CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KFVS) – The Big South-OVC Football Standings are starting to take shape, and a few teams are still within striking distance of the top.
Here’s how each team fared in Week 8, and what’s next:
- 1. No. 8 SEMO (4-0, 7-1 overall)
- Week 8 result: 26-13 away win over Charleston Southern
A slow start for the Redhawks eventually turned into a standard SEMO win, one in which D.C. Pippen‘s four field goals made a sizeable difference. Without the team‘s two main runningbacks, Paxton DeLaurent threw for 335 yards and a score to keep the game out of reach. SEMO hosts Gardner-Webb next week for the Redhawks’ Homecoming Game.
Note: No. 8 SEMO looks set to move up in the FCS Polls, on Monday, October 21. With No. 5 Villanova and No. 7 Mercer both losing to unranked opponents, the Redhawks could jump up to No. 6 nationally, which would be a program record.
- 2. Tennessee State (3-1, 6-2 overall)
- Week 8 result: 27-14 away win over Howard
Tennessee State kept things rolling outside the conference, defeating Howard by two touchdowns. Draylen Ellis threw for 289 yards while Spiffy Evans had three kick returns for 150 yards and one touchdown. The Tigers return to Big South-OVC play in two weeks; they’re on their bye next week.
- 3. No. 25 UT Martin (2-1, 4-3 overall)
- UT Martin did not play Week 8
T-No. 25 UT Martin comes off its bye with just one conference loss on the year. The Skyhawks host Eastern Illinois, on Saturday, October 26.
- 4. Western Illinois (2-1, 3-4 overall)
- Week 8 result: 37-21 home win over Tennessee Tech
Western Illinois paid no mind to Tennessee Tech’s defense Saturday. The Leathernecks offense roared for 446 yards in total, with the attacking being evenly spread out in the air and on the ground. Western Illinois heads to Missouri to face Lindenwood next week.
- 5. Lindenwood (2-2, 3-5 overall)
- Week 8 result: 42-35 road loss to Gardner-Webb
Lindenwood couldn’t hang with Gardner-Webb over the weekend. Still, Jeff Caldwell had a strong performance, with 174 yards receiving and a touchdown. Lindenwood hosts Western Illinois next week.
- 6. Tennessee Tech (2-2, 2-5 overall)
- Week 8 result: 21-37 road loss to Western Illinois
After a 2-0 start, the Golden Eagles are 2-2 in conference play. Dylan Laible threw for 262 yards with Jalen Mitchell rushing for 86. Tennessee Tech hosts Charleston Southern next week in Cookeville.
- 7. Gardner-Webb (1-2, 2-5 overall)
- Week 8 result: 42-35 home win over Lindenwood
Finally, the Bulldogs had a game that showed sparks of their 2023 unit that reached the FCS Playoffs. Gardner-Webb had two rushers for over 100 yards, and the Bulldogs have reached a new high ahead of their biggest game of the year. Gardner-Webb faces SEMO on the Redhawks’ Homecoming next week.
- 8. Eastern Illinois (0-3, 1-6 overall)
- Eastern Illinois did not play Week 8
Eastern Illinois had its bye this week. The Panthers will take a refreshed squad to ranked UT Martin, on Saturday, October 26.
- 9. Charleston Southern (0-4, 1-6 overall)
- Week 8 result: 17-41 road loss to Tennessee State
Charleston Southern put up a good fight against No. 8 SEMO, but the Redhawks kept the Buccanneers out of reach for much of the game. Kaleb Jackson threw for 125 yards and two touchdowns. Next week, Charleston Southern heads to Tennessee Tech.
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