WEEK 8 SCHEDULE
SATURDAY, OCT. 19
TIME WATCH SERIES
LINDENWOOD at GARDNER-WEBB *
1:30pm ET ESPN+
1st meeting
TENNESSEE STATE at Howard
2:30pm CT ESPN+
TSU leads series, 1-0
TENNESSEE TECH at WESTERN ILLINOIS *
3:00pm CT ESPN+
Series tied, 1-1
#8/8 SOUTHEAST MISSOURI at CHARLESTON SOUTHERN *
4:00pm ET ESPN+
1st meeting
SLANT ROUTES
* CHARLESTON SOUTHERN: The Buccaneers are looking to avoid starting 0-4 in conference games for the first time since 2011 (0-6) … Southeast Missouri will mark CSU’s third of five first-time opponents this season.
* EASTERN ILLINOIS: The Panthers are idle this week and return to action Oct. 26 with a road game at UT Martin … EIU’s next home game is Nov. 2.
* GARDNER-WEBB: The Runnin’ Bulldogs are looking to avoid their first 0-3 conference start since 2017 (0-5) … Lindenwood marks GWU’s second of five first-time opponents this season.
* LINDENWOOD: The Lions have won multiple conference games for the first time at the FCS level … Gardner-Webb marks Lindenwood’s fourth and final first-time opponent of the season.
* SOUTHEAST MISSOURI: The Redhawks are seeking their first 4-0 conference start since 2022 (5-0) … Charleston Southern marks SEMO’s second and final first-time opponent of the season.
* TENNESSEE STATE: The Tigers have won three consecutive conference games for the first time since 2021 … TSU can match last season’s victory total with a win Saturday at Howard, which marks the first meeting in the series since 2001 (TSU W, 45-0).
* TENNESSEE TECH: The Golden Eagles won the last meeting with Western Illinois, a 38-24 road victory in 2019 … TTU is looking to open conference play with a 3-1 mark for the first time since 2011.
* UT MARTIN: The Skyhawks are idle this week and return to action Oct. 26 at home vs. Eastern Illinois … UTM has scored at least five touchdowns in a game four times this season. Western Illinois won the first-ever meeting with Tennessee Tech in 2017, a 41-14 road victory on Aug. 31 … The Leathernecks are looking to win multiple conference games in a season for the first time since 2021.
* WESTERN ILLINOIS: Western Illinois won the first-ever meeting with Tennessee Tech in 2017, a 41-14 road victory on Aug. 31 … The Leathernecks are looking to win multiple conference games in a season for the first time since 2021.
2-MINUTE OFFENSE
OPENING KICKOFF: For the first time this season and fifth time overall, two Big South-OVC Association members are ranked in the Top 25 in the same week, as Southeast Missouri is rated No. 8 in both national polls, while UT Martin is tied for No. 25 in the Stats Perform ranking. It is the first time an Association member is inside the Top 10 of both national rankings. Meanwhile, SEMO is looking to become the first team to start 4-0 in Association annals.
1st DOWN: Lindenwood kicker LOGAN SEIBERT converted a Big South-OVC Association single-game record five field goals in the Lions’ victory last week against Charleston Southern. He made kicks of 34, 21, 37, 22 and 27 yards, and finished the day with 17 points kicking — another Big South-OVC Association single-game record.
2nd DOWN: UT Martin RB PATRICK SMITH is the first player in Big South-OVC Association history with a touchdown in six consecutive games, as he has scored his 10 rushing TDs in his last six outings. Meanwhile, Smith has surpassed 100 rushing yards in three-straight games (396 yards total) and four of his last five.
3rd DOWN: Southeast Missouri QB PAXTON DeLAURENT’s 418 passing yards last week vs. Tennessee Tech is a Big South-OVC Football Association single-game record. He is also the first player in Association annals to throw for 400 passing yards in a game, as well as the first with a 400-yard / 4-TD pass game.
