Sunday news roundup

Here's what's up this morning:

The (Charleston, Ill.) Journal Gazette/Times-Courier says Eastern Illinois might have started celebrating a little early after the Panthers took a 13-10 lead over Illinois State in the fourth quarter on an interception return. ISU came back to win 24-13. "Any loss is difficult," EIU coach Mark Hutson . "The expectations were to go further into the I-AA playoffs. Losing to a longtime rival just compounds that."

The Jackson (Tenn.) Sun says that there was more to see than a narrow 36-30 Skyhawks loss yesterday in Carbondale, Ill.; there also was the birth of a perennial contender. The Sun also runs a gamer that points to Arkee Whitlock's 207-yard running effort for Southern Illinois as the difference in the contest.

Here's a couple of important stories I missed while I was chowing down on turkey, dressing and sweet potato pie:

The (Nashville) Tennessean's Mike Organ says University of Kentucky assisstant Randy Sanders is a potential candidate for the head coaching job at Tennessee Tech. Sanders wouldn't confirm it, and TTU AD Mark Wilson would either, but Organ assures us it's so. Sanders spent seven years as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Tennessee before heading north to UK. The only known candidate at this point is Doug Malone, the Golden Eagles' offensive coordinator who led the team as acting head coach this season during Mike Hennigan's leave of absence.

The (Clarksville, Tenn.) Leaf Chronicle provides a comprehensive review of Austin Peay State's season, with a look ahead to the Govs' return to OVC competition next year. The paper honors several players: newcomer of the year Kit Hartsfield, most-improved player Lanis Frederick, offensive MVP Chris Fletcher, and defensive MVP Daniel Becker.

Stay tuned this week, as I'll have some post-season analysis, and a look ahead to next year. I do enjoy following OVC basketball, but I live in Alabama, folks. It's always football season here.