2017 EKU Game Notes (Game-7 vs UT Martin).indd
This week’s hash tags: #FireTheCannon, #GoBigE, #BeatUTM www.EKUSports.com @EKUSports @EKUFootball @CoachElderEKU EKUSports Facebook.com/EKUColonels
NATIONAL CHAMPIONS 1979 • 1982
2017 FOOTBALL GAME
OVC CHAMPIONS 1954 • 1962 • 1967 • 1968 • 1974 • 1976 1981 • 1982 • 1983 • 1984 • 1986 • 1987 1988 • 1990 • 1991 • 1993 • 1994 • 1997 2007 • 2008 • 2011
NOTES
EKUSports Communications • Football Contact: Kevin Britton, Assistant Athletics Director for Communications • [email protected] • (859) 622-2006
vs. TENNESSEE-MARTIN
GAME
Oct. 21, 2017 3 p.m. ET - OVCDN Richmond, Ky. Roy Kidd Stadium (20,000)
7
2017 EKU Schedule/Results DATE Sept. 2 Sept. 9 Sept. 16 Sept. 23 Sept. 30 Oct. 7 Oct. 14 Oct. 21 Oct. 28 Nov. 4 Nov. 11 Nov. 18
RANK RV/NR RV/NR RV/NR RV/NR RV/NR NR/NR NR/NR NR/NR
OPPONENT TV/NET TIME at Western Kentucky FloFootball L, 17-31 at Kentucky SECN L, 16-27 OPEN TENNESSEE TECH* OVCDN W, 24-21 at Southeast Missouri* OVCDN L, 10-29 TENNESSEE STATE* OVCDN L, 21-45 at No. 3 Jacksonville St.* ESPN3 L, 25-41 TENNESSEE-MARTIN* OVCDN 3 p.m. at Murray State* OVCDN 4 p.m. at Eastern Illinois* OVCDN 2 p.m. AUSTIN PEAY* OVCDN 1 p.m. SAINT FRANCIS* OVCDN 1 p.m.
EKU Ranking = STATS/Coaches. Home games appear in ALL CAPITALS. Times given are Eastern Time and subject to change. * Denotes Ohio Valley Conference game.
2017 UT Martin Schedule/Results DATE Aug. 31 Sept. 9 Sept. 16 Sept. 23 Sept. 30 Oct. 7 Oct. 14 Oct. 21 Oct. 28 Nov. 4 Nov. 11 Nov. 18
OPPONENT CLARION at Ole Miss at No. 15 Chattanooga No. 20 TENNESSEE STATE* at Austin Peay* MURRAY STATE* OPEN at Eastern Kentucky* EASTERN ILLINOIS* at Southeast Missouri* JACKSONVILLE STATE* at Tennessee Tech*
TIME W, 36-0 L, 23-45 W, 21-7 W, 31-16 L, 0-7 L, 10-13 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 2 p.m. 3 p.m. 2:30 p.m.
Home games appear in ALL CAPITALS. Times given are Eastern Time. * Denotes Ohio Valley Conference game.
On The Air OVC Digital Network • www.OVCDigitalNetwork.com Greg Stotelmyer, play-by-play Jim Tirey, analyst Wes Chandler, sideline reporter WCYO 100.7 FM (Radio & Internet - www.EKUSports.com) Greg Stotelmyer, play-by-play Jim Tirey, analyst Wes Chandler, sideline reporter
2017 EKU FOOTBALL
BREAKDOWN EASTERN KENTUCKY COLONELS Record: 1-5 (1-3 OVC, 1-1 home) Ranking: NR, STATS FCS Top-25 NR, FCS Coaches Poll Last Game: lost at Jacksonville State, 41-25 Oct. 14 at Jacksonville, Ala. Head Coach: Mark Elder (Case Western, 2000) Record: 4-13 (second season) at EKU: 4-13 (second season) vs. UT Martin: 0-1
UT MARTIN SKYHAWKS Record: 3-3 (1-2 OVC, 1-2 away) Ranking: NR, STATS FCS Top-25 NR, FCS Coaches Poll Last Game: lost to Murray State, 13-10 Oct. 7 at Martin, Tenn. Head Coach: Jason Simpson (Southern Miss, 1995) Record: 75-57 (12th season) at UTM: 75-57 (12th season) vs. Eastern Kentucky: 4-6
QUICK NOTES Eastern Kentucky is 12-5 in Homecoming games since 2000. The Colonels’ 25 points against No. 3 Jacksonville State are the most allowed by the Gamecocks this season against an FCS opponent. • As a team, Eastern averaged 29.48 yards per kickoff at No. 3 Jacksonville State. LJ Scott and Daryl McCleskey combined for returns of 57, 55, 48 and 40 yards. The Colonels are second in FCS this season in kickoff returns. • Keith Wrzuszczak (ROO-sack) is first in the OVC and fifth in FCS with an average of 45.1 yards per punt. Eastern Kentucky leads the nation in net punting (43.27 ypp). • EKU entered its game at Southeast Missouri having forced twice as many turnovers as it had committed (6 to 3). However, in their last three games the Colonels have given the ball away 12 times and forced just one turnover. • EKU has only allowed six sacks in six games, the 17th fewest allowed in the nation. • Safety Kobie Grace was chosen as the STATS National Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 25. The senior finished with seven tackles, one interception, one forced fumble and two fumbles recovered in Eastern’s win over Tennessee Tech. • In its first two games of the season, against a pair of FBS teams, the Colonels lost by an average margin of just 12.5 points. Against 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 UK before the Wildcats staged a comeback. • The 2017 roster includes 61 new players. Of 113 players