WEEK 11 SCHEDULE
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER. 9, 2024
TIME WATCH SERIES
EASTERN ILLINOIS at GARDNER-WEBB *
1:30pm ET ESPN+ 1st meeting
#6/6 SOUTHEAST MISSOURI at LINDENWOOD *
:00pm CT ESPN+ SEMO leads series, 2-0
TENNESSEE STATE at WESTERN ILLINOIS *
1:00pm CT ESPN+ 1st meeting
#19/22 UT MARTIN at CHARLESTON SOUTHERN *
2:00pm ET ESPN+ UTM leads series, 2-0
TENNESSEE TECH at Samford
2:00pm CT ESPN+ SAM leads series, 14-11
2-MINUTE OFFENSE
OPENING KICKOFF: For the fourth consecutive week, two Big South-OVC Association teams are ranked in the Top 25 polls, as Southeast Missouri checks in at No. 6 in both national rankings, while UT Martin is No. 19 in the Stats Perform poll and No. 22 in the AFCA Coaches poll. It also marks the first time that two Big South-OVC programs were inside the Top 20 in either poll. The Association has had a member nationally-ranked eight-straight weeks this season, and 22 of the last 25 weeks — with multiple Top 25 squads eight times in that span.
1st DOWN: Southeast Missouri was ranked No. 6 overall last week by the Division I Football Championship Committee in its first in-season Top 10 ranking of FCS teams. It was the first time an Association member was among the Committee’s Top 10 in-season rankings.
2nd DOWN: Tennessee State’s C.J. EVANS is the first player in Big South-OVC Association history with two kickoff return touchdowns in a season — and also the first with two kickoff return TDs in back-to-back games. He had a 98-yard return this past week vs. UT Martin and recorded a 99-yarder in TSU’s previous game at Howard.
3rd DOWN: UT Martin ranks third in the nation in rushing defense with its 83.3 average. The Skyhawks have limited their last three opponents to a combined 130 net rushing yards (43.3 average), and have held six foes to 66 net rushing yards or less this season.
4th DOWN: Eastern Illinois QB PIERCE HOLLEY is the first Big South-OVC Association player to throw for more than 300 yards in five consecutive games.
SLANT ROUTES
* CHARLESTON SOUTHERN: The Buccaneers are looking to avoid an 0-7 conference record for the first time … Charleston Southern is facing its third nationally-ranked opponent on Saturday, and is 1-1 in those games.
* EASTERN ILLINOIS: The Panthers are facing their two first-time opponents of the season over the next two weeks — Gardner-Webb this week and Charleston Southern next Saturday … EIU is 4-0 in November Association games.
* GARDNER-WEBB: The Runnin’ Bulldogs are playing their fourth of five first-time opponents on Saturday … GWU is seeking consecutive victories for the first time this season.
* LINDENWOOD: The Lions are looking to avoid back-to-back Association losses for the first time this season … Lindenwood is facing its third overall nationally-ranked opponent this season on Saturday (second FCS).
* SOUTHEAST MISSOURI: The Redhawks are looking to open 6-0 in conference games for the first time since 2010 (7-0) … The Redhawks have averaged 47.0 points in their two victories over Lindenwood.
* TENNESSEE STATE: The Tigers are looking to avoid back-to-back losses for the first time this season … Western Illinois marks TSU’s lone first-time opponent of the season.
* TENNESSEE TECH: The Golden Eagles are seeking their first nonconference win since Oct. 14, 2023 (W, 28-7 at South Carolina State) … Tech is looking to snap a 2-game skid to Samford, as its last win in the series was in 2019 (W, 59-58 in 2OT).
* UT MARTIN: The Skyhawks have won the two meetings with CSU by scores of 17-0 (2023) and 42-14 (1994) … UTM is seeking its fourth consecutive 7-win season. * WESTERN ILLINOIS: The Leathernecks are facing their fourth of five first-time opponents of the season on Saturday … Western is averaging 37.67 points in its last three outings and has eclipsed 30 points in six of nine games this year.
