RICHMOND, Ky. – Eastern Kentucky is highly ranked in a number of NCAA team and individual statistical categories, despite opening the season with back-to-back games against Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) teams.
 
The Colonels suffered close losses to Western Kentucky University and the University of Kentucky, falling by an average margin of just 12.5 points to the two FBS squads.
 
EKU is second nationally among Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) teams in kickoff returns (30.57 yards per return, 1st OVC).  Eastern ranks seventh in the country in sacks (3.5 per game, 1st OVC) and tackles for a loss allowed (3.5 per game, 1st OVC).  The team is ninth in FCS in tackles for a loss (9.0 per game, 1st OVC). 
 
The Colonels are 13th in FCS football in punt return defense (0.50 yards per return, 2nd OVC).  EKU is 14th in the nation in completion percentage (65.9 percent, 1st OVC).
 
Eastern Kentucky is first in the conference and among the top-20 teams in the country with two turnovers lost (16th), 288 yards passing per game (16th), 48.3 percent third down conversion rate (19th) and one interception thrown (19th).  EKU is second in the OVC and 16th nationally in sacks allowed (1.0 per game).
 
A number of individuals are also highly ranked in both the conference and the nation.
 
Tim Boyle is fourth nationally in completions per game (26.5/game, 1st OVC), 15th in completion percentage (65.4 percent, 2nd OVC), 20th in passing yards (522, 1st OVC) and passing yards per game (261.0, 1st OVC), and 28th in total offense (261.5 yards/game, 1st OVC).
 
LJ Scott is fifth in FCS football in kickoff returns (31.3 yards/return, 1st OVC), 14th in combined kick return yards (188, 1st OVC) and 18th in all-purpose yards (154/game, 3rd OVC).
 
Ryan Markush ranks fourth in the country in receiving touchdowns (3, 1st OVC), fifth in receptions per game (8.5/game, 2nd OVC), 10th in total touchdowns (3, 1st OVC), 13th in receiving yards (205, 1st OVC), 14th in receiving yards per game (102.5, 1st OVC) and 20th in scoring (9.0 points/game, 1st OVC).
 
Neiko Creamer has the ninth most receptions per game in the nation (7.0/game, 3rd OVC).
 
Luder Jean Louis is fifth nationally in sacks (1.5/game, 1st OVC) and 19th in tackles for a loss (2.0/game, 2nd OVC). 
 
Kobie Grace is 38th in FCS football in total tackles (10.0/game, 3rd OVC).
 
Eastern's first home game is slated for Sept. 23 against Tennessee Tech.  For ticket information, contact the EKU Athletics Ticket Office at 844-3-GOBIGE. 
 
The Eastern Kentucky University football program has won two national championships, 21 conference titles and has made 21 playoff appearances.  No other Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) team has won at least two FCS national titles and 20 or more conference championships.