• 2019 OVC Football Report - Final (PDF)
Rowland Named Top WR, Jackson Top DB by FCS ADA: Tennessee State senior
Chris Rowland was named the 2019 FCS National Wide Receiver of the Year while Austin Peay junior
Kordell Jackson was named the 2019 FCS Defensive Back of the Year by the Division I Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association (FCS ADA). The FCS ADA Awards, now in its seventh year, are in coordination with the 13 FCS conference offices and recognize the top student-athletes from FCS institutions at 11 different positions (QB, RB, WR, TE, OL, PK, P, DL, LB, CB and RS). The 2019 class includes student-athletes from 10 different institutions, representing seven different conferences. Voting was conducted by a national panel, consisting of media and sports information directors. Rowland is the second OVC wide receiver to be honored, joining Eastern Illinois' Erik Lora who won the inaugural award in 2013. Jackson is also the second defensive back from the OVC to win the award, joining Tennessee State's Daniel Fitzpatrick who won the inaugural award in 2013.
All-Americans: Following the season 14 different OVC players earned All-American honors from one of the seven major outlets. The 14 players were selected to the seven teams a total of 52 times. Three players were unanimous selections in Tennessee State senior WR/RS
Chris Rowland, Southeast Missouri senior linebacker
Zach Hall and Austin Peay junior defensive back
Kordell Jackson. Four other players were consensus picks by being picked to four of the seven teams (more than half); those selections included Austin Peay senior offensive lineman
Kyle Anderton and junior wide receiver
DeAngelo Wilson, Southeast Missouri senior wide receiver
Kristian Wilkerson and UT Martin senior punt returner
Terry Williams.
NCAA Division I Playoff Information: Austin Peay and Southeast Missouri were selected as two of the 24 participants for the 2019 NCAA Division I Football Championship. This season marked 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 was played in Frisco, Texas at Toyota Stadium, a 20,500-seat multi-purpose stadium. The Southland Conference served as the host of the championship, which was held on Saturday, January 11.
More on the Playoffs: In the 42 years of the FCS Playoffs (which started in 1978), the OVC has placed at least two teams in the field 23 times, including seven of the last 10 (2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019) and nine of the last 14 seasons.
Recent Playoff Success: Beginning with the 2001 season the OVC went until 2013 without a FCS Playoff victory. But over the past seven seasons (2013-19) OVC teams have performed well in the playoffs, winning 11 total games. 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. This season Austin Peay won a pair of games to advance to the quarterfinals. OVC teams are 35-63 all-time in the FCS Playoffs including Eastern Kentucky winning the 1979 and 1982 National Championships.
Austin Peay Becomes 10th OVC Team to Win Multiple Games in Same Playoff: With a win over Sacramento State in the second round of the FCS Playoffs Austin Peay became just the 10th team in OVC history to win multiple games in the same season. Below is a list of those teams and the games they won in each postseason:
1979 - Eastern Kentucky (2)
1981 - Eastern Kentucky (2)
1982 - Eastern Kentucky (3)
1984 - Middle Tennessee (2)
1986 - Eastern Kentucky (2)
1988 - Eastern Kentucky (2)
1991 - Eastern Kentucky (2)
2013 - Jacksonville State (2)
2015 - Jacksonville State (3)
2019 - Austin Peay (2)
APSU Advances to FCS Quarterfinals: Austin Peay became the first OVC team since 2015 (Jacksonville State) to advance to the FCS Quarterfinals. Overall OVC teams are 7-11 in the FCS quarterfinals; here is a listing of OVC teams all-time in the FCS Quarterfinals:
1981:
at Eastern Kentucky 35, Delaware 28
1982:
at Eastern Kentucky 38, Idaho 30
1984:
Middle Tennessee 42, at Indiana State 41 (3OT)
1986:
Eastern Kentucky 24, at Eastern Illinois 22
1987: at Northeast Louisiana 33,
Eastern Kentucky 32
1988:
at Eastern Kentucky 41, Western Kentucky 24
1989: at Georgia Southern 45,
Middle Tennessee 3
1990: at Boise State 20,
Middle Tennessee 13
1991:
at Eastern Kentucky 23, Middle Tennessee 13
1992: at Marshall 35,
Middle Tennessee 21
1994: at Youngstown State 18,
Eastern Kentucky 15
1996: at Troy State 31,
Murray State 3
2000: Appalachian State 17,
at Western Kentucky 14
2013: Towson 49,
at Eastern Illinois 39
2013: at Eastern Washington 35,
Jacksonville State 24
2015:
at Jacksonville State 58, Charleston Southern 38
2019: at Montana State 24, Austin Peay 10
Austin Peay Makes First FCS Playoff Appearance, Records First Win: By winning a share of the OVC Championship and winning the head-to-head meeting with Southeast Missouri, Austin Peay earned the OVC's automatic bid to this year's FCS Playoffs. It marked the first-ever playoff appearance for the Governors, who topped Furman 42-6 in the first round for its first playoff victory. APSU made it 2-0 in the playoffs with a 42-28 win over Sacramento State in the second round.
