The FCS season is quick approaching, so we’re going inside every convention race. With UT Martin and Jap Illinois main the way in which, right here’s our 2024 Massive South-OVC soccer preview.
Knock, knock … motivated groups within the Massive South-OVC Soccer Affiliation are on the door.
UT Martin, which earned a share of the convention title, and Jap Illinois – additionally an 8-3 squad – have been two of the ultimate 4 FCS groups to fall shy of an at-large playoff bid final season, in keeping with the 2023 choice committee. One, if not each groups seem primed to step ahead as the very best groups within the Massive South-OVC this season.
Southeast Missouri seeks to bounce again from a subpar marketing campaign, whereas Gardner-Webb, which earned the convention’s computerized playoff bid a 12 months in the past, is predicted to step backward, however can’t be counted out after two straight seasons of reaching the FCS playoffs.
Regardless of having only one 2023 playoff qualifier, the Massive South-OVC had a powerful inaugural season, with its groups going 20-14 towards out-of-conference FCS opponents through the common season (additionally, 4-0 towards sub-FCS).
2024 Massive South-OVC Soccer Preview
Predicted Order of End
*-FCS Playoff Qualifier
1. *UT Martin (2023 File: 8-3, 5-1) – The Skyhawks have claimed a minimum of a share of three straight convention titles and are 15-2 towards convention opponents in that point, but additionally with only one playoff bid. Coach Jason Simpson’s program is superb at retooling after dropping key gamers, which this offseason included operating again Sam Franklin and defensive finish Daylan Dotson to FBS transfers. Quarterback Kinkead Dent (2,525 passing yards, 26 landing passes) is utilizing an additional 12 months of eligibility to maintain concentrating on large receiver DeVonte Tanksley (54 receptions, 698 yards, 4 TDs). Linebackers Jaylen Sharpe, Tevin Shipp and Chris Hunter Jr. have been all top-five on the protection in tackles, and Oshae Baker is among the FCS’ high defensive backs.
(UT Martin, Jap Illinois land simply exterior the Stats Carry out FCS Preseason High 25 Ballot)
2. Jap Illinois (8-3, 4-2) – The Panthers made taking part in shut video games a behavior throughout their bounce-back season beneath coach Chris Wilkerson. They’ll flip heads this 12 months with an enormous three within the offensive abilities positions of QB Pierce Holley, the Massive South-OVC preseason offensive participant of the 12 months, RB MJ Flowers (854 speeding yards, two 200+ performances as a freshman) and WR Eli Mirza. However some extent of emphasis: They need to reduce down on the conference-high 35 sacks allowed. Linebacker Elijawah Tolbert transferred out and again into this system to entrance the protection, which added switch Kaleb Lyons following his six-interception season at Morehead State.
3. Southeast Missouri (4-7, 3-3) – SEMO misplaced three straight video games wherein it held a double-digit lead within the fourth quarter, so final 12 months might have gone so in a different way. Certainly, it can really feel completely different with out Geno Hess operating the ball, however the offense returns 4 beginning linemen, led by All-American Zack Gieg, and quarterback Paxton DeLaurent, who was set again by harm final season after passing for two,684 yards and 19 TDs in 2022. The protection additionally has a frontrunner in Massive South-OVC preseason defensive participant of the 12 months Bryce Norman, who’s joined at linebacker by Northwestern State switch Jared Pedraza.
4. Gardner-Webb (7-5, 5-1) – Cris Reisert (40-11 file at Tiffin) was employed as G-W’s coach to maintain the momentum (two straight convention titles and playoff appearances) going after Tre Lamb’s departure for ETSU within the Southern Convention. The Runnin’ Bulldogs have gone heavy on transfers, together with QB Ren Hefley, who three seasons in the past at Presbyterian set the FCS single-game file for TD passes (10 towards an NAIA opponent). In reality, 9 of the 13 G-W gamers on the convention’s gamers to observe lists are newcomers. The highest returnee is cornerback Raequan Ousley.
5. Tennessee Tech (4-7, 2-4) – New coach Bobby Wilder went 77-56 from 2009-19 whereas taking Previous Dominion from an FCS startup program as much as the FBS stage. He seeks to elevate the Golden Eagles behind a protection that was No. 1-ranked within the convention, anchored by Daniel Rickert (49 tackles, 14.5 TFLs, 9 sacks) up entrance and Tim Coutras (55 tackles, 4 interceptions) within the secondary. The offensive abilities positions gained influential transfers, together with quarterback Dylan Liable from Missouri.
