MARTIN, Tenn. – Defensive lineman DJ Roberts, 6-2, and a 245-pounder from Knoxville, was named the adidas Ohio Valley Conference Co-Defensive Player of the Week for his effort against Southeast Missouri State this past Saturday.
Roberts had eight tackles (5 solo), 2.5 tackles-for-loss, 0.5 sacks and recovered a fumble as The University of Tennessee at Martin won 27-17 at Southeast Missouri State, improving to 6-2 on the season.
With UT Martin leading by 10 points entering the fourth quarter, Roberts recovered a fumble at his team’s own 16-yard line that ended a Redhawks drive that had gone 14 plays and had started at the Southeast Missouri 18-yard line.
Collectively the Skyhawks defense had 7.0 tackles-for-loss and three sacks on the afternoon. Roberts ranks 10th nationally in tackles-for-loss (1.50/game).
Jermaine Hough, a defensive back from Jacksonville State, had two interceptions as Jacksonville State handed No. 17 Tennessee State its first loss of the season on Saturday by winning 31-28 in overtime. The true freshman also added three tackles as JSU improved to 3-2 in OVC games this season.
Hough intercepted TSU’s Michael German on the third play of the game which led to a Gamecocks touchdown nine plays later as the team took an early 7-0 lead. In the fourth quarter, one play after JSU had fumbled at its own 40-yard line, Hough intercepted his second pass of the day, returning it 14 yards.