• OVC Football Report – November 15 (PDF)
This Week’s Schedule
Saturday, November 20
Tennessee State at Mississippi State, 11:00 a.m. (ESPN+)
*Murray State at Eastern Illinois, 12:00 p.m. (ESPN+)
*#8 UT Martin at Southeast Missouri, 1:00 p.m. (ESPN+)
*Tennessee Tech at Austin Peay, 2:00 p.m. (ESPN3)
This Week’s OVC Highlights/Storylines
With its school record ninth-straight win, UT Martin clinched the 2021 OVC Championship, its first since the 2006 season...The Skyhawks also earned the league's automatic bid to the 24-team FCS Playoffs; the field will be announced on Sunday (11:30am CT, ESPNU)...The team's only other playoff appearance came in 2006...The team's nine-game win streak is tied for the second-longest nationally...UTM is one of five FCS teams who are undefeated against FCS competition this year (Jackson State, Kennesaw State, Montana State, Sam Houston State are the others)...UT Martin is ranked No. 8/13 in the major polls this week, its highest ranking since the 2006 season...Every current OVC team has been ranked at least one week in the Top 25 over the past five years (2016-20)...UTM head coach Jason Simpson currently sits at 99 career victories...SEMO's Geno Hess is fifth nationally with 14 rushing touchdowns; he ranked first in that category last year (12)...Murray State quarterback DJ Williams was named Stats Perform National Freshman of the Week after 296 yards of total offense and two touchdowns against SEMO...APSU's Johnathon Edwards is second nationally in interceptions (7); Edwards has also recovered two fumbles this year; his nine turnovers gained are tied for the most by any FCS player this season...As of November 14, there are 16 former OVC players on NFL rosters (9 active, 5 practice squad, 2 injured reserve)...Three OVC players have been named to each the Walter Payton Award Watch List (Draylen Ellis, Geno Hess, Keon Howard) and two apiece are on the Buck Buchanan Award Watch List (Marcis Floyd, Kordell Jackson) and the Jerry Rice Award Watch List (Drae McCray, Bryce Norman); the awards are presented by Stats Perform to the National Offensive and Defensive of the Year at the FCS level...OVC teams have 12 playoff wins since 2013, including five Quarterfinal appearances and one National Championship game appearance...In 7 of the past 11 years, an OVC team has defeated a Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) opponent...Last academic year (2020-21), 187 football student-athletes were named to the OVC Commissioner's Honor Roll for achieving a 3.25 GPA or better...The OVC and Southland Conference announced plans for a football scheduling alliance for the 2022 and 2023 seasons; the planned collaboration will see institutions from each conference fill available non-conference dates on schedules in the next two years with a focus toward competitive balance and reasonable travel...More specific details on the alliance, including game matchups in 2022 and 2023, will be announced at a later date...This year the League consists of seven football-playing schools who will play a six-game Conference schedule; additionally, some OVC schools will play other OVC opponents in designated matchups that will not count in the Conference standings (four games total, all of which have now been completed).
OVC Players of the Week
CO-OFFENSIVE
Draylen Ellis, QB • 6-0, 175, So. • Olive Branch, Miss. • Austin Peay
Ellis completed 18-of-31 passes for 293 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another score as Austin Peay topped Tennessee State 36-7 in Nashville. He had a 51-yard touchdown in the second quarter and added a 50-yarder in the fourth frame while rushing for a seven-yarder in the third quarter. He closed strong, completing 8 of his final 11 passes, including both touchdown throws and five throws of 35-plus yards. Ellis averaged 16.27 yards per completion and didn’t throw an interception for a second-straight game. Ellis ranks 22nd nationally in passing yards/game (253.3), 28th in completions (19.56/game) and 29th in total offense (256.0 yards/game).
CO-OFFENSIVE
DJ Williams, QB • 6-2, 202, R-Fr. • Harvey, Ill. • Murray State
Williams accounted for 296 yards of total offense and two touchdowns as Murray State won its second-straight game in topping Southeast Missouri 28-10. The freshman completed 10-of-17 passes for 175 yards and carried the ball 11 times for a game-high 121 yards and two touchdowns. Williams scored on a 58-yarder in the first quarter and added a one-yard score early in the second frame. He had a 73-yard completion, which marked the ninth-longest pass in school history. Williams led scoring drives of 65, 83, 61 and 71 yards on the day.
