Tweet #EIUBleedBlue

NASHVILLE - The Ohio Valley Conference football media day will take place in Nashville, Tenn., on Monday with coaches and players taking part in in-person interviews.   The media day will also include the unveiling of the OVC preseason predicted order of finish and All-OVC teams.

On Friday the league released its preseason predicted order of finish as voted on by the media members who cover the Ohio Valley Conference.

Defending league champion Jacksonville State received 14 of 15 first-place votes as the Gamecocks were picked first in the poll.  Austin Peay picked up the remaining first-place vote and was second in the poll.  UT Martin and Tennessee State were third and fourth followed by Eastern Illinois in fifth.  Eastern Kentucky, Murray State, Southeast Missouri and Tennessee Tech rounded out the poll.

The media members also selected a preseason offensive and defensive player of the year.  Quarterback Jeremiah Oatsvall of Austin Peay was the preseason offensive player of the year.  Defensive back Marlon Bridges of Jacksonville State was the preseason defensive player of the year.

The Panthers will report for fall camp in early August in preparation for the 2018 season. EIU opens the year on Sept. 1 at Arkansas.  The home opener will be Sept. 15 against Indiana State.  Season ticket renewals and sales are now underway by calling 217-581-2106 or online at www.eiupanthertickets.com
 
 
2018 Media OVC Preseason Football Predicted Order of Finish
1. Jacksonville State (14 first-place votes) - 134 points
2. Austin Peay (1) - 114
3. UT Martin - 96
4. Tennessee State - 91
5. Eastern Illinois - 83
6. Eastern Kentucky - 64
7. Murray State - 39
8. Southeast Missouri - 35
9. Tennessee Tech - 19
 
2018 Media OVC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year: Jeremiah Oatsvall (QB), Austin Peay
2018 Media OVC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Marlon Bridges (DB), Jacksonville State
 
The pollsters for the 2018 OVC Media Poll included: Bob Belvin, ESPN Clarksville; Mike Bradd, Eastern Illinois Radio; Neal Bradley, Murray State Radio; Craig Haley, STATS; Edward Marlowe, Paducah Sun; Brian McLaughlin, HERO Sports; Mike Organ, Tennessean; Mike Parris, Jacksonville State Radio Network; Greg Pogue, WNSR/TSU Radio Network; Brian Rives, Governors Sports Network; Justin Rust, Charleston Journal Gazette & Times-Courier; Greg Stotelmyer, Eastern Kentucky Sports Network; Van Stokes, ESPN Clarksville; Kevin Taylor, The Gadsden Times; Kevin Weaks, Union City Messenger.