TENNESSEE STATE TIGERS Record: 1-3 (0-0 OVC, 1-1 home, 0-1 away) Ranking: NR, STATS FCS Top-25 NR, FCS Coaches Poll Last Game: lost to Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 37-31 Sept. 21 at Nashville, Tenn. Head Coach: Rod Reed (Tennessee State, 1988) Record: 54-50 (10th season) at TSU: 54-50 (10th season) vs. Eastern Kentucky: 3-4 www. EKUSports.com 2018 2018 EKU FOOTBALL FOOTBALL EKUSports Communications • Football Contact: Kevin Britton, Assistant Athletics Director for Communications • [email protected]• (859) 622-2006 EASTERN KENTUCKY COLONELS Record: 2-2 (0-0 OVC, 1-0 home, 1-2 away) Ranking: RV (7), STATS FCS Top-25 NR, FCS Coaches Poll Last Game: beat Presbyterian, 35-10 Sept. 21 at Clinton, S.C. Head Coach: Mark Elder (Case Western, 2000) Record: 16-21 (fourth season) at EKU: 16-21 (fourth season) vs. Tennessee State: 0-2 • Daryl McCleskey has rushed for 100 yards-plus in each of the last two games. He had 103 yards on 13 carries at Indiana State and 138 yards on 12 carries at Presbyterian. • In its three games against FCS teams, the EKU defense has allowed 12 points and 252 yards of total offense per game. The Colonels have given up 127.7 rushing yards and 124.3 passing yards per contest. • Daryl McCleskey Jr. is sixth in the nation with an average of 7.61 yards per carry and ninth with 388 rushing yards. Alonzo Booth ranks eighth with five rushing touchdowns. • Eastern totaled a season-best 452 yards of offense at Presbyterian. • Daryl McCleskey Jr. is closing in on 2,000 career rushing yards. He enters the game with 1,857 career yards. • Joseph Sayles intercepted two passes against Presbyterian. • Aaron Patrick has three sacks this season. He has 20.5 career sacks and is in fifth place on EKU’s sacks list. • Defensive lineman Aaron Patrick is on the 2019 STATS Buck Buchanan Award watch list, the FCS national defen- sive player of the year award. • The 46-point margin versus Valparaiso was the biggest win for the Colonels against a Division I team since 2005. • Eastern held Valparaiso to 184 yards of total offense. It was the fewest yards allowed since 2013. • The Colonels averaged 8.5 yards per carry in churning out 333 rushing yards against Valparaiso. It was the best single game rushing average since registering 8.5 yards per carry twice during the 2007 season. • Alonzo Booth broke loose for an 86-yard touchdown run in the win over Valparaiso. It was the longest run from scrimmage by a Colonel since Bobby Washington set the school record with a 99-yard run in 2007. • Alonzo Booth racked up 128 yards on just seven carries (18.3 ypc) and scored three touchdowns against Valpo. • The Colonels were listed among the top-25 teams in the nation to begin the season. EKU was ranked 24th in the HERO Sports Preseason Top 25 and 25th in the Lindy’s Sports Preseason FCS Top 25. • Aaron Patrick was chosen as a preseason All-American by Phil Steele, STATS and HERO Sports. • EKU has 18 starters back (8 offense, 8 defense, 2 special teams) in 2019. Of the 61 players listed on the sea- son-ending depth chart, 47 are back for 2019. • In a pair of preseason OVC polls, the Colonels were picked to place third in the league in 2019. • Three Colonels – running back Daryl McCleskey Jr., defensive end Aaron Patrick and defensive back/linebacker Leodis Moore III – were chosen to the Preseason All-OVC Team by league coaches and communications directors. 2019 FOOTBALL 2019 FOOTBALL www.EKUSports.com @EKUSports @EKUFootball @CoachElderEKU EKUSports Facebook.com/EKUColonels GAME NOTES GAME NOTES NATIONAL CHAMPIONS 1979 • 1982 OVC CHAMPIONS 1954 • 1962 • 1967 • 1968 • 1974 • 1976 1981 • 1982 • 1983 • 1984 • 1986 • 1987 1988 • 1990 • 1991 • 1993 • 1994 • 1997 2007 • 2008 • 2011 GAME 5 vs. TENNESSEE ST. Sept. 28, 2019 6 p.m. ET - ESPN+ Richmond, Ky. Roy Kidd Stadium (20,000) 2019 EKU Schedule/Results DATE EKU RNK OPPONENT TV/NET TIME Aug. 29 RV/RV VALPARAISO ESPN+ W, 53-7 Sept. 7 RV/RV at Louisville ACCNExtra L, 0-42 Sept. 14 RV/RV at Indiana State ESPN+ L, 7-19 Sept. 21 RV/NR at Presbyterian ESPN+ W, 35-10 Sept. 28 RV/NR TENNESSEE ST.* ESPN+ 6 p.m. Oct. 5 TENNESSEE-MARTIN* ESPN3 3 p.m. Oct. 12 OPEN Oct. 19 at Murray State* ESPN+ 3 p.m. Oct. 26 at Eastern Illinois* ESPN+ 3 p.m. Nov. 2 AUSTIN PEAY* ESPN+ 1 p.m. Nov. 9 at #23/RV Southeast Mo.* ESPN3 2 p.m. Nov. 16 TENNESSEE TECH* ESPN+ 1 p.m. Nov. 23 at #11/12 Jacksonville St.* ESPN3 2 p.m. Nov. 30 NCAA Playoffs - 1st Round Rankings = STATS/Coaches. Home games appear in ALL CAPITALS. Times given are Eastern Time and subject to change. * Denotes Ohio Valley Conference game. BREAKDOWN QUICK NOTES Hash tags: #FireTheCannon, #GoBigE On The Air ESPN+ • watch.espnplus.com Greg Stotelmyer, play-by-play Jim Tirey, analyst Wes Chandler, sideline WCYO 100.7 FM (Radio & Internet - www.EKUSports.com) Greg Stotelmyer, play-by-play Jim Tirey, analyst Wes Chandler, sideline Eastern Kentucky leads the all-time series with Tennessee State, 23-7. The Colonels are 14-3 against the Tigers in games played in Richmond. TSU has won two straight in the series, includ- ing a 45-21 victory in the last meeting, Oct. 7, 2017 in Richmond. EKU turned the ball over four times in that last meeting, including three interceptions that were returned for touchdowns in the fourth quarter when the Colonels trailed just 24-21. Eastern had 370 yards of offense. Daryl McCleskey Jr. ran for 73 yards. INSIDE THE SERIES - points allowed per game by EKU vs. FCS teams FOUR NUMBERS TO KNOW 12 - passing yards per game by TSU in 2019 328 - points per game scored by TSU this season 32 - passing yards allowed by EKU/game (8th FCS) 148 2019 Tennessee State Schedule/Results DATE OPPONENT TIME Aug. 31 MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE W, 26-20 Sept. 7 at Middle Tennessee L, 26-45 Sept. 14 vs. Jackson State L, 44-49 Sept. 21 ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF L, 31-37 Sept. 28 at Eastern Kentucky* 6 p.m. Oct. 5 at Jacksonville State* 7 p.m. Oct. 12 MURRAY STATE* 3 p.m. Oct. 19 AUSTIN PEAY* 5:30 p.m. Oct. 26 OPEN Nov. 2 SOUTHEAST MISSOURI* 3 p.m. Nov. 9 EASTERN ILLINOIS* 3 p.m. Nov. 16 at Tennessee-Martin* 3 p.m. Nov. 23 at Tennessee Tech* 2:30 p.m. Home games appear in ALL CAPITALS. Times given are Eastern Time. * Denotes Ohio Valley Conference game.
