There are four Conference games on the schedule this week with Charleston Southern, Eastern Illinois, Lindenwood and UT Martin hosting games. The Skyhawks will entertain Gardner-Webb in a rematch of last year’s co-champions. The two teams played an exciting game in Boiling Springs last year with the Runnin’ Bulldogs coming out 38-34 in the final 20 seconds. In non-conference action, Tennessee Tech will host South Carolina State.
SATURDAY, OCT. 5
*TENNESSEE STATE at LINDENWOOD, 1:00pm CT (ESPN+)
*GARDNER-WEBB at UT MARTIN, 1:00pm CT (ESPN+)
South Carolina State at TENNESSEE TECH, 1:30pm CT (ESPN+)
*#13/13 SOUTHEAST MISSOURI at EASTERN ILLINOIS, 2:00pm CT (ESPN+)
*WESTERN ILLINOIS at CHARLESTON SOUTHERN, 4:00pm ET (ESPN+)
Tennessee State (3-2, 1-1) at Lindenwood (2-3, 1-0)
1:00pm CT
All-Time Series: TSU leads 1-0
Noteworthy: The Tigers are looking for their first conference road win since Oct. 15, 2022 (won at TTU) … TSU won the first-ever meeting with Lindenwood last year, 43-20 … RB JORDAN GANT’s 19-yard touchdown run with :46 remaining in the contest lifted the Tigers to a 13-9 win over Charleston Southern this past Saturday; Gant gained nearly half of his team-high 40 yards on the winning play … DRAYLEN ELLIS threw a TD pass for the third-straight game and ranks second in the Association with eight … Tennessee State has held its last two opponents to under 100 passing yards.
The Lions are looking to start 2-0 in conference games for the first time since 2021 when they went 7-0, as well as the first 2-0 league start at the FCS level … Lindenwood is seeking its first three-game win streak since winning four-straight during 2022 … In his last three games, WR JEFF CALDWELL has 15 receptions for 405 yards and seven touchdowns, for an average of 5 catches and 135 yards in that span. He has also recorded long touchdown plays of 79, 93 and 74 during the current streak … QB NATE GLANTZ threw a season-high 283 yards and four touchdowns (all to Caldwell) in the Lions’ 28-25 comeback victory at Eastern Illinois last week. VINCENT KING made a team-high 10 tackles in the win for his Association-leading third 10+ tackle game of the year.
Gardner-Webb (1-4, 0-1) at UT Martin (2-3, 0-1)
1:00pm CT
All-Time Series: Gardner-Webb leads 3-2
Noteworthy: The Runnin’ Bulldogs are looking to avoid starting 0-2 in conference games for the first time since 2021 … GWU won last year’s meeting with UTM, 38-34, which was the first match-up between the squads since 2006 … Despite a power outage due to Hurricane Helene, Gardner-Webb still hosted Tennessee Tech in its conference opener this past week; the game featured free admission, and in lieu of ticket prices … GWU accepted canned food and donations to help those in need following the devasting storm … The Runnin’ Bulldogs scored the final two touchdowns of the game, and CARSON GRESOCK led the rushing attack for the second-straight game with 86 yards and a score.
The Skyhawks are looking to avoid starting 0-2 in conference games for the first time since 2014 … UTM last defeated Gardner-Webb in 2006 (W, 35-9) … The win over Kennesaw State was UT Martin’s first over a FBS team since the Skyhawks defeated Memphis by a 20-17 margin on Sept. 1, 2012; the victory is one of six wins for FCS teams over FBS opponents in 2024 … CHRIS HUNTER JR came up with his third interception of the season in the fourth quarter while TEVIN SHIPP (career-high 12 tackles) and JAYLON SHARPE (two tackles for loss) led the stingy Skyhawk defense … OSHAE BAKER’s 63-yard interception return for a TD in the third quarter put UTM ahead for good at 17-10, and was the squad’s second pick-six in three games … RB PATRICK SMITH recorded his third 100-yard rushing effort in the last four games with 123 vs. the Owls; his 476 rushing yards on the season leads the Association.
