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Eastern Kentucky University Athletics

Gabe Fletcher Celebration

Football

Colonels to Host No. 15 Austin Peay in Conference Clash

RICHMOND, Ky. – After an open weekend last Saturday, Eastern Kentucky University’s football team returns to action on Saturday, hosting the No. 15 ranked Governors of Austin Peay in the United Athletic Conference’s Game of the Week.

Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. ET at CG Bank Field at Roy Kidd Stadium with the game theme being Kids at the Kidd and Hall of Fame Weekend.

The last two meetings between the two programs have gone to overtime with each game being decided by three points.

Last season in Clarksville, the Colonels overcame a 24-7 halftime deficit to score 17 unanswered points in the second half to force overtime before running back Joshua Carter won the game on a 23-yard touchdown run, 30-27.

EKU is riding a nine-game home win streak at Roy Kidd Stadium, with its last home loss coming against the Governors in 2023, falling 33-30 in overtime.

The Colonels (2-3 0-1 UAC) last played two weeks ago at home against Nicholls, winning 27-7 led by running back Brady Hensley who rushed for 148 yards and one touchdown.

The nationally ranked Governors (4-2, 2-1 UAC) come to Richmond after defeating then No. 16 West Georgia, 44-30 in Clarksville last Saturday.

Under head coach Walt Wells, EKU is 6-6 in the regular season against ranked FCS opponents.

The Colonels

EKU’s “Maroon Doom” defense continues to terrorize opponents with 12 turnovers gained, the fourth most in all of FCS football this season.

The Colonels added their third defensive touchdown of the season in their last game against Nicholls, as Kaden Smith recorded the team’s second pick-six of the year.

In the win over Nicholls, EKU rushed for a total of 242 yards, a season high with Hensley accounting for 148 of them, averaging 10.6 yards per carry in the win.

Scouting the Governors

The Govs’ hot start to the season is thanks in part to the play of quarterback Chris Parson who is the two time UAC Offensive Player of the Week.

Through six games, Parson has thrown for 1,372 yards, the 12th most in FCS this season and 10 touchdowns completing 65.8 percent of his passes.

His top target has been sophomore wide receiver Jaden Robinson who leads the UAC in receiving touchdowns with five with a team-high 269 receiving yards in 2025.

On defense, Montreze Smith and Ellis Ellis Jr., lead the team with 30 total tackles each.

Smith has two tackles for loss, one sack, four hurries, and one forced fumble.

Ellis this season has tallied three tackles for loss, six pass breakups, a fumble recovery, and two blocked kicks.

Players Mentioned

Joshua Carter

#8 Joshua Carter

RB
5' 9"
Redshirt Senior
Brady Hensley

#42 Brady Hensley

RB
5' 11"
Sophomore
Kaden  Smith

#24 Kaden Smith

LB
6' 2"
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Joshua Carter

#8 Joshua Carter

5' 9"
Redshirt Senior
RB
Brady Hensley

#42 Brady Hensley

5' 11"
Sophomore
RB
Kaden  Smith

#24 Kaden Smith

6' 2"
Sophomore
LB