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TENNESSEE STATE TIGERSRecord: 1-3 (0-0 OVC, 1-1 home, 0-1 away)Ranking: NR, STATS FCS Top-25 NR, FCS Coaches PollLast Game: lost to Arkansas-Pine Bluff , 37-31 Sept. 21 at Nashville, Tenn.Head Coach: Rod Reed (Tennessee State, 1988) Record: 54-50 (10th season) at TSU: 54-50 (10th season) vs. Eastern Kentucky: 3-4
www. EKUSports.com20182018 EKU FOOTBALLFOOTBALL
EKUSports Communications • Football Contact: Kevin Britton, Assistant Athletics Director for Communications • [email protected] • (859) 622-2006
• Daryl McCleskey has rushed for 100 yards-plus in each of the last two games. He had 103 yards on 13 carries at Indiana State and 138 yards on 12 carries at Presbyterian.
• In its three games against FCS teams, the EKU defense has allowed 12 points and 252 yards of total off ense per game. The Colonels have given up 127.7 rushing yards and 124.3 passing yards per contest.
• Daryl McCleskey Jr. is sixth in the nation with an average of 7.61 yards per carry and ninth with 388 rushing yards. Alonzo Booth ranks eighth with fi ve rushing touchdowns.
• Eastern totaled a season-best 452 yards of off ense at Presbyterian.• Daryl McCleskey Jr. is closing in on 2,000 career rushing yards. He enters the game with 1,857 career yards.• Joseph Sayles intercepted two passes against Presbyterian.• Aaron Patrick has three sacks this season. He has 20.5 career sacks and is in fi fth place on EKU’s sacks list.• Defensive lineman Aaron Patrick is on the 2019 STATS Buck Buchanan Award watch list, the FCS national defen-
sive player of the year award.• The 46-point margin versus Valparaiso was the biggest win for the Colonels against a Division I team since 2005.• Eastern held Valparaiso to 184 yards of total off ense. It was the fewest yards allowed since 2013.• The Colonels averaged 8.5 yards per carry in churning out 333 rushing yards against Valparaiso. It was the best
single game rushing average since registering 8.5 yards per carry twice during the 2007 season.• Alonzo Booth broke loose for an 86-yard touchdown run in the win over Valparaiso. It was the longest run from
scrimmage by a Colonel since Bobby Washington set the school record with a 99-yard run in 2007.• Alonzo Booth racked up 128 yards on just seven carries (18.3 ypc) and scored three touchdowns against Valpo.• The Colonels were listed among the top-25 teams in the nation to begin the season. EKU was ranked 24th in the
HERO Sports Preseason Top 25 and 25th in the Lindy’s Sports Preseason FCS Top 25.• Aaron Patrick was chosen as a preseason All-American by Phil Steele, STATS and HERO Sports.• EKU has 18 starters back (8 off ense, 8 defense, 2 special teams) in 2019. Of the 61 players listed on the sea-
son-ending depth chart, 47 are back for 2019.• In a pair of preseason OVC polls, the Colonels were picked to place third in the league in 2019.• Three Colonels – running back Daryl McCleskey Jr., defensive end Aaron Patrick and defensive back/linebacker
Leodis Moore III – were chosen to the Preseason All-OVC Team by league coaches and communications directors.
Rankings = STATS/Coaches. Home games appear in ALL CAPITALS. Times given are Eastern Time and subject to change.
* Denotes Ohio Valley Conference game.
BREAKDOWN
QUICK NOTES
Hash tags: #FireTheCannon, #GoBigE
On The AirESPN+ • watch.espnplus.com
Greg Stotelmyer, play-by-play
Jim Tirey, analyst
Wes Chandler, sideline
WCYO 100.7 FM (Radio & Internet - www.EKUSports.com)Greg Stotelmyer, play-by-play
Jim Tirey, analyst
Wes Chandler, sideline
Eastern Kentucky leads the all-time series with Tennessee State, 23-7. The Colonels are 14-3 against the Tigers in games played in Richmond. TSU has won two straight in the series, includ-ing a 45-21 victory in the last meeting, Oct. 7, 2017 in Richmond. EKU turned the ball over four times in that last meeting, including three interceptions that were returned for touchdowns in the fourth quarter when the Colonels trailed just 24-21. Eastern had 370 yards of off ense. Daryl McCleskey Jr. ran for 73 yards.
INSIDE THE SERIES
- points allowed per game by EKU vs. FCS teams
FOUR NUMBERS TO KNOW
12
- passing yards per game by TSU in 2019328
- points per game scored by TSU this season32
- passing yards allowed by EKU/game (8th FCS)148
2019 Tennessee State Schedule/ResultsDATE OPPONENT TIMEAug. 31 MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE W, 26-20Sept. 7 at Middle Tennessee L, 26-45Sept. 14 vs. Jackson State L, 44-49Sept. 21 ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF L, 31-37Sept. 28 at Eastern Kentucky* 6 p.m.Oct. 5 at Jacksonville State* 7 p.m.Oct. 12 MURRAY STATE* 3 p.m.Oct. 19 AUSTIN PEAY* 5:30 p.m.Oct. 26 OPEN Nov. 2 SOUTHEAST MISSOURI* 3 p.m.Nov. 9 EASTERN ILLINOIS* 3 p.m.Nov. 16 at Tennessee-Martin* 3 p.m.Nov. 23 at Tennessee Tech* 2:30 p.m.
Home games appear in ALL CAPITALS. Times given are Eastern Time. * Denotes Ohio Valley Conference game.
Kevin Britton (Football Contact) Assistant Athletics Director for CommunicationsWork Phone: 859-622-2006 Cell: 859-358-8359E-Mail: [email protected] Fax: 859-622-5108Roy Kidd Stadium Press Box Phone: 859-622-2226
MEDIA SERVICESCREDENTIALSCredentials are issued to members of the working media only. Requests for credentials should be made to Kevin Britton.
PLAYER/COACHES INTERVIEWSAll interviews with players, head coach Mark Elder and all assistant coaches must be arranged through the EKUSports Communications offi ce at least 24 hours in advance. Please contact Kevin Britton to arrange all interviews.
PRACTICEEKU football practices are generally open to the media. Please contact Kevin Britton in the EKUSports Communica-tions offi ce for schedule, times and location.
POST-GAME INTERVIEWSFor home games, coach Elder and selected EKU players will be available inside the players’ lounge in the new locker room after a brief cooling off period, generally 10 minutes after the game. For road games, coach Elder and selected players will be available outside the team’s locker room, following the cooling off period. Please direct post-game interview requests to Kevin Britton.Locker Room - The EKU locker room is closed to the media for all home and road games.
PRESS ROW SERVICEComplete individual and team statistics and play-by-play will be available to the media following the game. One hour prior to tip-off , media packets containing a game program, fl ipcard, updated stats and game notes will be available in the media working area. Wireless internet access is available in Roy Kidd Stadium.
WEEKLY PRESS CONFERENCEMark Elder and select players meets with the media each game week. The press conference will be on Monday at 2 p.m. in room 216 on the second fl oor of the Moberly Building.
OVC TELECONFERENCEThe Ohio Valley Conference holds a coaches teleconference weekly during the season. The teleconferences begin at 10:55 a.m. ET. EKU Head Coach Mark Elder will be on the teleconference at 11:28 a.m. ET. For the teleconference phone number and pass code, please contact Kevin Britton.
OHIO VALLEY CONFERENCE MEDIA RELATIONSFootball Contact .............................................. Kyle SchwartzPhone ............................................. 615-371-1698 ext. 6685E-mail .................................................... [email protected] Site .............................................. www.OVCsports.com
WEEKLY POLLSEastern Kentucky received seven points and is 41st in the latest STATS FCS Top 25.
