STEPHENVILLE, Texas — It was a historic night for the Eastern Kentucky University football team, upsetting No. 7 Tarleton State, 17-13 on the road, marking EKU's first road victory over a top-10 opponent since 2006, when the Colonels defeated No. 8 UT Martin.
 
"I'm so proud of our players, our staff, and our fans," head coach Walt Wells said. "Our kids continue to grow. We didn't play a perfect game, and we know that, but we hung in there for a 15-round fight and got the knockout in the end… It was fun."
 
Joshua Carter provided the game-winning score with a 23-yard run, breaking multiple tackles to reach the end zone and give EKU a 17-13 lead with just 2:26 remaining.
 
EKU's defense sealed the win as Gabe Fletcher recorded a third-down sack, forcing TSU into a fourth-and-15. Mike Smith Jr. then intercepted an overthrown pass to secure the victory.
 
EKU's defense stifled the Texans in the second half, shutting them out and holding them to just 152 yards of offense. The Colonels also notched three interceptions during the game.
 
Carter led EKU's offense with 149 rushing yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner.
 
The Colonels (5-4, 3-2) now prepare to face Central Arkansas (6-3, 3-2) next Saturday at 2 p.m. ET at Roy Kidd Stadium.
 
How It Happened
For the second consecutive week, the Colonel defense appeared to have forced a fumble early, recovering it on Tarleton's second play from scrimmage. However, like the previous week, the call was overturned upon review.
 
The Colonels crossed midfield for the first time on their second drive, powered by several runs from Carter, but the Texans intercepted Matt Morrissey on a deep pass down the left sideline, ending the drive.
 
TSU capitalized on the turnover, marching 89 yards in nine plays to score on a 23-yard touchdown pass and take a 7-0 lead with 4:03 left in the first quarter.
 
The Texans extended their lead with a 24-yard field goal early in the second quarter.
 
Midway through the second quarter, the Colonels drove 72 yards on 12 plays following the Texan field goal. However, they failed to convert on fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line, turning the ball over on downs.
 
EKU quickly responded as freshman D.J. Galva intercepted the Texans on the first play of the ensuing drive. Galva picked off the ball after multiple deflections, returning it 37 yards to the 1-yard line.
 
On the next play, Carter punched the ball in, bringing the Colonels within one score at 10-7 with 7:10 left in the half.
 
After the score, the teams traded punts for the remainder of the second quarter, with neither offense gaining significant field position.
 
TSU added three points with a 42-yard field goal with 20 seconds left in the half, capping a 13-play, 62-yard drive.
 
The Colonels' defense made an impact early in the second half as Maddox Marcellus intercepted the Texans on their first drive, returning it 29 yards.
 
The turnover set up a 34-yard field goal from Patrick Nations, bringing EKU within three points at 13-10 with 7:48 remaining in the third quarter. Nations' field goal broke the EKU record for career kicking points, previously held by Taylor Long (2005-08) with 285.
 
The Colonels' defense made another big play on the Texans' next drive when Fletcher sacked the TSU quarterback on fourth down at the EKU 45-yard line late in the third quarter.
 
EKU's offense then drove down to the Tarleton 4-yard line, but a fumble recovered by the Texans thwarted the scoring opportunity.
 
After EKU forced a Texan punt, the Colonels took over on their 32-yard line but couldn't produce any points, pinning the Texans at their own 10-yard line with just over five minutes left in regulation.
 
The Colonels' defense held strong again, forcing another TSU punt with 4:14 remaining. EKU took over at its 38-yard line.
 
Four plays later, Carter broke multiple tackles on a powerful 23-yard run, scoring to give EKU its first lead of the night at 17-13 with 2:26 remaining.
 
On TSU's final drive, the Texans reached the EKU 36-yard line, but Fletcher's five-yard sack on third down left them facing fourth-and-15. With 46 seconds remaining, Smith intercepted an overthrown pass, clinching the upset win for the Colonels.