Notebook: OVC football answers many questions in big week

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Adam Tumino

Eastern junior running back Jamal Scott celebrates a touchdown run with teammates during the game against Murray State on Oct. 6. The Panthers lost the game 48-41.

JJ Bullock, Sports Editor

One week ago, the Ohio Valley Conference football standings were about as murky and cluttered as standings can get. But, after a weekend that included three key games for sorting out the who’s-who of the OVC, the conference picture is much clearer.

Murray State made a big statement in a 45-21 win over Tennessee State on Saturday, to push its conference record to 3-0, in second place behind Jacksonville State. 

The Racers were not expected to be a big threat in the conference this season, but they now sit at 3-0 and have wins over Tennessee State, Eastern and Tennessee-Martin, all games most people would have predicted the Racers to lose at the start of the season. 

Murray State has scored 45 points or more since conference play began and put up 550 yards of total offense in its win over Tennessee State. The Racers have shown signs of developing into one of the conference’s best offensive teams. In three games they have totaled 525, 658 and 550 yards respectively. 

Racers’ quarterback Drew Anderson had 348 yards passing with five touchdowns and one interception in the win over Tennessee State. 

The loss dropped Tennessee State to 1-2 in conference play, its lone win coming against Eastern and its other loss came in the form of a 49-34 loss to Austin Peay.

Like Tennessee State, Austin Peay’s reputation in the conference also took a hit this weekend as the Governors fell to Southeast Missouri 31-27.

Southeast Missouri won the game with 15 seconds to play on a two-yard touchdown run by running back Marquis Terry. 

Outside of the one touchdown run, Austin Peay was able to keep Terry mostly in check, holding him to just 40 yards rushing on 20 attempts, but Terry got to them when it counted most and gave the Redhawks a win to give them a 2-1 conference record. 

Southeast Missouri’s win clears up a couple of things for the conference. It solidifies Austin Peay’s standing, as the Governors have now lost to the Redhawks, Jacksonville State and Tennessee-Martin. Austin Peay’s only win was against Tennessee State. 

Southeast Missouri now has wins over Austin Peay and Tennessee Tech. Its lone loss came from a 23-14 result against Eastern Kentucky. 

Eastern Kentucky overcame a 31-21 halftime deficit to beat Tennessee-Martin 35-34, propping up its conference record to 2-1 this season. 

Eastern Kentucky had three rushing touchdowns in the win, two coming in the second half from running back D.J. McCleskey. Running back L.J. Scott finished with 106 yards rushing for Eastern Kentucky.

The two teams combined for seven turnovers in an ugly, high-scoring affair. 

For Tennessee-Martin the loss drops them to 1-2, with its only win coming in a 37-7 blowout win over Austin Peay, one that might not carry as much weight as previously thought. 

Next weekend’s big game will be between Murray State and Eastern Kentucky. Both teams have big conference wins on their ledgers and one of those teams will be able to add another one next week.

JJ’s Power Rankings

Jacksonville State (5-1, 4-0)

Eastern Kentucky (3-3, 2-1)

Murray State (3-3, 3-0)

Southeast Missouri (4-2, 2-1)

Tennessee-Martin (1-5, 1-2)

Austin Peay (3-4, 1-3)

Tennessee State (2-3, 1-2)

Eastern (1-6, 1-2)

Tennessee Tech (0-6, 1-3)

JJ Bullock can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].