4th DOWN: Gardner-Webb RB CARSON GRESOCK has a four-game TD streak, with seven rushing TDs in that span.
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK – OCT. 7
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Paxton DeLaurent, Southeast Missouri, QB • 6-5, 229, Sr. • Camdenton, Mo.
DeLaurent was named Offensive Player of the Week for the third time in four weeks and fourth time this season after passing for 418 yards and four touchdowns as Southeast Missouri defeated Tennessee Tech 34-3 to win its fifth-straight game. The senior completed 34-of-46 passes in achieving a new career-high for passing yards; the 418 yards are the fourth-most by a FCS player this season. After throwing a 13-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter, his other three touchdowns (46, 31 and 5 yards) came in the second half as the Redhawks pulled away. DeLaurent broke three SEMO career records becoming the school’s all-time leader in passing yardage (6,563), passing touchdowns (50) and completions (554) in just three seasons. He is only the second quarterback in program history to throw for over 6,000 yards. DeLaurent ranks first nationally in passing touchdowns (20) and points responsible for (128) and third in passing yards (2,087).
Others Nominated: : Cooper Willman (Eastern Illinois), Draylen Ellis (Tennessee State), DJ Linkins (Tennessee Tech), Nathan Lamb (Western Illinois)
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Bryce Norman, Southeast Missouri, ILB • 6-0, 215, Sr. • Jackson, Mo.
Norman recorded 15 tackles (3 solo, 12 assists) as Southeast Missouri toppled Tennessee Tech 34-3 to move into sole possession of first place in the Big South-OVC standings. He anchored a defense that forced three turnovers and limited the League’s top rushing attack to just 34 yards on the ground. The senior added 1.5 tackles for loss, a pass breakup and a quarterback hurry. It marked the third time this season he had a double-digit tackle game; the 15 tackles are the second-most by a Big South-OVC player this season. Norman ranks 10th nationally in tackles per game (9.7)
Others Nominated: Trayson Fowler (Charleston Southern), Boogie Trotter (Tennessee State), Jalin Shephard (Tennessee Tech), Jaylon Sharpe (UT Martin), Jeremiah Piper (Western Illinois)
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Logan Seibert, Lindenwood, K • 5-10, 191, Jr. • Belleville, Ill.
Seibert scored 17 total points as Lindenwood won its second Conference game of the season, knocking off Charleston Southern 29-14. The junior set a program record for field goals in a game in making a career-high 5-of-6 field goals in connecting from 34, 21, 37, 22 and 27 yards and was 2-of-2 on PATs. The five field goals are tied for the most by a FCS player this season. Seibert also pushed his career total to 41 career field goals, which also set a Lindenwood record, while the 17 points scored by kicking was the second-most in school history. He also had eight kickoffs, five of which went for touchbacks.
Others Nominated: Gilbert Brown (Charleston Southern), DC Pippin (Southeast Missouri), Dom LeBlanc (Tennessee Tech), Jaren Van Winkle (UT Martin), Jared Campbell (Western Illinois)
FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
Quenton Rogers, Eastern Illinois, WR • 6-2, 190, R-Fr. • Mahomet, Ill.
Rogers made his first career start for Eastern Illinois and hauled in five receptions for 103 yards against Tennessee State. The redshirt freshman had a 62-yard reception which setup one of the Panthers scores.
Others Nominated: Sanders Ellis (Tennessee State), Dom LeBlanc (Tennessee Tech), Jordan Anderson (Western Illinois)
BIG SOUTH/OVC NOTEBOOK
PASSIN’ PAXTON
Southeast Missouri QB PAXTON DeLAURENT is the fi rst Big South-OVC Association quarterback to throw for 400 yards in a game as he netted an Association single-game record 418 passing yards this past week against Tennessee Tech. DeLaurent leads the Association with 2,087 passing yards (third nationally), 20 passing TDs (fi rst nationally), 185 completions and 298.14 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) and tied the single-game mark for touchdown passes (6). He is the only Association quarterback to throw a TD pass in every game this season.
