Next game:
at Tarleton State University
November 2, 2024 | 7pm
Saturday, November 2nd, 7pm
at Tarleton State University
History RICHMOND, Ky. — The Eastern Kentucky University football team earned its fourth win of the season Saturday night, defeating conference opponent Utah Tech 28-17 during Homecoming.
“Obviously it’s great to come home and win in front of a great crowd of Crows in a great atmosphere,” head coach Walt Wells said after the win. “I’m proud of our football team and proud of their effort. We have some things to sort out, but overall I’m happy with the result tonight.”
Running back Joshua Carter led EKU with a career-high 167 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Carter became the first EKU running back to rush for more than 150 yards this season, and his two scores extended his scoring streak over the past six games to eight touchdowns.
As a team, the Colonels were dominant on the ground, rushing for 287 total yards, the second-most of the season.
Defensively, linebacker Maddox Marcellus recorded seven tackles, two for loss, and added a 23-yard scoop-and-score after a sack and forced fumble by Gabe Stevens.
Defensive back Mike Smith Jr. led the team with nine tackles, including eight solo stops.
EKU tormented the Trail Blazers in the passing game, recording seven pass breakups as a team.
EKU is currently preparing for a road game on Saturday, Nov. 2 at Tarleton State University, which is currently ranked No. 8 in the nation.
how did it happen
EKU struck early on defense on Utah Tech’s first drive when a Trail Blazer swing pass was initially ruled a fumble and Vito Tisdale recovered and returned it 34 yards for a touchdown. I almost set it up. However, as a result of the review, the play was determined to be an incomplete pass, and the possibility of scoring was eliminated.
Neither team was able to find much offensive success early on, with both teams exchanging punts twice in the first quarter.
The Trail Blazers broke the deadlock on their first drive of the second quarter, driving from their own 10-yard line to the Colonels’ 7-yard line. But EKU’s defense held out, and Utah Tech took a 3-0 lead with a 24-yard field goal with 11:29 left in the second quarter.
The Colonels fought back late in the second quarter, taking advantage of advantageous field position after a short Trail Blazer punt. Joshua Carter capped off the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run to give EKU the lead with 4:42 remaining.
EKU quickly extended its lead. On the third play of Utah Tech’s next play, linebacker Gabe Stevens sacked the QB, forcing a fumble that Marcellus returned 23 yards for a touchdown with 3:57 left in the first half. pushed their lead to 14-3.
Utah Tech’s attempt to narrow the lead before halftime failed as a 41-yard field goal attempt bounced off the right upright, and EKU’s 11-point advantage remained intact at the break. Ta.
The Colonels picked up where they left off after halftime, going 75 yards in 14 plays and taking six minutes to score. Quarterback Cameron Hergott capped off the drive with a 1-yard keeper, scoring the first touchdown of his EKU career and extending the lead to 21-3.
Hergott’s touchdown run almost didn’t materialize, but three plays before the score Joshua Carter had to take a spectacular hit on a Utah Tech defender, who made sure to intercept it at the goal line. It looked like EKU would be able to maintain possession.
Utah Tech fought back with a nine-play, 75-yard drive capped by a nine-yard touchdown pass to cut the score to 21-10 with 4:05 left in the third quarter.
After a brief scoring exchange, EKU’s defense tightened up and forced Utah Tech into three straight three-and-outs.
Carter completed the standout performance by adding a 6-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter, giving EKU a 28-10 lead with 2:27 left.
The Trail Blazers completed a late touchdown pass with 1:13 left to close the score to 28-17, but the ensuing onside kick was recovered by Marcellus, sealing EKU’s homecoming victory.