WE’RE STILL A LITTLE DEFENSIVEIn its three games against FCS teams, the EKU defense has allowed 12 points and 252 yards of total off ense per game. The Colonels have given up 127.7 rushing yards and 124.3 passing yards per contest. Those three opponents have averaged just three yards per rush and completed just 49 percent of their passes.
GROUND COVERAGERunning backs Daryl McCleskey Jr. and Alonzo Booth are highly ranked in national rushing stats. McCleskey is sixth in the nation with an average of 7.61 yards per car-ry and ninth with 388 rushing yards. Booth ranks eighth with fi ve rushing touchdowns.
HITTING 100 IN TWO STRAIGHTRunning back Daryl McCleskey has rushed for 100 yards-plus in each of the last two games. He had 103 yards on 13 carries at Indiana State (Sept. 14) and 138 yards on 12 carries at Presbyterian (Sept. 21). He averaged 11.5 yards per carry against the Blue Hose.
GETTING OFFENSIVEEastern totaled a season-best 452 yards of off ense – 229 on the ground and a season-high 223 through the air – at Presbyterian (Sept. 21).
TWO PICKS IN ONE GAMEMaking his second career start, sophomore safety Jo-seph Sayles intercepted two passes against Presbyterian (Sept. 21). He returned the fi rst for 20 yards and the second for 34 yards.
100 RECEIVING YARDSNewcomer Keyion Dixon had a season-high 101 yards on six receptions at Presbyterian (Sept. 21). He also caught his fi rst touchdown pass as a Colonel. He had four recep-tions in the fi rst three games of the season combined.
MCKINNEY COMES ON STRONGParker McKinney came on to play late in the fi rst quarter at Presbyterian (Sept. 21) and engineered four of EKU’s fi ve scoring drives. He fi nished 14-for-20 for 155 yards and threw two passing touchdowns. He also scored a touchdown on the ground.
2,000 YARDS WATCHSenior Daryl McCleskey Jr. is closing in on 2,000 career
rushing yards. He enters this week’s game with 1,857 career yards on the ground.
PATRICK NOW TOP-5 ON SACKS LISTAaron Patrick has three sacks this season. He now has 20.5 career sacks and is in fi fth place on EKU’s all-time sacks list, 1.5 behind fourth place Ernest Thompson (1988-91).
NATIONAL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR WATCH LISTRedshirt senior defensive lineman Aaron Patrick is on the 2019 STATS Buck Buchanan Award watch list, the Foot-ball Championship Subdivision (FCS) national defensive player of the year award.
PRESEASON ALL-AMERICANDefensive end Aaron Patrick was chosen as a preseason All-American by Phil Steele (fi rst team), STATS (second team) and HERO Sports (second team).
MCCLESKEY FOR 100Senior Daryl McCleskey Jr. rushed for 103 yards on 13 carries at Indiana State (Sept. 14). He averaged 7.9 yards per carry.
DEFENSIVE BRIGHT SPOTSIn EKU’s loss at Louisville, Josh Hayes intercepted a pass and Steven Crowder fi nished with 11 tackles, including two for a loss.
BIG WINEKU beat Valparaiso, 53-7. The 46-point margin was the
Ohio Valley Conferencebiggest win for the Colonels against a Division I team since beating Tennessee State, 49-0, on Nov. 19, 2005.
WE’RE A LITTLE DEFENSIVEEastern Kentucky held Valparaiso (Aug. 29) to 68 rushing yards and 184 yards of total off ense. It was the fewest yards allowed since holding Tennessee State to 172 yards on Nov. 2, 2013.
NEARLY A 1ST DOWN ON EACH RUNThe Colonels averaged 8.5 yards per carry in churning out 333 rushing yards against Valparaiso (Aug. 29). It was the best single game rushing average since regis-tering 8.5 yards per carry twice during the 2007 season.
BIG RUNAlonzo Booth broke loose for an 86-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter of EKU’s win over Valparaiso (Aug. 29). It was the longest run from scrimmage by a Colonel since Bobby Washington set the school record with a 99-yard run at Murray State in 2007.
TOTING THE ROCKAlonzo Booth racked up 128 yards on just seven carries and scored three touchdowns against Valparaiso (Aug. 29). He averaged 18.3 yards per carry.
SCOOP AND SCOREAfter Steven Crowder forced a fumble on a sack on Val-paraiso’s second play of the game, Corey Glass picked up the ball and took it 29 yards to the end zone.
BEST TRADITION IN FCS FOOTBALLThe Eastern Kentucky University football program has won two national championships, 21 conference titles and has made 21 playoff appearances. No other FCS team has won at least two FCS national titles and 20 or more conference championships.
PRESEASON TOP-25The Colonels are back in familiar territory, listed among the top-25 teams in the nation to begin the season. EKU is ranked 24th in the HERO Sports Top 25 and 25th in the Lindy’s Sports Preseason FCS Top 25.
WE’RE COMING BACKEKU has 18 starters back (8 off ense, 8 defense, 2 special teams) in 2019. Of the 61 players listed on the sea-son-ending depth chart, 47 are back for 2019.
STATS PRESEASON POLLEastern Kentucky sat just outside the top-25 in the Pre-season STATS FCS Top 25. The Colonels were 30th. Three 2019 opponents were among the top-25 -- Jacksonville State (No. 6), Indiana State (No. 16) and Southeast Mis-souri (No. 17). EKU beat SEMO last season 23-14.
PICKED THIRD IN THE OVCIn a pair of preseason OVC polls, the Colonels were picked to place third in the league in 2019 in the OVC Media Poll and the OVC Coaches Poll.
THREE PICKED ALL-OVC BY COACHESThree Colonels – running back Daryl McCleskey Jr., de-
Preseason Poll (Coaches/SIDs) Order of Finish Points1. Jacksonville State (14) 126 points2. Southeast Missouri (4) 1153. Eastern Kentucky 98 4. Austin Peay 705. Murray State 61 Tennessee State 617. UT Martin 608. Eastern Illinois 359. Tennessee Tech 22
Preseason Poll (Media) Order of Finish Points1. Jacksonville State (15) 1352. Southeast Missouri 1153. Eastern Kentucky 994. Austin Peay 845. Tennessee State 756. UT Martin 587. Murray State 558. Eastern Illinois 389. Tennessee Tech 16
fensive end Aaron Patrick and defensive back/linebacker Leodis Moore III – were chosen to the Preseason All-OVC Team by league coaches and communications directors.
COMMUNITY SERVICEThe football team held a No Limits Sports Camp with patients from Lexington Shriners Medical Center at Roy Kidd Stadium on August 17. The patients enjoyed a tour of EKU’s facilities. After the tour, patients rotated throughout various stations with football players and participated in some of the very same drills the Colonels were put through themselves during preseason practice.
NINE CHOSEN PRESEASON ALL-OVCPhil Steele put nine Colonels on its preseason All-OVC teams. Daryl McCleskey Jr. (RB), Aaron Patrick (DL) and Leodis Moore III (DB/LB) were fi rst team selections. Steven Crowder (LB) picked up second team honors. Jackson Bardall (OL), Tre Turner (DL), Ben Bascom (DB), TJ Comstock (DB) and Jaelin Carter (KR) were third team honorees.
