RICHMOND, Ky. -  The Colonels of Eastern Kentucky University fell to the No. 3 team in the country, Tarleton State, on Saturday night at Roy Kidd Stadium, 31-7.
 
The third quarter proved to be the biggest difference on the scoreboard with the Texans scoring 21 unanswered points on three offensive drives.
 
"Their [Tarleton State] second-half performance was outstanding," said EKU head coach Walt Wells. "In that third quarter they took control of the football game, and we've got to learn from that, grow from that, and obviously have a great week of practice as we get ready for the Central Arkansas game."
 
The loss sees the Colonels fall to 3-5 on the season and 1-3 in United Athletic Conference play with the Texans improving to 9-0 on the season and 5-0 in the UAC.
 
How it Happened
 
The Texans opened the game's scoring on their second offensive drive, converting on fourth-and-three from EKU's 13-yard line, setting up a one-yard touchdown run up the middle three plays later.
 
The score put TSU up, 7-0, with 3:43 left in the first quarter.
 
EKU answered with a 10-play, 60-yard drive aided by a roughing the passer penalty against the Texans on third-and-goal, extending the drive, leading to a two-yard touchdown by running back Brayden Latham with 13:21 left in the second quarter.
 
TSU added three points to take back the lead with 9:57 left in the half courtesy of a 42-yard field goal.
 
Following two punts, the Texans intercepted EKU returning the pass to EKU's 23-yard line, but a penalty on the return against the Texans pushed them back to the 38-yard line.
 
An EKU sack by linebacker Gabe Stephens pushed the Texans out of field goal range, leaving the score at 10-7, TSU heading into the break.
 
In the second half, the Texans came out hot scoring three touchdowns on their first three drives with two one-yard touchdown runs and a seven-yard touchdown pass to go up 31-7 after the third quarter.
 
The second touchdown of the quarter was set up by a forced fumble that was recovered by the Texans at EKU's 30-yard line.
 
Up Next
 
The Colonels now head back on the road next week to face Central Arkansas (3-5, UAC 2-2) on Saturday, November 1 at 5 p.m. ET.