Ohio Valley Conference rundown

EASTERN ILLINOIS

Coach: Bob Spoo, 105-89-1 at EIU (17 years)

Last year: 4-8 overall, 3-5 OVC (tie, sixth)

Returning starters: 18 (8 offense, 8 defense, 2 specialists)

Preseason OVC ranking: No. 7

Five players to watch: QB Andrew Harris (1,456 yards, 8 TD), TB Vincent Webb (593 yards, 5 TD), C Pascal Matla, DT Marcus Lorick (49 tackles), DE Kory Lothe (46 tackles, 8 sacks)

Outlook: After winning or sharing the previous two OVC championships and claiming three straight Division I-AA playoff berths, last season proved to be a rebuilding one for the Panthers. But EIU won three of its last six games and was competitive in the defeats, so the Panthers should at least have a shot of momentum entering the year. EIU's main problem last season was an offense that ranked last in the conference with 292.8 yards per game and next-to-last with 17.5 points a contest. Harris got off to a slow start in his first season as EIU's quarterback but came on late. EIU led the league in scoring defense with 22.3 points per game. If their offense improves, the Panthers could be a major surprise and turn into OVC contenders.

Noteworthy: Harris figures to receive a strong challenge for his starting position from Wisconsin transfer Matt Schabert. ... Spoo is by far the dean of OVC head coaches, having been at his school more than twice as long as any other league coach.

Quoting Spoo: "We're going to be an improved football team, but how much remains to be seen. So much factors into it. ... We lacked a little bit in leadership last year, but I think we've gained in that area."Schedule

Sept. 11 Indiana State 6

Sept. 18 at Illinois State 6:30

Sept. 25 at E.Michigan 5

Oct. 2 SE Missouri* 1:30

Oct. 9 at E. Kentucky* 5:30

Oct. 16 Murray State* 1:30

Oct. 23 at Tenn.-Martin* noon

Oct. 30 Tennessee State* 1:30

Nov. 6 at Tenn. Tech* 2

Nov. 13 Jacksonville St.* 1:30

Nov. 20 at Samford* 1EASTERN KENTUCKY

Coach: Danny Hope, 7-5 at EKU (one year)

Last year: 7-5 overall, 6-2 OVC (second)

Returning starters: 14 (7 offense, 5 defense, 2 specialists)

Preseason OVC ranking: No. 1

Five players to watch: QB Matt Guice (2,226 yards, 16 TD), TB C.J. Hudson (606 yards, 6 TD), WR Andre Ralston (59 receptions, 1,082 yards, 9 TD, 25.1 kickoff return average), LB Justen Rivers (99 tackles, 3 sacks), LB Jerome Jones (90 tackles, 6 sacks, 2 INT)

Outlook: After winning six of its final seven games last season following a 1-4 start, EKU is the OVC preseason favorite based on voting by the league's coaches and sports information directors. It took a while for the Colonels to adjust to Hope's passing system, but they seemed to click on all cylinders in the latter part of the season. EKU led the OVC in total offense with 391.4 yards per game and, with the quarterback and most of the receiving corps returning, the Colonels should be able to put up big numbers again. EKU's defense allowed 29.3 points per game in 2003, but only a little more than 20 points per contest over the last seven games. It will be a major surprise if the Colonels don't end up at least near the top of the standings.

Noteworthy: EKU rolled up a school-record 2,897 yards through the air last year and Guice set five school marks, including passing yardage and total offense. ... The Colonels will try to extend their string of 26 straight winning seasons.

Quoting Hope: "It's an honor to have been selected first, but I was surprised. I thought it would be Jacksonville State. That's who I voted for. ... We finished last season strong and hopefully we can carry that momentum into this year."

ScheduleSept. 11 at Appalachian St. 1

Sept. 18 Western Kentucky 6:30

Sept. 25 Jacksonville State* 5:30

Oct. 2 at Samford* 6

Oct. 9 EasternIllinois* 5:30

Oct. 16 at SEMissouri* 6

Oct. 23 at Vanderbilt 1

Oct. 30 Murray State* 2

Nov. 6 at Tenn.-Martin* noon

Nov. 13 Tennessee St.* 12:30

Nov. 20 at Tennessee Tech 1

JACKSONVILLE STATE

Coach: Jack Crowe, 22-22 at JSU (four years), 36-52 overall (seven years)

Last year: 8-4 overall, 7-1 OVC (first)

Returning starters: 13 (5 offense, 7 defense, 1 specialist)

Preseason OVC ranking: No. 2

Five players to watch: QB Maurice Mullins (991 yards passing, 7 TD, 612 yards rushing, 9 TD, C John Pettus, LB Jonathan Crutcher (68 tackles), LB Derrick Sistrunk (44 tackles, 5 sacks), P Richie Rhodes (41.2 avg.)

