Monday news

Here's what's up this morning:

The (Clarksville , Tenn.) Leaf Chronicle says Austin Peay State running back Chris Fletcher is wondering if cutting of his lengthy braids had something to do with the Govs' win Saturday.

The (Charleston, Ill.) Journal Gazette/Times-Courier says everything ent wrong in the first half of Eastern Illinois' game Saturday against Indiana State. Fortunately, everything in the second half seemed to go right.

The Richmond (Ky.) Register says Eastern Kentucky's Colonels got a little extra incentive to welcome Wester Kentucky and quarterback Justin Haddix to campus. Haddix, who grew up nearby and wanted to attend EKU, had told a couple of state papers before the game that he felt at home in Roy Kidd Stadium. “The last time I checked, he wasn’t a Colonel," said EKU defensive lineman Mark Cristiani. "We’re the only ones who should be feeling good at home.”

The Anniston (Ala.) Star (sorry, subscribers only) notes that with EIU's Bob Spoo out 4-6 weeks and Tennessee Tech's Mike Hennigan on a medical leave of absence, Jacksonville Sate's Jack Crowe suddenly finds himself the longest-tenured OVC head coach, in his seventh season.

The (Nashville) Tennessean points out the good play Saturday of Tennessee State cornerback Dominique Rogers-Cromartie, who picked off three passes in the win over Murray State. Coach James Webster also notes the strong play of the Tigers' transfers: "Lets face it: they're D-I players,'' Webster told the paper. "Where'd your big plays come from? They came from Heffner, they came from Mason, they came from Divens.'' Coach, all your players are D-I players. You mean "I-A." In a column, TSU beat writer Mike Organ says one of those transfers, quarterback Antonio Heffner, is reluctant interview, trying to sneak past waiting reporters after both games so far this year.

The Nashville City Paper also points out Haffner's shy streak. Webster notes that his Tigers, at least for now, are in first place in the OVC after Saturday's win.