Wins jump-start Tenn Tech, TSU

Ohio Valley Conference football teams lost six of eight games over the weekend, but those two victories were significant for their respective schools.

Tennessee Tech, after losing to Division I-A teams Memphis and Northern Illinois to start the season, finally broke into the win column by routing Chattanooga 35-10.

And Tennessee State's 44-14 triumph over Jackson State pushed the Tigers to 2-1, equaling their victory total from all of last season.

In Chattanooga, Tenn., the Golden Eagles (1-2) piled up 540 yards of offense to overcome five turnovers.

"It was obviously a needed win, being 0-2 going into it, so in that way it was a good win for us," Tennessee Tech coach Mike Hennigan said during Tuesday's weekly OVC teleconference. "It's been a big boost for our team."

In Memphis, Tenn., the Tigers used strong defense and special teams to win the Southern Heritage Classic in the Liberty Bowl and avenge last year's loss to Jackson State.

Earlier this year, the Tigers defeated South Carolina State -- another team they lost to in 2002, when they went 2-10.

"We had a lot of people returning, and it was just a matter of getting them playing with the proper attitude," Tennessee State coach James Reese said of his team's start.

EKU impressive in defeat

Eastern Kentucky, coming off a dominating 35-7 victory over I-AA powerhouse Appalachian State, nearly picked up its first win over a I-A team in 18 years.

The Colonels led host Central Michigan by 20 points in the third quarter but lost 42-41 on a touchdown with 17 seconds left.

The Colonels (1-2) racked up a Kelly/Shorts Stadium record 614 yards.

"It was a great game for our team. We played well and had control for the majority of the game," Eastern Kentucky coach Danny Hope said. "We've really made a lot of progress, and offensively we really stepped up our game."

OVC-Gateway Challenge

The OVC and Gateway Conference formed a challenge series this season, with eight games between the leagues deciding regional bragging rights.

The Gateway has won both contests so far, with Southern Illinois beating Southeast Missouri State University and Murray State -- the teams picked first and second in the OVC preseason poll.

This weekend will go a long way toward deciding the challenge as five games are scheduled, including Eastern Kentucky visiting defending I-AA national champion Western Kentucky, ranked third.

Other OVC-Gateway games this weekend are Southeast (0-3) hosting Southwest Missouri, Eastern Illinois (1-1) entertaining Illinois State, Murray State (1-2) hosting Indiana State and Tennessee-Martin (1-2) traveling to second-ranked Western Illinois.

Players of the week

Eastern Kentucky sophomore wide receiver Andre Ralston is the league's offensive player of the week after catching eight passes for 211 yards and two touchdowns in the loss to Central Michigan.

Tennessee Tech junior rover Brandon Shelby earned defensive honors. He intercepted two and made seven tackles against Chattanooga.

Eastern Kentucky junior quarterback Matt Guice won newcomer honors. He was 21 of 27 for 290 yards before leaving the Central Michigan game in the third quarter with an injury. His status for Saturday's game is undetermined.

Freshmen twins Gerald and Jarrett Morrow of Tennessee State shared the special teams award. Gerald had three kickoff returns for 97 yards while Jarrett had a 67-yard return for a touchdown.

Extra points

Samford (2-0), which was idle, is the OVC's only undefeated team, but that figures to change Saturday when the Bulldogs travel to I-A San Diego State.

Jacksonville State (1-1) suffered a surprising 28-16 loss Saturday to Division II North Alabama.

Eastern Illinois is the only league team ranked in both major I-AA polls this week. The Panthers are 18th (USA Today/ESPN) and 19th (The Sports Network).

Eastern Kentucky, despite nearly beating a I-A squad, fell out of The Sports Network poll, but the Colonels are ranked 22nd by USA Today/ESPN.