Week of August 31: OVC Football Highlights
The opening week of September brought a flurry of excitement across the Ohio Valley Conference, as teams battled in closely contested matchups that showcased both offensive firepower and defensive grit.
Charles Kellom of Eastern Illinois erupted for a career‑high 171 rushing yards and three touchdowns in a 28‑14 victory over Murray State, a performance that underscored his emergence as a premier back.
DJ Delmore anchored the defense for Southeast Missouri with a career‑high 13 tackles, including seven solo stops and three tackles for loss, helping the team edge out Indiana State 23‑21. Adding to the drama, Justin Keller contributed 11 points, highlighted by a 45‑yard game‑winning field goal that sealed the win.
Freshman Brenton Paul made an immediate impact for Tennessee State, racking up 55 all‑purpose yards and capping his collegiate debut with a nine‑yard rushing touchdown in a 24‑23 win over Jackson State.
Isaac Edwards of Lindenwood returned an interception 88 yards for a touchdown in a razor‑thin 3‑point victory over Charleston Southern, while Braylen Ragland, playing for Southeast Missouri, completed 26 of 36 passes for 274 yards and a score. Daylin Lee of Tennessee State displayed a dual‑threat skill set, amassing 305 total yards — 265 through the air and 40 on the ground — and two touchdowns in the John Merritt Classic against Jackson State.
Defensive standouts such as Trey Cotton of UT Martin forced a fumble and later returned an interception 55 yards for a score against Central Arkansas, and Ja'Wuan Nickson of Eastern Illinois added 10 tackles, two tackles for loss and an interception in the same win. Steve Zayachkowsky contributed 10 tackles and two sacks for Charleston Southern in a hard‑fought loss.
The week’s standout efforts earned nominations for offensive players including Kory Jones, Pops Battle, Tommy Ansley, Kennedy McGill and Lek Powell, signaling a deep pool of talent that promises continued competitiveness as the season unfolds.