AT FIRST GLANTZ
Lindenwood QB NATE GLANTZ became just the second quarterback in Big South-OVC Association history to throw for 100 yards and rush for 100 yards in the same game when he achieved the feat this past week in the Lions’ 29-14 victory over Charleston Southern. He passed for 152 yards and gained a team-high 103 yards on the ground to account for 255 of Lindenwood’s 392 offensive yards vs. the Bucs.
BANG FOR YOUR BUC
Charleston Southern’s defense recorded two defensive touchdowns this past week at Lindenwood, marking just the fourth time in Big South-OVC history a member tallied multiple defensive TDs in a game. TRAYSON FOWLER returned an interception 34 yards for a score, and Ja’KOBE NORTH picked up a fumble and returned it 47 yards for a score three plays and :14 seconds later. CSU is just the second Association squad with an interception and fumble return TD in the same contest.
QUARTER POUNDERS
No. 8/8 Southeast Missouri saw its quarter-scoring streak end at 24 with a scoreless first quarter against Tennessee Tech this past week. However, the Redhawks scored in each remaining period of the game to begin a new streak (3) and have notched points in 27 of 28 quarters in regulation this year, as well as both overtimes. SEMO’s quarter-by-quarter scoring breakdown stands at 61 points (first), 39 (second), 43 (third) and 74 (fourth). SEMO leads the Association in scoring offense at 32.43 points and has surpassed 30+ points in fi ve of seven contests this season.
THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN
Through 13 Association-conference games played, the home team has won seven times ( =53.85 winning percentage), while the overall average margin of victory is 14.85 points. Four contests have been one possession decisions. The 13 games have had a combined point total of 685, for a per game average of 52.69 points. Last season, the 30 Big South-OVC Association-conference games were decided by 16.10 points and averaged 48.83 combined points (1,465 point scored).
RETURN TO SENDER
Southeast Missouri PR KHALANI RIDDICK is on pace to establish the Big South-OVC Association single-season record for punt returns. He leads the league with 14 punt returns, 191 punt return yards and a 13.64 punt return average — which ranks 10th nationally. The current season records are 22 returns (Gardner-Webb’s MALEEK HUGGINS), 196 return yards (Huggins) and 11.54 yards per return (SEMO’s DALYN McDONALD).
SUPER SIZE COMBOS
Southeast Missouri (364) and Eastern Illinois (366) established the Big South-OVC Association single-game record for most combined passing yards with 730 in Week 6. The old record was 709 held by SEMO (251) vs. Southern Illinois (458) on Sept. 16, 2023, while the previous conference game mark was 653 (SEMO – 376 and UT Martin – 277) earlier this year in Week 2. Also in Week 6, Charleston Southern (325) and Western Illinois (132) surpassed the Big South-OVC single-game record for most combined rushing yards in a conference game with 457. The old mark was 444 set by Tennessee Tech (341) and Gardner-Webb (103) in Week 5 of this season. Meanwhile, in Week 5, Lindenwood (453) and Eastern Illinois (458) broke the Association conference-game record for most combined yards of total offense with their joint total of 911 yards. That previous record was 885 (EIU – 438 and SEMU – 447 on Oct. 14, 2023). IN THE RED Southeast Missouri has held its last four opponents to less than 100 rushing yards (62-53-19-34 = 42.0 average in that span). The league’s consecutive streak is fi ve games (Tennessee Tech in 2023). Meanwhile, Tech leads the Association in rushing defense at 79.5 yards allowed, which ranks third nationally. UT Martin is sixth in FCS with 94.3 rushing yards allowed, and SEMO ranks 18th at 110.1 allowed.