WELCOME TO THE HALLA former Colonel football player and a former coach will
2019 Honors/Awards2019 Kentucky Collegiate All-Commonwealth Team
Ben Bascom ................................................ May 28Daryl McCleskey Jr. .................................. May 28Leodis Moore III ......................................... May 28Aaron Patrick .............................................. May 28
Preseason All-Ohio Valley Conference (by coaches)
Daryl McCleskey Jr. (RB) ......................... July 22Aaron Patrick (DL) ..................................... July 22Leodis Moore III (DB) ............................... July 22
Preseason All-America by HERO Sports
Aaron Patrick (2nd team) ........................ June 7
Preseason All-America by STATS
Aaron Patrick (2nd team) ....................... July 30
STATS Buck Buchanan Award Watch List
Aaron Patrick .......................................... August 1
Phil Steele Preseason All-American Team
Aaron Patrick (1st team) ..................... August 7
Phil Steele Preseason All-OVC Team
Daryl McCleskey Jr. (RB, 1st team) ........ Aug. 7Aaron Patrick (DL, 1st team) ................... Aug. 7Leodis Moore III (DB, 1st team) .............. Aug. 7Steven Crowder (LB, 2nd team) ............. Aug. 7Jackson Bardall (OL, 3rd team) .............. Aug. 7Tre Turner (DL, 3rd team) ......................... Aug. 7Ben Bascom (DB, 3rd team) .................... Aug. 7TJ Comstock (DB, 3rd team) .................... Aug. 7Jaelin Carter (KR, 3rd team) ..................... Aug. 7_____________________________________
be among the group of fi ve inducted into the Eastern Kentucky University Athletics Hall of Fame on Saturday, Sept. 28. Patrick Bugg (2003-06) and Jack Ison (1967-96) will be two of the newest members of the Hall.
WELCOME BACK CHAMPIONSEastern Kentucky will recognize its 1979 NCAA Champi-on football team on Nov. 2. The 1979 squad posted an 11-2 record and went 5-1 in OVC play. After a 24-7 set-back at Murray State on Oct. 27, the Colonels rolled off fi ve straight wins to capture the program’s fi rst national championship. EKU beat Nevada-Reno, 33-30, at home in the fi rst round of the playoff s before dispatching Le-high 30-7 in the title game in Orlando, Florida.
ALL-COMMONWEALTH TEAMBen Bascom (DB), Daryl McCleskey Jr. (RB), Leodis Moore III (LB), and Aaron Patrick (DL) were chosen to the 2019 Kentucky’s Collegiate All-Commonwealth Team present-ed by the Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame.
IN THE BOXThis season, off ensive coordinator Adam Austin, tight ends coach Troy Rothenbuhler, defensive coordinator Kurt Mattix and co-defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Shannon Morrison will be in the coaches booth during games.
RECRUITING SUCCESSMark Elder has engineered four straight top-25 rated recruiting classes, re-stocking the Colonel roster with a talented young core. Despite having less than two months to put together his fi rst class, after being hired in mid-December, Eastern’s 2016 class was ranked as the 23rd best in the nation. Elder’s second recruiting class was rated as the 14th best. The 2018 and 2019 recruiting classes were ranked 11th nationally.
IN THE LEAGUEThree former Colonels are in the NFL in 2019. Punter Jordan Berry (2009-13) is back for his fi fth season with Pittsburgh. Quarterback Tim Boyle (2017) is with the Green Bay Packers for the second straight season. Noah Spence (2015) signed with the Washington Redskins.
600 WINSEastern Kentucky’s 17-13 win at Austin Peay (Nov. 3, 2018) was the 600th victory in program history. The Colonels are now 602-386-38 in 105 seasons of football. No other OVC program has won more than 564 games (TSU). EKU was the 20th FCS program to win 600 or more games.
EKU’S RECORD AT RKSEastern Kentucky’s all-time record in games played at Roy Kidd Stadium is 225-58-1.
WINNING SEASONIn 2018, EKU posted its fi rst winning season since 2015 (6-5). It was the fi rst seven-win season for the Colonels since 2014 (9-4).
1 OF 27 TO WIN SEVENThere are 125 NCAA schools that compete in the Division
AFCA FCS Coaches’ Top 25Sept. 23, 2019
Team Record Points Prev1. North Dakota St. (26) 4-0 650 12. James Madison 3-1 622 23. South Dakota St. 3-1 600 34. Kennesaw St. 3-1 551 65. UC Davis 2-2 491 46. Weber St. 1-2 462 77. Northern Iowa 2-1 455 88. Illinois St. 3-1 424 109. Nicholls 2-1 404 910. Towson 3-1 397 511. Montana St. 3-1 378 1412. Jacksonville St. 3-1 376 1313. Villanova 4-0 356 1814. Central Arkansas 3-1 351 1215. Furman 2-2 310 1516. Maine 2-2 252 1617. Montana 3-1 240 1918. North Carolina A&T 2-1 208 1719. Delaware 3-1 177 2020. Youngstown St. 3-0 174 2121. Eastern Washington 1-3 132 1122. Southeastern Louisiana 2-1 109 2323. Princeton 1-0 72 2424. Elon 2-2 53 2225. North Dakota 2-1 44 NRReceiving votes: Southeast Missouri 43, The Citadel 24, Stony Brook 23, Yale 15, Northern Arizona 12, South Carolina St. 12, Sam Houston St. 11, Houston Baptist 8, Dartmouth 5, Indiana St. 3, Tennessee Tech 3, Sacramento St. 2, Woff ord 1.
STATS.com Top 25Sept. 23, 2019
Team Record Points Prev1. North Dakota State (153) 4-0 3,921 12. James Madison (4) 3-1 3,725 23. South Dakota State 3-1 3,646 34. UC Davis 2-2 3,115 45. Weber State 1-2 3,005 66. Kennesaw State 3-1 2,924 77. Montana State 3-1 2,760 88. Villanova 4-0 2,545 189. Northern Iowa 2-1 2,491 910. Towson 3-1 2,456 511. Jacksonville State 3-1 2,398 1012.(Tie) Maine 2-2 2,069 1212.(Tie) Nicholls 2-1 2,069 1314. Illinois State 3-1 2,014 1515. Central Arkansas 3-1 1,792 1416. Furman 2-2 1,603 1717. North Carolina A&T 2-1 1,541 1618. Montana 3-1 1,228 1919. Southeastern Louisiana 2-1 1,030 2120. Delaware 3-1 963 2021. Eastern Washington 1-3 679 1122. Youngstown State 3-0 662 2423. Southeast Missouri 2-2 568 23 24. Elon 2-2 441 22 25. The Citadel 2-2 339 25
Receiving votes: Princeton 269, Stony Brook 237, South Carolina State 97, Dartmouth 86, Indiana State 69, North Dakota 57, Sam Houston State 55, Yale 48, Idaho 25, Woff ord 22, Sacramento State 17, Houston Baptist 12, Southern Illinois 12, Duquesne 11, Northern Arizona 10, Eastern Kentucky 7, Central Connecticut State 4, Lamar 2, Idaho State 1, Alcorn State 1
I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). EKU was one of 27 teams to win seven or more games against Division I teams during the 2018 regular season.
GETTING DEFENSIVEEKU was second in the OVC in points allowed per game in 2018. The Colonels were also second in total defense.
RANKED 35THEastern Kentucky fi nished the 2018 season ranked 35th in the STATS FCS Top 25. The Colonels received fi ve votes in the fi nal poll.
ALL-OVC COLONELSFive Colonels picked up All-OVC honors from coaches and media relations directors after the 2018 season. Defensive lineman Aaron Patrick and defensive back Leodis Moore III were fi rst team All-OVC picks. Running back L.J. Scott, off ensive lineman Cameron Kowalewski and defensive back Cornelius Floyd earned second team honors.
WINNING THE CLOSE ONESThe Colonels played four games in 2018 decided by seven points or less. They won three of them (UTM +1, APSU +4, RMU +1). The only loss was a seven-point set back at FBS Bowling Green.
1ST FRESHMAN 300-YARD PASSERParker McKinney threw for 333 yards in the 2018 season fi nale at Tennessee Tech (Nov. 17), becoming the fi rst true freshman in program history to eclipse the 300-yard passing mark in a game.
