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Eastern Kentucky University Athletics

Ron Vann Jr.

Football

EKU to Host Morehead State on the Gridiron

RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University football team will be at home for the second consecutive week this Saturday, hosting in-state rival Morehead State.
 
Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. ET at CG Bank Field at Roy Kidd 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.
 
Saturday's matchup will feature "Kids at the Kidd" and "Extra Yard for Teachers" Day, presented by Hyster-Yale.
 
Children 12 and under, as well as staff from local schools, are eligible for discounted or complimentary tickets.
 
This will be the 74th meeting between the two programs in what was previously known as the "Hawg Rifle Rivalry."
 
The Colonels (1-2, 1-0) and Eagles (2-1, 0-0) last faced each other in 2018, with EKU winning 49-23. EKU has won the last nine matchups, with Morehead State's most recent victory coming in 1990.
 
The Colonels
EKU began its three-game homestand and United Athletic Conference play with a win last Saturday, defeating West Georgia 26-7.
 
The strong defensive showing marked the fewest points allowed by the Colonels since a 20-3 win over Tarleton in 2021.
 
Quarterback Matt Morrissey is coming off the best start of his young Colonel career, throwing for 277 yards and two touchdowns in the win.
 
On special teams, kicker Patrick Nations is just three field goals shy of breaking the all-time EKU record of 49 career field goals, currently held by Dale Dawson (1983-86) and Taylor Long (2005-08).
 
Punter Jacob Baker was pivotal in last week's field position battle, averaging 39.2 yards per punt on five attempts, with three landing inside the opponent's 20-yard line.
EKU's defense held UWG's average starting field position to its own 19-yard line.
 
Scouting the Eagles
Morehead State is looking to bounce back from a 59-2 road loss to No. 8 Montana last week.
 
In that game, the Eagles managed only 45 total yards of offense, with -14 net rushing yards on 29 attempts, while allowing 410 rushing yards and seven touchdowns.
 
The Eagles' only points came from a blocked PAT that was returned 85 yards for a defensive conversion.
 
Entering this week, Morehead State is one of the least penalized teams in the FCS, ranking second nationally with an average of just three penalties per game.
 
The Eagles started 2-0 for the first time since 2007. Head coach Jason Woodman won his Division I and Morehead State debut on Aug. 29, defeating Central State 17-10. Woodman is the first MSU head coach to win his debut since 1984.
 
To keep up with the latest about EKU Athletics, make sure to subscribe to The Maroon Message, download the EKUSports app, and follow EKU Football on Instagram, Facebook, and X.
 
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Players Mentioned

Jacob Baker

#49 Jacob Baker

K/P
6' 2"
Redshirt Freshman
Patrick Nations

#46 Patrick Nations

K
6' 0"
Redshirt Senior
Matt Morrissey

#4 Matt Morrissey

QB
6' 4"
Graduate Student

Players Mentioned

Jacob Baker

#49 Jacob Baker

6' 2"
Redshirt Freshman
K/P
Patrick Nations

#46 Patrick Nations

6' 0"
Redshirt Senior
K
Matt Morrissey

#4 Matt Morrissey

6' 4"
Graduate Student
QB