WEEK 7 SCHEDULE
SATURDAY, OCT. 12
TIME WATCH SERIES
CHARLESTON SOUTHERN at LINDENWOOD *
1:00pm CT ESPN+
CSU leads series, 1-0
TENNESSEE TECH at #9/11 SOUTHEAST MISSOURI *
3:00pm CT ESPN+
Series tied, 16-16
UT MARTIN at WESTERN ILLINOIS *
3:00pm CT ESPN+
Series tied, 1-1
EASTERN ILLINOIS at TENNESSEE STATE *
5:00pm CT ESPN+
EIU leads series, 16-11
SLANT ROUTES
* CHARLESTON SOUTHERN: The Buccaneers are looking to avoid starting 0-3 in conference games for the first time since 2011 … CSU won the first-ever meeting with Lindenwood last year, 24-10.
* EASTERN ILLINOIS: The Panthers are looking to avoid starting 0-3 in conference games for the first time since 2019 (0-5) … EIU won last year’s meeting with TSU, 30-17.
* GARDNER-WEBB: The Runnin’ Bulldogs are idle this week and return to action Oct. 19 at home for their first-ever meeting with Lindenwood.
* LINDENWOOD: The Lions are looking to avoid back-to-back home losses for the first time since concluding the 2023 season with consecutive home defeats … Lindenwood can match last year’s overall win total with a victory on Saturday.
* SOUTHEAST MISSOURI: The Redhawks are seeking their first 6-win season since 2022 (9 wins) … SEMO has won the last two meetings with Tennessee Tech.
* TENNESSEE STATE: The Tigers are looking to win three consecutive conference games for the first time since 2021 … TSU last defeated Eastern Illinois in 2022 (37-17) as part of a 3-game win streak over the Panthers.
* TENNESSEE TECH: The Golden Eagles are looking for their first win over Southeast Missouri since 2021 (W, 28-17 at home) … TTU’s last Top 25 win was Feb. 21, 2021 (W, 27-21 over No. 21 Austin Peay), while its last win over a Top 10 foe was Nov. 20, 2010 (W, 35-24 over No. 4 Jacksonville State).
* UT MARTIN: The Skyhawks are looking for their second consecutive victory over Western Illinois, as UTM won the previous meeting in 2022 (W, 42-25) … Association leading rusher PATRICK SMITH (604 yards) has led UTM in rushing in all six games this year.
* WESTERN ILLINOIS: Western Illinois is looking to start 2-0 in conference games for the first time since 2015 (3-0 in MVFC) … WIU won the first-ever meeting with UT Martin in 2003 (W, 56-0 at home).
2-MINUTE OFFENSE
OPENING KICKOFF:
Southeast Missouri’s No. 9 position in this week’s AFCA Coaches Poll is now the highest national ranking by a Big South-OVC Football Association member in the league’s brief history. It marks the Redhawks’ first Top 10 ranking in 14 years, and the No. 9 rating is tied for the third-highest in program history. SEMO’s previous Top 10 rankings were No. 7 (2010), No. 8 (twice in 2010) and No. 9 (twice in 2010).
1st DOWN:
The Association’s lone 2-0 first-place squads go head-to-head this week, as Southeast Missouri hosts Tennessee Tech on Saturday. SEMO is seeking its third consecutive 3-0 conference start, while TTU is looking to begin 3-0 in league games for the first time since 2011. That season, the Golden Eagles opened 3-0 in Ohio Valley contests en route to a 6-2 league finish.
2nd DOWN:
UT Martin RB PATRICK SMITH is the first player in Big South-OVC Association history with a touchdown in five consecutive games, as he has scored his nine rushing TDs in his last five outings. Smith is also just third player in Association annals with consecutive multi-TD efforts, as he rushed for two scores in Week 5 followed by three rushing touchdowns this past week.
3rd DOWN:
Tennessee State has held its last three opponents to less than 100 passing yards (94-90-99) for an average of 94.3 allowed in that span. Meanwhile, SEMO has limited its last three foes to less than 100 rushing yards (62-53-19) for an average of 44.7 allowed.
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 accounted for four touchdowns (three passing, one rushing) while throwing for 364 yards as Southeast Missouri improved to 5-1 with a victory at Eastern Illinois. The senior completed 30-of-43 passes (completing passes to seven different receivers) while tossing touchdowns of 9, 29 and 3 yards and running one in from a yard out in the fourth quarter. With the three passing scores, DeLaurent tied the SEMO career passing touchdown mark (46). He has now thrown for over 300 yards and multiple touchdowns in three of his last four starts. Nationally, DeLaurent ranks first in completions (25.17/game), second in passing touchdowns (16) and points responsible for (104), fourth in passing yards (1,669) and ninth in total offense (280.3 yards/game).
