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RICHMOND, Ky. – On a day when the Eastern Kentucky University offense struggled to string together sustained drives, the Colonel defense scored seven points and set the team up for two short scoring drives in a 33-22 Homecoming victory over visiting Tennessee State University Saturday afternoon at Roy Kidd Stadium.

Eastern (4-3, 3-1 OVC) won its third straight game and eighth straight at home against Ohio Valley Conference teams. EKU junior running back Matt Denham became the first Colonel since late in the 2007 season to eclipse the 100-yard rushing mark in three consecutive games, finishing with a career-high 226 yards on 35 carries and two touchdowns. It was Denham’s second 200-yard performance of the season.

Tennessee State had averaged 48.5 points in its previous two games before being held to a season-low 22 points by the Colonels.

After the Tigers (3-5, 2-3 OVC) drew first blood with a field goal early in the first quarter, junior defensive back Justin Bell got the Colonels on the board when he picked off a fourth down pass at the EKU 21-yard line and returned it 79 yards for a touchdown.

With Eastern leading 7-6 late in the first half, junior Brooklyn Fox returned a fumble 22 yards to the TSU 15 to set the offense up with a short field. On 3rd-and-14 from the 19-yard line, junior quarterback #T.J. Pryor connected with junior wide receiver Tyrone Goard# in the back right corner of the end zone. Goard kept one foot in bounds and the extra-point gave EKU a 14-6 lead at the break.

Tennessee State closed the gap back to one point, 14-13, on a fourth down two-yard Dante Thomas touchdown run midway through the third quarter. The Colonel offense immediately answered with its first sustained scoring drive of the game. Goard picked up 50 yards on a run and Denham finished it off with a four-yard run on an option pitch for a 21-13 lead. The drive covered 80 yards in seven plays and took 3:10 off the clock.

On TSU’s ensuing possession, the Colonel defense did it again. This time junior linebacker Kevin Hamlin intercepted a pass at the 45-yard line and returned it 32 yards to the TSU 13. Senior #H.B. Banjoman# followed Denham’s 10-yard run with a one-yard touchdown plunge. Eastern failed on the two-point conversion, but led 27-13.

A Tiger field goal late in the third quarter and an 89-yard touchdown pass from Jeremy Perry to Calvin McNairl in the fourth cut the deficit to 27-22 with 7:56 left to play.

Denham’s second touchdown of the game, this time a 29-yard run off another option pitch, with 4:53 on the clock secured the victory for the Colonels.

The two teams were polar opposites offensively. EKU out-gained the Tigers 375-65 on the ground while TSU held a 343-55 advantage through the air. Eastern held the ball for seven minutes longer and converted twice as many third downs, 8-4.

The Colonels play their next two games on the road beginning next Saturday, Oct. 29 at Murray State. Kick-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET.

NOTES
--Tennessee State and Eastern Kentucky entered the game tied for first in the OVC for fewest turnovers. TSU committed three turnovers today, while EKU only turned it over once.

--TSU’s 48-yard field goal on its first possession was the first score allowed by EKU on an opening drive this season.

--The Eastern Kentucky defense has forced at least one turnover in eight consecutive games dating back to last season.

--EKU moved to 13-1 in OVC home games under head coach Dean Hood. The Colonels have won eight straight at home against conference teams.

--EKU defensive back Justin Bell intercepted his second pass of the season, and the fourth of his career, in the first quarter.

--Tennessee State’s redshirt freshman quarterback Mike German tossed his first career interception in the first quarter. He had attempted 137 passes without a pick.

--EKU safety Brooklyn Fox recovered his first fumble of the season in the second quarter.

--Eastern Kentucky quarterback T.J. Pryor tossed his eighth touchdown of the season late in the second quarter. It was the 21st touchdown pass of his career.

--Tyrone Goard’s second quarter touchdown reception was his fourth of the season and ninth of his career.

--Matt Denham picked up his fifth rushing touchdown of the season in the third quarter. He added his sixth in the fourth quarter and now has eight in his career.

--Kevin Hamlin’s interception in the third quarter was his second pick of the season, and second pick in the last two games.

--H.B. Banjoman’s third quarter rushing touchdown was his fourth of the season and the 13th of his career.

--Junior quarterback T.J. Pryor entered the game needing 29 rushing yards to eclipse 1,000 for his career. He finished with 29 yards and now has an even 1,000 for his career.