Outlook: The Gamecocks, who formerly competed in the Southland Conference, burst onto the OVC scene in a major way last year, as they captured the title. With a solid group of returning players, JSU was rated a close second behind Eastern Kentucky in the preseason poll. The Gamecocks must find replacements for several skill position players. Their top two running backs and receivers are gone, including Kory Chapman, who rushed for 1,285 yards. Many key defenders are back from a unit that led the OVC in rushing yards allowed. If the offense comes around, JSU -- featuring some of the premier athletes in the conference -- should again be a top OVC contender.

Noteworthy: Gamecocks won the Division II national championship in 1992 before making the move up to Division I-AA. Last year marked just their third winning season since on the I-AA level. ... Crowe is a former head coach at Arkansas.

Quoting Crowe: "We're probably a better football team today than we were at the same time last year, but I think everybody in the OVC can say that. ... After winning the title last year, we shouldn't be afraid of anybody."Schedule

Sept. 4 Emporia State 2

Sept. 18 at UT-Chattanooga 5

Sept. 25 at E. Kentucky* 5:30

Oct. 2 Murray State* 2

Oct. 9 at Tenn.-Martin* 2

Oct. 16 Tennessee State* 6

Oct. 23 at Tenn. Tech 7

Nov. 6 Samford* 4

Nov. 13 at Eastern Illinois* 1:30

Nov. 20 SE Misouri* 2MURRAY STATE

Coach: Joe Pannunzio, 21-24 at MSU (four years)

Last year: 4-8 overall, 3-5 OVC (tie, sixth)

Returning starters: 14 (8 offense, 6 defense)

Preseason OVC ranking: No. 5

Five players to watch: TB Ron Lane (676 yards, 5 TD), TB Ulysses Odoms (488 yards, 3 TD), OT Justin Ard, DE Marcus White (41 tackles, 9 sacks), LB Patrick Schultz (88 tackles, 3 sacks)

Outlook: After claiming a share of the OVC title two years ago, MSU slipped back toward the other direction last season. The primary culprit was a struggling offense that averaged just 302.4 yards and 18.8 points per game. On paper, the offensive outlook doesn't appear much brighter since the Racers lost their top two quarterbacks and receivers. But they are deep at running back, and Pannunzio is hopeful that junior college transfer Adam Fisher can do the job at quarterback. MSU returns some talent from a defense that ranked second in the OVC by allowing 323.8 yards per game, so there is hope of a Racers turnaround. If Fisher comes through like Pannunzio expects, then MSU could be a contender.

Noteworthy: For the first time since Pannunzio took over the program, he wil not enter a season with Stewart Childress as his starting quarterback. Childress, No. 2 at MSU in career passing yardage, was a four-year regular, although he missed much of last season with an injury.

Quoting Pannunzio: "We have some obstacles to overcome. It's the first time since I've been at Murray State that Stewart Childress hasn't been my quarterback. ... Fisher has picked things up and hopefully he'll have a great year."

ScheduleAug. 28 Glenville State W, 56-3

Sept. 4 at Connecticut 11 a.m.

Sept. 18 at Indiana State 1:05

Sept. 25 Tennesse Tech* 6

Oct. 2 at Jacksonville St.* 2

Oct. 9 Samford* 3

Oct. 16 at Eastern Illinois* 1:30

Oct. 23 SE Missouri* 1:30

Oct. 30 at E. Kentucky* 2

Nov. 13 Tenn.-Martin 1:30 Nov. 20 at Tenn. State* 2:30

SAMFORD

Coach: Bill Gray, 15-12 at SU (three years)

Last year: 7-4 overall, 5-3 OVC (tie, third)

Returning starters: 15 (9 offense, 5 defense, 1 specialist)

Preseason OVC ranking: No. 3

Five players to watch: QB Ray Nelson (2,759 yards passing, 23 TD, 381 yards rushing, 6 TD), WR Efrem Hill (92 receptions, 1,387 yards, 15 TD), WR Ossie Buchannon (35 receptions, 549 yards), LB Steve Tennin (82 tackles), S Cortland Finnegan (108 tackles, 3 INT, 27.5 kickoff return average)

Outlook: After being selected eighth in the OVC's preseason poll last year, the Bulldogs were the surprise of the league. With plenty of talent returning, they don't figure to sneak up on anybody this season, as most people expect them to contend for the championship. An explosive offense that set nine school records welcomes back most of its starters, including Nelson and All-American Hill, but there are question marks at running back, where the leading returning rusher gained just 81 yards last year. The defense must continue to improve for the Bulldogs to be a true contender, but five of the top six leading tacklers are back.

