Tennessee Tech running back Derek White had 490 rushing yards in 11 games last year.

Through three games this year, the 5-foot-9, 203-pound senior has almost equaled that output.

White has won back-to-back Ohio Valley Conference offensive player of the week honors while Tech has squared off against two straight NAIA opponents.

In Tech’s Sept. 6 win against Cumberland, White ran for 213 yards. Last Thursday against Concordia, White ran for 194 yards and broke a school record with five rushing touchdowns.

White is averaging 158.3 yards per game and is top rusher in conference. White is eighth in the nation.

“He is so improved,” Tech head coach Watson Brown said. “He’s probably playing the best of the bunch that’s a new guy. Now, he’s an older guy, but he’s never really been a starter here.”

Brown said White has also filled a leadership role with the Golden Eagles.

“He’s doing things like we’re asking him to do and he’s a disciplined kid,” he said. “He’s had some mistakes in the passing game, but in the running game he’s been solid.”

Samford, SEMO come into meeting with winning records

Last year, Southeast Missouri headed into its fourth game of the year, a game against Samford, with a 2-1 record.

The Redhawks find themselves in a similar position this year.

SEMO travels to Birmingham, Ala., to take on the Bulldogs, who come into the game with a 2-1 record as well.

SEMO head coach Tony Samuel said his team’s running game, despite averaging 213 yards per game, still needs some work.

“I think we’ve got to get a lot more bugs out before we hit the road and head down to Samford,” he said. “I think we can, and should do better with our running game. It’s a little bit skewed in my opinion. I think we’re doing well in spurts. I think we can be a lot more physical and a lot more consistent and more precise up front.”

Samford first-year head coach Pat Sullivan, whose team finished 3-8 last season and 1-7 in the OVC, said he’s taking a different approach with his team this season.

“I’ve tried to use an analogy to the kids that it’s like a baseball game,” he said. “In that there’s nine innings in a baseball game and 11 games in our season and we’re going to play them one at a time and add them up at the end and see where we end up.”

Murray notches first win of year; tries to defeat Tech for first time in Cookeville since 1999

Murray State beat NAIA opponent Lambuth 48-13 on Saturday, the Racers first win of the year.

Murray is 2-12 under second-year head coach Matt Griffin entering Thursday night’s game at Tech.

Despite the unequal number of wins compared to losses, Brown said he thinks Murray is improved after last year’s 1-10 squad.

Griffin said it’s hard to gauge yet what his team’s strengths or weaknesses are.

“We’re one of the most penalized teams I’ve ever been associated with and that’s certainly hurting us in areas,” he said. “We really have to correct that and play as poorly in spots and expect to win in Cookeville.”

The last time Murray won on the Golden Eagles home field was 1999.