Southeast CB Michael Ford earns OVC weekly honor after win against SIU

Southeast Missouri State cornerback Michael Ford was named co-defensive player of the week by the Ohio Valley Conference on Sunday.

Ford, a sophomore, recorded eight tackles and had two interceptions in the Redhawks' 27-24 win against regional rival Southern Illinois on Saturday.

He picked off SIU quarterback Mark Iannotti and returned it 21 yards for a touchdown with 8 minutes, 56 seconds remaining in the first quarter.

His second interception came with 1:09 remaining in the third quarter following a Redhawks' drive that ended in a Paul McRoberts touchdown to tie it at 24.

SIU had it on its own 44 and Iannotti attempted a long pass that Ford leapt up to grab near the Redhawks' sideline. He just managed to get a foot down inbounds at the Southeast 24.

"I was backpedaling and I had my eyes on the quarterback and as I get to running I see the receiver and he like hitches up, but as I see him hitch up I see the ball in the air and I'm like, 'Well, I mean, there's only one ball so I've got to go get it,'" Ford said of the interception. "I go running after it and I see it's a little high so I'm like I've got to jump as high as I can. ... I just reached my leg out as far as I could and got it in. It was just great to see my teammates get that excited that we finally got the ball back and that we could try and get some points on the board.'"

Southeast's defense, which forced seven SIU turnovers, shut out the Salukis in the fourth quarter.

Ford shares the honor with Jacksonville State linebacker Dawson Wells, who had seven tackles and an interception in the Gamecocks' 27-20 overtime loss to No. 6 Auburn on Saturday.

JSU wide receiver Josh Barge was named offensive player of the week and linebacker Joel McCandless was named newcomer of the week. UT Martin kicker Jackson Redditt was selected as specialist of the week.