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK – NOV. 4
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
MJ Flowers, Eastern Illinois, RB • 6-1, 220, R-So. • Cincinnati, Ohio
Flowers tallied 280 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns as Eastern Illinois topped in-state rival Western Illinois 45-38. The sophomore carried the ball 27 times for 194 yards (7.2 ypc) and a 10-yard touchdown in the first quarter. In the fourth quarter, he had a 65-yard run where he broke through multiple defenders to set up EIU’s final touchdown of the day. Flowers also caught three passes for 86 yards, including a 64-yard touchdown on the opening drive of the third quarter, and an 18-yarder on the first drive of the fourth quarter. His 280 all-purpose yards ranks fifth in the FCS in 2024; he ranks 21st nationally in all-purpose yards (116.56).
Others Nominated: Tyler Riddell (Gardner-Webb), Jalen Mitchell (Tennessee Tech), Kinkead Dent (UT Martin), Nathan Lamb (Western Illinois)
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Davion Williams, Charleston Southern, SAF • 6-1, 185, R-So. • Frostproof, Fla.
Williams led all players with eight tackles (seven solo) in Saturday’s game with Gardner-Webb. The sophomore had four tackles-for-loss (for minus-17 yards) and a sack (for minus-9 yards) while forcing a fumble and adding a quarterback hurry. His biggest play of the day was a strip sack in the third quarter that gave the Bucs the ball back in the red zone and led to a touchdown three plays later. Williams’ four TFL’s are the most by a Big South-OVC player this season (12th-most nationally) and most by a CSU player in a game since 2021.
Cayman Spaulding, Tennessee Tech, LB • 6-0, 189, So. • Lithonia, Ga.
Spaulding had six tackles (four solo), 2.5 tackles for loss (for minus-8 yards), a sack and returned an interception 29 yards for a touchdown in Tennessee Tech’s 52-10 Homecoming victory over Lindenwood. After his team had scored early in the third quarter to increase the lead to 24-0, the sophomore picked off the next pass and streaked to the end zone to increase the lead to 31-0. He was a key part of a defense that limited the Lions to just 249 yards of total offense.
Others Nominated: Nicholas Oliveira-Chace (Eastern Illinois), Chris Hunter Jr. (UT Martin), Juan De La Cruz (Western Illinois)
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
CJ Evans, Tennessee State, RS/RB • 5-8, 180, Sr. • Mobile, Ala.
Evans returned his second kickoff for a touchdown on the season, this time 98 yards against UT Martin on Saturday. With his team trailing 21-0 late in the first quarter, Evans took the kickoff and scored to trim the margin. It is tied for the 10th longest kickoff return in the FCS this season; Evans had a 99-yarder earlier this year against Howard, making him one of five players nationally with two kick returns for touchdowns this season. The senior averaged 46.7 yards on three returns, rushed for seven yards and caught two passes for 16 yards to finish with 163 all-purpose yards. Evans has eight total kickoff returns this season and is averaging 44.38 yards per return.
Others Nominated: Gilbert Brown (Charleston Southern), Julian Patino (Eastern Illinois), Patrick Turner (Lindenwood), Dom LeBlanc (Tennessee Tech), Toriano Tate (Western Illinois)
FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
Tyson Greenwade, Charleston Southern, RB • 5-11, 210, R-Fr. • Dalton, Ga.
Greenwade accounted for 99 all-purpose yards and a touchdown in Charleston Southern’s home game with rival Gardner-Webb. He carried the ball 15 times for 68 yards (4.5 ypc) and scored on a 1-yard run in the third quarter to pull his team within three points. The freshman also caught three passes for 31 yards, including a 25-yard reception late in the fourth quarter that led to a CSU touchdown a play later as the Bucs cut the margin to 17-14.
Others Nominated: Quenton Rogers (Eastern Illinois), Sanders, Ellis (Tennessee State), Dom LeBlanc (Tennessee Tech), Jonathon Williams (Western Illinois)
BIG SOUTH/OVC NOTEBOOK
SIX CYLINDER
Big South-OVC leader Southeast Missouri is coming off its second bye week of the season and will seek to become the first team in Association history to start 6-0 in conference games. The Redhawks are ranked No. 6 nationally in both major polls (Stats Perform and AFCA Coaches) and were rated No. 6 by the FCS Championship Committee last week.
