RICHMOND, Ky. – Eastern Kentucky will face Western Carolina in the Opportunity Bowl presented by Raising Cane's, and in memory of Dr. Sheila Pressley, on Saturday at Roy Kidd Stadium.
 
Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.
 
The bowl will air live on ESPN3.  The live radio broadcast of the game is available in the Richmond area on WCYO 100.7 FM, and can be heard worldwide on EKUSports.com.
 
Pressley, who passed away in January of 2020, was the dean of the College of Health Sciences at Eastern Kentucky University.  She attended Western Carolina University for her undergraduate education, graduating in 1989.
 
The name for the bowl game was a natural fit as EKU is known as a school of opportunity.  Access plus affordability equals opportunity at Eastern Kentucky University for students from diverse backgrounds.  The Opportunity Bowl provides a platform to highlight opportunity-focused initiatives at EKU.  These initiatives include the Eastern Scholar House for single parents with children, the early Childhood Development Center, the EKU Veterans Education and Transition Support Center which delivers supportive services for veterans, the Workforce Pathway at Kit Carson Commons which is currently under construction, and the Colonel Commitment Scholarship Model.
 
The EKU Band will perform on the field following the end of the game.
 
INSIDE THE SERIES
-  The Colonels lead the all-time series 3-2.  The two teams first met in 1988 when EKU picked up a 32-14 win on the road.  Eastern beat WCU 31-13 a year later at Roy Kidd Stadium.
 
-  Between 2006 and 2009 the two teams met three times.  Western Carolina won 20-17 on Sept. 16, 2006 in Cullowhee.  The Colonels earned a 45-21 victory on Sept. 8, 2007 in Richmond.
 
-  In the most recent meeting, the Catamounts beat EKU 24-7 on Nov. 14, 2009 at Roy Kidd Stadium.
 
THE COLONELS
-  Eastern Kentucky is 2-6 after falling at No. 11 Central Arkansas on Saturday.  The Colonels overcame a 24-0 deficit and took a 25-24 lead, but couldn't hold off the Bears.
 
-  Redshirt freshman quarterback Isaiah Velez made his collegiate debut at Central Arkansas and helped the Colonels erase that 24-point deficit.  He finished 15-of-19 for 151 yards with one touchdown pass and one touchdown run.
 
-  Alonzo Booth carried the ball 33 times for 124 yards and scored a touchdown at Central Arkansas.  It was the first time an EKU running back had 30 or more carries in a game since Dy'Shawn Mobley rushed 40 times against Murray State on Nov. 15, 2014.
 
-  Booth is second in FCS football with 530 rushing yards.  He is third in rushing touchdowns (4) and ninth in yards per carry (4.24).
 
-  The trio of Keyion Dixon, Jacquez Jones and Jackson Beerman are among the nation's receiving leaders.  Dixon is third in the nation in receiving yards (555), fourth in receiving touchdowns (6) and ninth in yards per reception (16.32).  Jones is fifth in the country in receiving yards (478) and seventh in receiving touchdowns (3).  Beerman ranks fifth in yards per reception (17.27), ninth in receiving yards (380) and ninth in receiving yards per game (63.3).
 
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
-  Western Carolina (0-1) played its first game of the 2020 season on Saturday, falling at No. 22 Liberty by a score of 58-14.
 
-  The Catamounts totaled 282 yards of offense against the Flames.  WCU rushed for 142 yards and passed for 140 yards.
 
-  Western Carolina turned the ball over three times at Liberty, finishing with two interceptions and one fumble.
 
-  Redshirt senior Donnavan Spencer had a team-high 79 rushing yards on 12 carries.  Redshirt junior Will Jones and junior Mark Wright split snaps at quarterback.  Jones was 7-for-13 for 74 yards.  He threw one interception and one touchdown while rushing for 32 yards.  Wright was 11-for-17 for 66 yards with one interception.  He rushed for 12 yards and scored a touchdown on the ground.
 
-  Senior linebacker Ty Harris totaled 11 tackles with one sack against Liberty.  
 
