BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – Linebacker Ichiro Vance (Defensive), kick returner Jeremy Caldwell (Co-Specialist) and running back Jeremiah Williams (Newcomer) came away with adidas OVC Player of the Week honors following Eastern Kentucky University’s 28-24 win over Missouri State Saturday night. 

Vance posted a career-high 19 tackles, two tackles for loss and a forced fumble against the Bears. The 19 tackles (nine of which were solo) are the second-highest output in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) this season and third highest in all of Division I (FBS and FCS combined). In the second quarter, the sophomore from LaGrange, Ky., forced a fumble at midfield that led to the Colonels’ second touchdown of the game which put EKU ahead, 14-0.

After Missouri State had cut Eastern Kentucky’s advantage to 14-10 in the fourth quarter, Caldwell took the ensuing kick-off 88 yards for a touchdown. It marked Caldwell’s third kick-off return for a touchdown in his collegiate career. Overall, the senior from Chattanooga, Tenn., averaged 32.0 yards per return on kick-offs and finished with 101 all-purpose yards. The Buck Buchanan Award nominee also recovered a fumble that he returned 23 yards to set up an EKU score.

Williams, a transfer from Trinity Valley Community College in Texas, ran for 119 yards and two touchdowns. The junior from Dallas, Texas finished with 24 carries and averaged 5.0 yards per carry. Williams scored on a seven-yard run in the second quarter and added his second touchdown on a 12-yard scamper with 3:55 to remaining to solidify the victory.

The other weekly award winners went to Murray State’s Mike Harris (Offensive) and Tennessee State’s Travis James (Co-Specialist).

EKU is back in action this Saturday, Sept. 17 at Roy Kidd Stadium against No. 23 Chattanooga, which knocked off No. 10 Jacksonville State yesterday. Game time is set for 6 p.m.