MAKING A DENT IN THE RECORD BOOK
UT Martin quarterback KINKEAD DENT has scored a rushing touchdown in four-straight games, tying the Association record by a QB. Former Gardner-Webb signal-caller JAYLEN KING had a rushing TD in four-straight games last season. Dent and Western Illinois QB NATHAN LAMB have each thrown a touchdown pass and rushed for a score in a game a league-high four times this season, which also matches the Association record. Meanwhile, Lamb’s six rushing touchdowns this year are the most by a quarterback in Association single-season history.
TACKLE BOX
Charleston Southern recorded a season-high 14 tackles-for-loss this past Saturday against Gardner-Webb, tied for the second-most in a game in Association history. DAVION WILLIAMS had 4.0 TFL against the Runnin’ Bulldogs, which is also tied for the second-most by an individual in Association annals.
TENNESSEE RIVER
Tennessee State’s three 40-point games this season are second-most in the Association and its most times scoring 40+ points in a campaign since three times in 2016. The 2024 Tigers have scored 40 points each month of the season thus far, and each time being the same exact point total — 41 vs. Mississippi Valley State on Aug. 31; 41 vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Sept. 14, and 41 vs. Eastern Illinois on Oct. 12.
QUARTER POUNDERS
No. 6/6 Southeast Missouri has scored in 34 of 36 quarters in regulation this year, as well as both overtime periods. The two times SEMO failed to score in a quarter has been in the opening 15 minutes (vs. Tennessee Tech in Week 7 and vs. Gardner-Webb in Week 9). The Redhawks opened the season with a scoring streak of 24-straight quarters. SEMO’s quarter-by-quarter scoring breakdown this season stands at 67 points (first), 70 (second), 56 (third) and 80 (fourth). SEMO has reached 30+ points in six of nine contests this season.
THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN
Through 24 Association-conference games played, the home team has won 15 times ( =62.50 winning percentage), while the overall average margin of victory is 14.38 points. Ten contests have been one possession decisions. The 24 games have had a combined point total of 1,345, for a per game average of 56.04 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).
THE DEFENSE NEVER RESTS
Big South-OVC Association members have combined for 14 defensive touchdowns after 10 weeks of the season (10 interception returns and 4 fumble returns) — with UT Martin (3 INT) and Tennessee Tech (2 INT, 1 FUM) leading the way with three each. Last year, the 10-team Association membership combined for 19 defensive TDs (12 INT, 6 FUM). Martin and Tech are tied for the league-lead with 12 interceptions this season, while the Skyhawks have amassed an Association single-season record 272 return yards. In addition, UTM’s three INT touchdowns match the league record set by Gardner-Webb last season.
WALL FLOWER
Eastern Illinois RB MJ FLOWERS produced a season-high 280 all-purpose yards this past week in the Panthers’ 45-38 victory over Western Illinois — the second-highest single-game output in Association history. Flowers rushed for 194 yards in addition to 86 yards receiving, and now owns the top two single-game all-purpose yard totals in Association annals. He holds the record of 298 that he set last season vs. McNeese.
RACK OF LAMB
In his last two outings, Western Illinois QB NATHAN LAMB has 873 passing yards and 8 touchdown passes. He threw for a Big South-OVC Association single-game record 564 yards at Lindenwood in Week 9. He was 42-of-55 passing ( =76.4 percent) to establish the league record for completions in a game, and finished the day with 604 total yards of offense for another conference record. He is the first player in Association history to pass for 500 yards and gain 600 total offensive yards in a contest. Lamb’s previous highs this season were 269 passing yards (at Illinois State in Week 3), 24 completions (vs. ISU) and 350 yards of offense (vs. Tennessee Tech in Week 8).
AROUND THE ASSOCIATION…
CHARLESTON SOUTHERN
The Buccaneers suffered their fourth 1-possession defeat of the season with its 17-14 loss to Gardner-Webb this past Saturday. The Bucs rallied from a 17-7 deficit when KALEB JACKSON scored from 3-yards out with :26 seconds remaining. After CSU recovered the ensuing onside kick, the Buccaneers got within fi eld goal range for a chance to tie, but the 30-yard try was wide right
EASTERN ILLINOIS
QB PIERCE HOLLEY has thrown for 300 yards in five consecutive games, the longest 300-yard passing streak in Association history. Holley has thrown for 326-366-338-348-338 in that span ( =1,716) for an average of 343.2, with 12 TD passes. He is second in the Association this season with 2,370 passing yards and 263.3 passing yards per game … TE ALEX GINNEVER became the first tight end in Association history with a 100-yard receiving game, as he caught six passes for 100 yards and two scores in the Panthers’ win over Western Illinois last week.
