WEEK 13 SCHEDULE
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER. 23, 2024
TIME WATCH SERIES
EASTERN ILLINOIS at TENNESSEE TECH *
12:00pm CT ESPN+
EIU leads series, 21-8
CHARLESTON SOUTHERN at Florida State
1:30pm ET ACCNX
FSU leads series, 1-0
GARDNER-WEBB at WESTERN ILLINOIS *
1:00pm CT ESPN+
1st meeting
LINDENWOOD at #22/24 UT MARTIN *
2:00pm CT ESPN+
UTM leads series, 1-0
#11/12 SOUTHEAST MISSOURI at #25 TENNESSEE STATE *
3:30pm CT ESPN+
SEMO leads series, 16-14
2-MINUTE OFFENSE
OPENING KICKOFF: Southeast Missouri has clinched at least a share of the Big South-OVC Championship, the program’s third title under head coach TOM MATUKEWICZ and the fourth overall conference crown. The Redhawks can clinch the outright championship and automatic bid to the FCS Playoffs with a win Saturday.
1st DOWN: The Association could finish with a FOUR-WAY tie for first-place at 6-2 should Tennessee State defeat SEMO, as well as Tennessee Tech defeat Eastern Illinois and UT Martin defeat Linenwood in the regular-season finales on Saturday. All four teams would be declared co-champions. In this scenario, SEMO and TTU would have finished 2-1 against the tied teams, with TSU and UTM at 1-2 that would reduce the tie to SEMO and TTU. SEMO won head-to-head over Tech and would win the AQ.
2nd DOWN: For the first time in Association history, three teams are ranked in the National Top 25 in the same week, as SEMO, UT Martin and Tennessee State are all rated in the AFCA Coaches Poll. The Redhawks are at No. 11, the Skyhawks are at No. 24 and the Tigers are No. 25.
3rd DOWN: Western Illinois QB NATHAN LAMB is the first player in Association history with two 80-plus yard completions in a game when he connected with CAMEREN SMITH and MATTHEW HENRY for 81-yard touchdowns at SEMO last week.
4th DOWN: Western Illinois RB CAMEREN SMITH has scored a touchdown in an Association-record eight consecutive games. His 12 touchdowns this season have come in that span and features four multi-TD efforts.
SLANT ROUTES
* CHARLESTON SOUTHERN: The Buccaneers are concluding the season against an FBS opponent for the first time since 2021 … CSU is playing an ACC opponent for the third consecutive year.
* EASTERN ILLINOIS: The Panthers are looking to conclude the season with back-to-back wins for the first time this year … EIU is seeking its first win over Tennessee Tech since 2021 (W, 28-14).
* GARDNER-WEBB: The Runnin’ Bulldogs are concluding the season on the road for the fi rst time since the 2021 campaign … GWU has won its last three season finales, and is playing its fifth and final first-time opponent of the year.
* LINDENWOOD: The Lions are seeking back-to-back victories in Association games for the first time this season, as well as consecutive wins over Top 25 teams … A win would give Lindenwood its second .500-orbetter campaign in three years at the FCS level.
* SOUTHEAST MISSOURI: The Redhawks are seeking their first-ever 10-win season … SEMO is looking to finish with a 7-1 conference record for the first time since 2019 and has won the last five meetings with Tennessee State.
* TENNESSEE STATE: The Tigers have won eight games for the first time since 2013 when TSU was 10-4 and finished 6-2 in conference action … Tennessee State is looking to defeat Southeast Missouri for the first time since 2017 (W, 23-20 at home).
* TENNESSEE TECH: The Golden Eagles are seeking their first 5-game win streak since winning 5-straight across the 2000 (4) and 2001 (1) seasons … TTU won the last meeting with Eastern Illinois (20-17 in 2022).
* UT MARTIN: The Skyhawks are looking to win their regular-season finale for the first time since 2022 … UTM first played Lindenwood in ‘22 and won, 56-26, at home.
* WESTERN ILLINOIS: The Leathernecks are looking to close out the season with a victory for the first time since the 2021 spring season
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK – NOV. 18
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Paxton DeLaurent, Southeast Missouri, QB • 6-5, 229, Sr. • Camdenton, Mo.
DeLaurent accounted for 415 yards of total offense and five total touchdowns as Southeast Missouri topped Western Illinois 54-45 to earn at least a share of the Big South-OVC Championship. The senior completed 25- of-40 passes for 375 yards and four touchdowns, while rushing seven times for 40 yards (5.7 yards/carry) and an additional touchdown. DeLaurent had passing touchdowns of 21, 39 and 17 in the first half and added a 48-yarder in the third quarter. His rushing touchdown was 10 yards and came late in the second quarter. This marks the fifth time this season he has been named Offensive Player of the Week. Nationally, DeLaurent ranks first in completions/game (26.64), fourth in points responsible for (182) and fifth in passing touchdowns (27), total offense (305.0 yards/game), passing yards (3,287) and passing yards/game (298.8).
