SURPRISING TIGERS TRY TO STAY ON TOP; TENNESSEE ST. RETURNS BIG NUMBERS FOR 1999 SEASON

GRAPHIS -- 1999 PRESEASON POLL; 1999 FINAL STANDINGS; 1999 OVC FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Tennessee State certainly uprooted the normal order of Ohio Valley Conference football last season.

Now the Tigers will try to show that they were not just one-year wonders in 1998.

The Tigers, picked sixth in last year's OVC preseason poll, won their first league championship and advanced to the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs for the first time since 1986.

But the Tigers definitely won't sneak up on anybody this season. In a recent poll of the OVC's head football coaches and sports information directors, Tennessee State received 12 of a possible 14 first-place votes and was picked to repeat as league champion.

"We were picked sixth last year but we were fortunate enough to turn it around," said Tennessee State coach L.C. Cole. "But it's different now that we're ranked No. 1. It's like being a fox in hunting season. Everybody is out to get you."

To be sure, the rest of the OVC won't just hand another conference championship to the Tigers. There appear to be several other viable contenders.

Murray State, which has finished no worse than second in the OVC for the past four seasons, was tabbed for second in the preseason poll as the Racers received two first-place votes.

Perennial power Eastern Kentucky, which captured its record 18th OVC title two years ago, was picked third in the preseason poll while Eastern Illinois was tabbed for fourth and received the remaining two first-place votes.

Rounding out the predicted order of finish are Western Kentucky, Tennessee Tech, Southeast Missouri and Tennessee-Martin.

Western Kentucky rejoins the OVC for football only after an 18-year absence. The Hilltoppers replace Middle Tennessee, which has moved up to Division I-A.

While Tennessee State claimed last year's league title, Murray State tied for second with Middle Tennessee; Eastern Kentucky and Eastern Illinois tied for fourth; Tennessee Tech and Southeast Missouri deadlocked for sixth; and Tennessee-Martin brought up the rear as the Skyhawks suffered through a winless season.

Most of the league's coaches are looking for another spirited battle for the top spot and they warn not to overlook some of the teams picked toward the bottom.

"This conference has proven in my short time here to be very competitive," said Murray State's Denver Johnson. "I would not be surprised at the end of the year if the (preseason) poll looks a lot different.

"I don't think there's much difference between the top and the bottom."

Said Western Kentucky's Jack Harbaugh, who genuinely seems to be excited about having the Hilltoppers rejoin the OVC, "It's great to be back. I think this is an outstanding conference and there are going to be a lot of battles every week."

Added Southeast Missouri's John Mumford, "It (the preseason poll) is all based on last year and it's just a best educated guess. But it doesn't always hold true in football. A lot of things factor into it."

The following is a look at the OVC's teams as presented in the OVC 1999 Football Media Guide. The teams are listed in the order they were picked to finish (Southeast Missouri is being previewed separately) along with last year's overall and conference records.

Tennessee State

(9-3, 6-1 OVC)

After last year's breakthrough season, the Tigers appear to be loaded again as they return 17 starters from last year's team that finished the season ranked 10th in the final I-AA poll.

Tennessee State topped the OVC and was among the nation's top 10 I-AA squads in passing (303 ypg), scoring (39.1 ppg) and total offense (467.2 ypg). Eight starters are back from that unit, which should purr once again.

Leading the Tigers' attack is Leon Murray, the 1998 OVC Offensive Player of the Year as he completed 183 of 353 passes for 3,002 yards and 22 touchdowns. Murray set a new league record for passing yards in a season last year.

Murray has a pair of quality receivers returning in Corey Sullivan (46 rec., 923 yds., 6 TDs) and Avion Black (28 rec., 487 yds.).

All five starters return on the offensive line, led by first-team all-OVC selection Bennie Anderson. A concern, however, is the backfield, where the Tigers lost their top two rushers.

Tennessee State was much improved defensively last year, allowing 344.1 yards per game and leading the league in pass efficiency defense and scoring defense.

All four starters are back on the defensive line, including first-team all-OVC end Lamar Carter (9.5 sacks) and end Garr Holland (8 TFL). LaBrent Sterling (81 tackles) returns at linebacker after leading the Tigers in stops the past two seasons. Ligarius Jennings (3 int.) heads up the secondary.