FIFTH IN THE NATION IN INTsWith two more interceptions against Tennessee Tech (Nov. 17), the EKU defense fi nished fi fth in the nation with 19 interceptions last season. In 2017, Eastern to-taled fi ve interceptions in 11 games. In 2018, the Colo-nels had four interceptions in their fi rst three games and then picked off four passes in one game against South-east Missouri (Sept. 22).
INTERCEPTION LEADERLeodis Moore III led the OVC and was ninth in the country with 0.5 interceptions per game last season. He had fi ve picks in 2018.
RUSHING IMPROVEMENTEKU rushed for 2,246 yards in 2018, 1,105 yards more than in 2017 (1,141 yards). It was the highest rushing total for an Eastern team since churning out 2,867 yards in 2014. In 2018, the Colonels ranked second in the OVC and 26th in the nation in rushing off ense.
CONTROLING THE BALLThe Colonels led the OVC and fi nished seventh in the na-tion in time of possession last season. EKU held the ball for an average of 32:54 in 2018.
GETTING OFFENSIVEEastern averaged a touchdown more per game in 2018 raising its scoring average from 20.7 to 26.9 per game.
FEWER PENALTIESEastern had the second fewest penalties (68) and the second fewest penalty yards per game (55.55) in the OVC in 2018.
ACADEMIC ALL-STARKicker Samuel Hayworth was one only 47 players from across the nation chosen to the 21st annual FCS Athletics Directors Association (FCS ADA) Academic All-Star Team in 2018.
PHIL STEELE ALL-OVCNine Colonels earned spots on the Phil Steele 2018 All-Ohio Valley Conference Team. Defensive lineman Aaron Patrick and defensive back Leodis Moore III were chosen fi rst team all-conference. Running back L.J. Scott, off en-sive linemen Cameron Kowalewski and Justin Myles, and defensive back Cornelius Floyd picked up second team honors. Running back Daryl McCleskey, tight end Dan Paul and defensive back Ben Bascom were named to Phil Steele’s All-OVC third team.
INTERCEPTION FOR AND AGAINST?When Josh Hayes intercepted a pass in the fi rst quarter against Morehead State on Aug. 30, 2018, he became what is believed to be the fi rst Colonel in program his-tory to have an interception against EKU and a pick for Eastern. As a freshman at Purdue in 2016, Hayes made his fi rst collegiate interception against Eastern Kentucky.
HE REALLY IS A NEWCOMER, TO FOOTBALLWhen Phillip Richards stepped on the fi eld against Morehead State on Aug. 30, 2018, not only was it the fi rst offi cial football game he has ever played in at any level, it was the fi rst game of American football that he had ever attended. He did a solid job for the Colonels in his debut. Richards was called on to punt three times and none of his punts were returned. The fi rst was fair caught at the Morehead 32 yard line. The second was nearly downed inside the 20, sitting at the 21 yard line. His third, and longest of the night, traveled 43 yards and was fair caught.
FBS SUCCESSEKU has played well against FBS teams in recent years. In addition to beating Miami (Ohio) 17-10 in 2014, the Colonels have lost close games at Indiana (19-13), Louis-ville (23-13), Kansas State (10-7), Kentucky (34-27 OT),
FCS Playoff Appearances Team Trips Last1. Montana 23 20152. Eastern Kentucky 21 20143. Appalachian State 20 2012 Northern Iowa 20 20185. Georgia Southern 19 20126. Furman 17 20177. Eastern Illinois 16 2015 McNeese State 16 2015 New Hampshire 16 2017 Delaware 16 201811. James Madison 15 2018
Western Kentucky (31-17) and Kentucky (27-16). Last season EKU suff ered tough losses at Marshall (32-16) and Bowling Green (42-35). Eastern trailed the Thun-dering Herd by just seven points in the third quarter and led the Falcons until late in the fourth quarter.
NO TOUCHDOWN FOR YOUEKU held Tennessee Tech (Nov. 17) to nothing but two fi eld goals in a 37-6 victory. It was the fi rst time Eastern had not allowed a touchdown since shutting out Austin Peay, 31-0, on Oct. 4, 2014.
MOST PASSING YARDS SINCE ...Parker McKinney’s 333 yards passing at Tennessee Tech (Nov. 17) were the most by an EKU quarterback since Bennie Coney threw for 365 yards at Tennessee State on
Oct. 15, 2016.
1ST 300-YARD PASSING GAME SINCE ...EKU’s 333 passing yards at Tennessee Tech (Nov. 17) were the most in one game for the Colonels since two QBs combined for 306 yards on Sept. 30, 2017 at Southeast Missouri.
CATCHING EVERYTHINGSophomore slot receiver BK Smith had 12 catches for 163 yards in the win at Tennessee Tech (Nov. 17). It was the fi rst time a Colonel receiver totaled 150 or more yards in a game since Jeff Glover fi nished with 161 against Mur-ray State on Nov. 15, 2014.
1ST 300-YARD PASSER SINCE ...Parker McKinney threw for 333 yards at Tennessee Tech (Nov. 17), the fi rst time an EKU quarterback eclipsed the 300-yard mark since Tim Boyle passed for 320 yards at Western Kentucky on Sept. 2, 2017.
FIRST START AT QBTrue freshman Parker McKinney made his fi rst start at quarterback in EKU’s game against Robert Morris (Nov. 10). He fi nished 17-of-34 for 186 yards. He had one touchdown pass and one interception. McKinney also ran for 64 yards on 10 carries.
FIRST CAREER TOUCHDOWN CATCHJackson Beerman’s touchdown catch with 1:20 left in the game against Robert Morris (Nov. 10) was the fi rst career scoring reception for the redshirt freshman.
NO PROBLEM, I GOT THISWith less than six minutes left in the third quarter and EKU trailing 13-10, quarterback Alphonso Howard left the game with an injury. The Colonels turned to true freshman Parker McKinney, who had not played in a game this season. Playing in his home state, McKinney went 7-for-8 for 89 yards and threw what proved to be the game-winning touchdown on a 20-yard pass with 4:29 left in the game.
With two national championships, 21 Ohio Valley Conference titles and 21 NCAA playoff appearances, the Eastern Kentucky University football program is accustomed to success.
Under Mark Elder’s guidance, the pro-gram returned to where it belongs in 2018 – seven wins, a top-3 conference fi nish and in the running for a spot in the playoff s.
After four straight top-25 rated re-cruiting classes re-stocked the Colonel ros-ter with a talented young core, Elder saw player development eff orts pay dividends on the fi eld this past season.
In addition to fi nishing with the most wins in a season since 2014, and having won 10 of their last 16 games, the Colonels fi nished fi fth in the nation in interceptions in 2018, 26th in the country in rushing, av-eraged a touchdown more per game than a season ago, allowed the second fewest points per game in the OVC and were sec-ond in the league in total defense. After being thrust into action late in the season, Parker McKinney became the fi rst true freshman quarterback in program history to throw for 300 yards in a game.
The physical and mental development of the team was on display throughout the season. The Colonels began the season with strong performances against Foot-ball Bowl Subdivision (FBS) teams. Eastern Kentucky trailed Marshall by just seven points in the third quarter and led Bowl-ing Green until late in the fourth quarter. EKU played four games decided by seven points or less and won three of them. In addition, Eastern committed the second fewest penalties and had the second few-est penalty yards in the OVC.
Elder has also driven dramatic facility improvements in his three seasons as head coach. The program now has a state-of-the-art strength and conditioning center that includes an indoor turf area and the second-largest nutrition bar in all of col-lege athletics. The Moberly Building, home of EKU football, underwent a remodel and now includes a team room with theatre seating, and new graphics and signage throughout the complex, highlighting the program’s past and its present.
The crown jewel of the facilities re-vitalization project opened in the fall of 2017. The new east side of Roy Kidd Stadi-um features a brand new team locker room with a team lounge, equipment room and a game day training area. The expansion project added over 3,000 new seats and a new concourse with modern concession facilities.
