WEEK 9 SCHEDULE
SATURDAY, OCT. 26
TIME WATCH SERIES
*Charleston Southern at Tennessee Tech, 1:30pm CT (ESPN+)
*Gardner-Webb at #6/6 Southeast Missouri, 2:00pm CT (ESPN+)
*Western Illinois at Lindenwood, 2:00pm CT (ESPN+)
*Eastern Illinois at UT Martin, 2:00pm CT (ESPN+)
Open Date: Tennessee State
SLANT ROUTES
* CHARLESTON SOUTHERN: The Buccaneers are looking to avoid starting 0-5 in conference games for the first time since 2011 (0-6) … Tennessee Tech will mark CSU’s fourth of five first-time opponents this season.
* EASTERN ILLINOIS: The Panthers are looking to avoid starting 0-4 in conference games for the first time since 2019 (0-5) … EIU last defeated UT Martin in 2018 (W, 24-21 in OT at home).
* GARDNER-WEBB: The Runnin’ Bulldogs are 1-0 against nationally-ranked Big South-OVC Association members, with the win coming over #13/14 UT Martin last year … Southeast Missouri marks GWU’s third of five first-time opponents this season.
* LINDENWOOD: The Lions are looking to avoid back-to-back Association losses for the first time this season … Lindenwood won the first-ever meeting with Western Illinois last season, 43-40, in a non-conference match-up
* SOUTHEAST MISSOURI: The Redhawks are seeking their first 5-0 conference start since 2022 (5-0) … Gardner-Webb marks SEMO’s third and final first-time opponent of the season.
* TENNESSEE STATE: The Tigers are idle this week and return to action Nov. 2 at home against UT Martin, and will seek their first 3-game conference win streak since 2021.
* TENNESSEE TECH: The Golden Eagles are looking to avoid their first 4-game losing streak since the 2022 season (5) … Charleston Southern is TTU’s only first-time opponent this year.
* UT MARTIN: The Skyhawks have won the last five meetings with Eastern Illinois and are averaging 29.0 points during that streak … UTM has scored at least five touchdowns in a game four times this season.
* WESTERN ILLINOIS: The Leathernecks have their most overall wins since 2018 (5-6), which was the last time WIU won at least three conference games (4-4 in MVFC) … Western is averaging 39.0 points in its three wins this season.
2-MINUTE OFFENSE
OPENING KICKOFF: Southeast Missouri’s 6-game win streak matches the Big South-OVC Association record for the longest win streak in the young history of the league. UT Martin first reeled off 6-straight wins last season. Meanwhile, SEMO is the first team to open conference play 4-0 in Association’s existence.
1st DOWN: Tennessee State’s 6-2 record is the program’s best start to a season since 2013 when the Big Blue opened 7-1 en route to a 10-4 final mark. TSU has won six games in back-to-back seasons for the first time under fourth-year Head Coach EDDIE GEORGE, and the first such streak since 2016-17. Meanwhile, the Tigers have entered the Top 25 national polls for the first time since 2017, as TSU is No. 25 in the Stats Perform ranking. TSU is rated No. 3 in both HBCU polls (Coaches and Media).
2nd DOWN: For the second-straight week and sixth time overall in Association history, two Big South-OVC Association members are ranked in the Top 25 in the same week. Southeast Missouri is rated No. 6 in both national polls this week, while Tennessee State is No. 25 in the Stats Perform ranking.
3rd DOWN: UT Martin RB PATRICK SMITH carries his Big South-OVC Association record 6-game TD streak into Saturday’s game with Eastern Illinois, as he has scored his 10 rushing TDs in his last six outings. Smith has surpassed 100 rushing yards in his last three contests (396 yards total) and four of his last five.
4th DOWN: Southeast Missouri K DC PIPPIN has made four field goals in a game twice this season.
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK – OCT. 7
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Nathan Lamb, Western Illinois, QB • 6-3, 230, Sr. • Tulare, Calif.