Cole sees his defense as the key to another big season.

"Our offense is a proven factor, but we have to step it up on defense," he said. "The success of our team will be determined on defense."

Murray State

(7-4, 5-2 OVC)

The Racers' recent string of successful seasons should continue, thanks to an offense that could be one of the nation's best. Overall, the Racers return 13 starters from a team that spent the entire 1998 season ranked in the I-AA top 25.

Murray State set nine team and individual records last year and seven starters are back from that unit, led by quarterback Justin Fuente (220 of 395, 2,896 yds., 23 TDs), who set new school passing marks for completions, attempts and yards.

"Justin is the whole package," said Johnson, whose squad faces a brutal season opener at nationally-ranked I-A Wisconsin. "Our chances of being good probably rest on his shoulders."

The Racers return three receivers who caught at least 27 passes last year, led by Terrence Tillman (41 rec., 660 yds., 7 TDs) and Joe Perez (36 rec., 480 yds.).

Murray State's running game is strong with tailback Justin Bivins (752 yds), the OVC's top returning rusher, and four starters are back on the offensive line, led by center Jason Williams.

Defense, which has been a strength for the Racers the past two seasons, is a question mark this year as Murray State must replace eight starters. Steve Williams will anchor the front while safety Beau Guest (114 tackles) led the team in stops last year.

Special teams should be a strength for the Racers, led by first-team all-OVC place kicker Greg Miller.

Eastern Kentucky

(6-5, 4-3 OVC)

The Colonels were riddled by injuries in 1998, which helped account for a disappointing season by their standards. Legendary coach Roy Kidd, whose squad returns 12 starters, hopes to be back in the title hunt.

Only four regulars are back on offense. The unit will revolve around the tailback tandem of Derick Logan (556 yds.) and Corey Crume (543 yds., 6 TDs), who both battled injuries a year ago.

The quarterback spot is up for grabs between two-year backup Wayne Chapman and junior-college transfer Chad Collins. Alexander Bannister (23 rec., 320 yds.) is the team's top returning receiver while two-time all-OVC selection Josh Hunter heads the line.

Eight starters return to a defensive unit that ranked third in the OVC in scoring defense (24.9 ppg).

The defensive line returns intact, led by Jason Muchow. Linebacker Brad Folke (95 tackles) topped the Colonels in stops last year while Butch Printup was fourth. Safety Shawn Gallant heads up the secondary, which also hopes to return injury-plagued Scooter Asel.

"Our job is to get our football program where it once was," said Kidd. "We'll have some experience and some green kids. Defense could be our strength."

Eastern Illinois

(6-5, 4-3 OVC)

Despite a fifth straight winning season last year, Panthers' coach Bob Spoo was not pleased with his team's "mediocre" effort. With 14 starters returning, the Panthers will look for more consistency in 1999.

Back to trigger the Eastern Illinois offense is quarterback Anthony Buich (147 of 240, 1,820 yds., 12 TDs), who ranked third in the OVC in pass efficiency and total offense a year ago.

Leading the receiving corps are wide out Phillip Taylor (31 rec., 437 yds.) and first-team all-OVC tight end Seth Willingham (28 rec., 338 yds.).

In the backfield, tailback Wayne Brown (631 yds.) and Shaun Grace (375 yds., 7 TDs) lead the way, while redshirt Jabarey McDavid is back after running for 760 yards in 1997. The line returns three regulars.

Five starters are back defensively, led by linebackers Brian Jones (90 tackles, 4 sacks) and Tony Magliocco (88 tackles), who ranked fifth and sixth in the OVC in stops last year. End Ryan Pace (50 tackles, 9 TFL) is the headliner up front but the secondary must replace all four regulars.

"We struggled defensively last year," said Spoo. "If you're going to win and be successful, you have to do well on that side of the ball. We still have concerns there."

Western Kentucky

(7-4)

Western Kentucky is back in the OVC after an 18-year absence, bringing a program that finished the 1998 season ranked 19th in the I-AA poll.

But coach Jim Harbaugh's squad will have a much different look this year as only nine starters and 25 lettermen return.

