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MANHATTAN, Kan. – The Eastern Kentucky University defense forced five turnovers, but host Kansas State tallied a 33-yard touchdown pass in the final two minutes to escape with a 10-7 victory Saturday night at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. The Colonels almost earned a win over a Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) team for the first time since 1985.

EKU’s defense was particularly stout in the opening half, coming away with three turnovers and recording two sacks. Unfortunately, the Colonels were unable to capitalize on any of the change of possessions.

Kansas State fumbled the ball on its first possession, allowing Eastern to take over at the K-State 24-yard line. The Colonels settled for a field goal try, but missed the 42-yard attempt wide right.

Later in the first quarter, the Wildcats muffed a punt which was then recovered by sophomore Myer Nolan at the Kansas State 35-yard line. EKU proceeded to move the ball inside the 10-yard line thanks in part to a 15-yard completion from freshman quarterback Jared McClain to junior wide receiver Tyrone Goard. However, Eastern gave the ball back to the home team with an interception on 3rd-and-goal.

Kansas State struggled the entire first half to give the home crowd a reason to cheer. The Wildcats’ lone opportunity to score before halftime was thwarted when the EKU defense stopped K-State on fourth down at the visiting team’s 23-yard line.

Eastern Kentucky finally put some points on the board late in the third quarter. A forced fumble at the Kansas State 19-yard line was scooped up by senior Patrick McClellan and returned to the one-yard line. Two plays later, McClain found the end zone with a quarterback keeper through the right side.

The host Wildcats responded early in the fourth quarter with a 36-yard field goal to cut the deficit to 7-3.

EKU moved the ball to midfield on its ensuing possession, but was forced to punt. K-State took over at its own 14-yard line on the decisive drive. Quarterback Collin Klein rushed for 36 yards on the 11-play drive and also converted two third downs to keep the chains moving. Following a time-out at the Eastern 33-yard line with 1:46 left, Klein found a streaking Chris Harper down the right sidelines for the winning touchdown.

The Colonels had one final possession, but threw an interception near the 50-yard line.

Sophomore Shawn Shupperd and junior Robert Knowles joined McClellan and Knowles with fumble recoveries. Meanwhile, junior Brooklyn Fox led all players with 11 tackles and an interception. Goard chipped in on special teams with a partially blocked punt.

McClain, who was starting in place of the injured #T.J. Pryor#, finished 9-of-26 for 119 yards. The Colonel running game was bottled up for just 10 total yards.

Kansas State ran for 114 of its 175 yards following halftime. Klein totaled 78 rushing yards on 25 carries while John Hubert added a game-high 91 yards.

EKU returns home next weekend to host Missouri State at Roy Kidd Stadium. The game, scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 10, is slated to begin at 6 p.m.

NOTES:
--Junior starting quarterback T.J. Pryor did not suit up due to an injury to his right (throwing) hand.

--This is the fifth consecutive year that the EKU defense has forced at least five turnovers in a game.

--This was Eastern Kentucky’s first-ever meeting against Kansas State or any other Big 12 team.

--This was the 12th straight year EKU had squared off against an FBS opponent. The Colonels are now 4-17 against FBS competition with the last win occurring in 1985 at Louisville (45-21).