Others Nominated: Cameron Overton (Gardner-Webb), Jaden McGill (Tennessee State), Jalen Mitchell (Tennessee Tech), Matthew Henry (Western Illinois)
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Daniel Rickert, Tennessee Tech, DL • 5-11, 232, Jr. • Nolensville, Tenn.
Rickert had a monster day in keying a Tennessee Tech defense that limited No. 18/19 UT Martin to just 185 yards of total offense as the Golden Eagles won 10-9 to claim the Sgt. York Trophy and keep alive a possibility of gaining a share of the Big South-OVC Championship. The victory snapped an 11-game losing streak to the Skyhawks for the Golden Eagles. Rickert tallied nine tackles (3 solo), had 3.5 sacks for minus-18 yards, 4.0 total tackles for loss, forced a fumble, had a pass breakup and three quarterback hurries. The 3.5 sacks are tied for the sixth-most by a FCS player in a game this season; his 0.60 sacks/game leads the Big South-OVC this season.
Others Nominated:
Steve Zayachkowsky (Charleston Southern), Joel Barrows (Eastern Illinois), Raquon Hartley (Gardner-Webb), Mali Walton (Southeast Missouri), Ahmad Nelson (Tennessee State), Jaylon Sharpe (UT Martin), Christian Pierce (Western Illinois)
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
DC Pippin, Southeast Missouri, K • 6-0, 195, Sr. • Springfield, Ill.
Pippin tallied 18 points kicking as No. 12/13 Southeast Missouri knocked off Western Illinois 54-45 to claim at least a share of the Big South-OVC Championship. The senior connected on 4-of-4 fi eld goals, hitting from 43, 20, 40 and 34 yards and was a perfect 6-of-6 on PATs. The four made field goals matched his career high and is tied for the third-most by a FCS player this season. Pippin, who earned this honor for the fourth time this season, also had 11 kickoffs, averaging 55.0 yards per attempt with four touchbacks. He leads all FCS players in fi eld goals per game (2.36) and is fourth in scoring (10.1 points/game).
Others Nominated: Julian Patino (Eastern Illinois), Nick Bigelow (Gardner-Webb)
FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
Sanders Ellis, Tennessee State, LB • 6-2, 225, Fr. • Nashville, Tenn.
Ellis earned his fourth Freshman of the Week award of the season after tallying five tackles (3 solo) and 1.5 tackles for loss (for minus-2 yards) in Tennessee State’s 23-20 road win over Gardner-Webb. The victory set up an opportunity for the Tigers to potentially win the Big South-OVC Championship next week. Ellis ranks 11th in the Association in tackles per game (5.8).
Others Nominated: Isaiah Houi (Eastern Illinois), Gio Adopte (Gardner-Webb)
CONFERENCE NOTEBOOK
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI IS IN THE PLAYOFFS WITH A WIN – Southeast Missouri can clinch the outright Big South-OVC Football Association championship and automatic bid to the FCS Playoffs with a win Saturday at Tennessee State to finish the season 7-1 in conference action.
TENNESSEE STATE IS IN THE PLAYOFFS WITH A WIN PLUS HELP – If Tennessee State defeats Southeast Missouri on Saturday, and both Tennessee Tech and UT Martin fall in their respective contests, the Tigers will share the Association crown with SEMO and clinch the automatic bid to the FCS Playoffs, which would mark TSU’s first playoff berth since 2013.
BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE… While a potential four-way tie for first-place was broken out on the front page of this week’s report, additional scenarios exist below: * Should TSU, SEMO and UTM finish league play at 6-2, the teams went 1-1 against each other so the tiebreaker moves down to record vs. next highest team in the standing — which would be Tennessee Tech at 5-3. SEMO was the lone squad to defeat TTU and would capture the AQ. * Should TSU, SEMO and TTU finish league play at 6-2, the teams went 1-1 against each other so the tiebreaker moves down to the next highest team in the standings — which would be both Lindenwood and UT Martin at 5-3, so the composite record against the tied teams is used. Tech was the only squad to defeat both Lindenwood and UTM and would receive the AQ.
AROUND THE ASSOCIATION…
CHARLESTON SOUTHERN – The Buccaneers suffered through the first 0-8 conference season in program history … CSU also suffered five single-possession defeats — four of which were Association games, and fell in those games by a combined 16 points (3.2 average) … In the Bucs’ overtime loss at Eastern Illinois last week, REID MONTGOMERY converted fi eld goals of 37 and 39 yards, while JAMIL BISHOP’s 15-yard touchdown run tied the contest at 13-13 with 4:52 remaining.