South Carolina State (2-2) at Tennessee Tech (2-2, 2-0)
1:30pm CT
All-Time Series: Tennessee Tech leads 1-0
Noteworthy: The Golden Eagles are seeking their first three-game win streak since late in the 2022 season … TTU’s 340 net rushing yards last week at Gardner-Webb were the third-most ever in a single-game in Association annals … The Golden Eagles scored seven touchdowns — all by different players, in their 52-21 Association victory at Gardner-Webb this past Saturday … The 52 points were the most scored in an Association conference game, as well as the most by a Tech squad since the 2021 season (56 vs. Virginia-Lynchburg) … TTU’s 340 rushing yards at GWU were also an Association-conference game record, and the program’s first game with 300+ rushing yards since gaining 303 against Lindenwood in 2022, as well as its most in a contest since rushing for 346 vs. Austin Peay in 2011.
#13/13 Southeast Missouri (4-1, 1-0) at Eastern Illinois (1-4, 0-1)
2:00pm CT
All-Time Series: Eastern Illinois leads 18-13
Noteworthy: The Redhawks are looking to start 2-0 in conference games for the third-straight year … SEMO has won the last six meetings over Eastern Illinois … The Redhawks wrapped up the non-league portion of their schedule with a 3-1 mark, giving head coach TOM MATUKEWICZ his best non-conference record as SEMO’s head coach … In last week’s 19-0 win over Northwestern State, SEMO held NSU to just 120 total yards and completed its first shutout at home in 10 years … The Redhawks last blanked an opponent on Aug. 28, 2014 (Missouri Baptist, 77-0) in Matukewicz’s first career game as a head coach … The shutout was also the Redhawks’ first on their home field over an NCAA Division I opponent in 30 years, when SEMO defeated UT Martin, 10-0, on Sept. 24, 1994 … Southeast Missouri rushed for a season-high 183 yards in the win over Northwestern State, with DARRELL SMITH leading the way with 127.
The Panthers are looking to avoid starting 0-2 in conference games for the second consecutive season … EIU is seeking its first win over Southeast Missouri since 2017 (W, 19-16) … QB PIERCE HOLLEY passed for a season-high 326 yards and two touchdowns in the Panthers’ setback to Lindenwood last week; he completed a season-high 26 passes, with TERRANCE GIPSON (nine catches, 93 yards) and ELI MIRZA (seven catches, 69 yards and a TD) as his top targets … EIU rushed for a season-high 132 yards against Lindenwood, and MJ FLOWERS recorded his second consecutive 100-yard rushing game with a season-high 123.
Western Illinois (1-3, 0-0) at Charleston Southern (1-3, 0-1)
4:00pm ET
All-Time Series: First meeting
Noteworthy: Western Illinois plays its Association opener on Saturday, and is seeking its first 1-0 conference start since the 2021 campaign … The Leathernecks snapped their 27-game losing streak dating back to the 2021 season (October 30, 2021) with this past week’s 49-32 victory over McKendree … BRIAN BRUCE and JUAN DE LA CRUZ are the lone remaining players on the current roster who played the last win, a victory over Illinois State … WIU’s 49 points were its most in a contest since scoring 56 in a loss to Eastern Washington on Sept. 18, 2021 … CAMEREN SMITH gained an Association-season high 199 rushing yards in Saturday’s victory, and totaled 214
all-purpose yards in the triumph.
The Buccaneers are looking to avoid starting 0-2 in conference games for the first time since 2021 … RB AUTAVIUS ISON rushed for 157 yards on 33 carries at Tennessee State this past week. It was the second-most rushing attempts in Big South-OVC football history, and his 157 rushing yards were the most by a CSU back since the 2015 season when MIKE HOLLOWAY gained 172 at The Citadel on Sept. 26 … REID MONTGOMERY accounted for CSU’s points at Tennessee State with field goals of 37, 37 and 20 yards.
2-MINUTE OFFENSE
OPENING KICKOFF:
UT Martin pulled off the Association’s first-ever FBS victory this past week as the Skyhawks downed Kennesaw State, 24-13, for the program’s second all-time win over an FBS foe. The league was close to scoring another three FBS triumphs this season, as Tennessee Tech (7 points) and Gardner-Webb (7 and 1 point) suffered one possession losses to Bowl Subdivision opponents earlier this year.
1st DOWN:
Southeast Missouri’s No. 13 position in both national polls remains the highest national ranking by a Big South-OVC Football Association member in the league’s brief history, as the Redhawks were No. 13 in last week’s Stats Perform Poll. The No. 13 rating was first reached by SEMO and UT Martin during the 2023 campaign.
2nd DOWN:
Tennessee Tech sits atop the Association standings with a 2-0 record, its first 2-0 conference start since 2011 when the Golden Eagles opened 3-0 in Ohio Valley games en route to a 6-2 league finish.