Despite having less than two months to put together his fi rst recruiting class, after being hired in mid-December, East-ern’s 2016 class was ranked as the 23rd best in the nation. With more time to spend scouting future Colonels, Elder’s second recruiting class was rated as the 14th best in the country. This class fea-tured 20 players that received all-state honors, including the No. 17 overall FCS recruit in the nation, Sean Cleasant.
The 2018 and 2019 recruiting classes were ranked 11th nationally. Both classes were ranked higher than such programs as Jacksonville State, James Madison, Montana and Illinois State.
The results of improved recruiting began showing on the fi eld in 2017. The Colonels went on the road and put a scare into a pair of FBS teams that would go on to play in bowl games. At Western Kentucky, EKU closed to within 10 twice in the second half and drove to the WKU six yard line as time expired in the fourth quarter of a 14-point loss. Eastern led for nearly three quarters at Kentucky before the Wildcats staged a comeback. Eastern Kentucky’s margin of defeat against two FBS bowl teams was just 12.5 points.
NOTABLE- Over fi nal 11 seasons as an assistant, helped his teams reach nine bowl games- 2014 national top-50 recruiter- 2015 national top-25 recruiter
EDUCATIONUndergraduate ....................... Case Western Reserve (2000) - B.S. EconomicsGraduate ........... Akron (2001) - M.S. Education In Sports Science & Coaching
season with three wins in their fi nal fi ve games.
In his second year as head coach the defense showed strong improvement under Elder. The Colonels allowed their opponents 62 fewer yards and four fewer points per game. An improved rushing defense allowed 571 fewer yards on the ground than the year before. The passing defense improved as well, by 112 yards. EKU ranked fi rst in the league and eighth in FCS with 13 fumbles recovered. The Colonels were second in the Ohio Valley Conference and 38th nationally in sacks (2.36/g).
Off ensively in 2017, quarterback Tim Boyle threw for 2,134 yards, the fi fth most ever in one season in program history. As a team, EKU led the OVC in passing and completion percentage. On special teams, Eastern ranked fi rst in FCS football in kick-off returns and second in net punting.
Improvement under Elder hasn’t been limited to the fi eld. In the classroom, the team has posted two of the top-three fall GPA’s, and the second-highest spring GPA, of any EKU football team on record. Quar-terback Tyler Swaff ord earned the 2016 Doris Robinson FCS Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award. As a team, Eastern Kentucky
Had 20 or more fi rst downs at Presbyterian on Sept. 21, 2019 (23)Had 400 yards rushing vs. Morehead State on Aug. 30, 2018 (404)Had 300 yards rushing vs. Valparaiso on Aug. 29, 2019 (350)Had 50 or more rushing attempts at Austin Peay on Nov. 3, 2018 (52)Had 5 or more rushing TDs vs. Valparaiso on Aug. 29, 2019 (5)Had 4 or more rushing TDs vs. Valparaiso on Aug. 29, 2019 (5)Had 400 yards passing at Tennessee Tech on Oct. 1, 2016 (464)Had 350 yards passing at Tennessee State on Oct. 15, 2016 (350)Had 300 yards passing at Tennessee Tech on Nov. 17, 2018 (333)Had 50 pass attempts at Tennessee Tech on Oct. 1, 2016 (50)Completed 40 passes at Murray State on Nov. 14, 2015 (44)Completed 30 passes at Tennessee Tech on Nov. 17, 2018 (31)Had 5 TDs passing vs. Tennessee-Martin on Nov. 7, 2015 (5)Had 4 TDs passing vs. Southeast Missouri on Oct. 8, 2016 (4)Had 3 TDs passing vs. Southeast Missouri on Oct. 8, 2016 (4)Had 600 yards total off ense vs. Tennessee Tech on Oct. 8, 2015 (629)Had 500 yards total off ense vs. Morehead State on Aug. 30, 2018 (564)Had 80 total plays vs. Murray State on Oct. 20, 2018 (91)Scored 70 points neverScored 60 points at Austin Peay on Nov. 12, 2016 (67)Scored 50 points vs. Valparaiso on Aug. 29, 2019 (53)Scored 40 points vs. Robert Morris on Nov. 10, 2018 (40)Committed no turnovers at Indiana State on Sept. 14, 2019Had two 100-yd. rushers at Tennessee State on Nov. 1, 2014 (Dy’Shawn Mobley, 139; Jared McClain, 139)Had two 100-yd. receivers at Tennessee Tech on Oct. 1, 2016 (Devin Borders, 121; Ryan Markush, 104)Returned a punt for TD vs. APSU on Nov. 20, 2010 (Jeremy Caldwell)Returned a KO for TD at Austin Peay on Nov. 12, 2016 (Jared Sanders – 90 yards)Returned an INT for TD at Tennessee Tech on Nov. 17, 2018 (TJ Comstock – 27 yards)
THE LAST TIME EASTERN KENTUCKY ...Returned a fumble for TD vs. Valparaiso on Aug. 29, 2019 (Corey Glass – 29 yards)Returned a blocked punt for TD vs. Robert Morris on Nov. 10, 2018 (Brentton Ervin – 5 yards)Blocked a punt vs. Robert Morris on Nov. 10, 2018 (Darien Tipps-Clemons)Blocked a FG vs. Jacksonville State on Oct. 22, 2016 (Devin Borders)Blocked a PAT at Marshall on Sept. 8, 2018 (Leodis Moore III)Missed a PAT at Murray St. on Oct. 28, 2017 (Lucas Williams)Had a punt blocked at Jacksonville State on Nov. 9, 2013Had a FG blocked vs. Murray State, Nov. 5, 2016Was held scoreless at Louisville, Sept. 7, 2019 (42-0)Was held scoreless at home vs. Eastern Illinois, Nov. 19, 2016 (24-0)Held an opponent scoreless at Austin Peay on Oct. 4, 2014 (31-0)Held an oppt. scoreless at home vs. Tennessee State on Nov. 2, 2013 (44-0)Held an oppt. to 10 fi rst downs vs. Tennessee State on Nov. 2, 2013 (10)Held an oppt. to 300 yards total off ense at Presbyterian on Sept. 21, 2019 (224)Held an oppt. to 200 yards total off ense vs. Valparaiso on Aug. 29, 2019 (184)Held an oppt. to 150 yards total off ense vs. Austin Peay on Oct. 5, 2013 (108)Held an oppt. to less than 100 yards rushing vs. Valparaiso on Aug. 29, 2019 (68)Held an oppt. to 50 yards rushing vs. Tennessee-Martin on Oct. 21, 2017 (38)Held an opponent to 100 yards passing at Austin Peay on Nov. 3, 2018 (71)Held an opponent without a TD at Tennessee Tech on Nov. 17, 2018Scored an off ensive 2-pt. conversion vs. Valparaiso on Aug. 29, 2019Scored a defensive 2-pt. conversion vs. Morehead State on Sept. 13, 2014Had 10 or more penalties vs. Robert Morris on Nov. 10, 2018 (11)Had 100 penalty yards vs. Robert Morris on Nov. 10, 2018 (110)Had 35 minutes ToP at Austin Peay on Nov. 3, 2018 (36:46)Played an OT game vs. Robert Morris on Nov. 10, 2018 (L, 23-20)Scored a safety vs. Murray State on Nov. 5, 2016Allowed a safety at Marshall on Sept. 8, 2018
Mark Elder vs. All OpponentsTeam RecordAustin Peay ....................................................... 2-1Ball State ............................................................ 0-1Bowling Green ................................................. 0-1Eastern Illinois .................................................. 1-2Indiana State .................................................... 0-1Jacksonville State ........................................... 0-3Kentucky ............................................................ 0-1Louisville ............................................................ 0-1Marshall .............................................................. 0-1Morehead State ............................................... 1-0Murray State ..................................................... 1-2Pikeville .............................................................. 1-0Presbyterian ..................................................... 1-0Purdue ................................................................ 0-1Robert Morris ................................................... 1-0Saint Francis ..................................................... 1-0Southeast Missouri ........................................ 2-1Tennessee-Martin ........................................... 2-1Tennessee State .............................................. 0-2Tennessee Tech ............................................... 2-1Valparaiso .......................................................... 1-0Western Kentucky .......................................... 0-1TOTAL ........................................................... 16-21
has had one of the three highest gradua-tion rates of any team in the conference. Linebacker Jeff rey Canady was chosen Ac-ademic All-District twice. In addition, two players were chosen as semifi nalists for the William V. Campbell Trophy, recognizing the absolute best football scholar-athlete in the nation. The Colonels also set a pro-gram record with 637 hours of community service during the 2017-18 academic year.
