OVC Football Player of the Week Awards presented by TicketSmarter

OFFENSIVE
Khyair Spain, RB • 5-6, 207, Jr. • Lilburn, Ga. • Southeast Missouri
Spain rushed for a career-high 160 yards (137 in the second half) on 22 carries (7.3 ypc), scored two touchdowns and added a four-yard reception as Southeast Missouri remained tied for first place with a 33-14 win at Tennessee State. It marked his second 100-plus yard rushing effort of the season. Spain was a key part of the Redhawks rushing for a season-best 362 yards, which was 315 yards more than the Tigers. The junior scored on a one-yard run in the third quarter that put the Redhawks ahead for good and later added an 11-yard score in the fourth. Spain ranks second in the OVC in rushing yards (756) and rushing touchdowns (7).
 
Others Nominated: Quay Kindell, Charleston Southern; Jacarre Fleming-Page, Eastern Illinois; Kory Jones, Gardner-Webb; Kennedy McGill, Western Illinois.
 
DEFENSIVE
Tre Yanez, LB • 6-1, 215, Jr. • Frisco, Texas • Gardner-Webb
Yanez tallied a career-high 19 tackles (14 solo) in Gardner-Webb's home contest with Lindenwood. The 19 tackles are the most by an OVC player in 2026, and the sixth-most by a FCS player. He also added 1.5 tackles for loss. Yanez ranks third nationally in tackles per game (10.9) and fifth in tackles for loss (1.5/game).
 
Others Nominated: Tristan Lennon, Charleston Southern; Ja'Wuan Nickson, Eastern Illinois; DJ Delmore, Southeast Missouri; Devyn Curtis; Tennessee State; LaMarion Pierce, UT Martin; Malik McKinzie, Western Illinois.
 
SPECIAL TEAMS
Brandon Sims, K • 6-0, 190, So. • Jacksonville, Ill. • UT Martin
Sims was perfect on kicking, scoring eight points in a game where field position was key, as UT Martin won 20-10 at Charleston Southern. The sophomore made a 43 and 41-yard field goal and made two extra point attempts while also averaging 54.0 yards on five kickoffs with a touchback.  The Skyhawks led 14-10 at halftime and his field goals were the only points scored by either team in the second half.
 
Others Nominated: Will Graham, Lindenwood; Justin Keller, Southeast Missouri; Brandon Sims, UT Martin; Luke Droegemueller, Western Illinois.
 
ROOKIE
Tate Surber, QB • 6-3, 200, R-Fr. • McKenzie, Tenn. • UT Martin
Surber guided UT Martin to a 20-10 road victory over Charleston Southern, giving the Skyhawks its third Conference win of the season. The signal caller was efficient, completing 14-of-16 passes for 88 yards without an interception, and rushing five time for 10 yards, including a four-yard rushing touchdown on the second drive of the game. His 87.5 completion percentage was the third-best in UTM single-game history. Surber ranks second in the OVC in completion percentage (62.4%).
 
Others Nominated: Baxter Pearce, Charleston Southern; Dejan Guzina, Eastern Illinois; Zalen Watkins, Gardner-Webb; Elijah Roy, Lindenwood; Demarcus King, Jr., Southeast Missouri; Cody Moss, Western Illinois.
 
 
Other Notable Performances
Below are other notable performances from the past week.
 
• Kennedy McGill (QB, 5th), Western Illinois. Tallied 321 yards of total offense (215 pass, 106 rush) and three touchdowns in road win at Eastern Illinois.
 
• Kory Jones (WR, R-So.), Gardner-Webb. Caught 14 passes (most by an OVC player this season) for 144 yards and two touchdowns against Lindenwood.
 
• Jacarre Fleming-Page (RB, So.), Eastern Illinois. Accounted for 158 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns against Western Illinois.
 
• LaMarion Pierce (CB, R-Sr.), UT Martin. Had a 57-yard interception return for a touchdown in 20-10 win at Charleston Southern, while also adding three tackles and a PBU.
 
• Tristan Lennon (LB, So.), Charleston Southern. Had 11 tackles and forced a fumble vs. UT Martin.
 
• DJ Delmore (SAF, Sr.), Southeast Missouri. Had a 45-yard interception return for a score against Tennessee State.
 
• Devyn Curtis (LB, 5th), Tennessee State. Had a season-best 13 tackles (9 solo) vs. SEMO.