3rd DOWN:
The Southeast Missouri defense set an Association single-game record with just 40 offensive plays allowed in its 19-0 victory over Northwestern State last week. SEMO permitted just 120 yards on those 40 plays, the fewest yards of offense allowed against an FCS opponent in Association history.
4th DOWN:
Lindenwood WR JEFF CALDWELL tied his own Big South-OVC Association record with four touchdown receptions in the Lions’ victory at Eastern Illinois last week. Caldwell caught four TDs last year at WIU.
SLANT ROUTES
* CHARLESTON SOUTHERN:
The Buccaneers are looking to avoid starting 0-2 in conference games for the first time since 2021 … CSU is facing the second of five first-time opponents on Saturday.
* EASTERN ILLINOIS:
The Panthers are looking to avoid starting 0-2 in conference games for the second consecutive season … EIU is seeking its first win over Southeast Missouri since 2017 (W, 19-16).
* GARDNER-WEBB:
The Runnin’ Bulldogs are looking to avoid starting 0-2 in conference games for the first time since 2021 … GWU won last year’s meeting with UTM, 38-34, which was the first match-up between the squads since 2006.
* LINDENWOOD:
The Lions are looking to start 2-0 in conference games for the first time since 2021 when they went 7-0, as well as the first 2-0 league start at the FCS level … Lindenwood is seeking its first three-game win streak since winning four-straight during 2022.
* SOUTHEAST MISSOURI:
The Redhawks are looking to start 2-0 in conference games for the third-straight year … SEMO has won the last six meetings over Eastern Illinois.
* TENNESSEE STATE:
The Tigers are looking for their first conference road win since Oct. 15, 2022 (won at TTU) … TSU won the first-ever meeting with Lindenwood last year, 43-20.
* TENNESSEE TECH:
The Golden Eagles are seeking their first three-game win streak since late in the 2022 season … TTU’s 340 net rushing yards last week at Gardner-Webb were the third-most ever in a single-game in Association annals.
* UT MARTIN: The Skyhawks are looking to avoid starting 0-2 in conference games for the first time since 2014 … UTM last defeated GardnerWebb in 2006 (W, 35-9).
* WESTERN ILLINOIS:
Western Illinois plays its Association opener on Saturday, and is seeking its first 1-0 conference start since the 2021 campaign.
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK – SEPT. 30
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Jeff Caldwell, Lindenwood, WR • 6-5, 200, Jr. • Louisville, Ky.
Held without a catch in the first half as his team fell behind 17-0, Caldwell caught four second half passes, all of which went for touchdowns, as Lindenwood came from behind to top Eastern Illinois 28-25 on the road. The junior had scores of 11 and 22 yards in the third quarter and added an eight-yarder with 9:15 to play to give the Lions their first lead of the game. With just over six minutes to play, Caldwell raced 74 yards for his fourth and final score of the day. The junior finished with 115 receiving yards, averaging 28.8 yards per reception. The four touchdown catches are the most by a FCS player in a game this season, while his seven total receiving touchdowns on the season is tied for the national lead.
Others Nominated:
Autavius Ison (Charleston Southern), Pierce Holley (Eastern Illinois), Draylen Ellis (Tennessee State), Aidan Littles (Tennessee Tech), Patrick Smith (UT Martin), Cameren Smith (Western Illinois)
CO-DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Theron Gaines, Tennessee Tech, DL • 6-1, 237, Jr. • Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Gaines was a menace in the backfield as Tennessee Tech toppled Gardner-Webb 52-21 to improve to 2-0 in Conference play for the first time since 2011. The junior finished the game with seven tackles (6 solo), 3.5 tackles for loss (for minus-38 yards) and 3.0 sacks (for minus-36 yards) and forced a fumble. His forced fumble was picked up by Daniel Rickert, who rumbled 50 yards for a touchdown to put TTU ahead 38-7 in the third quarter. Two of his sacks came on the same drive in the second quarter, led to a punt and six plays later the Golden Eagles scored to go ahead 21-0. The 3.0 sacks are tied for the fourth-most by a FCS player this season
Oshae Baker, UT Martin, S • 5-10, 200, Sr. • Sanford, Fla.
With his team knotted with FBS foe Kennesaw State in the third quarter, Baker intercepted a pass and returned it 63 yards for a touchdown to put UT Martin on top for good in a 24-13 victory. It marked the second-ever FBS win in program history. It marked his seventh career interception. The Preseason All-American also added six tackles (5 solo) as the Skyhawks allowed just 215 yards of total offense and one offensive touchdown.