Noteworthy: Samford averaged an OVC-leading 31.8 points per game last year. ... Hill was a virtual consensus first-team All-American; he and Finnegan were the league's offensive and defensive players of the year.

Quoting Gray: "We had a lot of good things happen last year, but we didn't come close to what we wanted to accomplish. ... What's important is to rise above the third ranking we finished with last year."Schedule

Aug. 28 West Alabama W, 34-20

Sept. 4 at Georgia Tech noon

Sept. 11 Furman 6

Sept. 25 at SE Missouri* 6

Oct. 2 EasternKentucky* 6

Oct. 9 at Murray State* 3

Oct. 16 Tenn.-Martin* 1

Oct. 23 at Tenn. State 2:30

Oct. 30 Tennessee Tech* 2

Nov. 6 at JacksonvilleSt.* 4

Nov. 20 EasternIllinois* 1SOUTHEAST MISSOURI

Coach: Tim Billings, 20-26 at SE (four years)

Last year: 5-7 overall, 5-3 OVC (tie, third)

Returning starters: 16 (7 offense, 7 defense, 2 specialists)

Preseason OVC ranking: No. 4

Five players to watch: QB Andrew Goodenough (906 yards, 3 TD), TE Ray Goodson (66 receptions, 623 yards, 3 TD), OG Dan Bieg, LB O.J. Turner (95 tackles, 2 INT), K Derek Kutz (15-21 FG, 30-30 PAT)

Outlook: The Indians won five of their final seven games last year and hope to carry that late-season momentum into this year. But that could be difficult considering they play one of the nation's toughest non-conference schedules, with their first three games on the road against I-AA power Southern Illinois and at I-A teams Bowling Green and Central Michigan. A full season for Goodenough at quarterback and leading rusher Jamel Oliver (a converted receiver) at running back should help an offense that moved the ball well but had trouble in the red zone. There were some key losses on defense, but if that unit continues the improvements it has shown the past few years and the Indians can survive the early schedule, they should be OVC contenders. Having the league's top kicker could be a factor in close games.

Noteworthy: Billings will serve as his own defensive coordinator this season after Damon Bradford was called to active duty by the National Guard and will be deployed to Iraq. Secondary coach Cody Vardeman will serve as co-defensive coordinator.

Quoting Billings: "I really think we have the ingredients to have a good football team. If we can survive our early schedule that is the toughest in school history, I think we can contend in the OVC."

Schedule:Page 13CTENNESSEE-MARTIN

Coach: Matt Griffin, 2-10 at UTM (one year)

Last year: 2-10 overall, 1-7 OVC (tie, eighth)

Returning starters: 16 (7 offense, 9 defense)

Preseason OVC ranking: No. 9

Five players to watch: QB Brady Wahlberg (1,873 yards, 12 TD), WR Taurean Stephens (66 receptions, 665 yards, 3 TD), WR Sanders Trent (55 receptions, 507 yards, 3 TD), S Chad McMahan (69 tackles, 5 INT), S Russell Gambrell (69 tackles)

Outlook: Griffin appears to have upgraded the Skyhawks' talent level considerably and also instilled a more positive attitude during his attempt to turn around the fortunes of what has been among the nation's worst Division I-AA programs for nearly the past decade. UTM had a major breakthrough last year when it beat Tennessee Tech to break a 43-game OVC losing streak, but the Skyhawks went on to lose their final six contests and tied for last in the league, although most of those defeats were competitive. The quarterback and receiver positions should be solid, but UTM must improve a defense that ranked last in the league by allowing 438.5 yards and 36.6 points per game. With few seniors on the roster, the Skyhawks will be hard-pressed to again escape the basement, but they could be a team to watch for the future.

Noteworthy: UTM has finished either last or tied for last in the OVC the past eight years, winning just two conference games during that time.

Quoting Griffin: "I'm real excited about the kids we have back and that it's the second year for our staff. Everybody knows what they're doing. ... I'm very excited about the direction the program is headed."