The team excelled in several areas during Elder’s fi rst season as head coach.
The off ense fi red on all cylinders in scoring 67 points against Austin Peay, ty-ing a school record set in 1925. Not only did Eastern Kentucky lead the OVC in net punting and punt return defense, the team ranked third and fourth in the nation in those categories. Eastern led the con-ference, and was sixth in the country, in fumbles recovered. The Colonels fi nished the season among the top-45 in the nation in total off ense and passing off ense. On special teams, EKU led the conference and ranked ninth in the nation with an average of 23.62 yards per kickoff return.
Elder was chosen as EKU’s head foot-ball coach on Dec. 8, 2015. He had served as the tight ends coach and special teams coordinator at the University of Tennessee since 2013.
Elder is the 14th head coach in pro-gram history.
Over his fi nal 11 seasons as an assis-tant coach, Elder helped his teams reach nine bowl games and win four conference championships. In 2014 he was ranked as one of the top-50 recruiters in the nation. In 2015 he was recognized as one of the top-25 recruiters in college football.
No. Player Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl. Hometown (Previous School)59 Quinten Floyd DL 6-2 285 R-So. Frankfort, Ky. (Bryan Station HS)60 Dalton Gossett OL 6-4 275 R-So. Louisville, Ky. (Male HS)61 Blake Hammonds OL 6-3 297 R-Fr. Richmond, Ky. (Madison Central HS)62 Grant Wilburn P 6-1 230 Fr. Russell, Ky. (Russell HS)63 Sean Ralls K/P 6-2 190 Fr. LaGrange, Ky. (Oldham County HS)64 Howard Watkins Jr. OL 6-4 285 Jr. Cincinnati, Ohio (Garden City CC)65 Drew Cassidy P 5-11 160 R-Fr. West Portsmouth, Ohio (West Portsmouth HS)66 Cameron Ealey DL 6-3 215 Fr. Powder Springs, Ga. (Mount Paran Christian School)67 Nick Cavinee OL 6-7 295 R-Jr. Newark, Ohio (Newark Catholic HS)68 Caleb Whitacre LS 6-2 271 R-Fr. London, Ohio (London HS)70 Earnest Files OL 6-4 330 Fr. Birmingham, Ala. (Pinson Valley HS)71 Jackson Bardall OL 6-3 301 R-Jr. Cumming, Ga. (North Forsyth HS)72 Drew Hart OL 6-7 302 R-Fr. Evansville, Ind. (Reitz Memorial HS)73 Graham Ashkettle OL 6-6 300 R-So. Crestwood, Ky. (South Oldham HS)74 Payton Collins OL 6-6 260 Fr. Columbus, Ohio (Bishop Hartley HS)75 Christopher Anthony OL 6-4 300 R-So. Massillon, Ohio (Washington HS)76 Tex Bailey OL 6-4 300 Fr. Madison, Ala. (Madison Academy)77 Eric Magwood OL 6-4 303 R-Sr. Virginia Beach, Va. (Old Dominion University)78 Garrett Jennings OL 6-7 303 Fr. Elizabethton, Tenn. (Elizabethton HS)79 Grant Polk OL 6-6 303 R-Sr. Punta Gorda, Fla. (University of South Florida)80 Davion Ross WR 5-10 165 Fr. Perry, Ga. (Perry HS)81 Adam Valiga TE 6-5 242 Sr. Orland Park, Ill. (College of Dupage)82 Malik Owens TE 6-5 250 Fr. Goodlettsville, Tenn. (Stratford Comprehensive HS)83 Kevin Gniedziejko LB 6-2 192 R-Fr. Chicago, Ill. (Taft HS)84 Caleb Martin WR 6-4 195 R-Fr. Oak Ridge, Tenn. (Oak Ridge HS)85 Jaret Pogliano WR 6-0 196 R-Jr. Union, Ky. (Mount St. Joseph University)86 Collin Sanchez TE 6-4 245 R-So. Lexington, Ala. (Lexington HS)87 Phillip Richards P 6-4 215 So. Mount Dandenong, Victoria, Australia (St. Joseph’s HS)88 Ethan Bradds TE 6-5 242 R-So. Jamestown, Ohio (Greenview HS)89 Christian Vinson TE 6-5 245 R-Sr. Ocala, Fla. (Florida International University)90 Dillon Denault DL 6-2 280 R-Jr. Lancaster, Ohio (Lancaster HS)91 Tre Turner DL 6-5 247 R-So. Huntersville, N.C. (North Mecklenburg HS)92 Shane Burks DT 6-1 298 R-So. Lexington, Ky. (Bryan Station HS)93 Kenny Terry DL 6-4 230 R-Fr. Fairburn, Ga. (Palmetto Preparatory Academy)94 Malik Clark DE 6-5 195 Fr. Marietta, Ga. (Sprayberry HS)95 Nakiya Smith DL 6-4 235 R-So. Johnson City, Tenn. (Science Hill HS)96 Antonio Smith DE 6-4 225 Fr. Westerville, Ohio (Air Force Preparatory School)97 Leonard Humphrey DL 6-2 299 Jr. Knoxville, Tenn. (West HS)98 Sean Cleasant Jr. DL 6-2 285 R-So. Louisville, Ky. (duPont Manual HS)99 LaMarr Davis DL 6-1 296 R-Sr. Garfi eld Heights, Ohio (University of Toledo) Adrian Compton WR 6-2 186 Fr. Ellenwood, Ga. (South Gwinnett HS) Landon Heinberg LB 6-2 225 Jr. Marengo, Ill. (College of DuPage) Tyler Nunnelley OL 6-3 290 R-Fr. Cullman, Ala. (Cullman HS) Luke Paulson LB 6-3 200 Fr. Louisville, Ky. (Christian Academy of Louisville) Preston Poag Jr. QB 6-4 175 Fr. Dalton, Ga. (North Murray HS) Eli Snowden RB 5-7 201 Fr. Virginia Beach, Va. (Ocean Lakes HS)
Head Coach: Mark Elder (Case Western Reserve, 2000), fourth seasonStaff : Joshua Reardon (Assistant Head/Special Teams Coordinator/Defensive Backs), Adam Austin (Off ensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks), Kurt
Mattix (Defensive Coordinator, Shannon Morrison (Co-Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach), Donte Ellington (Wide Receivers Coach), Danny Hope (Off ensive Line Coach), Patrick Parrilli (Running Backs Coach), Troy Rothenbuhler (Tight Ends Coach), Jesse Williams (Defensive Line Coach),
Mark Naylor (Director of Football Sports Performance), Ryan Gravel (Director of Recruiting), Austin Crowe (Equipment Coordinator), Brian Benitez (Athletic Trainer), Sam Smith (Video Coordinator), John Barnett (Director of Operations)
No. Name Pos.38 Jakari Lumsden LB48 Kaleb Lundy LB77 Eric Magwood OL84 Caleb Martin WR31 Malik Mays DB22 Daryl McCleskey Jr. RB18 Parker McKinney QB32 D.J. Mitchell DB39 Mason Molique K2 Leodis Moore III DB Tyler Nunnelley OL82 Malik Owens TE44 Aaron Patrick DL Luke Paulson LB5 Ian Pitt TE Preston Poag Jr. QB85 Jaret Pogliano WR79 Grant Polk OL24 Quentin Pringle RB63 Sean Ralls K/P45 Kabbash Richards DE87 Phillip Richards P80 Davion Ross WR86 Collin Sanchez TE43 Joseph Sayles DB52 Tucker Schroeder OL12 Austin Scott QB57 Ja’HShaun Seider OL42 Alex Shelton LS96 Antonio Smith DE25 BK Smith WR7 James Smith Jr. WR95 Nakiya Smith DL Eli Snowden RB1 Frank Sumpter DB53 Elijah Taylor DL47 Andre Teague Jr. LB93 Kenny Terry DL91 Tre Turner DL81 Adam Valiga TE19 Isaiah Velez QB89 Christian Vinson TE64 Howard Watkins Jr. OL68 Caleb Whitacre LS40 Landon White K62 Grant Wilburn P8 Matt Wilcox Jr. WR41 Bryce Wilson DB35 Jaden Woods DB
Off ense WR LT LG C RG RT TE SL WR QB RBValparaiso Gross Magwood Schroeder Bardall Anthony Ashkettle Valiga Wilcox Dixon Blount McCleskeyat Louisville Gross Magwood Schroeder Bardall Anthony Ashkettle Bradds Cabrera Dixon Blount McCleskeyat Indiana State Cabrera Magwood Schroeder Bardall Anthony Ashkettle Bradds Wilcox Dixon Blount McCleskeyat Presbyterian Carter (1) Magwood (4) Schroeder (15) Bardall (14) Anthony (4) Ashkettle (4) Bradds (3) J. Smith (1) Dixon (4) Blount (4) McCleskey (4)Tennessee State UT Martin at Murray State at Eastern Illinois Austin Peay at Southeast Mo.Tennessee Tech at Jacksonville St.
