OVC Football Player of the Week Awards presented by TicketSmarter
OFFENSIVE
Cole LaCrue, QB • 6-1, 210, R-Jr. • Broomfield, Colo. • Eastern Illinois
LaCrue accounted for 332 yards of total offense and four touchdowns in Eastern Illinois' game with Indiana State. After the Panthers fell behind 35-7 early in the third quarter, LaCrue nearly led the comeback, as the team pulled to within 42-35, thanks to two of his passing touchdowns. The redshirt junior completed 20-of-34 passes for 267 yards and three touchdowns without an interception, while also rushing 12 times for 65 yards (5.4 ypc) and a rushing score. LaCrue leads the OVC in passing efficiency (140.2).
Others Nominated: Hakeem Watters, Charleston Southern; Chris Franklin, UT Martin.
CO-DEFENSIVE
Tristan Lennon, LB • 6-2, 200, So. • Zephyrhills, Fla. • Charleston Southern
Lennon had a team-best 10 tackles (6 solo), as Charleston Southern topped in-city rival The Citadel 26-20 in two overtimes to win the Lowcountry Boil Bowl. The sophomore added 1.5 tackles for loss and a sack (for -5 yards) while also making a pass breakup. In the second overtime, he paired with Brandon McDonald for a tackle for loss on The Citadel’s first play of the possession, helping lead to the long field which was later missed, setting up for the Buccaneers victory.
CO-DEFENSIVE
Ja'Wuan Nickson, LB • 6-0, 240, Sr. • Tuscaloosa, Ala. • Eastern Illinois
Nickson had 10 tackles (5 solo), 1.5 tackles for loss, half a sack and an interception in Eastern Illinois' home opening game with rival Indiana State. After EIU had trimmed the deficit to 14 points in the fourth quarter, his interception got the ball back in less than 90 seconds and led to a Panthers touchdown just three plays later, as EIU pulled to within 42-35.
Others Nominated: Sabin McLaughlin, Gardner-Webb; Trey Cotton, UT Martin.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Matt Rolader, K • 5-10, 185, R-So. • Auburn, Ala. • Charleston Southern
Rolader was perfect on kick attempts, scoring eight points, as Charleston Southern topped intra-city foe The Citadel 26-20 in two overtimes. He made a 48-yard field goal in the second quarter, then added a 52-yarder that tied the game with 6:14 to play and forced the extra periods. In the first extra period he made his second PAT of the game, putting his team up seven points. The 52-yard field goal is the longest in the OVC this season, and tied for the sixth-longest in the FCS in 2026.
Others Nominated: Devin Whitlock, Eastern Illinois; Tyler Simpson, Gardner-Webb; Connor Lander, Lindenwood; Max Zuluaga, UT Martin; Ronan Culkin, Western Illinois.
ROOKIE
Elijah Roy, WR • 6-3, 169 • Colorado Springs, Colo. • Lindenwood
Roy caught four passes, including his first career touchdown pass, against FBS foe Missouri State. The touchdown came on a 32-yard completion early in the fourth quarter. Roy finished with 72 receiving yards (18.0 per catch).
Others Nominated: Harry Smalls, Charleston Southern.
Other Notable Performances
Below are other notable performances from the past week.
• Sabin McLaughlin (DB, R-Sr.), Gardner-Webb. Returned a fumble 35 yards for a touchdown and added four tackles and a PBU against FBS opponent Liberty.
• Hakeem Watters (RB, So.), Charleston Southern. Was the workhouse down the stretch in win at The Citadel, scoring the game-winning touchdown in the second overtime.
• Tyler Simpson (K, Sr.), Gardner-Webb. Made three field goals (41, 35, 27) and a PAT against FBS foe Liberty.
• Max Zuluaga (P, R-So.), UT Martin. Averaged 53.2 yards on four punts at West Virginia. Had a long of 68 yards and two of his punts were downed inside the 20-yard line.
• Ronan Culkin (K, Jr.), Western Illinois. Was perfect on three field goals attempts (27, 27, 34) and averaged 64.0 yards on four kickoffs.
• John Anthony Jr. (WR, 5th), Southeast Missouri. Had three catches for 91, including a 62-yard touchdown, against Southern Illinois.
• Bryce Gray (DT, So.), Tennessee State. Had a team-high nine tackles, and a sack against Alabama A&M.