Eastern Kentucky and Tennessee State will face off Saturday afternoon in Richmond, Ky., in a battle of the last two unbeaten teams in the Ohio Valley Conference.

The Colonels (5-2, 4-0) are leading the OVC, are ranked No. 21 nationally, and have won their last eight games against the Tigers (3-3, 2-0).

Despite the recent success against the Tigers, Eastern Kentucky coach Danny Hope said he doesn’t think that has any impact on the way he will prepare for the game.

He said Tennessee State has many talented players who are strong in every phase of the game.

Hope said two undefeated teams playing adds magnitude to game day, but it’s still a conference game they have to win.

“Every time we play a conference team right now, and if we play well enough to win, it keeps us in front,” Hope said. “So, obviously, this is an important game.”

Tennessee State coach James Webster said this is a very big game, but it will not solidify which team will win the OVC.

“I don’t think that if we win this game, it guarantees we’ll win the OVC – and I don’t feel if we lose this game, it’s going to guarantee we’ll lose the OVC,” Webster said. “I think that this game will set the tone and really put the winner in the driver’s seat because now you really control your own destiny.”

The Tigers have relied on the arm and legs of quarterback Antonio Heffner. The junior from Memphis leads the OVC in quarterback rating and passing yards. Heffner is also second on the team with 316 yards rushing.

Webster said Heffner is fully recovered from a finger injury and is starting to see the field better. He said his team also has a lot of talented receivers for Heffner to throw the ball to.

“The good news is that if those guys aren’t open, then I think he’s talented enough that he can make the play with his feet,” Webster said.

Hope would agree with Webster’s observations of Heffner.

“If you do a good job on defense and manufacture some pressure, he can take it out the backdoor and be gone,” Hope said. “He can create headaches and problems for your defense in every phase of the offensive game.”

SEMO running back out indefinitely

Southeast Missouri running back Timmy Holloman was suspended indefinitely for violations of NCAA eligibility rules Oct. 9.

Holloman, who led SEMO with 655 rushing yards and six touchdowns, did not play in the Redhawks’ game against Eastern Kentucky.

Holloman was ranked third in the OVC in rushing behind Tennessee Tech’s Derek White and Austin Peay’s Chris Fletcher.

SEMO coach Tony Samuel said although the team would love to have Holloman back, it’s an indefinite situation. He could not comment more at this point.

Freshmen running backs Mike Jones and Alfred Reese both saw time in the backfield against the Colonels, and Jones led the team with 64 yards on 15 attempts.

“We felt like we could still run on Eastern Kentucky, and we tried,” Samuel said. “We threw a couple freshmen in there, and in the long run, they’re probably going to be pretty good.”

Samuel said the freshmen misread a couple of things where experience might have been a plus, but his team will have to produce and play against what he said he considers an improved Murray State team on Saturday.

Quarterback carousel at Tech

With starter Lee Sweeney and backup Josh Lowery out at quarterback for Tennessee Tech after suffering knee and wrist injuries, respectively, the Golden Eagles started third-string freshman Cass Barnes against Tennessee State last Thursday.

Barnes completed 5-of-6 passes for 44 yards and one touchdown before he left the game in the second quarter with an injury of his own.

Tech coach Watson Brown said Barnes suffered a slight concussion but practiced Monday.

Wide receiver-turned-fourth-string quarterback Steven Brown came in to replace Barnes and finished the game 9-of-14 for 105 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Steven Brown was supposed to be an emergency quarterback for the Golden Eagles, but emergency became reality when Barnes went down.

“I’ve never played four (quarterbacks),” Watson Brown said. “This is a first for me. I’ve never played a receiver at quarterback.”

Before last Thursday’s game against Tennessee State, Steven Brown had last taken a snap four years ago as a quarterback at Vesta Villa High School in Alabama, Watson Brown said.

Watson Brown said in addition to the issues at quarterback, the Golden Eagles have to run the ball better – something he said his team is not doing well right now.

“We cannot put it in Cass and Steven’s hands and make them have to all-out pass,” Watson Brown said. “That would be crazy for us to do.”

Watson Brown said Sweeney dressed for last Thursday’s game and has been performing individual drills at practice.

“We are hoping to get him back for Samford (on Oct. 27),” Watson Brown said. “That’s our goal right now.”

Eastern note: Rucker ranked nationally

Eastern wide receiver Micah Rucker is ranked in the top 20 nationally in three receiving categories in the Football Championship Subdivision.

Rucker is tied for 13th with Holy Cross’ Ryan Mather with 41 receptions and has 12th place alone with 601 receiving yards. His five touchdown catches tie him for 14th with 27 other receivers.