Thursday gameday news

Two games tonight, Austin Peay State at Samford and Tennessee Tech at Middle Tennessee. Here's what's in the papers this morning:

The (Clarksville, Tenn.) Leaf Chronicle says APSU's quarterback and running back are confident their offensive line can give them all the room they need, even with backup filling in.

The Birmingham (Ala.) News reports on Samford junior wide receiver Jeff Moore, who's looking forward to being the target for passes instead of defnding against them. The Bulldog staff moved him to defense for last week's game at Georgia Tech.

The Nashville City Paper notes that an old OVC rivalry is being renwed for a night as MTSU hosts TTU. Middle has faced the Golden Eagles more than any other opponent in its history, holding a slight 35-32-7 edge in the series. The paper says the game is in part an effort by MTSU to revive fan interest in the program (makes one wonder why they left the OVC, dunnit?)

The (Cookeville, Tenn.) Herald Citizen has more on the history of the series. For one thing, TTU apparently has a slightly different take on the record, 35-31-6 in Middle's favor. MTSU has won 15 of the 19 games played since 1980. The teams haven't met since 1998. (Links to HC stories never work, for some reason, so here's a link to the sports section. From there, click on the headline.)

The (Nashville) Tennessean's Mike Organ wirtes a bit about the MTSU-TTU game tonight, set for a live broadcast on ESPNU. The Tennessean has more on the game: Both teams have needed lessons in the rivalry's history, the paper says. There's also a story on Chris Grimes, a local product now playing cornerback for the Golden Eagles.

The (Charleston, Ill.) Journal Gazette/Times-Courier says Illinois State coach Denver Johnson has had plenty of luck against Eastern Illinois. Seventh-ranked ISU hosts the #18 Panthers Saturday in a game that will figure big in the OVC's quest for respect.

The Richmond (Ky.) Register says Eastern Kentucky offensive coordinator Kurt Beathard will be in familiar territory Saturday. Beathard worked for the Colonels' opponent, Western Carolina, from 1996-2001.

The Tennessean reports that Tennessee State's offense appears to be in good hands with Antonio Heffner. The transfer from South Carolina is 27-48 in his first two starts, averaging 218 yards per game, and the Tigers are still racking up yards on the run, too.

Bad news for UT-Martin. The Jackson (Tenn.) Sun says star running back Donald Chapman sprained an ankle in Saturday's victory over Urbana, and will miss this week's game against Gardner-Webb. The No. 2 back, Josh Chapman (no relation) is serving a one-game suspension.