Bob Belvin has broadcast games across the OVC for over a decade, and served as host of league Media Day events. Each week this season he will share his thoughts and opinions on matchups and happenings around the OVC and FCS.
The Ohio Valley Conference race begins to take shape this weekend and has reached the midpoint of the season. Three conference matchups headline the schedule, while Tennessee State and Charleston Southern step outside the league for important non-conference tests. And Homecoming for Tennessee State is always on another level.
With conference play heating up, every result carries increased significance. UT Martin, Southeast Missouri, and Eastern Illinois all have opportunities to strengthen their positions in the league race, while Gardner-Webb, Lindenwood, and Western Illinois seek critical victories to stay within striking distance. By the end of the weekend, the conference championship picture should become considerably clearer.
Enjoy another exciting weekend of Ohio Valley Conference football!
LIONS AND PANTHERS BATTLE ON THE PRAIRE
Lindenwood at Eastern Illinois
2:00pm CT, ESPN+ | Charleston, Ill.
Eastern Illinois returns home looking to build momentum after knocking off Gardner-Webb on the road last week. Lindenwood hopes to rebound following a conference loss to Southeast Missouri. Lindenwood HC Jed Stugart is not about to push the panic button after last week’s home loss to SEMO noting this week that last week’s game “was exactly as they planned for” but his team simply failed to execute. Speaking to the media this week EIU HC Chris Wilkerson called Lindenwood “a veteran team” and then dropped this incredible analogy to last weeks rain swept and windy win at Gardner Webb. Wilkerson likened last week’s conditions to a 2001 EIU game at O’Brien Field when his EIU teammate Tony Romo did not throw a forward pass, winning 12-10 over SEMO on the natural turf. His QB Cole LaCroix threw only 5 times in last week’s game played in the remnants of Hurricane Isaias. The Panthers have shown a physical defensive approach and will look to protect home turf in a game that could have major implications in the conference standings. Lindenwood's offense must find consistency on the road against an Eastern Illinois squad that appears to be gaining confidence as league play intensifies.
Key storyline: Can Eastern Illinois continue its upward trajectory and run football consistently
Player to Watch: EIU RB Charles Kellom who ran 34 times for 153 yards in a driving rainstorm last week
GWU VISITS UTM
Gardner-Webb at UT Martin
2:00pm CT, ESPN+ | Martin, Tenn.
UT Martin enters the weekend with momentum after a convincing victory over Tennessee State, fueled by a strong passing attack. Gardner-Webb, meanwhile, is seeking answers following a home loss to EIU last Saturday. The Skyhawks lead the FCS with four defensive touchdowns, with HC Jason Simpson noting his teams “our ceiling is high, but our floor is very, very low” after giving up scores often with “bad eyes and bad technique”. Simpson won his 100th game as the Skyhawk coach, noting he had forgotten about that milestone given the difficulty of the early season. GWU star QB Cole Pennington is injured and will not play on Saturday, and perhaps longer. HC Pete Bennett noted his team has responded well to everything put before it this season, including travel and weather impacts, including rain in 5 of its seven games. Expect UT Martin to test Gardner-Webb early with a run game by committee.
Key storyline: Can Gardner-Webb slow UT Martin's explosive offense and stay in the OVC championship hunt?
HOMECOMING AT CAPE
Western Illinois at Southeast Missouri
2:00pm CT, ESPN+ | Cape Girardeau, Mo.
This matchup may be the marquee conference game of the week. Southeast Missouri comes in after a solid road win at Lindenwood and has displayed one of the league's more balanced offenses. Western Illinois has shown progress throughout the season and will be looking for a statement victory away from home. SEMO HC Tom Matukewicz had a candid take on WIU QB Kennedy McGill calling him “an elite competitor” noting that his defense is built for QB’s like him. WIU Joe Davis’s group is coming off a bye week and enters this game with an identical 1-1 conference record, noting the receiving corps around McGill is the “deepest receiving corps in terms of talent” in his time at WIU. If the Leathernecks can establish the run and limit turnovers, they could make things interesting against the Redhawks.
Key storyline: Can Southeast Missouri defend the home turf and put together consecutive OVC wins
FROM BALTIMORE TO NASHVILLE
No. 24 Morgan State at Tennessee State
5:30pm CT, ESPN+ | Nashville, Tenn.
It’s Homecoming on Jefferson Street and for Tennessee State this Saturday. The Tigers step away from conference competition for a challenging matchup against Morgan State. The Tigers are looking to bounce back after falling to UT Martin last week in one of the most bizarre Sgt. York Trophy Games in its history. This game gives Tennessee State an opportunity to regain momentum before diving back into the heart of the OVC schedule. A strong performance from the Tigers' offense will be critical as they seek to right the ship.. TSU Head Coach Reggie Barlow told the media this week that “next to Georgia this is the most difficult team we will face this season.”
Key storyline: Can Tennessee State find Homecoming magic against one of the HBCU’s best teams?
DEATH VALLEY AWAITS
Charleston Southern at Clemson
12pm ET, ACC Network | Clemson, S.C.
Charleston Southern faces perhaps its toughest challenge of the season with a road trip to Clemson. While the Buccaneers enter as a clear underdog, games like this provide valuable experience and a chance to measure themselves against top-tier competition. Charleston Southern's objective will be to stay competitive early, avoid mistakes, and capitalize on any opportunities that come their way. And quoting HC Gabe Giardina “we got our passing game out of the garage” last week.
Key storyline: This game has produced weird storylines in past seasons. Can Stevie “Tackles” Zayachkowsky best his 17 tackles last week vs. S.C. State?