Others Nominated: Peyton Logan, UT Martin.
DEFENSIVE
Trai Hodges, DB • 5-10, 170, Sr. • Rome, Ga. • Southeast Missouri
Hodges tallied six solo tackles, two interceptions and forced a fumble in Southeast Missouri's game at Murray State. Both of the senior's interceptions game in the end zone when the Racers had goal-to-go situations, one coming in the second quarter and the other coming in the fourth. His forced fumbles came on possession following his second interception, keeping SEMO within striking distance. Hodges' two interception game was the sixth by an OVC player this season. He currently ranks 15th nationally in interceptions (0.4/game) and 44th in passes defended (1.0/game).
Others Nominated: Troy Henderson Jr., Austin Peay; Oshae Baker, UT Martin.
SPECIALIST
Maddux Trujillo, K • 6-1, 160, Fr. • Flowery Branch, Ga. • Austin Peay
Trujillo connected on 3-of-4 field goals and 2-of-3 PATs to tally 11 points as Austin Peay topped Tennessee State 36-7. The freshman connected from 42, 44 and 39 yards in the game. With his first made field goal, he became the fastest Govs kicker to reach 10 made field goals in a career (13 attempts). Trujillo entered the game 2-of-3 on 40-plus yard field goals and equaled that in the win. He ranks 24th nationally in field goals/game (1.2) and 31st nationally in field goal percentage (75.0%).
Others Nominated: none
CO-NEWCOMER
Drae McCray, WR • 5-8, 176, Fr. • Tallahassee, Fla. • Austin Peay
McCray had 120 all-purpose yards and blocked a punt that he returned for a touchdown in Austin Peay's 36-7 win at Tennessee State. Midway through the first quarter he blocked a punt and returned it 20 yards for the first touchdown of the game. McCray also caught four passes for 70 yards (including a 45-yard reception) and returned a kickoff 11 yards.
CO-NEWCOMER
Keon Howard, QB • 6-1, 215, Grad. • Laurel, Miss. • UT Martin
Howard completed 14-of-19 passes for 141 yards and two touchdowns and carried the ball five times for 27 yards as UT Martin topped Tennessee Tech 42-3 to clinch the 2021 OVC Championship. Howard tossed touchdown passes of 62 and 4 yards late in the second quarter as UTM grabbed a 35-3 halftime advantage. Two of his five rushes gained first downs for the Skyhawks. This marks the fifth time this season the transfer from Tulane has been named OVC Newcomer of the Week. Howard ranks 17th nationally in rushing touchdowns (10), 21st in points responsible for/game (15.0) and 37th in total offense (228.3 yards/game).
Others Nominated: DJ Williams, Murray State.
Notes From Around the League
UT Martin Wins 2021 OVC Championship: With a win over Tennessee Tech, UT Martin improved to 5-0 in OVC play this season and locked up the 2021 OVC Championship. It marks the second overall title for the Skyhawks, joining one they won in 2006 (which was the first year under head coach Jason Simpson). This will also mark the Skyhawks second FCS Playoff appearance.
NCAA Division I Playoff Information: The field for the 2021 NCAA Division I Football Championship will be announced on Sunday, November 21 at 11:30 a.m. CT on ESPNU. 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 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 13th time in 2021, the championship game will be played in Frisco, Texas at Toyota Stadium, a 20,500-seat multi-purpose stadium. The Southland Conference will serve as the host of the championship, which will be held on Saturday, January 8.
Recent Playoff Success: Beginning with the 2001 season the OVC went until 2013 without a FCS Playoff victory. But over the past eight seasons OVC teams have performed well in the playoffs, winning 12 total games and advancing to the FCS Quarterfinals three times in the past six seasons. In 2013 the OVC placed three teams in the field for the first-time ever (each won a game) and in 2015 the league had a team advance to the National Championship game (the first for the league since 1982). Over the past eight years five different OVC teams have won a playoff game.
All-OVC Teams to Be Announced on November 23: The 2021 All-OVC football teams as well as the Offensive, Defensive Player, Freshman and Coach of the Year awards will be announced on Tuesday, November 23.
