-game OVC win streak a season ago and earned an at-large berth into the FCS playoffs, who picked up the other four first-place votes and was tabbed second (115 points). Eastern Kentucky was picked third (98) and followed by Austin Peay (70), Murray State and Tennessee State (61), UT Martin (60), Eastern Illinois (35) and Tennessee Tech (22).
JSU's Cooper, SEMO's Hall Headline Preseason All-OVC Team: Jacksonville State junior quarterback
Zerrick Cooper and Southeast Missouri State senior linebacker
Zach Hall were named the 2019 OVC Preseason Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year in a vote of by the league’s head football coaches and communications directors. Jacksonville State led the way with seven total preseason selections, while Southeast Missouri followed with six picks, Tennessee State had four selections, Eastern Kentucky, Murray State and UT Martin had three apiece, Austin Peay had two picks and Eastern Illinois had one. Returning players who were first-team All-OVC selections last year (15 in total) were automatic selections to the preseason team this year. The squad also included eight players who were second-team picks in 2018. Of the 29 total selections, 26 were seniors and three were juniors.
Let’s Get It Started: The 72nd season of Ohio Valley Conference football got underway on Thursday, August 29. The OVC is made up of nine football-playing schools; since its beginning, 15 of the 18 total schools that have played football in the league have claimed at least one championship.
Instant Replay: For the third-straight year, the OVC will have instant replay for all non-conference and conference home football contests. The league has partnered with DVSport to implement replay which is defined by Rule 12 of the NCAA Football Rule Book.
I-AA No More: Although some people may still refer to it as I-AA football, the term that represents the level of Division I football in which the Ohio Valley Conference competes has been long retired. Beginning with the 2006 National Championship game, the term Football Championship Subdivision (or FCS) is to be used. Teams who play at the FCS level can offer a maximum of 63 scholarships (Football Bowl Subdivision teams can offer 85) and compete in a 24-team playoff at the end of the season to determine the national champion.