Skip To Main Content

Eastern Kentucky University Athletics

Jeremiah Bailey at UCA 11-1-25

Football

Colonels to Face Off with Thunderbirds of Southern Utah

RICHMOND, Ky. – Eastern Kentucky University football returns home on Saturday in a United Athletic Conference contest against Southern Utah.

Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. ET at CG Bank Field at Roy Kidd Stadium for EKU’s annual Salute to Service game.

The two teams have only met twice all-time, with the home team taking each matchup as Southern Utah claimed last year’s meeting in Cedar City, Utah, 42-21.

Saturday will be the final meeting between the two schools as conference foes, with the Thunderbirds moving to the Big Sky Conference next season.

Both teams enter the contest at 4-5 overall, with the Colonels at 2-3 in the UAC and Thunderbirds at 3-2.

The Colonels

EKU returns home after earning a 34-13 win at Central Arkansas last week.

In the win, the Colonels' offense set or tied season game-highs in total offense (418), touchdown passes (3), and points scored (34).

Wide Receiver Marcus Calwise Jr. had a career day, hauling in three touchdown receptions and 106 receiving yards, while quarterback Myles Burkett accounted for four touchdowns (three passing, one rushing) while cumulating 209 yards through the air and 66 on the ground.

Calwise’s performance saw the sophomore claim the fourth UAC Player of the Week honor in his young career.

The Maroon Doom defense added three turnovers in the win, pushing their total to 16 turnovers gained this season, the 19th most in all of FCS in 2025.

EKU’s defense has been stout in the red zone, with the 28th-best red zone defense rating in the FCS at 0.765.

Scouting the Thunderbirds

Southern Utah comes to Richmond following a 33-17 win over then No. 22 Austin Peay last week in Cedar City.

The T-Birds offense is powered by running back Joshua Dye, who has rushed for 1,322 yards on 200 carries. His 19 rushing touchdowns lead all of FCS and also see him atop of total scoring by an individual this season.

In the passing game, quarterback Bronson Barron has thrown for 1,744 yards and 11 touchdowns while completing 62.23 percent of his passes. His top targets have been Gabe Nunez and Shane Carr, who each have surpassed 500 yards receiving this year, combining for seven touchdowns.

On defense, SUU is led by linebacker Sebastian Adamski who has 92 total tackles (fourth most in FCS) and seven tackles for loss through nine games.

Off the edge, Lando Brown has recorded 12 sacks, the most of any defender in all of FCS football. 

SUU is also the least penalized team in the UAC, receiving only 48 all season.