By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – With a big Homecoming victory on Saturday, the Tennessee Tech football team also came away with an Ohio Valley Conference honor as freshman running back O.J. Ross was named the Newcomer of the Week.

Ross came back from injury and had a strong game with 93 all-purpose yards. He caught three passes for 65 yards, including a 56-yard completion on a pass from Jeremiah Oatsvall to Willie Miller to Ross that got the Cocoa, Fla., native in position for his own touchdown run on the next play.

Ross finished with four carries for 37 yards and the touchdown.

Also nominated for the Golden Eagles were Oatsvall (275 yards of total offense, three touchdowns), Josh Reliford (eight tackles, one sack, a forced fumble and breaking up the potential game-winning two-point conversion) and Devin Parker (5-for-5 PATs, 55.0 kickoff average).

Lindenwood quarterback Cade Brister (352 yards of total offense, five passing touchdowns) and Southeast Missouri running back Geno Hess (18 carries, 136 yards and three touchdowns) shared the Offensive Player of the Week honor, UT Martin linebacker Rob Hicks (school-record and OVC second-most 26 tackles) was the Defensive Player of the Week and Skyhawk kicker Tyler Larco (2-for-3 FG, 3-for-3 PAT, 55.7 punting average) was the Specialist of the Week.

The Golden Eagles return to action on Saturday as Tech travels to North Alabama, a 4 p.m. kickoff from Florence, Ala.