October 30, 2011

Campbell, Watson reap OVC Player of the Week honors

Golden Eagles Nick Campbell and Corey Watson received weekly honors from the Ohio Valley Conference Sunday for the parts they played in Tech's 21-14 win at Jacksonville State.

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. -- Nick Campbell is the Ohio Valley Conference Special Teams Player of the week, and Corey Watson is the co-Defensive Player of the Week, for their roles in No. 19 Tennessee Tech's 21-14 win on the road Saturday at No. 13 Jacksonville State.

The results of the voting were announced Sunday afternoon. Eastern Kentucky runningback Matt Denham was named the Offensive Player of the Week, Murray State linebacker Qua Huzzie shared the defensive honor with Watson, while Murray State linebacker Qua Huzzie shared the defensive honor with Watson and was also named the Newcomer of the Week.

Campbell, a 6-2 senior punter from Lawrenceburg, Tenn., played a big role in helping the Golden Eagles top the Gamecocks and move into a three-way tie for first place. Campbell punted five times, using high kicks and one kick out-of-bounds, to not allow a single JSU return all day. Four of his five punts were downed inside the Gamecock 20-yard line as Campbell averaged 37.2 yards/punt and had a long punt of 42 yards.

Watson had eight tackles, a pass break-up and a forced fumble in the victory. The forced fumble, the only turnover of the entire game, came with 1:30 to play in the game and Jax State at the Tennessee Tech 30-yard line driving for a potential game-tying score. The Golden Eagles recovered the fumble and were able to run out the clock and defeat the Gamecocks for the second-straight year.

The senior from Sevierville leads the OVC in interceptions and ranks third in passes defended. The award was the first of his career.

For Campbell, the only punter in the OVC without a touchback, the weekly honor was the second of his career. He was also named Special Teams Player of the Week once as a junior following Tech's win over Tennessee State.

The Golden Eagles (5-2/4-1 OVC) will host Murray State Saturday at 1:30 p.m. for Tech's annual Homecoming game in Tucker Stadium. For tickets, please visit or call the Athletics Ticket Office in Eblen Center (931) 372-3940.