WEEK 12 SCHEDULE
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER. 16, 2024
TIME WATCH SERIES
CHARLESTON SOUTHERN at EASTERN ILLINOIS *
12:00pm CT ESPN+
1st meeting
TENNESSEE STATE at GARDNER-WEBB *
1:30pm ET ESPN+
TSU leads series, 1-0
WESTERN ILLINOIS at #12/13 SOUTHEAST MISSOURI *
1:00pm CT ESPN+
SEMO leads series, 1-0
TENNESSEE TECH at #18/19 UT MARTIN *
1:00pm CT ESPN+
TTU leads series, 22-21-2
2-MINUTE OFFENSE
OPENING KICKOFF: Lindenwood handed Southeast Missouri its first Big South-OVC Association loss of the season this past week. In the process, the Lions claimed the Game Ball Brawl trophy for the first time, and secured the program’s first-ever win over a nationally-ranked opponent at the FCS level. Association members have four victories over Top 25 programs in 2024 — two out-of-conference foes and two against league members.
1st DOWN: Southeast Missouri still holds the inside track to the Big South-OVC automatic bid to the FCS Playoffs, as the Redhawks would need to win its two remaining Association contests to finish at 7-1 in conference and owns the head-to-head tiebreaker with UT Martin should the Skyhawks also finish league play at 7-1.
2nd DOWN: Eastern Illinois WR COOPER WILLMAN caught 11 passes for a Big South-OVC single-game record 291 yards in EIU’s 31-28 loss at Gardner-Webb this past week. Willman also had three TD catches — all in the final 18:19 of the contest to bring the Panthers back from a 31-7 deficit.
3rd DOWN: UT Martin has held its last four opponents and five of its last six foes to less than 100 net yards rushing. The Skyhawks have allowed just 224 rushing yards in the last four contests ( =56.0 average).
4th DOWN: Gardner-Webb’s ANTONIO O’BERRY notched 4.0 quarterback sacks in the Runnin’ Bulldogs’ victory over Eastern Illinois this past Saturday. GWU posted an Association single-game record 11 quarterback sacks.
SLANT ROUTES
* CHARLESTON SOUTHERN: The Buccaneers are looking to avoid an 0-8 conference record for the first time … Charleston Southern plays its final Association game of the year on Saturday, and faces its fifth and final first-time opponent of the season.
* EASTERN ILLINOIS: The Panthers are facing their second of two first-time opponents of the season on Saturday, which will be EIU’s home finale of the year.
* GARDNER-WEBB: The Runnin’ Bulldogs are seeking their first 3-game win streak since concluding the 2023 regular-season with 5-straight wins … GWU is playing its home finale on Saturday.
* LINDENWOOD: The Lions are idle this week and return to action Nov. 23 in the season finale at UT Martin … Lindenwood will attempt to win back-to-back Association games for the first time next week.
* SOUTHEAST MISSOURI: The Redhawks are seeking their second 9-win season in three years (9-3 in 2022) … SEMO is looking for its first win in November since the 2022 season finale (W, 52-22 vs. Murray State on Nov. 19; 0-4 in November since).
* TENNESSEE STATE: The Tigers have won seven games for the first time since 2016 when TSU was 7-4 … Tennessee State’s last 8-win season was in 2013 (10-4, 6-2 OVC record) … TSU’s 27-25 home win over Gardner-Webb last year was the first official Association conference game in league annals.
* TENNESSEE TECH: The Golden Eagles are seeking their first 4-game win streak since winning 4-straight in 2011 … Tech last defeated UT Martin in 2012 (W, 45-44).
* UT MARTIN: The Skyhawks are seeking their first 6-win conference season since 2019 (6-2) … UTM has won the last 11 meetings over Tennessee Tech.
* WESTERN ILLINOIS: The Leathernecks are playing their final road game of the season on Saturday … WIU is looking to avoid its first four-game losing skid of the 2024 season.
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK – NOV. 11
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Cooper Willman, Eastern Illinois, WR • 6-1, 205, Gr. • Sterling, Ill.