Defense DE DT DT DE LB LB LB LCB RCB LS RSValparaiso Patrick Taylor Cleasant Turner Glass Crowder Fitzpatrick Hayes Sumpter Comstock Bascomat Louisville Patrick Floyd Cleasant Evans Glass Ervin Fitzpatrick Sumpter Hayes Bascom Comstockat Indiana State Patrick Floyd Burks Evans Glass Crowder Fitzpatrick Hayes Sumpter Sayles Bascomat Presbyterian N. Smith (1) Floyd (3) Denault (1) Turner (1) Glass (4) Crowder (2) Fitzpatrick (4) Hayes (4) Sumpter (4) Sayles (2) Bascom (21)Tennessee State UT Martin at Murray State at Eastern Illinois Austin Peay at Southeast Mo.Tennessee Tech at Jacksonville St.
Valparaiso (0-1) vs. Eastern Kentucky (1-0)Date: Aug 29, 2019 • Site: Richmond, Ky. • Stadium: Roy Kidd StadiumAttendance: 11130
Kickoff time: 7:05 pm • End of Game: 10:04 • Total elapsed time: 2:59Officials: Referee: Daniel Ingram; Umpire: Steve Lewis; Linesman: Jeff Irwin;Line judge: Travis Muhammad; Back judge: W. Kirk Walker; Field judge: Randy Jackson;Side judge: Troy McMaken;Temperature: 79-80 • Wind: 6 W • Weather: sunny 40% humidity
RECEIVING: Eastern Kentucky-VALIGA, Adam 2-12; CABRERA, Alex 2-11; DIXON, Keyion 2-9; WILCOX, MattJr. 1-10; SANCHEZ, Collin 1-2; SMITH, James 1-minus 2. Louisville-Fitzpatrick, D. 3-32; Ford, M.3-26; Marshall, J. 2-59; Atwell, T. 2-53; Peete, D. 1-26; Wakefield, K. 1-16; Jackson, T. 1-8.
Eastern Kentucky (1-1) vs. Louisville (1-1)Date: Sep 07, 2019 • Site: Louisville, KY • Stadium: Cardinal StadiumAttendance: 48808
Kickoff time: 7:05 pm • End of Game: 10:02 pm • Total elapsed time: 2:57Officials: Referee: J. Heaser; Umpire: M. Morton; Linesman: J. Griesser;Line judge: R. Misner; Back judge: J. Hooper; Field judge: A. Ramsey III;Side judge: J. Hocker; Center judge: L. Saunders;Temperature: 76 • Wind: NNE-8mph • Weather: Partly Cloudy
Eastern Kentucky vs Indiana State (Sep 14, 2019 at Terre Haute, Ind.)
Score by Quarters 1 2 3 4 TotalEastern Kentucky 0 0 7 0 7Indiana State 3 7 0 9 19
Qtr Time Scoring play1st 07:01 INS - Nunez, Jerry 42 yd field goal, 9-48 4:032nd 06:37 INS - Childers, Chris 2 yd run (Nunez, Jerry kick), 10-75 5:133rd 02:45 EKU - BOOTH, Alonzo 1 yd run (HAYWORTH, Sam kick), 15-80 6:074th 14:55 INS - Nunez, Jerry 31 yd field goal, 6-58 2:46
02:29 INS - Kerlegrand, Pet 9 yd run (Boyle, Ryan pass failed), 15-92 7:49
FUMBLES: Eastern Kentucky-BLOUNT, Conor 2-0. Indiana State-Boyle, Ryan 2-0.
Eastern Kentucky (1-2) vs. Indiana State (1-2)Date: Sep 14, 2019 • Site: Terre Haute, Ind. • Stadium: Memorial StadiumAttendance: 4416
Kickoff time: 1:05 pm • End of Game: 4:08 pm • Total elapsed time: 3:03 pmOfficials: Referee: Matt Packowski; Umpire: Scott Jones; Linesman: Scott Landy;Line judge: Brett Carpenter; Back judge: Jamie Birr; Field judge: Stacey Jameson;Side judge: Jared Flesch;Temperature: 78 • Wind: ESE at 3 • Weather: Clear, Sunny
RECEIVING: Eastern Kentucky-DIXON, Keyion 6-101; McCLESKEY, Daryl 3-21; BEERMAN, Jackson 2-52; ROSS,Davion 1-19; GROSS, Jerome 1-11; SMITH, James 1-6; CABRERA, Alex 1-5; BRADDS, Ethan 1-4; LEWIS,Jason 1-3; CARTER, Jaelin 1-1. Presbyterian-PEARSON, Keith 7-43; SIMMONS, Mack 5-24; MEYERS, Dohnte3-26; BUCHANAN, C. 1-18; CHRISTIAN, Joe 1-7; JETER, Jarius 1-6.
INTERCEPTIONS: Eastern Kentucky-SAYLES, Joseph 2-54. Presbyterian-ROME, Ian 1-0; HAYGOOD, Rod 1-0.
FUMBLES: Eastern Kentucky-TEAM 1-0. Presbyterian-THOMPSON, B. 1-0.
Eastern Kentucky (2-2) vs. Presbyterian (0-3)Date: Sep 21, 2019 • Site: Clinton, S.C. • Stadium: Bailey Memorial StadAttendance: 2152
Kickoff time: 1:05 pm • End of Game: 4:18 • Total elapsed time: 3:13Officials: Referee: Larry Adcock; Umpire: Scott Ray; Linesman: Perry Clark;Line judge: Terry Mock; Back judge: Neville Hall; Field judge: Terry Troutt;Side judge: Keith Johnson;Temperature: 86 • Wind: sw 2 • Weather: Sunny, warm