6. Tennessee State (6-5, 2-4) – Wins over Gardner-Webb and Kennesaw State helped clinch the Tigers’ first profitable season since 2017, however an 0-3 mark in November left them wanting extra. Buck Buchanan Award recipient Terrell Allen left through a switch, leaving fellow defensive lineman Eriq George, linebacker Ahmad Nelson and a more healthy Jalen McClendon within the secondary because the defensive leaders. The offense needs to be improved by the return of QB Draylen Ellis (6,778 passing yards, 47 TD passes in school profession) and RB Jordan Gant.
7. Lindenwood (3-7, 1-5) – That is the Lions’ third FCS season. A brand new quarterback can have his alternative of offensive weapons: large receiver Jeff Caldwell’s 4 TD catches towards Western Illinois point out his explosiveness and operating again Robert Giamo had 552 yards and 5 TDs from scrimmage within the first 5 video games earlier than being misplaced to harm. Defensive finish Kobe McClendon (6.5 sacks) and linebacker Ethan Stuhsatz (70 tackles) disrupt opposing offenses.
8. Charleston Southern (4-7, 2-4) – The Gabe Giardina teaching period opened with a 4-2 dwelling file, so the following step is for the Buccaneers is so as to add street wins. They hope to construct round sophomore QB Zolten Osborne, who’s tasked with bettering the convention’s worst offense final season (Sacred Coronary heart switch Rob McCoy is on the roster as nicely). On protection, security Trayson Fowler is coming off a breakout season, and D-lineman Joshua Hill had a superb marketing campaign after transferring into this system.
9. Western Illinois (0-11, 0-8 MVFC) – The Leathernecks have misplaced 24 straight video games since 2021 as they be part of the Massive South-OVC, however additionally they boast a brand new coach, Joe Davis, whose previous assistant positions embody as Jap Illinois’ offensive coordinator the final two years. Quarterback Nate Lamb seeks to shock in his first season as a starter. The protection returns its high three tacklers in security Bradyn Smith and linebackers Ryan Crandall and Juan Delacruz.
How the Convention Predicted the Race
5 Gamers to Know
Oshae Baker, DB, UT Martin (Buck Buchanan Award preseason nominee) – Enters his senior season with six interceptions and 32 passes defended in his profession. He’s additionally a standout returner.
Draylen Ellis, QB, Tennessee State – Ellis was extra productive in two seasons at Austin Peay than in his first two at TSU. For the Tigers to interrupt by way of within the Massive South-OVC, they want a better stage.
Zack Gieg, OL, Southeast Missouri (Walter Payton Award preseason nominee) – The 2022 Rimington Award recipient as the highest FCS middle, Gieg has earned three first-team all-conference honors already.
Pierce Holley, QB, Jap Illinois (Walter Payton Award preseason nominee) – The 240 completions, 2,741 passing yards and 17 TD passes in Holley’s first season at EIU weren’t shocking. A 12 months earlier at Georgetown, the numbers have been even increased.
Bryce Norman, LB, Southeast Missouri (Buck Buchanan Award preseason nominee) – A disruptive pressure, Norman has led the Redhawks in tackles every of the previous two seasons. He has 272 general stops in his profession.
5 Should-See Matchups
1. Jap Illinois at UT Martin (Oct. 26) – It might be arduous to match the thrilling finish to UTM’s 28-27, extra time win final season. The Skyhawks blocked a area objective on the ultimate play of regulation to pressure the additional session, then denied EIU of a win once more on an OT-ending two-point try.
2. UT Martin at Southeast Missouri (Sept. 7)
3. Gardner-Webb at UT Martin (Oct. 5)
4. Southeast Missouri at Jap Illinois (Oct. 5)
5. UT Martin at Tennessee State (Nov. 2)
Quick Truth
The OVC gives seven of the 9 applications within the Massive South-OVC. Final than eight months after the top of the joint convention’s first season, the presidents and chancellors introduced an enhanced settlement to increase the unique four-year time period through a “look-in” provision to proceed although 2030.
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