Courtesy of the Ohio Valley Conference
OFFENSIVE
Matt Scheible, QB • Jr., 6-1, 200 • Washington, Mo. • Southeast Missouri
Scheible ran for a career-high 134 yards and passed for 140 yards as Southeast Missouri State began Conference play with a 30-17 victory at Murray State. Scheible completed 12-of-17 passes for a touchdown while not getting sacked and not throwing an interception. The junior averaged 8.4 yards per carry on 16 total carries on the night, including a 60-yard run late in the third quarter. Scheible became the first Southeast Missouri signal caller to rush for 100 or more yards in a game since the 2007 season. Scheible converted 53 percent of the Redhawks third down opportunities in the game as Southeast won its OVC opener for the first time since the 2004 season.
Others Nominated: Marques Ivory, Jacksonville State; Jeff Ehrhardt, Murray State; Preston Brown, Tennessee State.
CO-DEFENSIVE
Jeremy Ross, SS • So., 5-11, 184 • College Park, Ga. • Austin Peay
Ross recovered three fumbles in Austin Peay’s loss at Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) opponent Middle Tennessee on Saturday. Late in the third quarter the sophomore picked up one of those fumbles and raced 16 yards for a touchdown that pulled the Governors to within nine points. Ross now ranks first nationally in fumble recoveries/game (1.50). He was also credited with six tackles, including one tackle-for-loss, and had a pass break-up.
CO-DEFENSIVE
Aaron Grimes, CB • Sr., 5-9, 182 • Los Angeles, Calif. • Southeast Missouri
Grimes registered a career-high 14 tackles (six solo) in Southeast Missouri’s 30-17 road victory over Murray State. The 14 tackles are the second-most in a game in the OVC this season. The senior also intercepted a pass and broke up another pass attempt as the Redhawks opened up Conference play with a victory for the first time since the 2004 season.
Others Nominated: Jeremy Caldwell, Eastern Kentucky; A.J. Davis, Jacksonville State; Aaron Grimes, Southeast Missouri; Josh Bey, UT Martin.
SPECIALIST
Drew Geldbach, K • So., 6-0, 205 • Wildwood, Mo. • Southeast Missouri
Geldbach scored 12 total points as Southeast Missouri opened Conference play with a 30-17 road win over Murray State, the team’s first victory in its OVC opener since the 2004 season. The sophomore was perfect on the night, connecting on field goals from 40, 47 and 37 yards and successfully connecting on three point after attempts. Geldbach is now 4-for-4 in field goal attempts on the season.
Others Nominated: Jordan Berry, Eastern Kentucky; Coty Blanchard, Jacksonville State; Kienan Cullen, Murray State; Jamin Godfrey, Tennessee State; Joe Hook, UT Martin.
NEWCOMER
Coty Blanchard, P/QB • Fr., 6-0, 180 • Leesburg, Ala. • Jacksonville State
In Jacksonville State’s 21-17 come-from-behind win over Chattanooga, Blanchard punted three times for an average of 39 yards, pinning the Mocs inside their own 20-yard line twice. The true freshman also added a season-long punt of 51 yards that put UTC at its own 1-yard line. As the team’s backup quarterback, Blanchard scored his first rushing touchdown of the season with 5:50 left in the third quarter, putting the Gamecocks on the board for the first time in the game. His nine-yard touchdown pass to Jeffrey Cameron with 7:50 to play in the game trimmed the UTC lead to 17-14.
Others Nominated: Coty Blanchard, Jacksonville State; Jamin Godfrey, Tennessee State.