Top 25 Polls: In the latest Top 25 polls, UT Martin moved up to No. 8 in the FCS Coaches Poll and remained No. 13 in the Stats Perform Poll. This marks the highest ranking in UTM history; they were also ranked No. 8 on Nov. 6, 2006 (the last year the team won the OVC Championship. No other OVC schools are currently receiving votes. Every current OVC team has been ranked at least one week in the Top 25 over the past five years.
Winning Streaks: Entering this week, UT Martin is tied for the second-longest winning streak in the FCS with nine-straight victories.
20 - Sam Houston
9 - UT Martin, Montana State
8 - Kennesaw State
Undefeated Against FCS Competition: Entering this week UT Martin is one of five teams who are undefeated against fellow FCS opponents this season. At 9-0, they join Jackson State (8-0), Kennesaw State (8-0), Montana State (9-0) and Sam Houston State (9-0).
Williams Named National Freshman of the Week (Nov. 15): Murray State quarterback
DJ Williams was named National Freshman of the Week by Stats Perform on November 15 after his performance in a win over Southeast Missouri. Williams accounted for 296 yards of total offense and two touchdowns against SEMO. He completed 10-of-17 passes for 175 yards and carried the ball 11 times for a game-high 121 yards and two touchdowns. Williams scored on a 58-yarder in the first quarter and added a one-yard score early in the second frame. He had a 73-yard completion, which marked the ninth-longest pass in school history. Williams led scoring drives of 65, 83, 61 and 71 yards on the day.
Edwards FCS in Turnovers Gained and Interceptions: Austin Peay defensive back
Johnathon Edwards has seven interceptions and nine total turnovers gained (including two fumbles recovered). He is second nationally in interceptions (behind Montana's Justin Ford) and tied with Ford for the turnovers gained category.
Simpson Moves Into Fourth Place in OVC Career Victories: With a 42-3 win at Tennessee Tech on November 13, UT Martin head coach
Jason Simpson recorded his 99th career victory, tying him for 4th place in OVC history. He now has 99 wins. Only 21 active FCS coaches have 100 or more career wins.
315 - Roy Kidd, Eastern Kentucky (1964-2002)
154 - Boots Donnelly, Austin Peay & Middle Tennessee (1977-78, 79-98)
117 - Charles Murphy, Middle Tennessee (1952-68)
99 - Jason Simpson, UT Martin (2006-present)
99 - Jimmy Feix, Western Kentucky (1968-81)
Zita Moves Into Third Place in Career Field Goals: Tennessee State redshirt junior kicker
Antonio Zita made his 50th career field goal on September 18 against Kentucky State, moving him into sole possession of fourth place in OVC history. Zita now has 54 field goals (third in OVC history) and is five away from the OVC record (held by TSU's Jamin Godfrey). His 54 made field goals is second among active FCS players.
OVC Players on NFL Rosters: As of November 14, there are 16 former Ohio Valley Conference players on NFL rosters (9 active, 5 practice squad, 2 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, who he led to the Super Bowl in 2019. Six of the seven current OVC football schools have at least one player in the NFL.
UT Martin Wins Sgt. York Trophy Presented by Delta Dental: UT Martin went 3-0 this season to claim the Sgt. York Trophy presented by Delta Dental of Tennessee. UT Martin had taken home the Sgt. York Trophy in 2010, 2014, 2015, 2016 and now 2021 and shared the title in 2012, 2018, 2019 and 2020. UTM is 32-13 all-time in Sgt. York games (the best record among the four teams). The trophy (founded in 2007 by the Nashville Sports Council) 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 the only traveling trophy that involves four teams in college sports; there are three others that involve three teams, including 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.
Howard Joins Ellis and Hess on Walter Payton Award Watch List: UT Martin quarterback
Keon Howard was one of 11 players added to the Walter Payton Award Watch List by Stats Perform. He joins Austin Peay sophomore quarterback
Draylen Ellis and Southeast Missouri senior running back
Geno Hess who were on the preseason list of 35. Named for the legendary Chicago Bears running back, the award enters its 35th season and is presented to the national offensive player of the year in college football’s Division I subdivision. The Payton, first awarded in 1987, has been won by OVC players twice (both Eastern Illinois quarterbacks), Tony Romo in 2002 and Jimmy Garoppolo in 2013.
