RICHMOND, Ky. – The 2008 OVC football championship has come down to the final game of the regular season – Eastern Kentucky at UT Martin this Saturday, Nov. 22. Saturday’s winner will claim the OVC title and the league’s automatic berth in the NCAA FCS playoffs. Game time is set for 1 p.m. ET.

Eastern Kentucky (7-3, 6-1 OVC) can earn its 20th OVC title with a win at UT Martin. The Colonels are one of the hottest teams in the FCS, winning six straight games and holding five of the last six opponents to less than 20 points.

#18 UT Martin (8-3, 6-1) is searching for its second OVC crown in the last three years. The Skyhawks lead the league in points scored per game (37.9). Quarterback Cade Thompson has thrown an OVC-best 22 touchdown passes including two last week in a win at Southeast Missouri. The UTM defense has recorded 27 sacks this year, which is a program single-season record.

EKU has never lost to UT Martin, winning all 18 games between the two schools. The Colonels handed the Skyhawks their only OVC loss in 2006 when Taylor Long made a last-second 39-yard field goal to make the final, 31-28.

Four teams have already clinched a spot in the FCS playoffs – Appalachian State (SoCon), James Madison (CAA), S.C. State (MEAC) and Weber State (Big Sky). The winner of the Colgate-Holy Cross game this weekend will earn the Patriot League title while Southern Illinois (MVC) and Texas State (Southland) control their destiny for an automatic playoff berth.

The NCAA FCS playoff selection show will be televised by ESPNU on Sunday, Nov. 23, at 7 p.m. If the Colonels win at UT Martin, the Eastern Kentucky University athletics department will host a selection show party Sunday in the Student Services Building (SSB) auditorium beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Opening round FCS playoff games will be held on Saturday, Nov. 29.

GAMEDAY INFORMATION

Game Notes
--Click here for game notes!

Weekly Press Conference
--Click here to watch EKU’s weekly football press conference!

Television
--None

Video Streaming
--Saturday’s game can be seen on the web as part of OVCSports.tv. The cost is $5.95. Click here for live video stream!

Live Audio
--Saturday’s game can be heard locally on WCYO 100.7 FM and WEKU 88.9 FM. Click here for live radio broadcast!

Live Stats
--Click here for live stats!

Tickets
--Tickets are available by calling the UTM ticket office at 731-881-7207.

Weather
--Saturday’s forecast in Martin calls for partly cloudy skies and a high of 49 degrees.

Storylines
--Eastern Kentucky has scored a touchdown on its opening offensive possession in each of the last two games. EKU is 6-0 when scoring first this year.

--Senior defensive back Zach Denton has tallied an interception in four of the last five games. The Eastern defense has forced at least two turnovers in five straight games and seven of the last eight contests.

--The Colonels have won 18 of their last 19 conference games dating back to 2006.