THE DEFENSE NEVER RESTS
Big South-OVC Association members have combined for 12 defensive touchdowns after seven weeks of the season (8 interception returns and 4 fumble returns) — with Charleston Southern (interception and fumble), Tennessee State (fumble and interception), Tennessee Tech (fumble and interception) and UT Martin (two interceptions) leading the way with two each. Joining the four squads are Eastern Illinois (fumble), Gardner-Webb (interception), Lindenwood (interception) and Western Illinois (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.
LOGAN’S KICK
Lindenwood K LOGAN SEIBERT broke his own Big South-OVC Association single-game record for kick scoring with 17 points in the Lions’ 29-14 win over Charleston Southern this past week. He converted an Association single-game record five field goals along with two PATs to surpass his previous mark of 16 points vs. St. Thomas in Week 4. Seibert and Southeast Missouri K DC PIPPIN share the league-lead with 13 field goals made, which eclipse the Association’s single-season record of 12 set last year by Tennessee State’s JAMES LOWERY.
RUSH WEEK
Charleston Southern RB AUTAVIUS ISON rushed for a school-record 229 yards in Week 6 against Western Illinois — the third-highest single-game rushing total in Big South-OVC Association history, as well as the most in the league this season and just the fifth 200-yard rushing effort in the brief history of the Association. Ison’s performance surpassed the old CSU record of 226, which was set by ANDRE COPELAND on Oct. 15, 2005 vs. West Virginia Wesleyan. Meanwhile, TYSON GREENWADE added 102 yards on the ground against the Leathernecks — marking the fi rst time a Big South-OVC squad had a 200-yard and 100-yard rusher in the same game, and the duo’s 331 combined yards established an Association single-game record.
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 with his 87-yard touchdown run in the Golden Eagles’ Week 5 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. 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.
UT MARTIN SKIES PAST KENNESAW STATE FOR ASSOCIATION’S FIRST FBS VICTORY
UT Martin pulled off the Association’s first-ever FBS victory in Week 5, 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 earlier this season, as Tennessee Tech (7 points) and Gardner-Webb (7 and 1 point) suffered one possession losses to Bowl Subdivision opponents back in September.
HOUSE CALLS
Lindenwood WR JEFF CALDWELL tied the Big South-OVC Association records for consecutive games with a touchdown reception (4) as well as his own single-season touchdown receptions (8). His eight receiving scores this year came in a four-game span during Weeks 3-6, which included a Big South-OVC single-game record-tying four touchdown receptions in Week 5. For the season, Caldwell is reaching the end zone on 28.57 percent of his 28 receptions.
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, at Tennessee State in Week 5. He booted kicks of 72, 68, 51 and 53, with the 72-yarder the second-longest in Big South-OVC history. He ranks third in the nation with his league-leading 47.5 season punting average, which is pacing ahead of the single-season league record is 47.27 yards, set last year by UT Martin’s AIDAN LAROS.
BLOOMING
Eastern Illinois RB MJ FLOWERS tied the Big South-OVC single-game record with his 11 receptions in Week 6 against SEMO. The total was the most-ever by an Association running back.
NATIONAL BAROMETER
The Association is 10-10 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.
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 five rushing touchdowns in the victory over the Blue Hose, as Gresock had three scores followed by Holmes’ two.
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.
STATE OF MIND
This season, the Big South-OVC Association played nine non-conference regular-season games against “State”-named FCS schools and went 3-6 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.
AROUND THE ASSOCIATION…
CHARLESTON SOUTHERN
The Buccaneers recorded multiple defensive touchdowns in a game for the first time since Nov. 8, 2014, when CSU recorded two pick-6’s against Gardner-Webb … CSU had two fumble return TDs in 2023, as well as one interception return for a score a season ago … RB AUTAVIUS ISON has rushed for 463 yards in his last three games (154.3 per game average) on 76 carries (6.09 yards per attempt). He ranks second in the Association this season with 628 rushing yards.
