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RICHMOND, Ky. – Eastern Kentucky University’s football team opened its 2008 season with a 40-7 loss at Big East Conference opponent Cincinnati Thursday evening at Nippert Stadium. Senior Allan Holland was 12-of-17 for 141 yards and tossed a touchdown pass. Sophomore Cody Watts caught three passes, including the scoring toss, for 97 yards.

On the opening drive of the game, the Colonels picked up a first down on Holland’s 11-yard completion to senior tight end Stephen Sizemore. However, Eastern couldn’t move the chains again and was forced to punt.

The Bearcats took their first possession at their own 28-yard line and proceeded to march 72 yards in 12 plays to grab a 6-0 lead with 6:53 left in the first quarter. Quarterback Dustin Grutza scampered out of the pocket and down the right sideline for a 10-yard gain to the two yard line. Three plays later Grutza, from the 15-yard line, connected with Mardy Gilyard on the right sideline. Gilyard spun and then dove from the four yard line for the touchdown. EKU’s Chris Harris blocked the extra point attempt.

After starting their next possession on their own 40-yard line, the Colonels crossed into Cincinnati territory. Holland found Evan Cromer for nine yards before C.J. Walker picked up the first down with a three-yard run to the Bearcat 48. After an eight-yard completion to Shannon Davis, the drive stalled and Eastern Kentucky was forced to punt.

Cincinnati put together another extended drive, this time covering 80 yards in 14 plays over 6:25. Grutza capped it with another touchdown pass, finding Dominick Goodman from 21 yards out. The Bearcats failed to convert the extra point again, and led 12-0.

A 52-yard punt by Eastern’s Logan O'Connor was negated by a 25-yard Bearcat return. Cincinnati didn’t have nearly as much ground to cover on their third possession, beginning at the EKU 34-yard line. After three plays, Cincinnati had a 19-0 lead following John Goebel’s one-yard touchdown run.

The Colonels responded with a 51-yard kickoff return by Jeremy Caldwell. Back-to-back completions by Holland, the first for 17 yards to Watts, moved the Colonels to the Cincy 24 yard line. Walker’s 22-yard run to the seven was waived off due to a holding penalty and Eastern was ultimately forced to attempt a 40-yard field goal that fell short.

The Eastern Kentucky defense held the Bearcats for the first time on their next possession, forcing a punt after three plays. After the Colonels punted on their ensuing possession, the EKU defense stopped Cincinnati again. Senior linebacker Tyjuan Jones forced a fumble and Caldwell recovered the ball at the EKU 46 for the Colonels.

Eastern gave the ball right back with a fumble of its own and after one play, a 47-yard pass from Grutza to Gilyard, Cincinnati extended its lead to 26-0 with 1:49 left before halftime.

Cincinnati tacked on two more touchdowns in the third quarter, including a 20-play drive that took 9:16 and covered 78 yards. Trailing 40-0 with 58 seconds left in the quarter, Holland found Watts all alone on the left side for a 61-yard scoring pass and Eastern’s first touchdown of the 2008 season. Watts caught a 19-yard toss on the first play of the two-play drive.

Neither team scored in the fourth quarter.

Grutza finished 21-for-28 for 296 yards and threw three scoring passes. Goodman totaled 10 receptions for 144 yards and two touchdowns.

Linebacker Antonio Fredrick led Eastern with 12 tackles. Caldwell finished with 10 stops.

The Colonels will play their home-opener on Saturday, Sept. 6, against Western Kentucky. The Battle of the Bluegrass is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.

NOTES
--Sophomore Cody Watts’ third quarter touchdown reception was the first of his career.

--Senior quarterback Allan Holland finished with 141 passing yards. He now needs 55 yards to move into the top-10 in school history.