Jackson and Floyd Named to Buck Buchanan Award Watch List: A pair of OVC players are among the 35 players nationally named to the Buck Buchanan Award Watch List by Stats Perform. The picks were Murray State cornerback
Marcis Floyd and Austin Peay nickelback
Kordell Jackson. The award, now in its 27th season, is presented to the national defensive player of the year in college football’s Division I subdivision and is named for the legendary defensive lineman. The OVC has had two winners of the award, Jacksonville State's Darius Jackson (2017) and Southeast Missouri's Zach Hall (2018).
McCray and Norman Named to Jerry Rice Award Watch List: A pair of OVC football players are among 22 players nationally named to the Jerry Rice Award Watch List by Stats Perform. The award, now in its 11th season and named after the legendary receiver, is presented to the national freshman of the year in college football’s Division I subdivision. The OVC selections were Austin Peay wide receiver
Drae McCray and Southeast Missouri linebacker
Bryce Norman. To be eligible for the Rice Award, a freshman can’t have surpassed four games played in one previous academic year – similar to the NCAA’s regular redshirt rule. More players can join the watch list before a 50-member, national media panel selects the winner following the regular season.
Howard Named to CFPA FCS Performer of the Year Watch List: UT Martin quarterback
Keon Howard is one of 34 players nationally named to the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) FCS National Performer of the Year Trophy Midseason Watch List. The 2021 CFPA FCS National Performer of the Year winner will be announced January 12, 2022.
Two OVC Players Named to FCS Punter of the Year Watch List: Two OVC players have been named to the 2021 FCS Punter of the Year Award Watch List by the Augusta Sports Council. The OVC picks, who were among the 20 nationally on the list, were Southeast Missouri's
Zach Haynes and Tennessee State's
Kaleb Mosely. The 2021 watch list was compiled based on the 2020 FCS Punter of the Year watchlist, the 2020 All-Conference teams, the 2020 All-American Teams and the 2021 pre-season All-Conference Teams. The FCS Punter of the Year Award winner will be voted on by the FCS Punter of the Year Award/Ray Guy Award Committee and will be announced after the regular season.
Two OVC Players Named Semifinalists for Campbell Trophy: Two OVC football student-athletes have been named semifinalists for the 2021 William V. Campbell Trophy®, college football’s premier scholar-athlete award. The selections were Austin Peay linebacker
Jack McDonald and Tennessee Tech tight end
Tavin Kilpatrick. The duo were among just 36 selections at the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) level. Overall there were 176 selections across all levels of college football. The NFF will announce 12-14 finalists on Oct. 27, and each of them will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2021 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments. 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 playing 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.
OVC and Southland Announce Scheduling Alliance: On October 11, the OVC and Southland Conference announced plans for a football scheduling alliance between the two NCAA Division I FCS leagues in the 2022 and 2023 seasons. The planned collaboration will see institutions from each conference fill available non-conference dates on schedules in the next two years with a focus toward competitive balance and reasonable travel. In addition to providing quality Division I FCS non-conference matchups, the alliance will allow increased visibility, exposure and branding for each Conference. Both the OVC and Southland have longstanding ESPN broadcast agreements. More specific details, including game matchups in 2022 and 2023, will be announced later.
Academic Success: During the past academic year (2020-21) there were 187 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, 17 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 Austin Peay for 2020-21.
UTM Named Team of the Week: UT Martin was named the Stats Perform and Athlon Sports Team of the Week on November 8 after its 41-20 win over Tennessee State. It marks UTM's eighth-straight victory and came against the top-ranked defense in the OVC.
Anoma Named National Defensive Player of the Week by Stats Perform (Nov. 1): UT Martin DL/LB
Eyabi Anoma was named National Defensive Player of the Week by Stats Perform on November 1. The transfer from Alabama wrecked havoc against Austin Peay in the Skyhawks 17-16 come-from-behind victory. He had eight tackles (5 solo) including 4.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. The 4.5 tackles for loss were the most by a Skyhawk since 2013 (5.0 by Tony Bell) and most by an OVC player since 2018 (5.5 by EIU's Dytarious Johnson). His biggest play of the day came when he blocked a 49-yard potential game-winning field goal in the final seconds to clinch the team's seventh-straight victory.
