CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. –
Myles Burkett threw for 302 yards and four touchdowns to bring Eastern Kentucky within a field goal in the third quarter, but No. 7 Austin Peay pulled away for a 55-31 win Saturday at Fortera Stadium.
Burkett completed 21 of 33 passes and threw touchdowns to four different receivers. He became the first EKU quarterback since November 2022 to have four passing touchdowns in a single game.
Jayden West led EKU (3-7, 2-3 UAC) with seven catches for 120 yards, and
Elijah Caldwell added five catches for 83 yards.
Brady Hensley had 55 yards rushing, 55 receiving.
Kaden Williams returned the opening kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown and added a 33-yard scoring run to give Austin Peay (8-2, 4-1 UAC) a 17-0 lead. Burkett got the Colonels on the board early in the second quarter, finding Caldwell for a 21-yard touchdown to finish a 75-yard drive.
The Governors stretched their lead to 31-7 before EKU scored 10 points in a span of 2½ minutes. Burkett hit West for a 13-yard touchdown on fourth-and-8, then
Kaden Smith intercepted Chris Parson on the ensuing possession to set up
Devin Orr's 40-yard field goal. Austin Peay added a field goal of its own in the final seconds of the half to lead 34-17.
The Colonels scored on their first two possessions after halftime. Burkett capped the opening drive with a 19-yard touchdown pass to
Caeleb Schlachter, and after the EKU defense forced a three-and-out, he connected with Hensley for a 54-yard score that made it 34-31 with 7:02 left in the third quarter.
Austin Peay answered with Parson's 39-yard touchdown pass to Jackson Head. Parson added a 26-yard touchdown run with 5:11 to play, and Keith Charney returned an interception 25 yards for the final score 48 seconds later.
Derek Taylor and
Cam Jessee led the Colonels with 10 tackles apiece. EKU also recorded three sacks.
Eastern Kentucky returns to Richmond for its home finale against Central Arkansas on Saturday, Nov. 14. Kickoff for Senior Day and Salute to Service is set for 2 p.m. ET at CG Bank Field at Roy Kidd Stadium.