Two Playoff Wins Puts Austin Peay in Elite Company: Austin Peay is one of 20 programs in FCS Playoff history (out of 114 teams who have competed) to win two or more playoff games in its first-ever playoff appearance. Out of the 20 teams who have accomplished the feat, only six have come over the past 26 years (Florida Atlantic, Wofford, Texas State, North Dakota State, Kennesaw State and Austin Peay).
Austin Peay Sets Program Record For Wins in a Season: Austin Peay finished the year with 11 victories, which established a new single-season record for the program. The team had reached eight wins six times, including three years ago (2017). The turnaround of the program has been remarkable as APSU was 1-45 from 2013-16.
Austin Peay Wins Part II: Currently only five teams in OVC history have more wins in a season than the 2019 Austin Peay squad (11). Here is a look at the top win performances in OVC history.
13 - Eastern Kentucky (1982), Jacksonville State (2015)
12 - Eastern Kentucky (1981), Eastern Kentucky (1991), Eastern Illinois (2013)
Southeast Missouri Makes Third FCS Playoff Appearance: Southeast Missouri earned its second-straight and third overall FCS Playoff berth this season (2010, 2018, 2019). In the last two appearances the Redhawks have been at-large selections. Following a loss to Illinois State this year, SEMO is now 1-3 all-time in the playoffs, besting Stony Brook at home in the first round a year ago.
Austin Peay and Southeast Missouri Share 2019 OVC Championship: Austin Peay and Southeast Missouri finished the year tied with 7-1 records in OVC play and were declared "co-champions." It marked the second title for each Austin Peay (and first since 1977) and Southeast Missouri (and first since 2010).
OVC Award Winners: Four different schools took home the four major awards for 2019 as voted on by the league head coaches and communications directors. Tennessee State senior wide receiver/return specialist
Chris Rowland was named Offensive Player of the Year, Eastern Kentucky senior defensive lineman
Aaron Patrick was tabbed Defensive Player of the Year, UT Martin redshirt freshman quarterback
John Bachus III was named the Freshman of the Year and first-year Austin Peay head coach
Mark Hudspeth earned the Roy Kidd OVC Coach of the Year honor. Austin Peay, which shared the OVC regular season championship (its first since 1977), had the most selections with 11 across the teams, including seven first-team picks, two second-team selections and two All-Newcomer honorees.
CFB150: This year marked 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, and also visit www.OVCSports.com/CFB150.
Austin Peay and Southeast Missouri Ranked in Final National Polls: At the conclusion of the 2019 season Austin Peay and Southeast Missouri were ranked in the national polls. After advancing to the FCS Quarterfinals, Austin Peay finished No. 8 in the STATS poll and No. 10 in the AFCA FCS Coaches poll. The No. 8 ranking is tied for the highest-ever single-week ranking in program history (the team was also No. 8 in the Sept. 22, 1979 AP Poll). It is the highest-ever Top 25 finish in a season in program history. Southeast Missouri finished the year No. 16 in the Coaches poll and No. 17 in the STATS poll. UT Martin finished the year among the others receiving votes in both polls.
