Courtesy of the Ohio Valley Conference
OFFENSIVE
Henry Harris, RB • Sr., 5-8, 185 • Memphis, Tenn. • Southeast Missouri
Harris rushed for 152 yards and three touchdowns as No. 18-ranked Southeast Missouri topped Austin Peay 41-24 to win its sixth-straight game and improve to 6-1 on the season. Harris carried the ball 35 times and became the first player in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) to break the 1,000-yard plateau this season (1,020). The senior also broke the 2,000-yard barrier for his career. The 152-yard effort was his sixth 100-yard rushing game in a row. Harris racked up 308 all-purpose yards for the game, as he had 156 yards on four kickoff returns, including a 71-yarder. Harris currently ranks first nationally in all-purpose yards (238.57/game) and fourth nationally in rushing (145.71 yards/game). It marked the fourth time this season Harris has been named OVC Offensive Player of the Week.
Others Nominated: Calvin Middleton, Jacksonville State; Jocques Crawford, Tennessee Tech; Derek Carr, UT Martin.
CO-DEFENSIVE
Caleb Mitchell, DB • So., 6-1, 190 • Russellville, Ala. • Tennessee Tech
Marcus Edwards, LB • So., 6-1, 225 • Alabaster, Ala. • Tennessee Tech
The duo combined for 14 tackles, 5.5 sacks and two interceptions as Tennessee Tech topped Eastern Illinois 34-20. Mitchell forced three turnovers by himself, forcing a fumble and picking off two EIU passes. Early in the second quarter Mitchell picked off a pass and went 36 yards for a touchdown to get the Golden Eagles on the board. His second interception came in the end zone, ending a drive where Eastern Illinois was looking to cut the margin to one score. Mitchell also had seven tackles (six solo) and a sack. Edwards ended up with 4.5 sacks for 31 yards worth of lost yards as TTU held EIU to just 39 net rushing yards. The sophomore added seven tackles (four solo). The 4.5 sacks were part of eight by the Golden Eagle team which tied the school record.
Others Nominated: Antwaun Majors, Austin Peay; Rodney Garrott, Jacksonville State; Justin Darden, UT Martin.
CO-SPECIALIST
Rashad Haynes, RS/DB • Sr., 5-11, 178 • Rockledge, Fla. • Eastern Illinois
Haynes became the first Eastern Illinois player in nearly six years to return a punt for a touchdown, scoring on a 46-yard return in the first quarter against Tennessee Tech on Saturday. His return put the Panthers up 7-0 with 7:27 to play in the opening quarter. On defense the senior added five tackles and a pass break-up.
CO-SPECIALIST
Jordan Berry, P • R-Fr., 6-5, 195 • Essendon, Victoria, Australia • Eastern Kentucky
Berry averaged 52.3 yards on six punts in Eastern Kentucky’s loss at UT Martin on Saturday. Berry put four of those punts inside the Skyhawk 20-yard line and had a 75-yard punt, which was just three yards short of the EKU all-time record. The punt rolled to the UTM 3-yard line in the third quarter. Berry also showed off his running skills by rushing for a first down on a 4th and 11 play in the third quarter.
Others Nominated: Coty Blanchard, Jacksonville State; Drew Geldbach, Southeast Missouri; Matthew Barker, Tennessee Tech.
NEWCOMER
Jocques Crawford, RB • Sr., 6-1, 238 • Memphis, Tenn. • Tennessee Tech
Crawford carried the ball 19 times for a career-high 127 yards (6.7 yards/carry) and two touchdowns in Tennessee Tech’s 34-20 victory over Eastern Illinois. Crawford rushed for a 1-yard touchdown later in the second quarter and added a 2-yard score to open the fourth quarter and help widen the TTU lead to 14 points.
Others Nominated: Cameron Berra, Eastern Illinois; Jordan Berry, Eastern Kentucky; Coty Blanchard, Jacksonville State; T.J. Drakeford, UT Martin.