Lamb accounted for 350 yards of total offense and three touchdowns as Western Illinois toppled Tennessee Tech 37-21 for its second Big South-OVC victory of the season. The senior completed 15-of-24 passes for 260 yards and two touchdowns and carried the ball 17 times for 90 yards (5.3 ypc) and a rushing score. Lamb had passing touchdowns of 27 and 13 yards in the fi rst quarter while his rushing score came from two yards out in the second quarter. Lamb has accounted for 12 offensive touchdowns this season, the fourth-most in the Association.
Others Nominated: Chris Rhone (Charleston Southern), Quasean Holmes (Gardner-Webb), Jeff Caldwell (Lindenwood), Draylen Ellis (Tennessee State), Jalen Mitchell (Tennessee Tech)
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Vincent King, Lindenwood, LB • 6-0, 231, Sr. • Denver, Colo.
King had 15 tackles (8 solo), 3.0 tackles for loss and a quarterback hurry in the Lions’ game at Gardner-Webb. The 15 tackles are tied for the second-most by a Big South-OVC player this season, trailing only the 17 stops King had in a game earlier this season. His 9.6 tackles per game leads the Association and is tied for 10th nationally.
Others Nominated: Steve Zayachowsky (Charleston Southern), Cayman Spaulding (Tennessee Tech), KJ Coleman (Western Illinois)
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
CJ Evans, Tennessee State, KR/RB • 5-8, 180, R-Sr. • Mobile, Ala.
After Howard cut the Tennessee State lead to 20-14 late in the third quarter, Evans took the ensuing kickoff and raced 99 yards for a touchdown to push the score to 27-14 which proved to be the fi nal margin. His play is one of seven at the FCS level that have gone for 99 or more yards. For the day Evans averaged 50.0 yards on three kickoff returns and added 21 punt return yards, 20 rushing yards and 19 receiving yards. His 210 allpurpose yards were the third-most in a game in the Big South-OVC this season.
Others Nominated: Gilbert Brown (Charleston Southern), DC Pippin (Southeast Missouri), Tremel Jones (Tennessee Tech), Antonio Chadha (Western Illinois)
CO-FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
Steve Hall, Lindenwood, RB • 5-9, 195, R-Fr. • St. Louis, Mo. Hall carried the ball 11 times for 78 yards and a touchdown and added a reception of 16 yards in Lindenwood’s game at Gardner-Webb. The redshirt freshman averaged 7.1 yards per carry and found the end zone from 17 yards out in the third quarter. Sanders Ellis, Tennessee State, LB • 6-2, 225, Fr. • Nashville, Tenn. Ellis was a force on defense in Tennessee State’s road victory over Howard. The freshman recorded seven total tackles (fi ve solo), including 1.5 tackles for loss for minus-11 yards and half a sack. Ellis ranks 20th overall nationally, and fi rst among freshmen, in tackles for loss per game (1.25).
Others Nominated: Tyson Greenwade (Charleston Southern), Spencer Ashby (Tennessee Tech), Jordan Anderson (Western Illinois)
BIG SOUTH/OVC NOTEBOOK
PASSIN’ PAXTON
outheast Missouri QB PAXTON DeLAURENT is first nationally with 21 touchdown passes and 27.13 completions per game, third nationally with 2,426 passing yards, and sixth with 303.3 passing yards per game. He is 482 yards away from breaking the Big South-OVC Association single-season record of 2,907, in 24 completions shy of besting the Association record of 240, and eight TD strikes from eclipsing the conference mark of 28. DeLaurent, who became the first Big South-OVC Association quarterback to throw for 400 yards in a game as he netted an Association single-game record 418 passing yards in Week 8 against Tennessee Tech, 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). DeLaurent is the only Association quarterback to throw a TD pass in every game this season, while his five 300-yard passing games in 2024 are a Big South-OVC season mark.