ScheduleSept. 2 at Western Michigan 7

Sept. 9 Tennessee State* 7

Sept. 18 at Austin Peay noon

Sept. 25 at Indiana State 1

Oct. 2 at Tenn. Tech* noon

Oct. 9 Jacksonville State* 2

Oct. 16 at Samford* 1

Oct 23. Eastern Illinois* noon

Oct. 30 at SE Missouri* 1

Nov. 6 Eastern Kentucky* noon

Nov. 13 at Murray State* 1:30

TENNESSEE STATE

Coach: James Reese, 20-26 at TSU (four years)

Last year: 7-5 overall, 5-3 OVC (tie, third)

Returning starters: 13 (5 offense, 6 defense, 2 specialists)

Preseason OVC ranking: No. 6

Five players to watch: QB Bryson Rosser (1,458 yards, 18 TD), TB Charles Anthony (1,708 yards, 13 TD), DE Paul Thomas (56 tackles, 12 sacks), DE Wesley Holmes (65 tackles), LB James Dumervil (91 tackles, 4 sacks)

Outlook: After compiling the worst record in school history two years ago -- 2-10 -- TSU bounced back last season and the Tigers figure to once again contend for an upper-division OVC finish. The Tigers have one of Division I-AA's top running backs in Anthony, a first-team All-American who was the nation's fourth-leading rusher last year while setting school records for single-season and career rushing yardage. For the first time in several years, TSU has a veteran at quarterback, as Rosser did his damage in just eight games last year. But he'll have to find some new targets, as TSU lost its top three receivers. The Tigers led the OVC in total defense last year at 320 yards per game and Thomas is one of the nation's best at his position.

Noteworthy: TSU, because of its four "Classic" games against other historically black colleges, is being allowed by the OVC to play just seven conference contests. The Tigers won't face Tennessee Tech.

Quoting Reese: "We have a significant amount of guys coming back that have contributed a lot to the program. ... Anthony is definitely worth the price of admission. We expect him to tough the ball 25, 27 times a game."Schedule

Sept. 4 Alabama A&M 7

Sept. 9 at Tenn.-Martin* 6:30

Sept. 18 Jackson State 6

Sept. 25 Florida A&M 3

Oct. 2 So. Carolina St. 4

Oct. 16 at JacksonvilleSt.* 4

Oct. 23 Samford* 2:30

Oct. 30 at EasternIllinois* 1:30

Nov. 6 SEMissouri* 7

Nov. 13 at E.Kentucky* 12:30

Nov. 20 Murray State* 2:30TENNESSEE TECH

Coach: Mike Hennigan, 42-45 at TTU (eight years)

Last year: 2-9 overall, 1-7 OVC (tie, eighth)

Returning starters: 16 (6 offense, 8 defense, 2 specialists)

Preseason OVC ranking: No. 8

Five players to watch: QB Robert Craft (1,009 yards, 7 TD), TB Derek White (678 yards, 8 TD), OT Frank Omiyale, S Brandon Shelby (71 tackles, 3 INT), CB Brandon Fields (81 tackles, 2 INT)

Outlook: The Eagles should receive a major boost from the return of Craft, one of the top passers in school history. TTU had won two straight games -- including a 25-point rout of Murray State in its OVC opener -- to improve its record to 2-2 and was leading Tennessee-Martin in its fifth game when Craft went down with a season-ending knee injury. The Eagles lost that contest and also the next six to end with a seven-game losing streak. In less than five full games, Craft still threw for more than 1,000 yards. His 2,448 yards as a sophomore set a school record, and he is less than 1,000 yards from breaking TTU's career mark. Still, the Eagles' top four receivers are gone, and defensively TTU ranked toward the bottom of the league in most categories last year, so contending for an upper-division finish will be tough.

Noteworthy: Hennigan, a former TTU player, spent seven seasons in the National Football League as a linebacker in the 1970s.

Quoting Hennigan: "I think the team has gotten a lift with Robert being back. Having him back will be a big key for us. ... I don't think there's any doubt we should be a better football team if we stay healthy."

ScheduleSept. 4 Gardner-Webb 7

Sept. 11 at South Florida 6

Sept. 18 at Va. Military Inst. 1

Sept. 25 at Murray State* 6

Oct. 2 Tenn.-Martin* 1

Oct. 9 Tenn.-Chattanooga 7

Oct. 23 Jacksonville St.* 7

Oct. 30 at Samford* 2

Nov. 6 Eastern Illinois 2

Nov. 13 at SE Missouri* 1

Nov. 20 Eastern Kentucky* 1