OVC sends UTM, EIU into playoffs

MURRAY, Ky. -- Tennessee-Martin defeated Murray State 42-14 Saturday, clinching the Ohio Valley Conference's automatic bid in the Division I-AA playoffs.

The Skyhawks improved to 9-2 on the season, 6-1 OVC. UTM will be making its first appearance in the playoffs Saturday when it visits Southern Illinois (8-3).

Murray State ended the season winless in OVC play at 0-8, 1-10 overall.

Tennessee-Martin gained 371 yards on the ground as running back Don Chapman logged 206 yards and three touchdowns.

The Skyhawks tied atop the OVC with Eastern Illinois (8-4, 7-1), but the Skyhawks won the head-to-head meeting between the teams.

Eastern Illinois was awarded an at-large bid and will host Illinois State (8-3) in the first round.

Eastern Illinois rallied from 10 points down in the second half to beat Jacksonville State 28-24, but Tennessee State failed to make it a three-way tie for the title and cost the Panthers the league's automatic NCAA berth by losing 20-3 at Eastern Kentucky.

The Tigers finished 6-5 overall and 5-2 in the OVC.

~-- Southeast Missourian