William caught 11 passes for 291 yards and three touchdowns in Eastern Illinois’ road game at Gardner-Webb. The 291 receiving yards are the most by a FCS player this season (by 47 yards), the most in EIU history, the most in two years of the Big South-OVC and third most all-time by an OVC player. Willman had two catches for 39 yards in the first half as the Panthers fell behind 31-7 midway through the third quarter. He tallied nine catches for 252 yards in the second half, catching touchdown passes of 8, 80 and 25 yards in the final 18 minutes as the Panthers got back into the game and had a chance to win the contest on the final drive. He averaged 26.5 yards per catch and in the process became the 35tn player in school history to surpass the 1,000-yard receiving mark for his career.
Others Nominated: Nate Glantz (Lindenwood), Draylen Ellis (Tennessee State), Tremel Jones (Tennessee Tech), DeVonte Tanksley (UT Martin)
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Bryce Norman, Southeast Missouri, LB • 6-0, 215, Sr. • Jackson, Mo.
Norman recorded a career-high 19 tackles (nine solo), 3.0 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks in Southeast Missouri’s game at Lindenwood. The 19 tackles are the most by a Big South-OVC player this season and ranks as the fifth-most by a FCS player in a contest this year. Norman’s two sacks led to a loss of 16 yards as the senior went over 100 tackles for the second time in his career. Norman has five double-digit tackles this season and his 10.7 tackles per game ranks first in the Conference and fifth nationally.
Others Nominated: Steve Zayachkowsky (Charleston Southern), Trevor Moffi tt (Gardner-Webb), Eric Gant (Lindenwood), Ahmad Nelson (Tennessee State), Aaron Swafford (Tennessee Tech), Tevin Shipp (UT Martin), Ryan Crandall (Western Illinois)
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Jaren Van Winkle, UT Martin, K/P • 6-3, 200, R-Jr. • Clay, Ala.
Van Winkle did a little of everything in UT Martin’s 40-14 win at Charleston Southern. The junior made both of his fi eld goal attempts (a season-long 44 & 24 yards) and connected on 4-of-5 PATs to tally 10 kicking points. He also averaged 38.3 yards on three punts, including putting two of his attempts inside the CSU 20-yard line, with a long punt of 45 yards. Van Winkle handled kickoff duties and averaged 48.9 yards with one touchback.
Others Nominated: Geordan Livingston (Charleston Southern), Jacob Horvath (Eastern Illinois), Jay Billingsley (Gardner-Webb), CJ Evans (Tennessee State), Torin Baker (Tennessee Tech)
FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
Steve Hall, Lindenwood, RB • 5-9, 195, R-Fr. • St. Louis, Mo.
Hall carried the ball 18 times for 91 yards as Lindenwood knocked off No. 6 ranked Southeast Missouri by a 24-12 margin. The freshman averaged 5.1 yards per carry and had a 58-yard run early in the game. That run took the ball to the SEMO eight-yard line and Lindenwood would score fi ve plays later to take a 14-6 lead. Hall has rushed for 794 yards this season, which ranks second in the Big South-OVC. Nationally he ranks second among all freshmen in total rushing yards.
Others Nominated: Isaiah Houi (Eastern Illinois), Aidan Littles (Tennessee Tech)
CONFERENCE NOTEBOOK
ADRENALINE RUSH
UT Martin (84.4) and Tennessee Tech (87.2) rank third and fifth, respectively, in FCS in rushing defense. The Skyhawks have held seven opponents this season to less than 100 net rushing yards, including the last four-straight (56.0 average). The Golden Eagles have held five foes to under 100 net rushing yards, including their last two games (43.5 average). On the flip side, UTM is second in the Association in rushing offense at 176.3, with Tech in the third spot at 165.4. The teams go head-to-head this Saturday in the final Sgt. York Trophy game of the season.