OVC in NCAA Statistical Leaders: In the final NCAA statistical rankings Austin Peay ranked seventh in fumbles lost (2), eighth in rushing defense (104.1 yards/game) and sacks allowed (1.0/game), ninth in fourth down defense (35.5%), 11th in defensive touchdowns (3), 12th in total defense (307.5 yards/game), 13th in turnovers gained (25), 14th in passing efficiency defense (115.98), 15th in scoring defense (20.6 points/game), 16th in passes intercepted (15), fourth down conversion (62.1%) and red zone offense (88.3%) and 19th in scoring offense (34.5 points/game). Eastern Kentucky ranked second in fumbles lost (3), third in kickoff returns (24.76 yards/return), fifth in kickoff return defense (15.52 yards/return), third down conversions (31.0%) and red zone offense (92.2%), seventh in fourth down conversion defense (33.3%), 11th in red zone defense (70.0%), 13th in tackles-for-loss/game (7.9), 14th in time of possession (32:02), 15th in rushing defense (119.1 yards/game), 16th in total defense (325.3 yards/game) and 20th in rushing offense (205.5 yards/game). Tennessee Tech ranked first nationally in kickoff return defense (13.26 yards/return) and 12th in time of possession (32:11) while Murray State was sixth in fumbles recovered (14), 10th in punt returns (15.4 yards/return), 11th in defensive touchdowns (3) and 13th in turnovers gained (25). UT Martin was fourth in punt returns (18.05 yards/return), ninth in blocked kicks (5), 10th in punt return yardage defense (3.64 yards/return), 11th in blocked punts (2) and defensive touchdowns (3) and 15th in fewest penalties/game (4.92). Jacksonville State was seventh in kickoff return defense (15.53 yards/return) and 14th in passing offense (296.0 yards/game). Individually, Tennessee State's
Chris Rowland was first nationally in receiving yards/game (119.8), second in all-purpose yards (175.83 yards/game), third in receptions/game (8.7) and total receiving yards (1,437) and 21st in kickoff returns (25.0 yards/return). Austin Peay's
DeAngelo Wilson was first in total receiving yards (1,564), second in receiving touchdowns (15) and seventh in receiving yards/game (103.3). Jacksonville State's
Zerrick Cooper was seventh in total offense (310.3 yards/game), 11th in points responsible for/game (17.0), 12th in passing touchdowns (28), 13th in passing yards/game (283.7) and total passing yards (3,404) and 18th in completions/game (21.67). Austin Peay's
JaVaughn Craig was 12th in passing touchdowns (28), 19th in passing yards/completion (13.71) and 20th in total passing yards (3,208). Eastern Kentucky's
Daryl McCleskey Jr. was 10th in total rushing yards (1,238) and 12th in rushing yards/game (103.2). UT Martin's
Peyton Logan was fourth in rushing yards/carry (7.19). Southeast Missouri's
Kristian Wilkerson was fifth in total receiving yards (1,350) and sixth in receiving yards/game (103.8). Jacksonville State
Josh Pearson was sixth in receiving touchdowns (13), Murray State's
Preston Rice was 12th in completions/game (23.42), Tennessee Tech's
Bailey Fisher was 14th in points responsible for/game (16.5) and UT Martin's
Terry Williams was second in punt returns (18.0 yards/return). Tennessee State's
Antonio Zita was sixth in field goal percentage (83.3%) and seventh in field goals made (1.67/game) while EKU's
Samuel Hayworth was ninth in field goals made/game (1.5) and 12th in field goal percentage (81.8%). Austin Peay's
Kordell Jackson was sixth in interceptions/game (0.5), Eastern Kentucky's
Aaron Patrick was 11th in sacks/game (0.83/game) and Murray State's
Anthony Koclanakis was 11th in tackles (10.3/game).
Southeast Missouri Has First Back-to-Back Winning Seasons in Division I: Southeast Missouri had its second-straight winning season, marking the first time the program has had back-to-back winning seasons in its Division I history (since 1991). The last time the Redhawks had back-to-back winning campaigns was 1989 and 1990 (which ended a string of five-straight winning years) when the program was a member of Division II. The Redhawks also have had eight-plus wins in back-to-back years, the first time that has happened in program history. The team has only reached eight or more wins nine times in its football history (since 1904).
Attendance: Jacksonville State finished the year ranked ninth in the FCS in average attendance this season, averaging 16,829 fans per game (7 total games).
APSU's Hudspeth Finishes Third in Eddie Robinson Award Balloting: Austin Peay first-year head coach
Mark Hudspeth finished third out of 15 finalists for the Eddie Robinson Award, presented by STATS to the FCS National Coach of the Year. He received 13 first-place votes, 23 second-place votes, 23 third-place votes, 21 fourth-place votes and 10 fifth-place votes to tally 278 points. Hudspeth led Austin Peay to a program record nine victories, including a 7-1 mark in OVC play as the Govs won a share of the OVC Championship, its first title since 1977. APSU also earned the OVC's automatic bid to the FCS Playoffs, marking the program's first-ever playoff appearance. This came after the team lost its starting quarterback in the first quarter of the second game of the season but still managed to set a program record for total offense. Sacramento State's Troy Taylor was named the winner of the award.
