• OVC Football Report – October 3 (PDF)
This Week’s Schedule
Saturday, October 8
Northwestern State
at Eastern Illinois, 2:00 p.m. (ESPN3)
*Tennessee Tech at #21 Southeast Missouri, 2 p.m. (ESPN+)
*#14 UT Martin at Murray State, 2:00 p.m. (ESPN+)
Lindenwood at Central Arkansas, 4:00 p.m. (ESPN+)
Bethune-Cookman
at Tennessee State, 5:00 p.m. (ESPN+)
OVC Highlights/Storylines
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the OVC, which was founded in 1948, making it the eighth-oldest Division I Conference ... The OVC is made up of seven football-playing schools in 2022, including Lindenwood which joined the league this season ... The League schedule is based around five Conference games this season (new member Lindenwood will play only four) ... UT Martin is the first OVC team to win two OVC games (2-0) while Southeast Missouri and Eastern Illinois are both 1-0 ... SEMO is now 4-0 against FCS teams in 2022 ... SEMO running back Geno Hess ran for 276 yards and four touchdowns in a win over Lindenwood; it marks the third-most yards by a FCS player in a game in 2022 and most by an OVC player since SEMO's Marquis Terry set the OVC record with 311 on September 15, 2018 ... Three different OVC running backs have rushed for 200 or more yards in a game in 2022 (Hess, TSU's Devon Starling and UTM's Zak Wallace), the only conference to accomplish that feat ... This week UT Martin is ranked No. 14/18 while Southeast Missouri is No. 21/25 ... Every current OVC team (except newly Division I Lindenwood) has been ranked in the Top 25 polls for at least one week over the past six years (2016-21) ... OVC teams have 13 playoff victories since 2013, including five Quarterfinal and one National Championship game appearance ... Since 2013, six different teams that have represented the OVC have won a playoff games; the only other conferences to accomplish that are the CAA, MVFC and Southern Conference ... SEMO's Geno Hess begins the season on the Walter Payton Watch List while UT Martin's John H. Ford II is on the Buck Buchanan Award Watch List ... In seven of the past 12 years (2010-21), an OVC team has defeated a Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) opponent ... Last academic year (2021-22), 103 football student-athletes were named to the OVC Commissioner's Honor Roll for achieving a 3.25 GPA or better ... This season the OVC and Southland Conference begin a two-year (2022, 2023) non-conference scheduling alliance which filled open schedule dates with a focus toward competitive balance and reasonable travel; OVC teams are 3-1 against Southland Conference teams so far this season ... The OVC and Big South have created an alliance which begins next season (2023), and combines the two conferences' football membership to ensure NCAA championship access and stability for the multisport conferences.
OVC Players of the Week
OFFENSIVE
Geno Hess, RB • 5-8, 222, Sr. • Peoria, Ill. • Southeast Missouri
Hess ran for a career-high 276 yards and four touchdowns as Southeast Missouri topped Lindenwood 49-28 in its OVC-opener. The 276 yards are the third-most by a FCS player this season and the second-highest total by an OVC player in the last 12 seasons (only SEMO's Marquis Terry had more - 311 in 2018). Hess carried the ball 24 times in averaging 11.5 yards/rush and also catch a 14-yard pass. The All-American scored on runs of 15, 14, 84 and 1 yards. In the process he broke SEMO’s career records in total touchdowns (39) and rushing touchdowns (37). His 84-yard run in the fourth quarter was the ninth-longest nationally this season. Hess is averaging 108.4 yards/game, which ranks 10th nationally.
Others Nominated: Cade Brister, Lindenwood; Taylor Shields, Murray State; David Gist, Tennessee Tech; Dresser Winn, UT Martin
DEFENSIVE
Shaun Lewis, DB • 6-0, 180, Grad. • Houston, Texas • UT Martin
Lewis had a career-high 11 tackles and returned an interception 44 yards for a touchdown as UT Martin improved to 2-0 in OVC play with a 45-28 win over Tennessee Tech. His 11 tackles were a game-high and Lewis also added three pass breakups. With the Skyhawks ahead 28-14 coming out of halftime, Lewis picked off Jeremiah Oatsvall and returned it for a touchdown to extend the advantage to 35-14. It marked his third interception of the season, which ranks him in a tie for fourth nationally.