QUARTER POUNDERS
No. 6/6 Southeast Missouri has scored in 31 of 32 quarters in regulation this year, as well as both overtime periods, and its current quarter-scoring streak sits at seven. The Redhawks scored in 24-straight quarters until going scoreless in the first quarter against Tennessee Tech in Week 8. SEMO’s quarter-by-quarter scoring breakdown this season stands at 67 points (first), 49 (second), 50 (third) and 77 (fourth). SEMO leads the Association in scoring offense at 31.63 points and has surpassed 30+ points in five of eight contests this season.
THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN
hrough 16 Association-conference games played, the home team has won nine times ( =56.25 winning percentage), while the overall average margin of victory is 14.31 points. Five contests have been one possession decisions. The 16 games have had a combined point total of 859, for a per game average of 53.69 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 the Big South-OVC Association single-season recordholder for punt return yards, as his current total of 200 surpassed the previous mark of 196 (Gardner-Webb’s MALEEK HUGGINS last year). Riddick’s 11.76 punt return average — which ranks 16th nationally — is pacing ahead of the league-record of 11.54 yards per return (SEMO’s DALYN McDONALD), while his 17 punt returns trail Higgins’ season-record of 22.
SUPER SIZE COMBOS
Charleston Southern (306) and Lindenwood (213) established the Big South-OVC Association single-game record for most combined rushing yards in a conference game this past week with 519 — the second-highest overall combined rushing total in league annals. The old Association game mark of 457 was set in Week 6 by Charleston Southern (325) and Western Illinois (132). Meanwhile, 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. Lastly, 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).
BLOOMING
Eastern Illinois RB MJ FLOWERS has 29 receptions out of the backfield this season, the most among Big South-OVC running backs and eighth in the league. He is seven catches away from breaking his own Association single-season record for most receptions by a running back (35 last season). In Week 6, Flowers tied the Big South-OVC single-game record with his 11 receptions against SEMO. That total was the most-ever by an Association running back.
WEBB SPINNERS
Gardner-Webb is the first Big South-OVC member to have two 100-yard rushers in a game twice in the same season. This past week, QUASEAN HOLMES (156) and EDWARD SAYDEE (119) each eclipsed the century mark on the ground in GWU’s win over Lindenwood — the fifth-highest combined rushing yards by two teammates in league annals (275). In Week 4 at Presbyterian, CARSON GRESOCK (134 yards) and Holmes (132) each surpassed 100 rush yards in the contest. The duo also combined for five rushing touchdowns in the victory over the Blue Hose, as Gresock had three scores followed by Holmes’ two.
TIGERS DEN
Tennessee State leads the FCS with 66 tackles-for-loss and 8.3 TFL per game. Based on that average, the Tigers are on pace to finish the regular-season with 99.2 TFL, which would surpass the Big South-OVC Association single-season record of 97, set by Gardner-Webb in 2023. IN THE RED Southeast Missouri has held four of its last opponents to less than 100 rushing yards (62-53- 19-34-108 = 55.2 average in that span). Meanwhile, UT Martin leads the Association in rushing defense at 94.3 yards allowed, which ranks fourth nationally. Tennessee Tech is fifth in FCS with 94.7 rushing yards allowed, and SEMO ranks 13th at 109.9 allowed.
THE DEFENSE NEVER RESTS
Big South-OVC Association members have combined for 12 defensive touchdowns after eight 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 10-team Association membership combined for 19 defensive TDs (12 INT, 6 FUM).
BOOGIE FEVER
Tennessee State’s BOOGIE TROTTER has amassed a Big South-OVC Association single-season record 151 interception return yards on his three picks this season. The old return yardage mark was 85 (Tennessee Tech’s JACQUEZ McGOWAN in 2023). Trotter is tied for the league-lead with his three INTs, which includes a 69-yard pick-six in Week 4 against Tennessee Tech — the fourth-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 in Week 7. 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.
KICK STANDS
Southeast Missouri K DC PIPPIN’s 17 field goals made this season are a Big South-OVC Association single-season record, and his 2.13 fi eld goals per game ranks second in the nation. Lindenwood K LOGAN SEIBERT has made 13 fi eld goals in 2024. Both players bettered the previous league mark of 12 fi eld goals made, 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.
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.