TSU's Rowland 6th, JSU's Cooper 20th in Walter Payton Award Balloting: Tennessee State senior WR/RS
Chris Rowland finished sixth while Jacksonville State junior quarterback
Zerrick Cooper finished 20th out of 26 finalists for the Walter Payton Award. Rowland, who is the second-highest finisher in TSU history (trailing only Charles Anthony who was fifth in each 2002 and 2003) received 153 points, picking up seven first-place votes, 15 second-place votes, 10 third-place votes, 11 fourth-place votes and six fifth-place votes. Cooper received 22 points, picking up one first-place vote, two second-place votes, one third-place vote, two fourth-place votes and two fifth-place votes. 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). A national panel of over 150 sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries voted on the winner following the regular season. JSU senior wide receiver
Josh Pearson was a nominee for the award during the season but did not make the finalist group.
Hall 4th, Jackson 6th, Patrick 21st in Buck Buchanan Award Balloting: Southeast Missouri senior linebacker
Zach Hall finished fourth, Austin Peay junior safety
Kordell Jackson finished sixth and Eastern Kentucky senior defensive lineman
Aaron Patrick finished tied for 21st out of 26 finalists for the 2019 Buck Buchanan Award by STATS. The award, given out since 1995, is given to the top defensive player in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). Hall, who won the award a year ago, picked up 11 first-place votes, 15 second-place votes, 12 third-place votes, 13 fourth-place votes and 16 fifth-place votes to tally 193 points. Jackson tallied 144 points in receiving 4 first-place votes, 13 second-place votes, 12 third-place votes, 13 fourth-place votes and 10 fifth-place votes. He is the highest-ever finisher from Austin Peay in the Buchanan Award voting, surpassing Jaison Williams 19th place finish a year ago. Patrick received two first-place votes, one third-place vote, fourth fourth-place votes and two fifth-place votes to finish with 23 points. The OVC had the award winner in each 2017 (JSU's Darius Jackson) and 2018 (SEMO's Hall). A national panel of over 150 sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries voted on the winner following the regular season. Jacksonville State senior defensive back
Marlon Bridges was a nominee for the award during the season but did not make the finalist group.
UTM's Bachus Finishes 21st in Jerry Rice Award Balloting: UT Martin quarterback
John Bachus III finished ninth out of 20 finalists for the Jerry Rice Award. The award is presented by STATS to the National FCS Freshman of the Year. The award, named after the Hall of Fame wide receiver who played at Mississippi Valley State, was first presented in 2011. Bachus tallied three first-place votes, six second-place votes, five third-place votes, eighth fourth-place votes and 12 fifth-place votes to finish with 82 points. North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance was named the runaway winner of the award, picking up 116 first-place votes and 692 points. A national panel of over 150 sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries voted on the award following the regular season. Jacksonville State's Marlon Bridges is the highest-ever finisher in the voting, finishing fifth in 2016. Tennessee Tech wide receiver
Metrius Fleming was a nominee for the award during the season but did not make the finalist group.
Hudspeth Named AFCA Regional Coach of the Year: Austin Peay head football coach
Mark Hudspeth was named the AFCA Region 3 FCS Coach of the Year, Tuesday. Hudspeth becomes the first Austin Peay coach to earn the regional honor from the coaches association. Earning regional honors automatically makes Hudspeth a finalist for AFCA National Coach of the Year honors, which will be awarded January 14, 2020, at the AFCA Awards ceremony during the 2020 AFCA Convention in Nashville.
Austin Peay, Tennessee State and UT Martin Tie for Sgt. York Championship; Austin Peay Retains Trophy Presented by Delta Dental and Farm Bureau Health Plans: This year marked 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). For the second-straight year Austin Peay, Tennessee State and UT Martin each finished 2-1 to tie for the title; due to tiebreaker rules Austin Peay will retain the physical trophy for the third-straight year. 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).