Others Nominated:
Trayson Fowler (Charleston Southern), Anthony Shockey (Eastern Illinois), Spencer Roof (Tennessee State), Ryan Crandall (Western Illinois)
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
DC Pippin, Southeast Missouri, K • 6-0, 195, Sr. • Springfield, Ill.
Pippin scored 13 of Southeast Missouri’s 19 points as the Redhawks remained undefeated against FCS competition this season in a 19-0 win over Northwestern State. The senior converted a career-high four field goals (30, 38, 37, 24) and added an extra point. Pippin also kicked off five times for 295 yards and averaged 59 yards per kickoff with one touchback.
Others Nominated:
Gilbert Brown (Charleston Southern), Jacob Horvath (Eastern Illinois), Dom LeBlanc (Tennessee Tech), Antonio Chadha (Western Illinois)
FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
Sanders Ellis, Tennessee State, LB • 6-2, 225, Fr. • Nashville, Tenn.
Ellis tallied 11 tackles (4 solo) as Tennessee State topped Charleston Southern 13-9 to improve to 1-1 in league play. The true freshman also had 0.5 tackles for loss and recovered a key fumble in TSU’s own territory; the Tigers were able to convert that to seven points on the next drive. It marks the second time this season he has been named Big South-OVC Freshman of the Week.
Others Nominated:
Reid Montgomery (Charleston Southern), Dom LeBlanc (Tennessee Tech), Avery Knight (Western Illinois)
HOUSE CALLS
Lindenwood WR JEFF CALDWELL tied his own Big South-OVC Association single-game record with four touchdown receptions in this past week’s victory at Eastern Illinois and is now the only player in league annals with two 4-TD games. All four of Caldwell’s catches at EIU went for scores — 11, 22, 8 and 74 — and came in succession during an 18:29 time span across the third and fourth quarters that rallied the Lions from a 17-0 deficit to a 28-17 advantage. Caldwell has scored his league-leading seven touchdowns in the past three games, and 30.4 percent of his receptions this season have ended in the end zone (7 for 23). He is one TD catch shy of matching his Association single-season record of eight.
KICKIN’ PIPPIN
Southeast Missouri K DC PIPPIN became the first kicker in Big South-OVC Association history to make four fi eld goals in a game when he converted kicks of 30, 38, 37 and 24 yards this past week against Northwestern State. Already one of two kickers to have made three fi eld goals in a game twice during the Association’s existence prior to the game, and one of four overall with a 3-fi eld goal game, Pippin is the league leader with 10 fi eld goals made this season and ranks second nationally with 2.00 per game. He is two away from matching the league record for fi eld goals in a season (12) and attempted an Association single-game record six fi eld goals in the NSU contest.
WHAT CAN BROWN DO FOR YOU?
Charleston Southern P GILBERT BROWN posted an Association single-game record 61.0 punting average, based on 3-4 punts, this past week at Tennessee State. He booted kicks of 72, 68, 51 and 53, with the 72-yarder the second-longest in Big South-OVC history and is the national leader with his 50.1 season punting average. The single-season league record is 47.27 yards, set last year by UT Martin’s AIDAN LAROS.
PASSIN’ PAXTON
outheast Missouri QB PAXTON DeLAURENT leads the Association with 1,305 passing yards (fi fth nationally), 13 passing TDs (second nationally), 121 completions and 261.00 passing yards per game. He is just the second quarterback in Association history to throw 10 TD passes in a 2-game span, as he had six in Week 2 and four in Week 4. In Week 2 against UT Martin, he set Association single-game records for plays (69) and pass attempts (63), tied the single-game mark for touchdown passes (6) and had the second-most completions (34) and passing yards (376) in a contest. He is the only Association quarterback to throw a TD pass in every game this season.
THE DEFENSE NEVER RESTS
Big South-OVC Association members have combined for eight defensive touchdowns after five weeks of the season (5 interception returns and 3 fumble returns) — with Tennessee State (fumble and interception), Tennessee Tech (fumble and interception) and UT Martin (two interceptions) leading the way with two each. Joining the three squads are Eastern Illinois (fumble) and Gardner-Webb (interception). Last year, the Association membership combined for 19 defensive TDs (12 INT, 6 FUM). Meanwhile, TSU’s BOOGIE TROTTER recorded a 69-yard pick-six in Week 4 against Tennessee Tech — the third-longest interception return in Association history.