Others Nominated: Autavius Ison (Charleston Southern), Pierce Holley (Eastern Illinois), Edward Saydee (Gardner-Webb), CJ Evans (Tennessee State), Jay Parker (Tennessee Tech), Patrick Smith (UT Martin), Eli Aragon (Western Illinois)
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Aidan Harrison, Western Illinois, LB • 6-2, 205, Sr. • New Lothrop, Mich.
In his first career start, Harrison made a big impact, including returning an interception 38 yards for a touchdown as Western Illinois won 31-20 at Charleston Southern. The senior picked off the pass late in the first quarter to give the Leathernecks a 14-0 advantage. Harrison added six tackles (three solo) in the victory.
Others Nominated: Davion Williams (Charleston Southern), NiJhay Burt (Eastern Illinois), Vincent King (Lindenwood), Ahmad Nelson (Tennessee State), Tim Coutras (Tennessee Tech), Jaylon Sharpe (UT Martin)
CO-SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
DC Pippin, Southeast Missouri, K • 6-0, 195, Sr. • Springfield, Ill.
Pippin was perfect on kicks as Southeast Missouri won its fourth game in a row, 38-27 at Eastern Illinois. The senior made his only field goal attempt (26 yards, coming in the fi rst quarter) and was 5-of-5 on PATs, to move into second place on SEMO’s career list. Pippin has made at least one fi eld goal in every game this season and ranks third nationally in fi eld goals made (1.83/game) and 20th in scoring (8.3 points/game). The senior also kicked off seven times, three of which went for touchbacks.
Antonio Chadha, Western Illinois, K • 5-9, 200, R-So. • Bryn Mawr, Pa.
Chadha was perfect in kicking attempts as Western Illinois won its second-straight game, 31-20 at Charleston Southern. The sophomore made a 48-yard fi eld goal in the fourth quarter to extend the Leathernecks lead to 31-13 and was 4-for-4 on PATs. He also kicked off six times, three of which went for touchbacks.
Others Nominated: Gilbert Brown (Charleston Southern), Tremel Jones (Tennessee Tech)
FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
Tyson Greenwade, Charleston Southern, RB • 5-11, 200, R-Fr. • Dalton, Ga.
Greenwade carried the ball 12 times for a career-high 102 yards (8.2 ypc) in Charleston Southern’s home game with Western Illinois. He was the second part of a one-two punch that saw the Bucs rush for 325 yards (with Autavius Ison adding 229 yards). He broke off a 54-yard run (and 67 yards total on the drive) as part of an 11- play, 92-yard touchdown drive for the team in the second quarter.
Others Nominated: Sanders Ellis (Tennessee State), Jordan Anderson (Western Illinois)
QUARTER POUNDERS
No. 9/11 Southeast Missouri has scored in every quarter of its six games played this season (24) as well as in both overtime periods. The Redhawks quarter-by-quarter scoring breakdown stands at 61 points (first), 29 (second), 36 (third) and 57 (fourth). SEMO leads the Association in scoring offense at 32.2 points — the lone league member averaging more than 30 points.
RUSH WEEK
Charleston Southern RB AUTAVIOUS ISON rushed for a school-record 229 yards this past week 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 gained 102 yards on the ground this past week against the Leathernecks — marking the first 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.
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 this past week. 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 on Sept. 7. 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).
HOUSE CALLS
Lindenwood WR JEFF CALDWELL has 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 have come in the last four contests, 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 30.8 percent on his 26 receptions. Meanwhile, Caldwell is responsible for five of the Association’s longest pass plays in history:
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 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.
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 in Week 5 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, Pippin is the league leader with 11 fi eld goals made this season, and ranks third nationally with 1.83 per game. He is one away from matching the league record for fi eld goals in a season (12). He 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, 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 remains the national leader with his 49.0 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 this past week against SEMO. The total was the most-ever by an Association running back.
PASSIN’ PAXTON
Southeast Missouri QB PAXTON DeLAURENT leads the Association with 1,669 passing yards (fourth nationally), 16 passing TDs (second nationally), 151 completions and 278.2 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 10 defensive touchdowns after six weeks of the season (7 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), 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.
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.
NATIONAL BAROMETER
Through six weeks, 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.
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. 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.
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 fi rst time a league member did not allow positive rushing yards in a contest, and surpassed the previous record of fi ve (5) net rushing yards allowed, which was also set by UTM against SEMO last season on Nov. 11.
