RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky defense forced four turnovers and held visiting Tennessee State to a season-low three points as the Colonel football team earned a 20-3 victory Saturday afternoon at Roy Kidd Stadium. With the win, EKU finishes the season 6-5 overall and 5-3 in the Ohio Valley Conference while Tennessee State ends its year at 6-5 and 5-2.

For the third straight game, Eastern scored on its opening possession to establish a 7-0 lead. The Colonels converted three third downs on the drive before junior Mark Dunn found the end zone with a one-yard touchdown rush. Late in the first quarter, sophomore quarterback Allan Holland found Dunn on a 51-yard screen play to move EKU inside the Tiger 10-yard line. Sophomore Taylor Long then nailed a 37-yard field goal to put the Colonels ahead at the start of the second quarter, 10-0.

Tennessee State, in the hunt for the OVC title before the loss, responded on its next drive to cut the deficit to seven, 10-3. Tiger running back Javarris Williams accounted for 34 yards on the drive, but a Justin Curry sack on 3rd-and-goal forced TSU to settle for a 32-yard field goal.

After the break, the Tigers looked poised to tie the game after quarterback Antonio Heffner connected with Jarrett Morrow on a key third-down play to move Tennessee State inside the Eastern red zone. However, the Colonel defense held on 4th-and-1 at the four-yard line forcing a turnover on downs.

Following another EKU field goal early in the fourth quarter, Dunn and quarterback Josh Greco led a 13-play, 74-yard touchdown drive to seal the Colonel triumph and ensure Eastern of its 29th consecutive winning season.

Dunn finished the game with 94 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Meanwhile, Holland and Greco combined to go 19-of-31 (61.3 percent) for 268 yards passing. Curry led the defense with eight tackles and one interception. Sophomore Zach Denton, sophomore Brandon Gathof and junior Jules Montinar also chipped in with interceptions.

For TSU, Williams netted 72 rushing yards while Heffner threw for 162 yards. Larry Williford and Daniel Williams led all players with 10 tackles.

NOTES: Zach Denton has recorded an interception in three straight games … this was the sixth straight game the Colonels have tallied at least 340 yards of offense … Tennessee State was 0-for-3 on fourth downs … EKU has not has a losing record since 1972 … 1977 was the last year the Colonels did not finish with a winning record (5-5) … this was the second time this year that Eastern did not commit a turnover … the Colonels have won seven straight over TSU and lead the all-time series, 18-2.