CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Eastern Kentucky University's football team delivered a historic comeback on Saturday, overcoming a 17-point halftime deficit to secure a 30-27 overtime victory.
 
The Colonels scored 17 unanswered points in the second half, including 14 in the fourth quarter.
 
On fourth-and-goal from the APSU one-yard line with just 17 seconds left in regulation, quarterback Matt Morrissey powered into the end zone to tie the game at 24, forcing overtime.
 
EKU's defense held firm, limiting APSU to a field goal and giving the offense a chance to win.
 
For the third consecutive week, running back Joshua Carter provided the game-winning score, breaking through multiple APSU defenders on a 23-yard touchdown run on the second play of EKU's overtime possession.
 
In the second half and overtime, EKU's defense shut out Austin Peay and allowed just 71 total yards of offense.
 
Carter, who rushed for 106 yards and two touchdowns on 26 attempts, surpassed 1,000 rushing yards for the season and 2,000 career rushing yards. He becomes the 17th Colonel in program history to reach 2,000 career rushing yards and the 18th to record 1,000 rushing yards in a season, the first since 2019.
 
Morrissey threw for 230 yards and one touchdown while adding 31 rushing yards and another score. Freshman Marcus Calwise Jr. was Morrissey's top target, hauling in six receptions for 83 yards and one touchdown.
 
The win extends the Colonel's winning streak to four games, improving their record to 7-4 overall and 5-2 in United Athletic Conference play.
 
The Colonels will conclude their regular season against North Alabama on Senior Day, Saturday, Nov. 23, at 2 p.m. ET, with a chance to finish 6-0 at home.
 
How It Happened
The Governors opened the scoring with a 31-yard field goal on their first drive, set up by a 40-yard pass to the EKU 39-yard line.
 
APSU quickly capitalized on a lost EKU fumble on the ensuing kickoff at the EKU 31, extending their lead to 10-0 with a two-yard touchdown pass at the 7:15 mark in the first quarter.
 
EKU responded on its first offensive drive, overcoming two early penalties to march 81 yards in 13 plays, capped by a one-yard touchdown run from Carter with nine seconds remaining in the quarter.
 
The Colonels' defense forced a quick three-and-out, and the offense returned to the ground game, crossing into APSU territory. However, a lost fumble gave APSU possession at their 40-yard line.
 
On the next play, the Governors struck again with a 60-yard touchdown pass over the middle, pushing their lead to 17-7 early in the second quarter.
 
EKU advanced to the APSU 14 on its next drive, but Morrissey was intercepted on third down, halting the scoring opportunity.
 
APSU extended its lead to 24-7 with a methodical drive capped by a one-yard touchdown run late in the first half.
 
In the second half, EKU began its comeback with a 36-yard field goal by Patrick Nations at the 3:42 mark of the third quarter.
 
The Colonels cut the deficit to one score early in the fourth quarter, with Morrissey finding Calwise Jr. for a 13-yard touchdown pass to make it 24-17.
 
After trading punts, EKU's defense came up big again, forcing APSU's sixth punt of the game. The Colonels took over at the APSU 39 but were forced to punt after three consecutive incompletions.
 
Punter Jacob Baker pinned APSU at their seven-yard line, and the defense forced yet another punt as EKU regained possession with 3:16 left on the APSU 45.
 
A balanced attack moved EKU downfield, culminating in a 19-yard pass from Morrissey to Calwise Jr., placing the ball at the one-yard line.
 
APSU's defense denied EKU on three straight runs by Carter, but on fourth-and-goal, Morrissey broke through for the tying score.
 
In overtime, the Colonels' defense held APSU to a field goal. Carter sealed the win with a 23-yard touchdown run, breaking multiple tackles, and sprinting down the left sideline for a dramatic finish.