GAME DAY EXPERIENCE
It doesn't matter if you are a Colonel Club member, a student, a Colonel fan or a fan of the opponent, there is plenty of information below that will help make your game day experience the best it can be …
 
COVID-19 Protocol
• Masks will be required throughout the entirety of the contest.  Ushers will be monitoring masking throughout the contest.  Anyone who refuses to wear their masks appropriately will be escorted from the venue.
• All patrons will be required to wear facemask when traveling through the parking lots and while socializing.
• No shuttle services from the parking lots to the stadium will be provided during the 2020 season.
• Upon entry into Roy Kidd Stadium, fans and staff will be temperature screened using an infrared thermometer prior to entry. 
• Hand sanitization stations will be located in the stadium.
• Signage will be displayed in common areas to assist with physical distancing.
• A comprehensive in-game custodial cleaning plan will include restrooms, team spaces, premium spaces, high-traffic areas and protocol to dispatch custodial services to any area of the stadium for specific needs
 
Game Day Timeline
1 p.m. – Colonel Club and general parking opens (no tailgating)
2 p.m. – Roy and Sue Kidd Way closes to vehicle traffic
2 p.m. – Concession sales inside the stadium (including alcohol) begins
3:05 p.m. -- Kickoff
 
Ticket Office
Physical tickets will not be sold at Roy Kidd Stadium on the day of the game; however, tickets will be available through EKUSports.com.
 
EKU Football Parking Lot Locations
• There are numerous and convenient parking options for all fans on game day at Roy Kidd Stadium.

• Colonel Club Lot (Lot K) – Located in the Alumni Coliseum Lower and Upper lots across the street from Roy Kidd Stadium, Colonel Club season ticket members have exclusive access to both of these lots with their valid Colonel Club parking pass.  Parking passes must be displayed in vehicles at all times.   
 
• RV Zone – EKU is proud to continue offering the RV Zone, designed to provide football fans a unique and unforgettable tailgating experience.  Located next to the Olympic Sports Training Center lot and just a few steps away from the Roy Kidd Stadium entrance, the RV Zone is available for both single game and full season passes.  Single game passes start at $75 per game, which include two (2) general admission tickets for the game.  The EKU RV Zone will open at 6 p.m. the Friday before game day and will close at 3:00 p.m. the Sunday following game day.  RVs must be in the RV Zone by 9 p.m. on the night before a home game.  There will be no same-day parking for the RV Zone on the day of the game.  All attendees in the RV Zone are asked to maintain the 6-foot social distancing standard and are required to wear facemasks.  Reservations for the RV Zone are required at least three (3) days in advance and your pass may be reserved by calling (859) 622-7128.


• General Parking – EKU provides general parking free of charge for the following parking lots located on campus:  Brockton, Hanlon, Dizney, Commonwealth, Alumni Coliseum back lots or in parking lots across the EKU bypass. All general parking lots will open on game day at 1 p.m.


• Media Parking – Credentialed media members should park at the Greg Adams Tennis Center parking lot located across the EKU bypass.

EKU Football Parking Regulations
• Parking is permitted only in designated spaces.  Parking on islands, medians or berms is prohibited.
• Parking spaces are available on a first come, first serve basis and cannot be saved.
• No tailgating is allowed this season.
• No personal motorized carts are allowed.
• Protect your belongings, EKU will not assume responsibility for lost or stolen items.

For additional information or questions, please call (859) 622-2122. 
 
Student Section
Student seating is located in sections A and B.  Students may also sit on the hill in the north end zone.  Students should enter the stadium through Gate 1.  Students need their official school ID out and ready to be allowed admittance to the game.
 
Alcohol Sales
Alcohol sales (beer and wine) are located on the east side of Roy Kidd Stadium and on the northern end of the main concourse inside the Begley Building:
• Sales begin at 2 p.m.
• Sales continue through the third quarter.  No sales in the fourth quarter or overtime.
• Fans will be limited to two (2) beverages per transaction.
• Purchase can be made by fans 21 years and older only.
• Must be consumed in clear plastic cup. 
• Cash and credit cards accepted.
 
ADA Accessible Ticket Information
• The ADA accessible seating area at Roy Kidd Stadium in Section J and R of the east side of the stadium.
• Patrons must purchase a general admission ticket to watch the game from this area.
• Patrons are welcome to have a companion sit with them in the area.  Folding chairs are provided for any guests that need them.
• The ADA accessible restrooms are located on the concourse of the east side of the stadium.  The Moberly building also provides accessible restrooms.
• ADA accessible parking is available in the Moberly Lot past the Stadium off Roy and Sue Kidd Way on the right from the Bypass.
• The main accessible gate (Moberly Gate) is between the Moberly building and the Olympic Sports Training Center.