AROUND THE ASSOCIATION…
CHARLESTON SOUTHERN
The Buccaneers rushed for a season-high 325 yards on 48 carries (6.8 yards per rush average) in Saturday’s setback to Western Illinois. It was the program’s fi rst 300-yard rushing effort since gaining 334 net rushing yards against Virginia-Lynchburg on Oct. 13, 2018. It was also CSU’s fi rst game with more than 300 rushing yards against a Division I opponent since Oct. 21, 2017, when the Bucs compiled 308 rushing yards against Savannah State … RB AUTAVIOUS ISON has rushed for 386 yards in his last two games. He had 165 rushing yards through the first three games of the year.
EASTERN ILLINOIS
RB MJ FLOWERS caught 11 passes for 72 yards this past week against Southeast Missouri. The 11 receptions broke the school single-game record for receptions by a running back, which was previously set by DEVIN CHURCH with 10 against Northern Iowa in the 2015 FCS playoff game. Prior to that, DuWAYNE PITTS held the record for many years with nine against Missouri State back in 1984 … QB PIERCE HOLLEY tallied season-highs of 27 completions and 366 passing yards in the loss to SEMO. In the past two games, he has 53 completions for 692 yards and four TD strikes.
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 loss at UT Martin, marking the fourth game this season he has been the squad’s leading rusher this season. He is the third different Gardner-Webb back with a 100-yard rushing game in 2024, the most by an Association member this season … QB TYLER RIDELL has thrown a TD pass in four-straight games and in five of Gardner-Webb’s six contests this year.
LINDENWOOD
n his last four games, WR JEFF CALDWELL has 18 receptions for 450 yards and eight touchdowns, increasing his season totals to 26 / 553 / 8. Caldwell is first in the Association with 21.27 yards per catch … VINCENT KING finished last week’s game vs. Tennessee State with 11 tackles (7 solo) for his league-leading fourth game this season with 10+ tackles. He added 2.0 TFL, 1.0 sack and a forced fumble in the defeat. The Lion defense held TSU to 89 rushing yards, its first game holding an opponent to less than 100 yards this season … QB NATE GLANTZ has thrown seven TD passes in his last three outings.
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
QB PAXTON DELAURENT tied SEMO’s all-time career passing touchdowns record this past week, as his 46 career TD throws are now at the top of the list along with DANIEL SANTACATERINA (2018-19). DeLaurent has also thrown for 1,573 yards and 15 touchdowns in his last five contests … Last week’s win over Eastern Illinois was the Redhawks’ 7th-straight in their series against the Panthers, and marked TOM MATUKEWICZ’s 60th as a head coach. Matukewicz has 59 wins at SEMO and one as Northern Illinois’ interim head coach.
TENNESSEE STATE
The Tigers rallied from a 20-7 deficit to win at Lindenwood, 24-20, this past Saturday. TEVIN CARTER scored two rushing touchdowns, including the eventual game-winner from 1-yard out with 7:21 remaining in the game. DRAYLEN ELLIS connected with CJ EVANS on a 74-yard scoring strike to mark Ellis’ fourth-straight game with a TD pass … The Tiger defense recorded eight tackles-for-loss in the Lindenwood victory and have 51 stops behind the line of scrimmage this season, led by ERIQ GEORGE’s 8.0.
TENNESSEE TECH
QB JORDYN POTTS threw a 79-yard touchdown pass to JAY PARKER against South Carolina State last week to mark Tech’s longest pass play during its time in the Big South-OVC Association. It also tied for the fourth-longest pass completion in Association history. Potts finished with 300 passing yards and two touchdowns.
UT MARTIN
UT Martin’s win over Gardner-Webb last week was number 118 for Head Coach JASON SIMPSON, moving him into sole possession of third-place for career victories in OVC history. The victory also extended the Skyhawks’ home winning streak against conference foes to 11 games — a stretch which dates back to the 2020 season … RB PATRICK SMITH rushed for three touchdowns and became the ninth individual during the Division I era to rush for three or more touchdowns in a single game. Smith tallied his fourth 100-yard rushing performance of the season … OSHAE BAKER pushed his program’s passes defended record to 40 with 32 pass breakups and eight interceptions … JAYLON SHARPE had 3.0 TFL vs. GWU, his league-leading fourth multi-TFL game of the year to increase his Big South-OVC leading total to 10.0.
WESTERN ILLINOIS
The Leathernecks snapped their 18-game conference losing streak this past Saturday. It was WIU’s first league win since Oct. 30, 2021 (W, 38-31 over Illinois State in the Missouri Valley Football Conference) … WR ELI ARAGON caught 10 passes for 129 yards and a TD in last week’s win at Charleston Southern. RB CAMEREN SMITH recorded his second-straight 100-yard rushing game with 101 vs. CSU, and has rushed for 300 yards the past two outings. LB RYAN CRANDALL recorded 2.5 TFL among his seven tackles in the win, and leads the squad with 5.0 on the year.
