RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University football team is on the road for the second straight week, as the Colonels will travel to Texas to face the No. 17 ranked Abilene Christian Wildcats on Saturday.
 
Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. ET at Anthony Field at Wildcat Stadium. The game will be streamed on ESPN+ and simulcast on WCYO 100.7 FM, with Greg Stotelmyer, Jim Tirey, and Wes Chandler on the call.
 
For the second straight week EKU will look to play spoiler for a conference foe's homecoming as both schools look to bounce back from their first conference loss last Saturday.
 
EKU (3-3, 1-1) and the Wildcats (4-3, 3-1) have only met once before with the Colonels coming away with a 30-15 win in 2021.
 
The Colonels
EKU heads to the Lone Star State looking to rebound following a 42-21 loss on the road to Southern Utah.
 
A key piece in that plan will be limiting the high-powered offense of the Wildcats that is averaging 38.1 points per game, the 12^th most in FCS and 487.9 yards of total offense which is fourth best in the nation.
 
The defensive secondary led by Mike Smith Jr. will look to capitalize on the Wildcats air raid offense that has been intercepted three times this season.
 
On offense for EKU, the Colonels will look to their leaders in quarterback Matt Morrissey who has thrown for a touchdown in four straight games, and running back Joshua Carter who has scored five times in the last four games.
 
Additionally, wide receiver Dequan Stanley has emerged as a leader for the Colonels with four receiving touchdowns in the last three games.
 
Under head coach Walt Wells, the Colonels are 4-4 against ranked opponents.
 
Scouting The Wildcats
Nationally ranked ACU returns home after a 47-34 loss on the road at North Alabama last week.
 
They are led by quarterback Maverick McIvor the FCS leader in passing yards with 2,231 yards.
The biggest hinderance for the high-powered offense has been penalties with ACU having more penalties and penalty yards than its opponent in each of the past six games.
 
Defensively, ACU has allowed an average of 34 points per game and 445 yards of offense ranking 110^th in all of FCS in that category.
 
Turnovers have also plagued the Wildcats with a negative turnover margin in part to losing six fumbles on the season.
 
Homecoming has been a sign of good fortune though for ACU with the Wildcats winning its last five.