Football

Football Recaps - November 23


There was a four-way tie for the Big South-OVC Championship, thanks to wins by Tennessee State, Tennessee Tech and UT Martin, who shared the championship with Southeast Missouri after all teams finished 6-2. After tiebreakers SEMO earned the League's automatic bid to the FCS Playoffs; the 24-team playoff field will be announced on Sunday at 11:30am CT on ESPNU. In other action Western Illinois topped Gardner-Webb to finish the season with a victory.

SCORES
@#25 Tennessee State 28, #11/12 Southeast Missouri 21
@#22/24 UT Martin 33, Lindenwood 26 (OT)
Tennessee Tech 23, @Eastern Illinois 6
@Western Illinois 45, Gardner-Webb 28
@Florida State 41, Charleston Southern 7
 

#25 TENNESSEE STATE 28, #11/12 SOUTHEAST MISSOURI 21 | BOX SCORE
For the first time since the 1999, Tennessee State earned a share of the league title as they knocked off No. 11/12 Southeast Missouri, 28-21, on Saturday afternoon at Nissan Stadium. The Tigers improved to 9-3 on the year and 6-2 in Ohio Valley Conference play, while the Redhawks fell to 9-3 and 6-2. Draylen Ellis led Tennessee State's passing attack with 232 yards through the air, tossing two touchdowns without throwing an interception. The signal caller also added 46 yards and one touchdown on the ground. Keandre Booker led the Tennessee State defensive effort, totaling one recovered fumble. Meonta Kimbrough added 1.0 TFL, one sack, and one forced fumble and Boogie Trotter had six tackles, 1.5 TFL, and one sack in the win. 


#22/24 UT MARTIN 33, LINDENWOOD 26 (OT) | BOX SCORE
Tyler Dostin got a one-yard touchdown pass from Kinkead Dent in overtime, as UT Martin overcame a 13-0 deficit to pick up its eighth victory of the season and keep its playoff hopes alive. With the win the Skyhawks finished 6-2 in League play, securing a share of its fourth-straight League Championship. UT Martin took its first lead of the day with 1:45 to go in the third quarter before the Lions (5-7, 4-4 Big South-OVC) forced overtime with the game-tying touchdown and ensuing two-point conversion with 32 seconds remaining in regulation. The Skyhawks got the ball first in overtime and scored on five plays, capped off with a 1-yard pass from Kinkead Dent to Tyler Dostin. UT Martin's defense then flexed its muscles, pushing the Lindenwood offense back 22 yards with a pair of sacks, a pass interference penalty and a game-ending interception by JaMichael McGoy, Jr. in the endzone.


TENNESSEE TECH 23, EASTERN ILLINOIS 6 | BOX SCORE
Tennessee Tech won its fifth-straight game, knocking off Eastern Illinois 23-6 to claim a share of the Big South-OVC Championship. It is the 11th overall title for the Golden Eagles and first since 2011. The Tech defense kept the visiting Panthers quiet as EIU had just 241 total yards, 80 on the ground. It's the fifth time this season Tech's defense has held an opponent to under 300 yards of total offense and the seventh time to under 100 rushing yards. Running back Jalen Mitchell ended the game with a game-best 152 all-purpose yards. On the defensive side, Aaron Swafford led the team with eight total tackles, while Jalin Shephard had seven and Tim Coutras, Daniel Rickert and Crummie each had six. Rickert, Crummie, Myles Parker and Theron Gaines each had a sack in the win.


WESTERN ILLINOIS 45, GARDNER-WEBB 28 | BOX SCORE
Western Illinois secured a commanding 45-28 victory over Gardner-Webb at Hanson Field on Saturday afternoon with big performances form Matthew Henry and Peyton Bradford. The win was fueled by a dominant offensive showing and opportunistic defense as WIU amassed 511 total yards, spearheaded by a potent passing attack that contributed 430 yards and three touchdowns. Quarterback Nathan Lamb played a pivotal role, passing for 352 yards and two touchdowns while also scoring on a 1-yard rushing touchdown. Matthew Henry caught six passes for 210 yards and two touchdowns, including a 46-yard score. The defense stepped up as well, recording three sacks and forcing three turnovers. Linebacker Jonathan Williams led the charge with 12 tackles, including four for loss, while Peyton Bradford added three sacks and a forced fumble.


FLORIDA STATE 41, CHARLESTON SOUTHERN 7 | BOX SCORE
Florida State defeated Charleston Southern by a final score of 41-7 on Saturday afternoon inside of Doak Campbell Stadium. The Bucs held tight with the Seminoles through the start of the game, before the home team took full control of the contest. Kaleb Jackson finished the day going 22-32 tossing for 218 yards including a touchdown. Autavius Ison finished the game with 13 carries for 28 yards. Through the air, there were five different players who recorded a reception. Taylor led the group with five catches for 41 yards while Chris Rhone topped the team in receiving yards with 60. Davion Williams led the team in tackles with eight while Trayson Fowler and Justin Waters were right behind with seven and six. Williams led the team in TFLs with 2.5 which included one of the team's three sacks. Josh Hill and Darrius Bell also were able to get back to the quarterback once.