Others Nominated: Bryce Norman, Southeast Missouri; Josh Reliford, Tennessee Tech
SPECIALIST
Kaleb Mosley, K/P • 5-10, 187, Sr. • Montgomery, Ala. • Tennessee State
Mosley was perfect on kick attempts, including connecting on a 51-yarder with 14 seconds left in regulation, in Tennessee State's overtime contest with Lane College. The senior hit from 35 yards in the second quarter before adding the career-long 51-yarder (which is the seventh-longest field goal in the FCS this year). Mosley was also 3-of-3 on PATs and averaged 41.0 yards on two punts.
Others Nominated: Lewis Halton, Murray State; Nicholas Bigelow, Tennessee Tech; Tyler Larco, UT Martin.
CO-NEWCOMER
Paxton DeLaurent, QB • 6-5, 215, So. • Camdenton, Mo. • Southeast Missouri
DeLaurent earned his fourth OVC Newcomer of the Week honor of the season after accounting for 334 yards of total offense as No. 24 Southeast Missouri topped Lindenwood 49-28 in its OVC opener. The transfer from Central Methodist completed 19-of-33 passes for 312 yards and a touchdown and rushed four times for 22 yards. DeLaurent, who has three 300-plus yard passing games this season, ranks sixth nationally in passing yards (1,427) and total offense (320.6 yards/game), ninth passing yards/game (285.4) and 12th in passing touchdowns (11).
CO-NEWCOMER
DJ Nelson, TE • 6-5, 230, R-Fr. • York, Ala. • UT Martin
Nelson made three receptions for 95 yards and went for two touchdowns as UT Martin topped Tennessee Tech 45-28 to improve to 2-0 in the OVC. The redshirt freshman caught a 70-yard strike from Dresser Winn for the team's first score midway through the first quarter and later added a six-yard score to give the Skyhawks a 28-14 lead at halftime. Nelson has a team-high four touchdown catches on just nine receptions this season.
Others Nominated: Kobe Smith, Lindenwood; Cody Goatley, Murray State.
Notes From Around the League
Quick Hitters: SEMO running back Geno Hess rushed for 276 yards and four touchdowns in a win over Lindenwood on October 1; in the past 12 years, it was the second-most rushing yards by an OVC running back (the most was 311 by SEMO's Marquis Terry in 2018) ... Hess now has 37 career rushing and 39 total career touchdowns, both of which are SEMO records ... His 37 career touchdowns are the second-most among active FCS players, while his 2,962 career rushing yards are sixth-most among active FCS players ... Including Hess, three different OVC players have rushed for 200 or more yards in a game this year (UT Martin's
Zak Wallace and TSU's
Devon Starling are the others); the OVC is the ONLY FCS conference to have three different players with 200 or more rushing yards in a game this year ... UTM's
Zak Wallace had a 97-yard touchdown run against Lindenwood (Sept. 26), which is tied for the longest by a Division I (FBS or FCS) player this season ... SEMO linebacker
Bryce Norman tallied 17 tackles against Nicholls, the most by an OVC player since Murray State's Anthony Koclanakis had 18 on November 2, 2021, and the fifth-most by a FCS player this season ... EIU's
Elijawah Tolbert has three interceptions this season, which ranks him fifth nationally (0.8/game); he had two interceptions against Murray State, making him one of three OVC players with multiple interceptions in a game this season ... One of the other players to have multiple interceptions is UT Martin's Shaun Lewis, who picked off his third pass against Tennessee Tech, a pick he returned for a touchdown ... The three interceptions are the fourth-most by a FCS player this season (three players have four interceptions) ... UT Martin has won nine-straight home games, the eighth-longest streak nationally ... Nationally, Eastern Illinois is fourth nationally in net punting (41.18 yards/punt) and eighth in passes intercepted (8), while Southeast Missouri is ninth in total offense (463.8 yards/game) ... UT Martin is first in fewest sacks allowed (0.20/game) and fourth in red zone offense (93.8%), having converted 15-of-16 times in the red zone ... SEMO's
Paxton DeLaurent is sixth nationally in passing yards (1,427) and total offense (320.6 yards/game), ninth passing yards/game (285.4) and 12th in passing touchdowns (11) ... UT Martin's
Colton Dowell has 2,131 career receiving yards, the second-most in school history ... SEMO WR
Johnny King had 14 receptions at No. 17 Southern Illinois on September 10; it is the second-most by a FCS player this season (15 is the top mark) and he ranks eighth nationally in receptions/game (7.6) ... Tennessee State kicker
Kaleb Mosley kicked a career-long 51-yard field goal against Lane College on October 1, while SEMO kicker
DC Pippin nailed a 50-yard field goal at Southern Illinois on Sept. 10; those are two of the 11 field goals of 50 or more yards in the FCS this season ... The OVC is the ONLY FCS conference to have two different players made a 50-yard or longer field goal so far this season.