SEE OF RED
SEMO recorded the Association’s first-ever win featuring a ranked Big South-OVC team against a ranked non-conference opponent, as the then-No. 21/21 Redhawks won at then-No. 7/7 Southern Illinois, 38-21, in Week 4. It was just the second-ever head-to-head match-up of a ranked Big South-OVC squad against a ranked out-of-conference foe, as the first was between the same two squads last season.
A LITTLE BIT CAN GO A LONG WAY
Tennessee Tech RB AIDAN LITTLES recorded the second-longest rush from scrimmage in Big South-OVC Association history this past week with his 87-yard touchdown run in the Golden Eagles’ victory at Gardner-Webb. He was one-yard shy of tying the league mark of 88 yards, which was set last year by GWU’s JAYDEN BROWN against Eastern Kentucky. Littles finished the Gardner-Webb game with 118 rushing yards on his 10 carries for an 11.8 yards per attempt average.
NATIONAL BAROMETER
Through five weeks, the Association is 10-9 against non-conference FCS opponents, which includes two wins among six contests against nationally ranked foes. Charleston Southern earned the league’s first victory of the season against a Top 25 squad when the Buccaneers defeated then-No. 15/16 Furman, 24-20, in Week 2. Two weeks later, SEMO downed then-No. 7/7 Southern Illinois for the Association’s first-ever triumph over a Top 10 program.
STATE OF MIND
This season, the Big South-OVC Association will play nine non-conference games against “State”- named FCS schools and is 3-5 thus far with wins from Eastern Illinois (vs. Indiana State), Southeast Missouri (vs. Northwestern State) and Tennessee State (vs. Mississippi Valley State). In 2023, the Association was 9-2 in such games. In those matchups last season, Eastern Illinois led the way at 3-0 (Indiana State, Illinois State and Northwestern State), followed by Tennessee Tech (Kennesaw State and South Carolina State) and Tennessee State (Kennesaw State and Norfolk State) at 2-0 each. UT Martin (Missouri State) and Charleston Southern (Kennesaw State) went 1-0.
SPINNING WEBBS
Gardner-Webb became just the second team in Big South-OVC history to have two 100-yard rushers in the same game when CARSON GRESOCK (134 yards) and QUASEAN HOLMES (132) achieved the feat in Week 4 at Presbyterian. The duo also combined for fi ve rushing touchdowns in the victory over the Blue Hose, as Gresock had three scores followed by Holmes’ two.
LOGAN’S KICK
Lindenwood K LOGAN SEIBERT established a Big South-OVC Association single-game record for kick scoring in Week 4 with 16 points in the Lions’ 64-0 win over St. Thomas. He converted seven PATs and three fi eld goals in his record performance. The old mark was 13 points, set by Tennessee State’s JAMES LOWERY last season against Lindenwood on Oct. 28.
UNLIMITED LONG DISTANCE
Lindenwood set the Big South-OVC record for longest pass completion in Week 4 against St. Thomas when QB NATE GLANTZ connected with WR JEFF CALDWELL on a 93-yard pass play for a touchdown in the Lions’ victory. It eclipsed the old record of 90 yards set last season by Tennessee State against Lindenwood. Caldwell also holds the fourth-longest catch in league annals with his 79-yarder against Missouri State in Week 3, as well as the eighth-longest (74 yards at Eastern Illinois this past Saturday).
UT MARTIN SETS ASSOCIATION RECORD FOR FEWEST NET RUSHING YARDS ALLOWED
In its Week 2 match-up with Southeast Missouri, UT Martin limited the Redhawks to minus-11 net rushing yards, a Big South-OVC Association single-game record. It was the first time a league member did not allow positive rushing yards in a contest and surpassed the previous record of five (5) net rushing yards allowed, which was also set by UTM last season in its meeting with SEMO on Nov. 11.
AROUND THE ASSOCIATION…
CHARLESTON SOUTHERN
RB AUTAVIUS ISON rushed for 157 yards on 33 carries at Tennessee State this past week. It was the second-most rushing attempts in Big South-OVC football history, and his 157 rushing yards were the most by a CSU back since the 2015 season when MIKE HOLLOWAY gained 172 at The Citadel on Sept. 26 … REID MONTGOMERY accounted for CSU’s points at Tennessee State with field goals of 37, 37 and 20 yards.
