Delmore and Keller Garner OVC Weekly Honors
8/31/2026 9:00:00 AM | Football
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Southeast Missouri safety DJ Delmore was named Ohio Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Week and kicker Justin Keller was tabbed Specialist of the Week Monday.
SEMO won two of the league's four weekly awards for the first week of the 2026 season.
A native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Delmore recorded a game and career-high 13 tackles in his first start of the year at Indiana State (Aug. 29). He had seven solo tackles and assisted on six others. Delmore added three tackles for loss, one sack and a pass breakup, as well. He led a SEMO defense that forced one turnover, collected four sacks and registered 11 tackles for loss. For Delmore, it was the first OVC weekly award of his career.
Keller, who hails from Shawnee Mission, Kansas, scored 11 of the Redhawks 23 points against the Sycamores. He made 3-of-4 field goals and was 2-of-2 in PATs. Keller made kicks of 42, 43 and 45 yards, respectively. His 45-yard field goal with 7:04 remaining in the fourth quarter reclaimed the lead for SEMO and held up as the decisive points in the victory. Keller also kicked off six times for 371 yards and two touchbacks, averaging 61.8 yards per kickoff.
Eastern Illinois running back Charles Kellom (Offensive Player of the Week) and Tennessee State running back Brenton Paul (Rookie of the Week) rounded out the week's honorees.
SEMO won two of the league's four weekly awards for the first week of the 2026 season.
A native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Delmore recorded a game and career-high 13 tackles in his first start of the year at Indiana State (Aug. 29). He had seven solo tackles and assisted on six others. Delmore added three tackles for loss, one sack and a pass breakup, as well. He led a SEMO defense that forced one turnover, collected four sacks and registered 11 tackles for loss. For Delmore, it was the first OVC weekly award of his career.
Keller, who hails from Shawnee Mission, Kansas, scored 11 of the Redhawks 23 points against the Sycamores. He made 3-of-4 field goals and was 2-of-2 in PATs. Keller made kicks of 42, 43 and 45 yards, respectively. His 45-yard field goal with 7:04 remaining in the fourth quarter reclaimed the lead for SEMO and held up as the decisive points in the victory. Keller also kicked off six times for 371 yards and two touchbacks, averaging 61.8 yards per kickoff.
Eastern Illinois running back Charles Kellom (Offensive Player of the Week) and Tennessee State running back Brenton Paul (Rookie of the Week) rounded out the week's honorees.
Players Mentioned
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