The Eastern football team was just minutes away from taking its first Ohio Valley Conference win and spoiling the homecoming game for the Murray State Racers. However, a late score by the Racers, followed by a turnover by sophomore quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo led to another Racer score, sealing the win for Murray State. The game’s final score was 36-27.

Eastern currently stands at 1-6 overall and 0-5 in the OVC. The Panthers are currently on a six game losing streak. The Panthers currently have a home record of 1-2, defeating only Illinois State, and losing to Tennessee Tech and Eastern Kentucky. The Panthers have yet to win a game on the road, currently holding a record of 0-4.

Leman semi-finalist for Campbell Award

Red-shirt senior linebacker Cory Leman has been named as a semi-finalist for the 2011 William V. Campbell Trophy. A recipient of the award must either be a senior or in his final year of eligibility, have at least a 3.2 GPA on a 4.0 scale and be a strong contributor on the football field.

Leman is one of three OVC players up for the award. Also nominated is Austin Peay’s Nick Newsome and Eastern Kentucky’s Emory Attig.

Leman leads the Panther defense with 69 total tackles, 36 of which are solo tackles. In the game against Murray State, Leman had four total tackles, three of which were solo.

Eastern among nation’s best kick returners

Eastern is currently No. 10 in the NCAA in kickoff returns, averaging 24.26 yards per return. Prior to his injury, red-shirt senior wide receiver Lorence Ricks led the team in kick return yards. Since his injury, sophomore defensive back Tavares Crawford has led the team. However, Crawford was inactive in the team’s last game against Murray State. Junior wide receiver Chris Wright took over return duties for Crawford, who was held out of the game by a coaches’ decision.

Around the OVC

The OVC Offensive Player of the Week is senior running back Mike Harris of Murray State. Harris rushed for 133 yards and four touchdowns in the Racers’ win over Eastern. Harris’ four touchdowns set a Murray State record for rushing touchdowns in a single game.

Also nominated for the award was Wright of Eastern.

The OVC Defensive Player of the Week is red-shirt sophomore defensive back Antonio Harper of Tennessee State. He had four tackles for a loss out of his nine total tackles. He also had 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble in Tennessee State’s 42-40 upset of nationally ranked Tennessee Tech.

Sophomore Antonio Taylor of Eastern was also nominated.

The OVC Specialist of the Week is kicker Zach Sharp of Tennessee Tech, who made four field goals and four extra points in the team’s loss to Tennessee State.

Eastern’s punter, Scott Weatherford, was also nominated for the award.

The OVC Newcomer of the Week was red-shirt freshman quarterback Michael German of Tennessee State. German completed 19 of 29 passes, throwing for 232 yards and two touchdowns.

Eastern’s red-shirt freshman running back AJ Woodson was also nominated for the honor.

Dominic Renzetti can be reached at 581-7942 or dcrenzetti@eiu.edu.