Top 25 Polls: After its 2-0 OVC start, UT Martin jumped from 17 to 14 in the latest AFCA FCS Coaches Poll, and slipped from No. 15 to 18 in the Stats Perform Poll. The Skyhawks finished last season ranked No. 12 in the Coaches Poll, its highest end-of-season finish in school history, and was ranked as high as No. 8 (matching its highest ranking). Southeast Missouri finally debuted in the Coaches Poll this week, coming in at No. 25, and they moved from No. 24 to No. 21 in the Stats Perform Poll after improving to 4-1 on the year (4-0 against FCS teams. Every current OVC team (except newly Division I Lindenwood) has been ranked in the Top 25 polls for at least one week over the past six years (2016-21).
Home Winning Streaks: UT Martin has won nine-straight home games dating back to April 2021. Here is a look at the longest active home winning streaks in the FCS.
15 - Montana State
13 - North Dakota State, Florida A&M
12 - Sacred Heart, Kennesaw State
11 - Stephen F. Austin
10 - Davidson
9 - UT Martin
2022 Schedule: The 2022 OVC football schedule features the seven league members playing five Conference games apiece (the exception being new member Lindenwood who will play four). There is not a full round robin this year as most teams' non-conference schedules were full (including a previously announced non-conference scheduling partnership with the Southland Conference) when Lindenwood joined the league in February 2022. Eastern Illinois and Lindenwood will play on October 15 but will not count in the OVC standings.
NCAA Division I Playoff Information: 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 14th time in 2022, 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 7.
Recent Playoff Success: Beginning with the 2001 season the OVC went until 2013 without a FCS Playoff victory. But over the past nine seasons OVC teams have performed well in the playoffs, winning 13 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 nine years six different teams that have represented the OVC have won a playoff game (Austin Peay, Eastern Illinois, Jacksonville State, Southeast Missouri, Tennessee State and UT Martin).
Six Different OVC Teams With Playoff Wins Since 2013: The OVC is one of just four FCS Conferences to have six different teams win a playoff game over the past nine years (2013-2021). Over that time Austin Peay, Eastern Illinois, Jacksonville State, Southeast Missouri, Tennessee State and UT Martin have all won at least one game while representing the OVC. The other conferences to have six different teams win over that period are the CAA, Missouri Valley and Southern Conferences.
Walter Payton Award Watch List: Southeast Missouri senior running back
Geno Hess was one of 35 players nationally named to the Walter Payton Award Watch List by Stats Perform. The award is presented after the season to the national offensive player of the year in college football’s Division I subdivision. More players can join the watch list during the regular season, and afterwards a national media panel will select the winner. First awarded in 1987, the Payton has been won by an OVC player twice, Tony Romo in 2002 and Jimmy Garoppolo in 2013.
Buck Buchanan Award Watch List: UT Martin graduate linebacker
John H. Ford II is one of 35 players nationally named to the Buck Buchanan Award Watch List by Stats Perform. The award is presented to the national defensive player of the year in college football’s Division I subdivision. More players can join the watch list during the regular season, and afterwards a national media panel will select the winner. First awarded in 1995, the Buchanan Award has twice been won by an OVC player, Jacksonville State's Darius Jackson (2017) and SEMO's Zach Hall (2018).