EASTERN ILLINOIS
QB PIERCE HOLLEY has thrown for 300 yards in three consecutive games, the second-longest 300-yard passing streak in Association history. Holley has thrown for 326-366-338 in that span ( =1,030) for an average of 343.33. He is second in the Association this season with 1,684 passing yards … WR COOPER WILLMAN caught 8 passes for 141 yards this past week at Tennessee State, the third-most reception yards by an Association receiver in a game in 2024. QUENTON ROGERS also eclipsed 100 receiving yards at TSU (103).
GARDNER-WEBB
RB EDWARD SAYDEE led the Runnin’ Bulldogs with a season-high 112 rushing yards on 17 attempts (6.59 yards per carry) in GWU’s Week 6 loss at UT Martin, marking the fourth game this season he has been the squad’s leading rusher. He is the third different Gardner-Webb back with a 100-yard rushing game in 2024, the first Association member this season with three different players with a 100-yard rushing effort … QB TYLER RIDELL has thrown a TD pass in four-straight games and in five of Gardner-Webb’s six contests this year.
LINDENWOOD
The Lions are the second Big South-OVC Association member this season with three different 100-yard rushers in a game, as QB NATE GLANTZ surpassed the century mark with 103 in Lindenwood’s win this past week vs. Charleston Southern … The Lions rushed for more than 200 yards for the second time in 2024 with 240 vs. CSU, which came on 60 rushing attempts … Lindenwood has matched last year’s overall win total
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
QB PAXTON DELAURENT connected with 10 different receivers in this past week’s win over Tennessee Tech. He completed six passes each to CAM PEDRO (111 receiving yards), TRISTAN SMITH (96) and MITCHELL SELLERS (67), along with a TD strike to all three plus one to DORIAN ANDERSON … BRYCE NORMAN tallied 15 tackles (three solo, 12 assisted) and 1.5 tackles-for-loss in the TTU victory.
TENNESSEE STATE
The Tigers pulled away from Eastern Illinois after the Panthers got within three points at 20-17 early in the third quarter. TSU scored three touchdowns in a 9-minute, 29-second span for the 41-17 victory, and finished the day with a season-high six trips to the end zone (by six different players) … QB DRAYLEN ELLIS was 20-of-32 passing for 224 and four touchdowns, his fifth-straight game with a TD pass. Ellis ranks second in the Association with 13 touchdown passes and has the fewest interceptions thus far for an Association QB with more than 200 pass attempts (4 in 212).
TENNESSEE TECH
QB JORDYN POTTS was 26-of-47 passing for 231 yards in the Golden Eagles’ setback at Southeast Missouri this past week. His top target was D.J. LINKINS, who caught seven passes for 90 yards … DOM LeBLANC provided Tech’s scoring with a 43-yard fi eld goal in the third quarter.
UT MARTIN
UT Martin is 4-1 in its past five games and is above .500 for the first time this season following its 45-17 win at Western Illinois … RB PATRICK SMITH rushed for 145 yards and a score to mark his league-leading fifth 100-yard rushing game this season. He is pacing the Association with 749 rushing yards (tied for 6th in FCS) and 10 rushing scores … QB KINKEAD DENT threw two touchdowns and rushed for another two in the WIU victory … OSHAE BAKER returned a Big South-OVC Association single-game record five punts for 74 yards (third-most in a game in conference history) … JAYLON SHARPE recorded a TFL in the win to increase his Association lead to 11.0, which includes 6.0 in his last three games … The Skyhawks are averaging 35.5 points in their last six outings and rank second in the Association with 31.29 points.
WESTERN ILLINOIS
The Leathernecks suffered their first Big South-OVC Football Association defeat this past week. QB NATHAN LAMB was 20-of-33 passing for 158 yards, his second game this season with 20 completions in a contest. He connected with 12 different receivers but saw his 3-game consecutive streak with a TD pass snapped … ANTHONY CHADHA converted a 47-yard field goal against UTM, his fourth 40-yarder this season and his second-longest of the year.