GARDNER-WEBB
RB EDWARD SAYDEE has been GWU’s top rusher in seven of nine games this season following his team-high 86 rushing yards at Charleston Southern last week. He scored on a 44-yard run on the second play of the second half to help the Runnin’ Bulldogs clinch the North-South BBQ Bowl trophy … Gardner-Webb plays its next two games at home, its lone back-to-back contests at Spangler Stadium this season.
LINDENWOOD
Lindenwood was held to its fewest points against an FCS opponent this season (10) in last week’s loss at Tennessee Tech. The Lions were also held to their fewest rushing yards of the season (68), and second-lowest offensive output (249) in the setback … NATE GLANTZ connected with DARRIN FUGITT on a 23-yard pass play for his third-straight game with a TD pass, and sixth game with a TD pass in his last seven contests.
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
SEMO’s No. 6 national ranking is the program’s highest ever (previous best was No. 7 in 2010) … QB PAXTON DELAURENT had recorded four-straight 300-yard passing games, as he has thrown for 364-418-335-312 in that span ( =1,429 / 357.25 average). His six 300-yard passing games this season have come in his last seven outings … The Redhawks allowed just 274 yards of offense in their Week 9 win over Gardner-Webb — the fifth game holding 2024 opponents below 300 offensive yards. SEMO leads the Big South-OVC in total defense at 305.11 and scoring defense at 18.67, and its 109.56 rushing defense is 13th nationally.
TENNESSEE STATE
Tennessee State rallied from a 21-0 deficit to UT Martin to get within seven points at 21-14 following the first quarter. The Tigers got back within seven points at 28-21 when JALAL DEAN caught a 2-yard touchdown pass from DRAYLEN ELLIS with 1:09 remaining in the third quarter. Dean and KARATE BRENSON each caught 11 passes from Ellis. Dean had 118 receiving yards while Brenson tallied 86. Ellis finished the day 33-of-53 passing for 312 yards and two TDs … C.J. EVANS has returned two of his eight kickoffs for touchdowns and is averaging 44.38 yards on his kickoff returns this season (8 for 355).
TENNESSEE TECH
Tennessee Tech posted its second 52-point game of the season on Saturday in defeating Lindenwood, 52-10. The Golden Eagles gained a season-high 519 yards of offense and averaged 8.95 yards per play in the victory. Tech scored five rushing touchdowns and were led on the ground by JALEN MITCHELL’s season-high 128 yards. Mitchell has rushed for 308 yards in his last three games (102.7 average) … TTU ranks second in the Big South-OVC in rushing defense at 94.78 yards allowed, which is fifth in the nation
UT MARTIN
The Skyhawks jumped out to a 21-0 first quarter lead at Tennessee State and held off the Tigers for the 28-21 victory — UTM’s fifth-straight win. QB KINKEAD DENT threw three TD passes for the second-straight game and has nine scoring strikes in his last four appearances … DEVONTE TANKSLEY, ZOE ROBERTS and SCOTTIE ALEXANDER each caught his first touchdown pass of the season in the TSU game … RB PATRICK SMITH has been UTM’s leading rusher in all nine games and leads the Association with 909 rushing yards. That total is more than three league members’ season output this year. His Association-record for consecutive games with a touchdown was snapped at 7 against the Tigers.
WESTERN ILLINOIS
The Leathernecks are averaging 37.7 points and 518.0 yards of offense in their last three games, and have surpassed 30 points in six of their last seven contests … RB CAMEREN SMITH takes over the Association’s active streak for consecutive games with a touchdown at 6, as he has nine TDs in that span (six rushing, three receiving) … QB NATHAN LAMB is second in the conference in total offense with 280.67 per game, while his 263 rushing yards are the most among Big South-OVC quarterbacks.