EASTERN ILLINOIS
QB PIERCE HOLLEY passed for a season-high 326 yards and two touchdowns in the Panthers’ setback to Lindenwood last week. He completed a season-high 26 passes, with TERRANCE GIPSON (nine catches, 93 yards) and ELI MIRZA (seven catches, 69 yards and a TD) as his top targets … EIU rushed for a season-high 132 yards against Lindenwood, and MJ FLOWERS recorded his second consecutive 100-yard rushing game with a season-high 123.
Despite a power outage due to Hurricane Helene, Gardner-Webb still hosted Tennessee Tech in its conference opener this past week. The game featured free admission, and in lieu of ticket prices, GWU accepted canned food and donations to help those in need following the devasting storm … The Runnin’ Bulldogs scored the final two touchdowns of the game, and CARSON GRESOCK led the rushing attack for the second-straight game with 86 yards and a score.
LINDENWOOD
In his last three games, WR JEFF CALDWELL has 15 receptions for 405 yards and seven touchdowns, for an average of 5 catches and 135 yards in that span. He has also recorded long touchdown plays of 79, 93 and 74 during the current streak … QB NATE GLANTZ threw a season-high 283 yards and four touchdowns (all to Caldwell) in the Lions’ 28-25 comeback victory at Eastern Illinois last week. VINCENT KING made a team-high 10 tackles in the win for his Association-leading third 10+ tackle game of the year.
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
The Redhawks wrapped up the non-league portion of their schedule with a 3-1 mark, giving head coach TOM MATUKEWICZ his best non-conference record as SEMO’s head coach … In last week’s 19-0 win over Northwestern State, SEMO held NSU to just 120 total yards and completed its first shutout at home in 10 years. The Redhawks last blanked an opponent on Aug. 28, 2014 (Missouri Baptist, 77-0) in Matukewicz’s first career game as a head coach. The shutout was also the Redhawks’ first on their home field over an NCAA Division I opponent in 30 years, when SEMO defeated UT Martin, 10-0, on Sept. 24, 1994 … Southeast Missouri rushed for a season-high 183 yards in the win over Northwestern State, with DARRELL SMITH leading the way with 127.
TENNESSEE STATE
RB JORDAN GANT’s 19-yard touchdown run with :46 remaining in the contest lifted the Tigers to a 13-9 win over Charleston Southern this past Saturday. Gant gained nearly half of his team-high 40 yards on the winning play. DRAYLEN ELLIS threw a TD pass for the third-straight game and ranks second in the Association with eight … Tennessee State has held its last two opponents to under 100 passing yards.
TENNESSEE TECH
The Golden Eagles scored seven touchdowns — all by different players, in their 52-21 Association victory at Gardner-Webb this past Saturday. The 52 points were the most scored in an Association conference game, as well as the most by a Tech squad since the 2021 season (56 vs. Virginia-Lynchburg) … TTU’s 340 rushing yards at GWU were also an Association-conference game record, and the program’s fi rst game with 300+ rushing yards since gaining 303 against Lindenwood in 2022, as well as its most in a contest since rushing for 346 vs. Austin Peay in 2011.
UT MARTIN
The win over Kennesaw State was UT Martin’s first over a FBS team since the Skyhawks defeated Memphis by a 20-17 margin on Sept. 1, 2012. The victory is one of six wins for FCS teams over FBS opponents in 2024 … CHRIS HUNTER JR came up with his third interception of the season in the fourth quarter while TEVIN SHIPP (career-high 12 tackles) and JAYLON SHARPE (two tackles for loss) led the stingy Skyhawk defense. OSHAE BAKER’s 63-yard interception return for a TD in the third quarter put UTM ahead for good at 17-10 and was the squad’s second pick-six in three games. RB PATRICK SMITH recorded his third 100-yard rushing effort in the last four games with 123 vs. the Owls. His 476 rushing yards on the season leads the Association.
WESTERN ILLINOIS
The Leathernecks snapped their 27-game losing streak dating back to the 2021 season (October 30, 2021) with this past week’s 49-32 victory over McKendree. BRIAN BRUCE and JUAN DE LA CRUZ are the lone remaining players on the current roster who played the last win, a victory over Illinois State … WIU’s 49 points were its most in a contest since scoring 56 in a loss to Eastern Washington on Sept. 18, 2021 … CAMEREN SMITH gained an Association-season high 199 rushing yards in Saturday’s victory, and totaled 214 all-purpose yards in the triumph.