EASTERN ILLINOIS – QB PIERCE HOLLEY had his Association-record streak of 300-yard passing games end at six consecutive after being limited to 168 yards last week against Charleston Southern. Holley enters the final week of the season second in the Association with 2,996 passing yards (7th nationally) … JULIAN PATINO’s 18-yard fi eld goal in overtime gave the Panthers the 16-13 win over Charleston Southern. MJ FLOWERS and ALEX HERRERA scored touchdowns on consecutive possessions to put EIU ahead, 13-6 just before halftime.
GARDNER-WEBB – The Runnin’ Bulldogs rallied from a 13-0 deficit against Tennessee State to within one point of the Tigers, at 13-12. MILES RICHARDSON scored GWU’s first points with a 98-yard PAT return, the third defensive extra point this season in the Association … TE CAMDEN OVERTON caught seven passes, tied for the third-most in a game by a tight end in league history … RAQUON HARTLEY had 16 tackles (10 solo) plus 2.0 tackles-for-loss.
LINDENWOOD – Lindenwood recorded its first-ever victory over a ranked FCS opponent with its 24-12 victory over then-No. 6/6 Southeast Missouri in Week 11. The Lions held the Redhawks to their fewest points (12), fewest plays (53) and fewest yards (234) of the season. Lindenwood held possession 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 – The Redhawks rallied from two early deficits to pull away from Western Illinois and record their ninth win of the season. SEMO has four 9-win seasons in TOM MATUKEWICZ’s 11 years as head coach … BRANDON EPTON JR. rushed for a team-high 126 yards and a touchdown, and also caught three passes for 26 yards and a score … QB PAXTON DELAURENT was 25-of-40 for 375 yards and four touchdowns, his fourth game this season with at least 4 TD passes … SEMO’s defense turned over Western Illinois four times (three INT, one fumble recovery).
TENNESSEE STATE – The Tigers are 14-8 since the start of the 2023 season, and remains at No. 3 in both the HBCU Coaches Poll and Media Poll … In TSU’s 23-20 victory at Gardner-Webb, JADEN McGILL rushed for 100 yards on 15 carries ( =6.7 average) for the first 100-yard rushing game by a Tiger this season. QB DRAYLEN ELLIS threw for 220 yards and two touchdowns, his third-straight multi-TD pass game and sixth of the season. His 20 TD passes this season rank second in the Association … C.J. EVANS has scored a touchdown in six consecutive games — 2 rushing, 2 receiving and 2 kickoff returns.
TENNESSEE TECH – Tennessee Tech won its fourth consecutive game with its 10-9 win at UT Martin this past Saturday. During the current 4-game win streak, the TTU defense has permitted just 59 points (14.75 average), 953 offensive yards (238.3 average) and 252 yards rushing (63.0 average) in that span … The Golden Eagles did not permit an offensive touchdown to UTM. RB JALEN MITCHELL was responsible for Tech’s lone touchdown in the win over Martin (15-yard run), while DANIEL RICKERT had nine tackles, 4.0 TFL, 3.5 sacks, a forced fumble, one pass break-up and three QB hurries. Tech ended the night with 11 stops behind the line of scrimmage.
UT MARTIN UT – Martin managed just 185 yards of offense in its 10-9 loss at Tennessee Tech, the Skyhawks’ lowest offensive output against an FCS opponent since the 2021 playoffs vs. eventual National Runner-Up Montana State … CAM ROBERTSON’s 40-yard blocked punt return for a touchdown followed by a safety brought UTM back from a 10-0 defi cit. QB KINKEAD DENT was the squad’s top rusher vs. TTU, the first time this season RB PATRICK SMITH did not lead the team in rushing yards. JAYLON SHARPE had 14 tackles and a quarterback sack.
WESTERN ILLINOIS – QB NATHAN LAMB is second in the conference in total offense with 300.82 per game, while his 331 rushing yards are the most among Big South-OVC quarterbacks. He needs 61 rushing yards in the season finale to break the Association single-season quarterback rushing record of 391 set last season by Gardner-Webb’s JAYLEN KING … In the Leathernecks’ nine-point loss at SEMO last week, MATTHEW HENRY caught seven passes for 183 yards, while ELI ARAGON caught seven balls for 116. Lamb was 24-of-39 passing for 449 yards and three touchdowns, his second game with more than 400 passing yards in four weeks. K ANTONIO CHADHA made fi eld goals from 46 and 50 yards and is tied for the Association lead with eight fi eld goals from 40 yards-or-longer.