SGT. YORK TROPHY
As noted above, Tennessee Tech and UT Martin play in the final Sgt. York Trophy game of the season. Both entered 1-0 (each having defeated Tennessee State). The winner of Saturday’s contest will claim the Trophy, which is contested among the OVC schools in the state of Tennessee. UT Martin has won the Trophy each of the past three years; Tennessee Tech last took home the Trophy in 2020.
HANGING WITH MR. COOPER
Eastern Illinois WR COOPER WILLMAN’s Big South-OVC Association single-game record of 291 receiving yards this past week at Gardner-Webb broke the old conference record of 226 that was set by Western Illinois WR MATTHEW HENRY at Lindenwood in Week 9. Willman caught 11 passes and averaged 26.45 yards per catch against the Runnin’ Bulldogs. He is now second in the Association this season with 55 receptions, 853 receiving yards and eight TD grabs. Meanwhile, Willman’s 291 all-purpose yards is the second-highest single-game total in Association history and surpassed the 280 recorded by teammate MJ FLOWERS in Week 10 against Western Illinois. Flowers holds the all-time record of 298 that he set last season vs. McNeese.
TENNESSEE RIVER
Tennessee State’s four 40-point games this season are second-most in the Association and its most times scoring 40+ points in a campaign since five times in 2001. The 2024 Tigers have scored 40 points each month of the season — with the first three times 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. TSU scored a season-high 45 points this past Saturday (Nov. 9) at Western Illinois.
THE DEFENSE NEVER RESTS
UT Martin has established a Big South-OVC Association single-season record with four interception return touchdowns this season, as well as records for most interceptions (15) and INT return yards (307). Skyhawks LB TEVIN SHIPP owns two of those four pick-6’s, which ties the Association record as well. Meanwhile, Big South-OVC Association members have combined for 15 defensive touchdowns after 11 weeks of the season (11 interception returns and 4 fumble returns). Last year, the 10-team Association membership combined for 19 defensive TDs (12 INT, 6 FUM).
MAKING A DENT IN THE RECORD BOOK
UT Martin quarterback KINKEAD DENT has scored a rushing touchdown in five-straight games, resetting the Association record by a QB. Former Gardner-Webb signal-caller JAYLEN KING had a rushing TD in four-straight games last season. Dent has thrown a touchdown pass and rushed for a score in a game a league-high five times this season, which is also an Association single-season record. Meanwhile, Western Illinois QB NATHAN LAMB’s seven rushing touchdowns this year are the most by a quarterback in Association single-season history.
TACKLE BOX
Gardner-Webb’s 11 quarterback sacks this past Saturday against Eastern Illinois was a Big South-OVC Association single-game record, and the Runnin’ Bulldogs finished the afternoon with 14 tackles-for-loss — tied for the second-most in a game in Association history. ANTONIO O’BERRY had 4.0 TFL — all sacks and his entire tackle total for the game, which is tied for the second-most by an individual in Association annals. In Week 10, Charleston Southern recorded a season-high 14 tackles-for-loss against Gardner-Webb. In addition, DAVION WILLIAMS had 4.0 TFL against the Runnin’ Bulldogs.
THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN
Through 28 Association-conference games played, the home team has won 17 times ( =60.71 winning percentage), while the overall average margin of victory is 14.68 points. Eleven contests have been one possession decisions. The 28 games have had a combined point total of 1,559, for a per game average of 55.68 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)
AROUND THE ASSOCIATION…
CHARLESTON SOUTHERN – The Buccaneers held a brief lead over UT Martin last week when JAMIL BISHOP scampered 54 yards for a touchdown with 7:08 remaining in the first quarter. CSU added its second touchdown with 2:30 remaining in the contest when KALEB JACKSON hit CHRIS RHONE for a 13-yard scoring play.
EASTERN ILLINOIS – QB PIERCE HOLLEY has thrown for 300 yards in six consecutive games, the longest 300-yard passing streak in Association history. Holley has thrown for 326-366-338-348-338-458 in that span ( =2,174) for an average of 362.3, with 16 TD passes. He is second in the Association this season with 2,828 passing yards (6th nationally) and 282.80 passing yards per game (8th in FCS) … WR COOPER WILLMAN’s 291 receiving yards last week are the most by a FCS player this season — by 47 yards. His mark is the third-most ever by an OVC player in a game.
