College football season got underway all over the country last week.

And it was certainly a welcome sight.

With the start of the season came the opportunity for several Ohio Valley products to show their talents and skills at the next level.

Regardless of the level of play, there are numerous former OVAC athletes who are looking to make an impact for their respective teams.

Throughout the season, each week we will feature area products and their exploits, at the collegiate level, in all fall sports.

FOOTBALL BOWL SUBDIVISION

DAN MONTEROSO, Purdue – St. Clairsville product saw action in the Boilermakers’ season opener at Marshall last Sunday. Purdue hosts Indiana State this week.

JERRID MARHEFKA, Ohio – St. Clairsville graduate made the trip to Idaho with the Bobcats and appeared on special teams. He’s listed as No. 2 on the depth chart.

SHAQ PETTEWAY, West Virginia – The Steubenville High graduate had four tackles in the Mountaineers’ win against Georgia Southern. He also had a quarterback hurry.

NAJEE MURRAY, Kent State – Steubenville graduate recorded two solo tackles and a pass defense in the Flashes’ 52-3 loss at Illinois.

CONNOR ARLIA, Kent State – Madonna product caught 2 passes for 11 yards in the Flashes’ victory.

AUSTIN DORRIS, Indiana – Shadyside graduate suited up in the Hoosiers’ season opener, but didn’t play. He’s expected to be red shirted.

COLTON McKIVITZ, West Virginia – Union Local graduate didn’t play in the WVU opener against Georgia Southern. He, too, is expected to be redshirted.

MICHAEL FERNS, West Virginia – St. Clairsville graduate was on the sidelines for the Mountaineers. He’s currently sitting out the season after transferring from Michigan.

ROSS COMIS, UMass – Madonna product is listed third on the Minutemen depth chart entering this Saturday’s season opener at Colorado.

FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

SUBDIVISION

MARK DODD, Lafayette – The former Linsly Cadet and current team captain recorded five tackles in a 34-7 loss to William & Mary.

AKIL BLOUNT, Florida A&M – This former Linsly Cadets and current team captain recorded a team-high 11 tackles, including a tackle for loss in a 51-3 drubbing at South Florida.

DIVISION II

MATT KINNICK, West Virginia State – This St. Clairsville High graduated started at quarterback and helped his team to a convincing win against Fairmont State by completing 16-of-27 passes for 217 yards and a touchdown.

TANNER WRIGHT, Glenville State – The River High product connected on all seven of his PAT tries in the Pioneers’ 49-0 blanking of Urbana. He also punted three times for a 40-yard average.

COREY ERNEST, West Liberty – St. Clairsville grad started at left guard for the Hilltoppers. It was his first game back after suffering a knee injury late last season.

MARCUS SCHUMACHER, West Liberty – Monroe Centra product recorded one tackle in the Hilltoppers’ upset of then No. 9 Concord.

CHRIS STEPHENS, Alderson-Broaddus – This former Linsly Cadet recorded a tackle in a win against Central State.

STEPHEN ROGALSKI, West Virginia Wesleyan – This former Magnolia standout caught one pass for 7 yards in a 43-0 loss to Shepherd.

ROBERT VARGO, Ohio Dominican – This former Martins Ferry Purple Rider played along the offensive line in ODU’s victory last week. Vargo’s season was cut short last year due to injury.

DIVISION III

DALTON SECHREST, Marietta – The Beallsville High graduate started at defensive end in the Pioneers’ loss to Dennison. He had five tackles, 1.5 for loss and a pass breakup. Marietta is off this week.

JACOB CLARK, Muskingum – The Shadyside High graduate played on the offensive line for the Muskies, who lost their opener.

JONATHAN CARLIER, Waynesburg – The Martins Ferry graduate had a team-high nine tackles in the Yellow Jackets’ victory at Muskingum.

NICK ASTURI, Muskingum – The River High graduate carried 10 times for 45 yards in the Muskies’ loss to Waynesburg.

BRETT ROSEN, Muskingum – The River High product appeared in the Muskies’ loss to Waynesburg.

CHASE KINEMOND, Bethany – The Shadyside High graduate completed 3-of-4 passes for 16 yards after entering the Bison’s 47-0 loss at Mount Union.

LeSHAWN LUKE, Mt. Union – The Steubenville High product recorded two tackles in the Purple Raiders’ victory against Bethany.

MIKE FURDA, Mt. Union – The Indian Creek graduate posted two tackles, including one for loss during his team’s season-opening victory.

CROSS COUNTRY

ANDY THORNBURG, UNC-Asheville – This former Red Devil finished fourth at the Western Carolina Invitational in a time of 15:55.7. He was second in his team.

TARA TOLLETT, Ohio – This Shadyside High graduate finished 17th in the Flyer 5K in Dayton. She ran a 19:27, which was third on her team. The Bobcats finished second in the team race.

KELSEY CHAMBERS, Wheeling Jesuit – This former Oak Glen dandy was second overall in a meet at California, Pa.

FALLON DOYLE, Wheeling Jesuit – This St. John Central grad made her college debut with a sixth place finish at California, Pa.

SAM FOSTER, Wheeling Jesuit – Another former St. John Central grad finished with the victory in the California, Pa. 6K in a time of 9:58.

ALBERT SCRIMP, Wheeling Jesuit – Wheeling Park graduate was second to Foster at California.

JENNA FURR, Wheeling Jesuit – Caldwell High graduate was 11th overall and fourth on her team at the California, Pa. dual.

BROOKE BOSWORTH, Bethany – This former St. Clairsville Red Devil was 40th at the Doug Watts Distance Gala at Edinboro. She ran a 21:46.

LAUREN TAROVISKY, Florida Gulf Coast – Former Wheeling Park standout was fifth overall at the University of North Florida Invitational. She ran an 18:47. She was the top finisher from FGC.

KNOW OF ANYONE?

If you know of anyone participating in college sports from the Ohio Valley, feel free to email me with their name, sport and college. That includes athletes who might not have graduated from an Ohio Valley high school, but have ties to the OV.

Staskey can be reached via email at sstaskey@timesleaderonline.com or at twitter.com/TLSportsSeth