BRIEFLY: SEMO'S BRUNE, COOPER CAPTURE OVC HONORS

Southeast Missouri State University quarterback Bobby Brune and wide receiver Curtis Cooper have been honored by the Ohio Valley Conference for their performances during Saturday's thrilling 34-33 win at Southern Illinois.

Brune was named co-offensive player of the week, along with Eastern Kentucky quarterback Waylon Chapman. A junior, Brune came off the bench late in the second quarter to complete 16 of 25 passes for 230 yards and two touchdowns as the Indians rallied from a 31-0 deficit.

Cooper, also a junior, amassed 153 all-purpose yards, including a huge 66-yard punt return for a touchdown that cut SIU's lead to 33-21 late in the third quarter. He caught five passes for 37 yards, had a 33-yard kickoff return and returned three punts for 83 yards.

Chapman completed 15 of 26 passes for 264 yards and three touchdowns, and he also ran for a score, during Eastern Kentucky's 34-10 win at Indiana State.

Western Kentucky linebacker Sherod Coates earned the OVC's defensive award. He had six tackles, a quarterback sack, forced two fumbles and recovered a fumble during a 71-0 rout of Tennessee-Martin.

Eastern Illinois' Frank Cutolo was named special teams player of the week as he returned punts of 38 and 59 yards for touchdowns during a 72-0 romp past Kentucky Wesleyan.