GARDNER-WEBB – The Runnin’ Bulldogs won consecutive games for the fi rst time this season following their 31-28 win over Eastern Illinois last week, and evened their conference record to 3-3 … The GWU tallied a school-record 11 quarterback sacks against EIU … JAY BILLINGSLEY converted a school-record 54-yard fi eld goal in the win, which is tied for second-longest in Association history … QB TYLER RIDELL was 26-of-34 passing for 337 yards in the win over the Panthers.
LINDENWOOD – Lindenwood recorded its first-ever victory over a ranked FCS opponent with last week’s 24-12 victory over then-No. 6/6 Southeast Missouri. The Lions held the Redhawks to their fewest points (12), fewest plays (53) and fewest yards (234) of the season. Lindenwood held possesion of the ball for 40-minutes, 34-seconds, and totaled 56 rushing attempts. WR JEFF CALDWELL caught six passes for 99 yards and a score.
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI – K DC PIPPIN made two fi eld goals (39, 47) at Lindenwood, his sixth multi-fi eld goal game of the season … QB PAXTON DeLAURENT had his fewest completions (16) and passing yards (174) since the season opener, and did not throw a TD pass for the first time this year. He did account for the Redhawks’ lone touchdown against the Lions with a 3-yard rush … BRYCE NORMAN’s 19 tackles at Lindenwood tied the Big South-OVC Association single-game record.
TENNESSEE STATE – Tennessee State’s seven wins are its most since 2016 (7-4 record), and has posted back-to-back winning seasons for the first time under fourth-year head coach EDDIE GEORGE. The last time TSU had consecutive winning campaigns was 2016 & 2017 … The Tigers are 13-8 since the start of the 2023 season, and have moved back into the No. 3 ranking in both the HBCU Coaches Poll and Media Poll … In TSU’s 45-20 victory at Western Illinois, DRAYLEN ELLIS threw three touchdown passes and has 18 on the year — tied for second in the Association … C.J. EVANS returned three kickoffs for 81 yards ( =27.0 average) at Western Illinois, and is averaging 39.64 yards on his kickoff returns this season (11 for 436).
TENNESSEE TECH – Tennessee Tech won its third consecutive game with its 27-7 win at Samford this past Saturday. During the current 3-game win streak, Tech is averaging 35.6 points, 381.3 yards of offense and 242.3 rushing yards. The TTU defense has permitted just 50 points (16.7 average), 768 offensive yards (256.0 average) and 209 yards rushing (69.7 average) in that span.
UT MARTIN – UT Martin’s three losses this season have been to opponents who are a combined 23-6 in 2024 (Kansas State = 7-2; SEMO = 8-2; Missouri State = 8-2) — two of which were one possession defeats … Head coach JASON SIMPSON tallied his 122nd career victory last week, which ranks third in Ohio Valley Conference history for coaching wins … RB PATRICK SMITH has been UTM’s leading rusher in all 10 games, and became the fourth consecutive Skyhawk running back to join the 1,000-yard rushing club with his sixth 100-yard rushing performance of the season (123 at Charleston Southern). He currently leads the Association with 1,032 rushing yards, which is second-most in a season in Association history … The Skyhawks have won six-straight games and tallied three interceptions last week for the third time this season … QB KINKEAD DENT has 11 TD passes in his last five appearances.
WESTERN ILLINOIS – QB NATHAN LAMB is second in the conference in total offense with 286.60 per game, while his 337 rushing yards are the most among Big South-OVC quarterbacks. He needs 55 rushing yards to break the Association single-season quarterback rushing record of 391 set last season by Gardner-Webb’s JAYLEN KING … RB CAMEREN SMITH has tied the Association record for consecutive games with a touchdown at 7, as he has 10 TDs in that span (six rushing, four receiving).