The Hilltoppers option attack amassed nearly 350 yards per game on the ground last season and will be engineered this year by multi-talented quarterback Donte Pimpleton, who rushed for more than 100 yards three times last season as a backup and was also Western Kentucky's top receiver (15 rec., 186 yds., 4 TDs).

Pimpleton will be joined in the backfield by fullback Rod Smart (491 yds., 8 TDs), who averaged 6.2 yards per carry last year. The line is headed up by first-team All-American center Patrick Goodman, who could he moved to guard.

Four of the Hilltoppers top tacklers from last season are back on defense. Headliners are linebacker Melvin Wisham (82 tackles) end Ben Wittman (team-high 6.5 sacks) and safety Joseph Jefferson (58 tackles).

The kicking game is excellent, led by Jeff Poisel, who is on pace to become Western Kentucky's all-time leading scorer.

"We lost a lot of great football players, but we're thrilled to be back in the conference," said Harbaugh. "It's been a long wait."

Tennessee Tech

(4-7, 2-5 OVC)

The Golden Eagles suffered through a disappointing season last year, but the parts appear to be in place for a turnaround as coach Mike Hennigan returns 19 starters, including seven from a defense that was ranked among the best in I-AA.

Tennessee Tech is hoping to spark an offense that averaged just 256.3 yards and 19.9 points per game last year. Quarterback Michael Peeples (132 of 245, 1,527 yds., 11 TDs) leads the unit and returns his top three receivers, led by Walter Hill (43 rec., 555 yds.).

The Golden Eagles' running game is led by tailbacks Jerome Tillman (515 yds., 5 TDs) and Nick Solomon (610 yds.). Four regulars return up front, led by Wes Gallagher and Mark Williams.

Tennessee Tech led the OVC and ranked seventh in I-AA in total defense (264.5 ypg) in 1998. Back to lead the unit is end Branon Vaughn (10 sacks, 19 TFL), who was the league's Defensive Player of the Year last season.

Jerry Turner (17 TFL) flanks Vaughn at the other end while all three linebackers return, led by Chad Evitts (85 tackles). A pair of three-year starters are in the secondary, led by first-team all-OVC rover Joshua Symonette (108 tackles).

"Our team should be led by our defense," said Hennigan. "That's where our strength has been and it should continue."

Tennessee-Martin

(0-11, 0-7 OVC)

Third-year Skyhawks' coach Jim Marshall is hoping some added experience will finally put an end to his team's struggles.

Marshall has tried to rebuild the program, which has won just two games over the past three seasons, with youngsters. The Skyhawks had 34 players who were either freshmen or sophomores letter last fall.

Tennessee-Martin was much improved offensively last year, averaging 33 points a game in its last three OVC contests. The unit is led by tailback Adam Joyner (396 yds.), fullback Tim Beattie (337 yds., 10 TDs) and wide receiver Rory Redmond (32 rec., 546 yds.).

The quarterback spot is up for grabs between redshirt freshman Edward Robertson and Wake Forest transfer Matt Burleson. Charlie Goodyear leads the line.

Tennessee-Martin struggled big-time defensively in 1998, allowing 498 yards and 46 points per game. Six starters return from the unit, led by linebacker Shane Oldham (69 tackles), tackle Eddie Warren and safety Jonathan Brooks (66 tackles).

"The two years we've been here, we haven't been very good," said Marshall. "The thing we're excited about is now we have a junior class and we didn't have that before."

1999 OVC Preseason Football Poll

Team (1st-place votes) points

1. Tennessee State (12) 95

2. Murray State (2) 77

3. Eastern Kentucky 71

4. Eastern Illinois (2) 66

5. Western Kentucky 56

6. Tennessee Tech 42

7. SOUTHEAST MISSOURI 26

8. Tennessee-Martin 15

1998 OVC FOOTBALL STANDINGS

Conference OverallTeam W L Pct. W L Pct.