Deacon Jones Trophy Watch List: Three Tennessee State football players have been named to the Watch List for the Black College Football Player of the Year Award. The award, known as the Deacon Jones Trophy, is presented annually to the most outstanding college football player from a Historically Black College & University (HBCU). The players were quarterback
Draylen Ellis, running back
Devon Starling and linebacker
James Green. Four finalists will be unveiled after the season. The winner of the Black College Football Player of the Year Award, which will be announced during halftime of the 2023 HBCU Legacy Bowl on Saturday, February 25, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. TSU's Chris Rowland won the award in 2019.
Hess on CFPA National Performer of the Year Watch List: Southeast Missouri running back
Geno Hess is one of 38 players on the initial Watch List for the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) National Performer of the Year Award.
Individual Awards Winners: Since 2013, the OVC has produced one Walter Payton Award Winner, two Buck Buchanan Award Winners, an Eddie Robinson Award Winner and a Deacon Jones Trophy winner. In addition, the league has had two Doris Robinson Award Winners, as the National Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
Three OVC Players Named to FCS Punter of the Year Watch List: Three OVC players have been named to the 2022 FCS Punter of the Year Award Watch List by the Augusta Sports Council. The OVC picks, who were among the 22 nationally on the list, were Southeast Missouri's
Zach Haynes, Tennessee State's
Kaleb Mosely and Murray State's
Lewis Halton. 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 regular season play commences.
Simpson Ranks Fourth in OVC Career Victories: UT Martin head coach
Jason Simpson currently ranks fourth in OVC history for career victories. Simpson recorded his 100th victory in the Skyhawks FCS Playoff win over Missouri State in 2021. Including Simpson, only 24 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)
103 - Jason Simpson, UT Martin (2006-present)
99 - Jimmy Feix, Western Kentucky (1968-81)
OVC Teams Against FBS Opponents: In seven of the past 12 seasons (2010-21), an OVC team has knocked off a Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) opponent (2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2020). OVC teams are 36-265-1 all-time against FBS opponents.
OVC and Big South Association: In February 2022 the Big South Conference and Ohio Valley Conference announced the creation of an association of their football member institutions, to begin with the 2023 NCAA Division I football season and have an initial term of at least four years. The unique agreement combines the two conferences’ football membership to ensure NCAA championship access and stability for the multisport conferences. In creating the association, presidents from each of the multisport conferences pointed to the similarities of the OVC and the Big South, with their complementary geographies and intercollegiate athletic philosophies, as key to making this association possible.
OVC and Southland Conference Partner For Non-Conference Scheduling Alliance: In October 2021, the OVC and Southland Conference announced a football scheduling alliance for the 2022 and 2023 seasons. The collaboration will see institutions from each conference fill available non-conference dates on schedules in 2022 and 2023 with a focus toward competitive balance and reasonable travel. The alliance provides quality Division I FCS non-conference matchups, allows increased visibility, exposure and branding for each Conference. There are eight matchups on the schedule (with a ninth involving Lindenwood who joined the OVC after the schedule was set). OVC teams are 3-1 so far against Southland schools in 2022.
Hill and Carlisle Named Semifinalists for William V. Campbell Trophy: Two OVC football players were named semifinalists for the 2022 William V. Campbell Trophy® by National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF). The award is college football's premier scholar-athlete award. The selections were Eastern Illinois wide receiver
Isaiah Hill and Tennessee Tech linebacker
Seth Carlisle. The duo were among 156 semifinalists nationally, 37 of which came from the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). Celebrating its 33rd year, the Campbell Trophy® recognizes an individual as the absolute best football scholar-athlete in the nation for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership.
