By Dominic Renzetti

Sports Editor

Jacksonville State remains the No. 1 team in the Ohio Valley Conference, posting an unbeaten 4-0 record in conference. The Gamecocks have an overall record of 5-2 after a non-conference road loss to the University of Kentucky. Jacksonville State leads the conference in interceptions with 10 and field goals, making five out of five.

The No. 2 team in the OVC is the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles, also remaining in their spot from last week. The Golden Eagles are 3-1in the OVC and had a record of 4-2 overall. The Golden Eagles, like the Gamecocks, are also coming off a loss. Tennessee Tech is undefeated on the road so far this season in OVC play. The Golden Eagles lead the conference in pass defense efficiency and punting.

Eastern Kentucky is the No. 3 team in the OVC with a conference record of 3-1. The Colonels are on a three game winning streak, currently undefeated at home in conference play. The three-game winning streak is currently the longest in the OVC. The last three wins by the Colonels have all been against OVC teams. Eastern Kentucky has an overall record of 4-3 overall. The team also has the No. 1 rushing offense and scoring defense in the OVC.

At the No. 4 spot in the OVC is Tennessee-Martin, who holds a record of 2-3 in conference play. The Skyhawks have won two straight OVC games and currently hold an overall record of 4-3. The Skyhawks have the No. 1 total offense, scoring offense, passing efficiency and total defense and rushing defense.

The Murray State Racers are the No. 5 team in the OVC with a conference record of 2-2. The Racers have an overall record of 4-3 and are currently riding a two game winning streak. Murray State leads the conference in third down conversions with seven and has the No. 1 passing offense in the OVC.

The No. 6 team in the OVC is Tennessee State, currently holding a record of 2-3 in conference, while also holding a record of 3-5 overall. The Tigers, coming off a loss, have yet to lose a game at home this season, winning three games on their own turf. Tennessee State leads the conference in average punt return yards, as well as sacks. The Tigers have also attempted more on-side kicks than any other team.

The Austin Peay Governors are No. 7 in the OVC standings, currently with a record of 2-3 in conference. The Governors have yet to win a game on the road this season, posting a record of 0-4 on the road. Two of those losses came against OVC teams. Austin Peay is currently on a three game losing streak, with all losses coming against OVC teams. The Governors are the worst in the conference when it comes to converting on third down and have the worst punt return average. They also have the worst passing efficiency and pass defense efficiency.

Like the Governors, Southeast Missouri also has a record of 2-3 in the OVC and 2-5 overall. The Redhawks are second to last in the conference, currently standing at No. 8. While posting an undefeated record of 2-0 at home against conference teams, the Redhawks have yet to win on road against a conference team, posting an 0-3 record. The Redhawks have the conference’s worst scoring offense, scoring defense and passing offense. No team in the OVC has been sacked more times than the Redhawks.

At last in the standings, Eastern has the worst record in the OVC, currently at 0-6. The Panthers have an overall record of 1-7 on the year and are currently on a seven game losing streak. Eastern has the OVC’s worst total offense, rushing offense and rushing defense. However, the Panthers have the best pass defense in the conference.

Dominic Renzetti can be reached at 581-7942

or dcrenzetti@eiu.edu.