Eastern Kentucky University Athletics

RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University football team scored the go-ahead touchdown with under four minutes remaining and held Chattanooga out of the end zone on its final possession to earn a 22-17 victory in its 2026 home opener on Saturday night at CG Bank Field at Roy Kidd Stadium.
 
Eastern Kentucky (1-2) piled up 394 yards of total offense, including 274 yards on the ground, while holding Chattanooga (1-2) to 254 total yards. The Colonels controlled possession for more than 33 minutes and limited the Mocs to 3-of-13 on third down.
 
Junior running back Brady Hensley led the rushing attack with 119 yards and a touchdown on seven carries, highlighted by a 96-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.
 
Senior running back Brayden Latham added 66 yards and the eventual game-winning touchdown on 20 attempts, while sophomore quarterback Tyler Travers rushed for 69 yards on nine carries.
 
Eastern Kentucky struck first on its opening possession, marching 80 yards in five plays before Travers connected with sophomore wide receiver Braylon Newcomb for a 16-yard touchdown with 9:16 remaining in the first quarter, the first touchdown of his career.
 
The EKU defense made its presence felt on Chattanooga's ensuing possession as junior defensive back Aden Tagaloa-Nelson intercepted Battle Alberson at the EKU 48-yard line for the first interception of his career.
 
The Colonels carried the 6-0 advantage into the second quarter before Chattanooga kicker Jude Kelley connected on a 31-yard field goal to cut the lead to three with 10:42 remaining in the half.
 
Hensley provided the game's biggest play just over five minutes later. Backed up at its own 4-yard line, EKU handed the ball to Hensley, who broke free for a 96-yard touchdown to extend the Colonels' lead to 13-3.
Hensley's highlight run was the longest rush of his career and his second touchdown run of 70 or more yards this season. The Richmond native will enter Week 3 leading Eastern Kentucky's rushing attack with 225 yards and two touchdowns.
 
Senior kicker Buzz Flabiano added a 33-yard field goal, his first of the season, with 29 seconds remaining in the half, sending the Colonels into the locker room with a 16-3 advantage.
 
Following a 56-minute lightning delay at halftime, Chattanooga scored twice in the third quarter to erase the 13-point deficit. UTC running back Kevin Lalin broke free for a 27-yard touchdown with 9:53 remaining in the quarter before Alberson scored from five yards out with 2:41 on the clock, giving the Mocs their first lead of the night at 17-16.
 
The Colonels' defense kept Chattanooga off the scoreboard throughout the fourth quarter, setting the stage for EKU's go-ahead drive.
 
Taking over at its own 21-yard line with 8:46 remaining, Eastern Kentucky marched 79 yards in nine plays and took nearly five minutes off the clock.
 
Travers connected with wide receiver Elijah Caldwell for 10 yards late in the drive, with a Chattanooga personal foul moving the ball to the 4-yard line. Latham carried on each of the next two plays and punched it in from one yard out with 3:48 remaining to put the Colonels back in front, 22-17.
 
Chattanooga moved into EKU territory on its final possession, reaching the Colonels' 34-yard line with just over a minute remaining. Junior linebacker Kaden Smith stopped Lalin for no gain on third-and-nine before sophomore defensive back D.J. Galva broke up Alberson's fourth-down pass intended for Ashton Schumann with 53 seconds remaining to seal the victory.
 
Defensively, Smith and fellow linebacker Cameron Jessee led the Colonels with eight tackles apiece. Jessee added 1.5 tackles for loss, a half sack and two pass breakups, while nose tackle Payne Miller finished with seven tackles. Defensive lineman Keshawn Hayden recorded six tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and a half sack.
 
Travers finished 13-of-23 through the air for 120 yards and a touchdown while adding 69 rushing yards. Newcomb caught two passes for 21 yards and his first collegiate touchdown, while Jackson House led EKU with three receptions.
 
Eastern Kentucky returns to action next Saturday back at home against Dayton. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET at CG Bank Field at Roy Kidd Stadium. Fans can purchase tickets online here.