Friday news

Second cut: The Sports Network has announced the second revisions to the Payton and Buchannan awards lists, and again, the news is mixed for the OVC. First the good: UT-Martin linebacker Markeseo Jackson still is on the list for the the Buchannan Award, which recognizes the best defensive player in I-AA annually. Added to the Buchannan list is Edgar Jones, a defensive end for Southeast Missouri State. The OVC no longer has any players on the list for the Payton Award, which goes to the best offensive player in I-AA each year. Jacksonville State running back Clay Green was dropped from the list after a string of sub-100-yard games.

And now, here's today's papers:

The (Clarksville, Tenn.) Leaf Chronicle tells the heart-breaking, or rather, ankle-breaking tale of P.R. Morris. That's the joint the Austin Peay State sophomore defensive end snapped back in spring practice. Fortunately, this tale ends well for young P.R. He's back to breaking other people's bones for the Govs, and has started two consecutive games, recording eight tackles.

Speaking of bouncing back from injuries to the lower extremities, Jacksonville State's Raynodd Zeine is expected to play tomorrow against Chattanooga, according to The Anniston (Ala.) Star (sorry, subscribers only). The senior fullback has missed three games with a foot sprain. The Gamecocks have gone 1-2 in that stretch, and Clay Green attributes some of his lack of yards to Zeine's absence.

Also from the injury beat, The (Nashville) Tennessean reports that Tennessee State quarterback Antonio Heffner still is questionable at best for tomorrow's game against Eastern Illinois. Coach James Webster says he'll likely make a game-time decision on Heffner. If that decision is to bench the South Carolina transfer, freshman Julian Sample may get the start instead. Sample directed a 70-yard touchdown drive after Heffner's shoulder injury last week against Samford.

With or without Miller, the Nashville City Paper reports the Tigers will have one advantage over EIU Saturday: defensive coordinator Ron Lambert, who worked as secondary coach for the Panthers before moving on to Illinois State, where he helped engineer three victories over Eastern. The story says Lambert left Charleston in part because of unspecified "racial things" in the small midwest city.