RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University football team is back in the FCS Playoffs for the second time in three seasons, and will head out on the road to face No. 11-seed Villanova on Saturday at 2 p.m.
Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. ET at Villanova Stadium in Villanova, Pennsylvania. 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.
This season marks the 23rd time in program history, that the Colonels have made the FCS, formerly I-AA Playoffs, the second most all-time trailing only Montana.
It is the first time EKU has been to the postseason since 2022, and head coach
Walt Wells becomes the first coach since Dean Hood to take EKU to multiple playoff appearances.
The Colonels finished the regular season on a five-game win streak including most recently defeating North Alabama, 21-15 to end the season at 8-4 overall, 8-2 in FCS play.
Saturday's meeting with the Wildcats will be the first time that EKU and Villanova have met on the gridiron.
The winner of Saturday's game will advance to a second-round matchup against #6 seed UIW (10-2) from the Southland Conference on Saturday, December 7 at 2 p.m. ET.
The Colonels
EKU looks to continue its winning ways on Saturday with a similar recipe to its previous wins, playing complimentary football winning the field position, turnover, and big play battles.
The Colonels did just that in the last game of the regular season causing two interceptions against North Alabama as quarterback
Matt Morrissey found
Marcus Calwise Jr. on a 67-yard touchdown pass to take a game-deciding, 21-15 lead.
Freshman wide receiver Calwise Jr. ended the season as back-to-back Freshman of the Week in the United Athletic Conference including a career-high 99-yard day on five receptions against the Lions.
Running back
Joshua Carter continues to lead the way for the Colonels having run for 1,106 yards this season and 13 touchdowns.
The product of Navarre, Fla. is averaging 4.9 yards per carry this season.
Fellow running back
Brayden Latham also had a career day in the regular season finale, rushing for 103 yards and one touchdown on 19 carries.
Defensively, inside linebacker
Maddox Marcellus leads EKU in tackles with 87 total, also adding an interception in last week's win over UNA.
Captain and defensive back
Mike Smith Jr. added an interception of his own last Saturday bringing his total to four for the season, the most of any Colonel.
Scouting the Wildcats
Villanova enters the FCS Playoffs for the 16th time in its program history on Saturday as the 11th seed.
The right to host in the playoffs comes after the Wildcats finished the season 9-3 overall with a 6-2 record in Coastal Athletic Association play.
This is the second straight playoff appearance and fourth in the last six seasons for the Wildcats, who were undefeated at home during the regular season and held three opponents without a touchdown.
The Wildcats have not lost a game in Villanova Stadium since the 2022 season having recently tied a program record of 15 consecutive wins at home.
Villanova is a veteran lead team with 93 members of the roster having combined for 633 starts before Saturday.
However, it is their true freshman running back David Avit who leads the offense having recently been named the CAA Football Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Defensively, the Wildcats have a +7-turnover margin on the season with nine fumble recoveries and eight interceptions.
Villanova boasts three CAA First-Team Defense selections in Brendan Bell (LB), Shane Hartzell (LB), and Isas Waxter (CB).
