Southeast LB earns OVC defensive honor

Southeast Missouri State senior linebacker Joshua Jackson is having an impressive season after finishing strong last year.

Now Jackson has received his first career Ohio Valley Conference defensive player of the week award, the league announced Sunday.

Jackson had seven tackles, a sack and forced a fumble during Saturday's 24-17 home win over Tennessee-Martin. He also deflected a pass which was intercepted by senior defensive tackle Josh Gipson and led to a field goal.

Jackson, who leads Southeast with 60 tackles, was part of a defense that allowed a season-low 221 yards against UT-Martin.

The Redhawks, ranked 11th nationally, are 8-1 overall and a first-place 7-0 in the OVC.

Southeast has posted eight straight victories for the program's longest winning streak during a season since the 1955 squad went 9-0. The eight wins are also the program's most victories since 1955.

Southeast plays its final nonconference game, and its final home contest, Saturday against Division II Southwest Baptist. The Bearcats are 7-2 and riding a school-record seven-game winning streak.

-- From staff report