Eastern Kentucky University Athletics

This team was special, compiling a perfect 13-0 season which included Eastern’s second football national championship.  Putting together a spotless 10-0 regular season record, the Colonels who were ranked No. 1 in the nation most of the year, defeated Idaho 38-30 and a very talented Tennessee State team 13-7 in the first two rounds of the playoffs, putting EKU in to its fourth consecutive national title game.  The national championship was played in Wichita Falls, Texas, against the University of Delaware, who came in 11-1 and ranked third in the country.  A 77-yard return of a blocked field goal for a touchdown put the Colonels ahead 17-0 and, despite 14 fourth quarter points by Delaware, Eastern walked away with a 17-14 victory and its second national title in four years.  EKU scored 336 points and gave up just 200 points, including holding six opponents to 14 points or less.  Highlights of the season included a last-second season opening 20-19 win over South Carolina State; a 35-21 victory at Western Kentucky; and the famous fourth-quarter touchdown drive that culminated in a thrilling last-second 21-20 win over Murray State in a game televised nationally.