Lindenwood sophomore Jeff Caldwell (19) blocked two punts and scored two touchdowns in the Lions’ 77-9 win over Wisconsin-Stevens Point last Thursday. (Photo: Thomas Grove)
DeMarcus Dixon
Staff Writer
On Monday, the Big South-Ohio Valley Conference Football Association announced its weekly awards and Lindenwood University sophomore wide receiver Jeff Caldwell was named Specialist of the Week honors for his strong play.
In the season opener against Wisconsin Stevens-Point last Thursday, Caldwell blocked two punts, recovered one and returned it for a touchdown. The second blocked kick gave Lindenwood on UWSP’s nine-yard line and set up another touchdown, which helped the Lions take firm control of the game.
Then later in the game, the 6-foot-4 Louisville, Ky. native made his presence known as a pass catcher as well, as he caught a diving touchdown pass that helped the Lions take a 56-0 lead on its way to a 77-9 season opening win.
Caldwell finished the night with six catches for 27 yards, the two blocked punts, and the two touchdowns.
And it will likely take a performance similar to that one for the Lions to be as successful in their next matchup, which comes this Saturday, when LU will travel to Cape Girardeau for a showdown with new rival Southeast Missouri State.
The Redhawks, who come into this season ranked No. 11 in the FCS national Top 25 poll, are also the defending OVC champs and will be hosting their home opener after beginning the year with a game at Kansas State last weekend.
Kickoff at SEMO’s Houck Field is slated for 6 p.m., and is scheduled to be streamed live on ESPN+.
Others Nominated: Sam Babbush; Jacob Horvath, Eastern Illinois; Jay Billingsley, Gardner-Webb; Jackson Foster, Tennessee State; Nick Bigelow, Tennessee Tech; Aidan Laros, UT Martin.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Jayden Brown, RB • 5-9, 170, So. • Lithonia, Ga. • Gardner-Webb
Brown tallied 112 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns in Gardner-Webb’s season-opening game at FBS foe Appalachian State. The sophomore rushed nine times for 45 yards (5.0 ypc) and tied his career-high with a pair of rushing touchdowns. Both of those rushing scores either tied or gave GWU the lead. He also added three catches for a career-high 67 yards and another score, which came on a 41-yard pass play to give the Runnin’ Bulldogs a 24-21 lead with 5:16 left in the third quarter.
Others Nominated: Zevi Eckhaus, Bryant; JD Moore, Charleston Southern; Pierce Holley, Eastern Illinois; Cole Dugger, Lindenwood.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Elijawah Tolbert, LB • 6-1, 230, Jr. • Country Club Hills, Ill. • Eastern Illinois
Tolbert keyed an Eastern Illinois defense that forced six turnovers in a 27-0 road victory over Indiana State. The junior had a team-high 11 tackles (7 solo), an interception and forced a fumble. His interception came late in the fourth quarter and helped the Panthers record its first shutout since the end of the 2016 season. Overall the EIU defense limited the Sycamores to just 217 yards of total offense.
Others Nominated: Malik Barnes, Charleston Southern; Ty French, Gardner-Webb; Jamar Shegog, Robert Morris; Aaron Swafford, Tennessee Tech.
FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
Jacob Horvath, P • 6-1, 190, Fr. • Bentleigh, Australia • Eastern Illinois
In his first collegiate game (he had actually never seen an American football game in-person before the contest), Horvath averaged 42.5 yards/punt in helping Eastern Illinois win the field position battle in a 27-0 victory at Indiana State. Horvath had a long punt of 57 yards, downed two of his punts inside the 20-yard line and did not have a touchback. Late in the game he also handled holder duties for an EIU extra point.
| 2023 Lindenwood Lions Football Schedule |
| Sat., September 9 — at #11 Southeast Missouri State* — 6 pm |
| Sat., September 16 — at Western Illinois — 6 pm |
| Sat., September 23 — at Illinois State — 12 pm |
| Sat., September 30 — vs. Austin Peay — 1 pm |
| Sat., October 7 — vs. Tennessee Tech* — 6 pm |
| Sat., October 14 — at Charleston Southern* — 3 pm |
| Sat., October 28 — at Tennessee State* — 2 pm |
| Sat., November 4 — vs. Eastern Illinois* — 2 pm |
| Sat., November 11 — vs. Bryant* — 1 pm |
| * – denotes Big South-Ohio Valley Conference game |
| All Lindenwood home games will be played at Harlen C. Hunter Stadium |