Doak Named National Specialist of the Week (Sept. 27): Southeast Missouri kicker
Kenny Doak was named National Specialist of the Week by Stats Perform on September 27 after tallying a career-high 17 points in the Redhawks win over Tennessee State. The graduate student was 4-of-4 on field goals, connecting from 33, 40, 39 and 45 yards, and 5-of-5 on PAT's. The four made field goals was tied for the most by a FCS player in a game this season. Doak also kicked off four times for an average of 54 yards per kickoff with one touchback.
A Look at the Coaches: Entering 2021, six of seven head coaches returned to lead their teams from a season ago. The lone new coach is former Heisman Trophy winner and Tennessee Titans standout
Eddie George, who was named Tennessee State's head coach in April. The former Heisman Trophy winner and member of the College Football Hall of Fame was a four-time Pro Bowl selection and a member of the Tennessee Titans/Houston Oilers Ring of Honor. The longest tenured coach in the league is UT Martin’s
Jason Simpson who is in his 16th season with the Skyhawks in 2021.
EIU's Cushing on Football Oversight Committee: Eastern Illinois head football coach
Adam Cushing is the lone football coach on the NCAA Division I Football Oversight Committee and is serving a four-year term until June 30, 2024. The Football Oversight Committee ensures that appropriate oversight of football for both the Football Bowl Subdivision and Football Championship Subdivision is maintained, enhances the development of the sport and make recommendations related to regular-season and postseason football. The committee prioritizes enhancement of the student-athlete educational experience (academically and athletically), and in doing so, promotes student-athletes' personal growth and leadership development. It works in conjunction with appropriate governance entities to provide solutions to issues impacting the health and safety of football student-athletes. The committee supervises procedures for licensing of postseason bowls and qualifications and/or selection procedures for the FCS Championship. The committee reviews recommendations from the NCAA Division I Football Championship Committee and process other issues related to the administration of the FCS Championship. The committee provides direction to the NCAA Football Rules Committee regarding playing rules governing FBS and FCS football. The committee is comprised of representatives from each divisional subgroup that sponsors football.
Alexander on NCAA Committee on Ethical Conduct and Sportsmanship: Beginning this season Tennessee Tech head coach
Dewayne Alexander is on the NCAA’s Committee on Ethical Conduct and Sportsmanship. The committee's mission is to improve the condition of sportsmanship and ethical conduct in all aspects of college athletics by developing and implementing strategies that foster greater acceptance of the value of respect, fairness, civility, honesty and responsibility. Since the establishment of the committee, the group has focused on two areas: (1) provide best practices and creative tools (e.g., the RESPECT campaign) for campus and conference implementation and (2) increase the awareness and profile of the NCAA Sportsmanship Awards.
Carlisle and Horton Named to Division I Football Oversight Committee Student-Athlete Connection Group: Tennessee Tech junior linebacker
Seth Carlisle and Tennessee State junior defensive tackle
Raymond Horton have been selected to participate in the Division I Football Oversight Committee Student-Athlete Connection Group (SACG). The connection group consists of 52 current players and its goal is to gather broad-based feedback from Division I football student-athletes on issues the Football Oversight Committee is reviewing. Among the priorities for the 2020-21 academic year are COVID-19 health and safety measures, transfer policies, name, image and likeness topics and social justice issues. Each Division I football conference has chosen two student-athlete representatives who will serve either one or two-year terms. The committee will meet quarterly to discuss issues and provide feedback to the Football Oversight Committee.
Week Zero: Eastern Illinois began this season with a Week Zero contest at Indiana State. It marked the fourth time an OVC team played during the week (2017, 2018, 2020, 2021). OVC teams are 1-3 all-time in games during Week Zero.
OVC Teams Against FBS Opponents: In seven of the past 11 seasons an OVC team has knocked off a Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) opponent (2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2020). OVC teams are 36-258-1 all-time against FBS opponents with eight total games (one remaining) on the 2021 schedule.
2021 Schedule: The 2021 OVC football schedule features a round robin format with the seven teams playing a six-game schedule. Additionally, some OVC schools will play other OVC opponents in designated matchups that will not count in the Conference standings (four games total).