Tenn. St. 6 1 .857 9 3 .818Murray St. 5 2 .714 7 4 .636Middle Tenn. 5 2 .714 5 5 .500

Eastern Ky. 4 3 .571 6 5 .545Eastern Ill. 4 3 .571 6 5 .545

Tenn. Tech 2 5 .286 4 7 .364

SE MISSOURI 2 5 .286 3 8 .273Tenn.-Martin 0 7 .000 0 11 .000

1999 OVC Football Schedule

Sept. 2

Southern Ill. at SE MISSOURI, 6 p.m.

Kentucky St. at Eastern Ky., 6 p.m.

Eastern Ill. at Central Michigan, 6:30 p.m.

Western Ky. at Tenn.-Martin, 7 p.m.

Sept. 4

Murray St. at Wisconsin, 1:05 p.m.

Sept. 5

Alabama St. at Tenn. St., 6 p.m.

Sept. 11

SE MISSOURI at Illinois St., 6 p.m.

Tenn. Tech at Bowling Green, noon

Murray St. at Southern Ill., 1:30 p.m.

Lambuth at Tenn.-Martin, 2 p.m.

Eastern Ill. at Hawaii, 6 p.m.

Eastern Ky. at Appalachian St., 6 p.m.

Tenn. St. vs. Jackson St., at Memphis, 6 p.m.

Cumberland at Western Ky., 7 p.m.

Sept. 18

SE MISSOURI at Murray St., 6 p.m.

Tenn. St. vs. Florida A&M, at Atlanta, 3 p.m.

Samford at Tenn.-Martin, 3 p.m.

Southern Ill. at Eastern Ill., 6 p.m.

Indiana St. at Eastern Ky., 6 p.m.

Liberty at Tenn. Tech, 7 p.m.

South Florida at Western Ky., 7 p.m.

Sept. 25

SE MISSOURI at Western Ky., 7 p.m.

Eastern Ky. at Samford, 1 p.m.

Tenn.-Martin at Eastern Ill., 1:30 p.m.

Oct. 2

Eastern Ky. at SE MISSOURI, 6 p.m.

Tenn. Tech at Tenn.-Martin, 2 p.m.

Eastern Ill. at Central Florida, 5 p.m.

Tenn. St. at Alabama A&M, 6:30 p.m.

Murray St. at Western Ky., 7 p.m.

Oct. 9

Tenn. Tech at SE MISSOURI, 1 p.m.

Eastern Ill. at Tenn. St., 1:30 p.m.

Western Ky. at Eastern Ky., 6 p.m.

Tenn.-Martin at Murray St., 6 p.m.

Oct. 16

SE MISSOURI at Indiana St., 1:30 p.m.

Western Ky. at Tenn. Tech, 1 p.m.

Tenn. St. at Tenn.-Martin, 2 p.m.

Eastern Ill. at Murray St., 3 p.m.

Oct. 23

Southwest Missouri at SE MISSOURI, 1 p.m.

Tenn.-Martin at Eastern Ky., 1 p.m.

Tenn. Tech at Eastern Ill., 1:30 p.m.

Tenn. St. at Western Ky., 4 p.m.

Samford at Murray St., 6 p.m.

Oct. 30

SE MISSOURI at Tenn.-Martin, 1 p.m.

Western Ky. at Eastern Ill., 1:30 p.m.

Eastern Ky. at Tenn. St., 1:30 p.m.

Murray St. at Tenn. Tech, 2 p.m.

Nov. 6

Eastern Ill. at SE MISSOURI, 1 p.m.

Eastern Ky. at Murray St., 1:30 p.m.

Tenn. Tech at Tenn. St., 6 p.m.

Tenn.-Martin at Middle Tenn., 6 p.m.

Nov. 13

Western Ky. at Indiana St., 12:30 p.m.

Eastern Ky. at Tenn. Tech, 1 p.m.

Tenn.-Martin at Southwest Missouri, 1 p.m.

Murray St. at Tenn. St., 1:30 p.m.

Illinois St. at Eastern Ill., 1:30 p.m.

Nov. 20

Tenn. St. at SE MISSOURI, 1 p.m.

Western Ky. at Southern Ill., 12:30 p.m.

Eastern Ill. at Eastern Ky., 1 p.m.

Tenn. Tech at Samford, 1 p.m.

Kentucky Wesleyan at Murray St., 1:30 p.m.