AROUND THE ASSOCIATION…
CHARLESTON SOUTHERN
Last week, the Buccaneers held SEMO to its fewest points in an Association game this season (26) … Against SEMO, QB KALEB JACKSON was 9-of-15 passing for 125 yards and two touchdowns, with both scores going to CHRIS RHONE (26 and 44). Rhone finished the contest with six catches for 98 yards … STEVE ZAYACHKOWSKY led the Buc defense with 10 tackles, while CHAMP BRANTLEY had seven stops, including 1.5 for loss
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 third in the Association this season with 1,684 passing yards, and second in passing yards per game (240.57) … WR COOPER WILLMAN caught 8 passes for 141 yards at Tennessee State in Week 7. QUENTON ROGERS also eclipsed 100 receiving yards at TSU (103).
GARDNER-WEBB
Gardner-Webb tied the Big South-OVC Association single-game record for first downs with 32 this past week in its win over Lindenwood. GWU also had a single-game record 22 rushing first downs … The Runnin’ Bulldogs tallied a season-high 491 yards of offense and 306 rushing yards in the victory over the Lions and matched their season-best point total of 42 points … JORDAN BLY caught two of QB TYLER RIDELL’s four touchdown passes. Ridell was 16-of-21 passing or 185 yards … The Gardner-Webb defense compiled 11 tackles-for-loss and five sacks over Lindenwood.
LINDENWOOD
Lindenwood finished the Gardner-Webb game with 244 passing yards and 213 net rushing yards, its second game this season with 200-passing, 200-rushing yards in a game — the only Big South-OVC member this year to achieve the feat … WR JEFF CALDWELL caught six passes for a season-high 174 yards at GWU. QB NATE GLANTZ threw three touchdown passes in leading the Lions to their most points in a Big South-OVC Association contest (35) … Lindenwood has scored 20+ points in every Association game this season and is averaging 28.0 points against league foes … LB VINCENT KING posted his league-leading fifth 10-tackle game with 15 stops (3.0 TFL) and paces the conference with 77 total tackles.
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 three-straight 300-yard passing games, as he has thrown for 364-418-335 in that span ( =1,117 / 372.3 average). His fi ve 300-yard passing games this season have come in his last six outings … The Redhawks allowed just 255 yards of offense in last week’s win at Charleston Southern — their fewest in an Association game this year and the fourth game holding 2024 opponents below 300 offensive yards. SEMO leads the Big South-OVC in total defense at 309.0.
TENNESSEE STATE
Tennessee State is averaging 26.3 points during its current 4-game win streak, while allowing just 15.0 points and 308.3 yards in that span … QB DRAYLEN ELLIS passed for a season-high 289 yards in TSU’s win at Howard last week and scored the game’s first TD on a 27-yard run. WR KARATE BRENSON had five catches for 153 yards in recording his second-straight 100-yard receiving game … CJ EVANS recorded just the fourth kickoff return touchdown in Association history with his 99-yarder to close out the scoring against the Bison. It is tied for the second-longest in conference annals.
TENNESSEE TECH
QB DYLAN LAIBLE was 23-of-33 passing for 262 yards and a touchdown in the Golden Eagles’ setback at Western Illinois this past week. His top target was D.J. LINKINS, who caught seven passes for 84 yards … JALEN MITCHELL scored two rushing touchdowns at WIU (68 yards and 3 yards) and finished with 86 net rushing yards on just seven carries (12.3 per attempt).
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 in Week 7 … 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 (13th 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 won their second Big South-OVC Association game this past week, as the Leathernecks permitted their fewest plays (52) and offensive yards (330) of the season in defeating Tennessee Tech. QB NATHAN LAMB totaled 350 yards of offense in the victory, passing for 260 yards and two scores, and gaining 90 on the ground that included a 2-yard scoring run. Lamb and MATTHEW HENRY connected six times for 181 yards and a score (27 yards) … Lamb is tied for second in the Association this season with five rushing touchdowns — which ties the Big South-OVC Association season record for a quarterback.