Two OVC Student-Athletes Named CoSIDA Academic All-Americans: Two OVC football student-athletes were named to the CoSIDA Academic All-America ® football teams. The selections were Eastern Kentucky senior kicker
Samuel Hayworth and junior offensive lineman
Graham Ashkettle. The duo are the 34th and 35th all-time OVC football players named Academic All-Americans and increases the OVC's all-time total of student-athletes selected to 291. Three other OVC individuals were named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District ® football teams, Eastern Kentucky junior running back
Alonzo Booth and junior linebacker
Steven Crowder and Eastern Illinois senior linebacker
Joe Caputo.
FCS ADA Academic Winners: Five OVC football student-athletes are among the 53 players nationally named to the 22nd Annual Academic All-Star Team by the Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association (FCS ADA). The OVC selections included Austin Peay redshirt sophomore linebacker
Jack McDonald, Eastern Illinois senior offensive lineman
Joe Caputo, Eastern Kentucky senior kicker
Samuel Hayworth, Jacksonville State redshirt sophomore linebacker
Zack Woodard and Murray State senior tight end
James Sappington.
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 played nine total games against Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) opponents in 2019. OVC teams are now a combined 35-246-1 all-time against FBS foes, including wins over FBS teams in six of the past 10 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.
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.
Hood Named Murray State Head Coach: On December 13
Dean Hood was named the new head coach at Murray State. Hood was formerly the head coach at Eastern Kentucky and most recently served as an assistant coach at Kentucky.
Wells Named Eastern Kentucky Head Coach: On December 9
Walt Wells was named the 15th head coach in Eastern Kentucky history. Wells served as an assistant under legendary EKU Head Coach Roy Kidd from 1997 to 2002 and was an assistant again with the Colonels in 2015. Wells most recently served as a quality control assistant at the University of Kentucky during the 2018 and 2019 seasons.
Hayworth Named National Specialist of the Week by STATS (Nov. 25): Eastern Kentucky senior kicker
Samuel Hayworth was named National Specialist of the Week by STATS on November 25 after his performance in a win over Jacksonville State. Hayworth set the EKU record by 17 points by kicking as the Colonels topped Jacksonville State 29-23, marking its first win over the Gamecocks since 2012. The senior connected from 34, 24, 25, 50 and 28 yards on field goal attempts and was 2-of-2 on PATs in the six-point win. He hit from 50 yards and 28 yards in the fourth quarter which proved to be the difference in the win. He broke the previous school record of 16 kicking points set by Jamie Lovett in 1983. Hayworth also kicked off seven times with three touchbacks.
Cherry Named National Defensive Player of the Week by STATS (Nov. 4): UT Martin linebacker
Cecil Cherry was named the National Defensive Player of the Week by STATS on November 4 after his performance against No. 18 Jacksonville State. Cherry came off the bench to record a season-high 14 tackles, including 2.0 for loss and 0.5 a sack, as well as recording a game-high five quarterback hurries. With his team leading by five points late in the game, he had four tackles, including a sack and tackle-for-loss, and three quarterback hurries on the Skyhawks' final two defensive stands, both of which ended with Jacksonville State turning the ball over on downs.
Craig Named National FCS Performer of the Week by CFPA (Oct. 28): Austin Peay senior quarterback
JaVaughn Craig was named the FCS National Performer of the Week by the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) after his performance against Tennessee Tech. Craig accounted for seven touchdowns (5 passing, 2 rushing) in the 58-21 victory. He completed 16-of-23 passes for 294 yards and a program record tying five passing touchdowns (46, 30, 5, 53, 9) and rushed seven times for a game-high 84 yards and two scores (1 and 27 yards). He was involved in seven of the Govs eight touchdowns in the win as APSU scored 58 points, its most points ever in a Conference road game.
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.
Tennessee Tech Wins OVC Team Sportsmanship Award: Tennessee Tech was named the recipient of the 2019-20 Team Sportsmanship Award for football. Voted on by the student-athletes and coaches of the respective sports, the team awards are bestowed upon the Conference squads deemed to have best exhibited the standards of sportsmanship and ethical behavior as outlined by the OVC and NCAA. Included in the areas for evaluation are the conduct of student-athletes, coaches, staff and administrators and fans. The 2019-20 school year marks the 15th year the team sportsmanship honors have been awarded. This marks the second-straight and third overall award for the Tennessee Tech program (2015, 2018, 2019).
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 87 overall victories in his career, sixth-most in OVC history (five away from tying for fifth-place).
NFL Connections: As of November 15, there are 18 former Ohio Valley Conference players on NFL rosters (12 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 (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.