Martin Named National Special Teams Player of the Week (Sept. 12): Lindenwood's
Andrew Martin was named the FedEx Ground FCS National Special Teams Player of the Week by Stats Perform for his performance in the Lions' 21-20 win over Houston Baptist on September 10. Martin recovered a blocked punt in the HBU end zone with 28 seconds remaining to give Lindenwood a road victory in its first game as an FCS program. The Lions trailed 20-15 when Jalen Bethany blocked the punt. Martin entered the game without a career TD, but he had two, first scoring on a four-yard run in the third quarter to pull LU to within 20-12. He finished with 49 rushing yards and also had a special teams tackle.
Sgt. York Trophy Presented by Delta Dental: The Sgt. York Trophy (founded in 2007 by the Nashville Sports Council and sponsored by Delta Dental) goes to the winner of the season football series between the four OVC football-playing schools located in the state of Tennessee (originally it included four schools, but beginning in 2022 includes three schools: Tennessee State, Tennessee Tech and UT Martin). 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. Last season UT Martin went 3-0 to claim the title.
Academic Success: During the past academic year (2021-22) there were 103 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.
A Look at the Coaches: Five coaches from last season return to their respective teams in 2022. Among the newcomers is first-year Eastern Illinois head coach
Chris Wilkerson, who played for the Panthers and was later an assistant coach. Also new to the league is
Jed Stugart, who begins his sixth year (fifth season) at Lindenwood, who joined the OVC on July 1. In addition to Wilkerson, Tennessee Tech’s
Dewayne Alexander is also coaching at his alma mater. The longest tenured coach in the league is UT Martin’s
Jason Simpson who enters his 17th season with the Skyhawks in 2022; Simpson is the fourth-winningest coach in OVC history.
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.
UT Martin Tabbed Preseason OVC Favorite: Coming off an OVC Championship and its first FCS Playoff victory, UT Martin has been picked as the preseason football favorites in the Ohio Valley Conference for the 2022 season. The Skyhawks picked up 10 of a possible 14 first-place votes in a poll of league head coaches and communications directors. It marked the first time the Skyhawks have been picked the preseason favorites since joining the league prior to the 1992 season. UT Martin totaled 70 points to finish ahead of Southeast Missouri (59). Murray State (51) was tabbed third, just ahead of Tennessee State (46), who also picked up a first-place vote. The poll was rounded out by Tennessee Tech (29), Eastern Illinois (20) and Lindenwood (19).
Hess and Ford Headline Preseason All-OVC Team: Southeast Missouri senior running back
Geno Hess and UT Martin graduate student linebacker
John H. Ford II were named the 2022 OVC Preseason Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year in a vote of by the league’s head football coaches and communications directors. Tennessee State and UT Martin led the way with eight selections apiece, while Eastern Illinois and Murray State had seven players apiece, Southeast Missouri had six selections, Tennessee Tech added three and newcomer Lindenwood had two players on the team. Returning players who were first- or second-team All-OVC selections last year were automatic selections to the preseason team this year.
NFL Connections: As of September 26, there were 13 former OVC players on NFL rosters (8 active, 4 practice squad and 1 IR). Overall the OVC has produced at least one NFL Draft Pick in 14 of the past 19 years (2003-21). In January 2020, Eastern Illinois alum Jimmy Garoppolo became just the eighth former FCS quarterback to start a Super Bowl, doing so with the San Francisco 49ers. For Super Bowl LV in February 2021, there were four participants with OVC connections including a player (Josh Pearson), a coach (Rick Christophel), an official (Jabir Walker) and a broadcaster (Tony Romo).
Romo Becomes Sixth College Football Hall of Famer With OVC Connections: In December 2021 former Eastern Illinois quarterback
Tony Romo was inducted into the 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.
Let’s Get It Started: The 75th season of Ohio Valley Conference football got underway on Thursday, September 1. The OVC is made up of seven football-playing schools in 2022. Since its beginning, 15 of the 19 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 week during the 2022 football season, "FCS All-In" will debut a new episode on ESPN+ each Friday night at 6pm CT. The program is a collaborative effort of the NCAA's 15 Division I FCS Conferences..
ESPN+: This season every Conference football game (and select non-conference contests) will be broadcast on ESPN+. This marks the fifth 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 $9.99 a month (or $99.99 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.