RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University football team earned its first win over a ranked opponent in 2025, upsetting No. 15 Austin Peay, 34-20, at Roy Kidd Stadium on Saturday night.
 
The Colonels had scoring contributions in all three phases of the game with a 100-yard kickoff return by TJ Mitchell III, a pick-six by defensive back Vito Tisdale, and two offensive touchdowns in the fourth quarter.
 
Along with scoring its fourth touchdown of the season, the "Maroon Doom" defense of EKU eliminated the Governors' offense in the second half, keeping the Govs off the scoreboard while limiting them to just 152 yards of total offense.
 
"It was a great win," said head coach Walt Wells. "Give credit to Austin Peay, they are a great team… Really proud of our players, coaches, and staff… our guys played with toughness and a tremendous amount of effort."
 
Two late touchdown runs by quarterback Myles Burkett (21 yards) and running back Brady Hensley (72 yards) late in the fourth quarter proved to be the difference lifting EKU to victory.
 
The win sees EKU improve to 3-3 on the season and 1-1 in UAC play while the loss for APSU sees them drop to 4-3 on the season and 2-1 in the UAC.
 
The win also marks the 10^th win in-a-row at Roy Kidd Stadium for EKU and makes it now six straight seasons that the Colonels have earned a win over a ranked opponent.
 
How It Happened
 
Austin Peay opened the game's scoring late in the first quarter as quarterback Chris Parson scampered 11 yards on a QB keeper to put the Govs up, 7-0 with 4:35 remaining.
 
The score capped off a 7 play, 87-yard drive.
 
The Colonels did not take long answering the score as TJ Mitchell III scored his first collegiate touchdown with a 100-yard return weaving through defenders to tie the game.
 
APSU then scored on its next two drives with a 24-yard field goal followed by a 15-yard touchdown pass to go up, 17-7 with 3:25 left in the second quarter.
 
EKU was able to answer on its next drive with a 43-yard field goal by Buzz Flabiano with 2:18 left in the half.
 
The Colonels' defense stepped up once again, as Tisdale jumped a screen pass on the first play of the Govs ensuing drive, dashing 19 yards into the endzone for his second pick-six of the season.
 
APSU quickly capitalized on EKU penalties and a 19-yard pass to set up an 18-yard field goal as time expired to take a 20-17 lead heading into the break.
 
EKU looked to tie the game on its opening drive of the second half, but Fabiano's field goal attempt from 46-yards missed wide right.
 
The kicker bounced back quickly, drilling a career long, 51-yard field goal on the next EKU drive to tie the game at 20-20 with 2:01 remaining in the third quarter.
 
APSU threatened inside the Colonels' red zone on its first drive of the fourth quarter, but Parsons was dragged down on fourth-and-one at EKU's 26-yard line by linebacker Braden Sullivan, forcing a turnover on downs.
 
The stop set up the Colonels, who then took the lead on a 21 yard touchdown scramble by Burkett, ending a 10 play, 73 yard drive with 4:33 left in regulation.
 
The Colonels' delivered another stop to get the ball back, before Brady Hensley ripped off a 72 yard dagger of a touchdown off run off the right side on third-and-one to put EKU up 34-20 with 2:26 left sealing the win.
 
Up Next
 
The Colonels will now head out on the road to face UAC foe, North Alabama on Saturday, October 18 at 7 p.m. ET.