Saturday gameday recap

(NOTE: I tried like heck to post this last night, but Blogger was having some serious issues. You'd think with Google running the show things wouldn't be so clunky around here. Sorry again.)

What a day in the OVC. One giant falls and a new contender is born, while the other two leaders of the pack both had their status threatened, but came out OK in the end. Here's a quick look at what happened today:

Eastern Kentucky 27, Southeast Missouri State 21 - Colonels QB Josh Greco was benched in favor of Allan Holland in the second half, and that proved to be the spark EKU needed. The Colonels came back from a 7-0 deficit to score 24 points in the third quarter, then fought off a SEMO comeback. Holland went 16 of 22 for 197 yards and two scores. Greco threw 2-of-12 for 19 yards and one interception. SEMO quarterback Kevin Ballatore was 17-of-32 for 155 yards and a TD, and running back Tim Holloman managed 99 yards.

Eastern Illinois 20, Murray State 10 - The Racers took a 10-0 lead to the locker room at halftime, but EIU stormed back to take the win at home. The Panthers had great production from two backs, with Vincent Webb's 182 yards and Norris Smith's 154 yards and a touchdown. The Racers' Charlie Jordan rushed for 90 yards and a touchdown, and had another 58 through the air.

UT-Martin 10, Samford 6 - The Skyhawks scored early and held on to win on the road, beating Samford for the first time since 1988 and just the second time ever. Martin running back Donald Chapman was held under 100 yards but scored the game's lone touchdown. Jefferson Adcock and Alex Mortenson split duties under center for Samford. Acdock was 6-of-17 for68 yards; Mortenson was 6-of-16 for 73 yards. Each threw an interception.

Tennessee State 38, Jacksonville State 31 - Here's your firsthand report from Paul Snow Stadium, on a perfect afternoon for football. Unfortunately for the Gamecocks, it turned out to be a bad day for homecoming, as an inconsistent offense and solid play by TSU gave the Big Blue the win. The Tigers scored early thanks to a blocked punt they picked up at the JSU 19, with Javarris WIlliams running it in three plays later. The Gamecocks managed to hold Williams to 76 yards, and the Tigers kept Payton Award nominee Clay Green at 86. JSU was driving to score in the final minutes of the game, but quarterback Matt Hardin threw his third interception of the day, with 26 seconds left on the clock, turning the ball over at the TSU 13 yard line. The Gamecocks now appear to be out of the OVC title race, and the Tigers appear legitimately to be in the hunt.

Your league leader still is Eastern Illinois, at 4-0 in the OVC, followed closely by Martin and Tenn. State, both at 3-0. That sets up two crucial games over the next two weeks, as EIU visits Martin next week and then hosts TSU. The Tigers' special deal with the conference, skipping one league game each year to play an HBCU "classic" game, factors big in the race, as Martin is the game they skip.