Story courtesy of the Ohio Valley Conference
Photo courtesy of Tennessee State Athletics
OFFENSIVE
Michael German, QB • So., 6-2, 215 • Pompano Beach, Fla. • Tennessee State
German completed 27-of-36 passes for a career-high 318 yards and three touchdowns in Tennessee State’s 34-14 victory over Austin Peay on Saturday. The 27 completions was also a career-high for the sophomore, while the three touchdown passes equaled his career-best set last season against UT Martin. German completed a 27-yard pass for a touchdown in the second quarter, a four-yard touchdown pass to begin the fourth quarter and ended the game with a 51-yard strike with 2:12 to play to account for the final margin. The game was the first played at Hale Stadium on the TSU campus since the 1998 season. German’s performance helped TSU to a 3-0 start to the season for the first time since 2008. German currently ranks 23rd nationally in passing efficiency (142.19) and 30th in total offense (236.33 yards/game).
Others Nominated: Devin Stark, Austin Peay; Jimmy Garoppolo, Eastern Illinois; Matt Denham, Eastern Kentucky; Casey Brockman, Murray State; DJ McNeil, UT Martin.
DEFENSIVE
Brandon Wicks, FS • Jr., 5-11, 200 • Murray, Ky. • Murray State
Wicks totaled a team-high 10 tackles and made an interception that ended the game in Murray State’s 28-23 road victory over Missouri State on Saturday night. With the Bears driving Wicks picked off a pass at the Racers 37-yard line with 41 seconds to go to preserve the team’s first win of the season. Wicks had five solo and five assisted tackles in the game with one of those going as a tackle-for-loss.
Others Nominated: Robert Haynes, Eastern Illinois; Justin Bell, Eastern Kentucky; Blake Peiffer, Southeast Missouri; Steven Godbolt III, Tennessee State; Tra’Darius Goff, Tennessee Tech; Ben Johnson, UT Martin.
SPECIALIST
Cameron Berra, K • Jr., 5-11, 203 • St. Louis, Mo. • Eastern Illinois
Berra was perfect on Saturday afternoon, connecting on 3-of-3 field goal attempts and 6-of-6 point after attempts in Eastern Illinois’ 54-51 double overtime loss at No. 15 Illinois State. The junior scored 15 total points and hit on field goals of 44, 20 and 40 yards for the Panthers. Berra closed the first half with a career-long 44-yard field goal to give EIU a 17-14 halftime advantage. He added a 20-yard field goal as regulation time expired to force overtime and connected from 40 yards out in the second overtime period. The three field goals moved Berra into seventh place on the Eastern Illinois career field goals made list (18). The junior currently ranks second in the OVC and 40th nationally in scoring (8.33 points/game).
Others Nominated: Steven Mix, Murray State; Joe Vucic, Southeast Missouri; Jamin Godfrey, Tennessee State; Chad Zinchini, Tennessee Tech.
NEWCOMER
Jaamal Berry, RB • Jr., 5-11, 200 • Miami, Fla. • Murray State
Making his Murray State debut, Berry, the transfer from Ohio State, carried the ball eight times for 41 yards and caught four passes for 44 yards including the game-winning touchdown early in the fourth quarter of the Racers 28-23 road win over Missouri State. More than half of Berry’s 12 touches went for first downs including his touchdown catch and run that came on a third and nine and helped capped a 10-play, 75-yard drive for the Racers.
Others Nominated: LeQuince McCall, Eastern Illinois; Deshaun Sands, Eastern Kentucky; A.C. Leonard, Tennessee State; Chad Zinchini, Tennessee Tech.