RICHMOND, Ky. — Eastern Kentucky University's football team secured its fourth win of the season on Saturday night, defeating conference opponent Utah Tech 28-17 during Homecoming.
 
"Obviously it's great to come out and get a win on Homecoming in front of a great crowd and in a great atmosphere," said head coach Walt Wells following the victory. "I'm proud of our football team, proud of their efforts. We have things we need to clean up, but overall happy with the outcome tonight."
 
Running back Joshua Carter led EKU with a career-high 167 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Carter became the first EKU running back to rush for over 150 yards this season, and his two scores extended his scoring streak to eight touchdowns over the last six games.
 
As a team, the Colonels dominated on the ground, rushing for 287 yards — their second-highest total this season.
 
On defense, linebacker Maddox Marcellus recorded seven tackles, including two for losses, and added a 23-yard scoop-and-score following a sack and forced fumble by Gabe Stephens.
 
Defensive back Mike Smith Jr. led the team in tackles with nine, including eight solo stops.
 
EKU harassed the Trailblazers in the passing game recording seven pass breakups as a team.
 
EKU now prepares for a road game at Tarleton State, currently ranked No. 8 in the country, on Saturday, Nov. 2.
 
How It Happened
EKU nearly struck early on defense when, on Utah Tech's first drive, a Trailblazer swing pass was initially ruled a fumble recovered by Vito Tisdale and returned 34 yards for a touchdown. After review, however, the play was ruled an incomplete pass, erasing the potential score.
 
Neither team found much offensive success early, with each side trading a pair of punts in the first quarter.
 
The Trailblazers broke the deadlock on their first drive of the second quarter, driving from their own 10-yard line to the Colonels' seven. However, EKU's defense held, forcing Utah Tech to settle for a 24-yard field goal to go up 3-0 with 11:29 left in the second quarter.
 
The Colonels responded late in the second quarter, capitalizing on favorable field position after a short Trailblazer punt. Joshua Carter capped the drive with a one-yard touchdown run, putting EKU on the board with 4:42 left.
 
EKU quickly extended its lead. On the third play of Utah Tech's next drive, linebacker Gabe Stephens sacked the quarterback, forcing a fumble that Marcellus returned 23 yards for a touchdown, pushing EKU's lead to 14-3 with 3:57 left in the half.
 
Utah Tech's attempt to cut into the lead before halftime failed, as a 41-yard field goal attempt bounced off the right upright, keeping EKU's 11-point advantage intact at the break.
 
The Colonels picked up where they left off after halftime, marching 75 yards on 14 plays and consuming six minutes of clock before scoring. Quarterback Cameron Hergott entered to cap the drive with a one-yard keeper, marking the first touchdown of his EKU career and extending the lead to 21-3.
 
Hergott's touchdown run almost did not happen though as three plays before the score, Joshua Carter had to lay a booming hit on a Utah Tech defender who looked to have a sure interception at the goal line to keep the ball in EKU's possession.
 
Utah Tech responded with a nine-play, 75-yard drive, capped by a nine-yard touchdown pass to cut the score to 21-10 with 4:05 left in the third quarter.
 
Following the brief scoring exchange, EKU's defense clamped down, forcing Utah Tech into three straight three-and-outs.
 
Carter added a six-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter to complete his standout performance and put EKU ahead 28-10 with 2:27 remaining.
 
The Trailblazers managed a late touchdown pass with 1:13 left, narrowing the score to 28-17, but Marcellus recovered the ensuing onside kick to seal the Homecoming victory for EKU.