Murray State Tabbed Preseason OVC Favorite: Murray State has been picked the preseason football favorites in the OVC for the 2021 season. The Racers picked up seven of a possible 14 first-place votes in a poll of league head coaches and communications directors. It marks only the third time the Racers have been tabbed the preseason favorites and first time since 1996, when Houston Nutt was the head coach and the program was coming off an OVC Championship and NCAA Playoff appearance. The only other year the team was tabbed the favorite (dating back to the first preseason poll in 1978), was in 1980 when Mike Gottfried was head coach, and the team was once again coming off an OVC title and playoff appearance. Murray State totaled 64 points to finish just ahead of Austin Peay and Southeast Missouri, who tied for second-place with 60 points. The Governors and Redhawks were 2019 OVC Co-Champions and both appeared in the FCS Playoffs that season. UT Martin was tabbed fourth (38) and followed by Tennessee State (32), Tennessee Tech (28) and Eastern Illinois (12).
APSU's Ellis and Jackson Headline Preseason All-OVC Team: Austin Peay sophomore quarterback
Draylen Ellis and Austin Peay graduate student nickelback
Kordell Jackson were named the 2021 OVC Preseason Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year in a vote of by the league’s head football coaches and communications directors. Murray State led the way with 10 preseason selections, followed by Tennessee State with eight and Southeast Missouri with seven. Austin Peay and UT Martin had six selections apiece while Eastern Illinois and Tennessee Tech each had two. Returning players who were first-team All-OVC selections last year (25 in total) were automatic selections to the preseason team this year.
Romo Becomes Sixth College Football Hall of Famer With OVC Connections: In January 2021 it was announced that former Eastern Illinois quarterback
Tony Romo had been selected to the 2021 College Football Hall of Fame Class. Romo is the third player that played in the OVC to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame joining Jim Youngblood from Tennessee Tech and George Floyd Jr., from Eastern Kentucky. Three former head coaches from the OVC have also been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame with Roy Kidd (Eastern Kentucky), James “Boots” Donnelly (Middle Tennessee/Austin Peay) and Frank Beamer (Murray State). At EIU Romo was the winner of the 2002 Walter Payton Award as the top player in the FCS. After going undrafted in 2003, he would put together a standout NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys from 2003-16. The four-time Pro Bowl selection holds Cowboy records for career passing yards and passing touchdowns. Since retiring with the Cowboys, Romo has served as the lead color analyst for CBS’ NFL telecasts, working alongside Jim Nantz.
Four With OVC Connections in the Super Bowl: At the end of the NFL regular season, there were 11 former OVC players on active rosters and five others on active rosters. For Super Bowl LV, there were four individuals with connections to the OVC taking part in the game. Former Jacksonville State All-American wide receiver
Josh Pearson was a member of the Tampa Bay practice squad while former Austin Peay head coach and quarterback
Rick Christophel was the tight ends coach for the Buccaneers. Former Murray State player and OVC official
Jabir Walker was an alternate on this year's officiating crew and former Eastern Illinois and Dallas Cowboys quarterback
Tony Romo broadcasted his second Super Bowl for CBS alongside Jim Nantz.
Let’s Get It Started: The 74th season of Ohio Valley Conference football got underway on Saturday, August 28 when Eastern Illinois played at Indiana State in a Week Zero game. The OVC is made up of seven football-playing schools in 2021. 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 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 playoff at the end of the season to determine the national champion.
FCS All-In: Each Saturday during the 2021 football season, "FCS All-In" will debut a new episode at 9am CT and be available on-demand on YouTube. The program is a collaborative effort of the NCAA's 15 Division I FCS Conferences, bringing weekly segments from each league. For more information visit
www.youtube.com/c/FCSAllin.
ESPN+: The season every Conference football game (and select non-conference contests) will be broadcast on ESPN+. This marks the fourth year of the OVC’s deal with ESPN+, the multi-sport, direct-to-consumer video service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer & International segment. Fans can subscribe to ESPN+ for $6.99 a month (or $69.99 per year) or as part of a bundle with Disney+ and ad-supported Hulu ($13.99/month). 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.