on the roster, 63 are freshmen or redshirt freshmen. • LJ Scott had 201 all-purpose yards at Kentucky, including averaging 35.3 yards on four kickoff return. • Jeffrey Canady had 1.5 sacks at Kentucky, the most by an OVC player this year against a Power 5 team. • Tim Boyle became the first EKU quarterback to eclipse the 300-yard mark in their first game as a Colonel. He threw for 320 yards and tossed two touchdown passes at Western Kentucky. • Mark Elder is entering his second season as Head Coach at EKU. Elder and his staff have engineered back-toback top-25 rated recruiting classes. • Punter Keith Wrzuszczak was chosen as a second team preseason All-American by STATS. • Linebacker Jeffrey Canady was chosen as a second team preseason All-American by TyrantScouting.com. • •
INSIDE THE SERIES Eastern Kentucky leads the all-time series with Tennessee-Martin, 23-4. The Colonels are 11-2 against the Skyhawks in games played in Richmond. In the last game played at Roy Kidd Stadium, the Colonels lost 42-35 on Nov. 7, 2015. EKU won the first 20 games in the series, but is 3-4 against UTM in the last seven meetings. UT Martin won last season, 33-3, on Oct. 29 in Martin. Eastern Kentucky forced and recovered a fumble on the first drive of the game, and turned it into an early lead, but the Skyhawks scored 33 unanswered points on the way to the victory. www. EKUSports.com
www. EKUSports.com | 2
2017 EKU FOOTBALL
GAME-WEEK FOOTBALL SCHEDULE MONDAY - 16
TUESDAY - 17
WEDNESDAY - 18
THURSDAY - 19
FRIDAY - 20
SATURDAY - 21
SUNDAY - 22
Practice Off
OVC Teleconference 11:07 a.m. Press Conference, 1:25 p.m. Moberly Building - 212 Practice 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. Coach Elder Radio Show Gillum’s 7 p.m.
Practice 4:15 - 6:15 p.m. Roy Kidd Stadium
Practice Off No Availability
Practice 4 - 5:10 p.m. Roy Kidd Stadium
Eastern Kentucky vs. Tennessee-Martin 3 p.m. (OVCDN) Roy Kidd Stadium (20,000)
Practice 9:10 - 10:30 p.m. Roy Kidd Stadium
Media Information CONTACT INFORMATION Kevin Britton (Football Contact) Assistant Athletics Director for Communications Work Phone: 859-622-2006 Cell: 859-358-8359 E-Mail: [email protected] Fax: 859-622-5108 Roy Kidd Stadium Press Box Phone: 859-622-2226 MEDIA SERVICES CREDENTIALS Credentials are issued to members of the working media only. Requests for credentials should be made to Kevin Britton. PLAYER/COACHES INTERVIEWS All interviews with players, head coach Mark Elder and all assistant coaches must be arranged through the EKUSports Communications office at least 24 hours in advance. Please contact Kevin Britton to arrange all interviews. PRACTICE EKU football practices are generally open to the media. Please contact Kevin Britton in the EKUSports Communications office for schedule, times and location. POST-GAME INTERVIEWS For home games, coach Elder and selected EKU players will be available outside the 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 SERVICE Complete 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, flipcard, updated stats and game notes will be available in the media working area. Wireless internet access is available in Roy Kidd Stadium. WEEKLY PRESS CONFERENCE Head coach Mark Elder and select players meets with the media each game week. The weekly press conference will be on Tuesday at 1:25 p.m. in room 212 on the second floor of the Moberly Building. OVC TELECONFERENCE The 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 11:07 a.m. ET. For the teleconference phone number and pass code, please contact Kevin Britton. OHIO VALLEY CONFERENCE MEDIA RELATIONS Football Contact .............................................. Kyle Schwartz Phone ............................................. 615-371-1698 ext. 6685 E-mail .................................................... [email protected] Web Site .............................................. www.OVCsports.com
Coach Elder Luncheon Golden Corral 12 p.m.
BEST TRADITION IN FCS FOOTBALL The 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.
McCleskey registered a 55-yard return and a 40-yard return as well. Combined, EKU averaged 36 yards on seven kickoff returns. Eastern now leads the conference and is second in the nation with an average of 29.48 yards per kickoff return this season.
GETTING TO THE QUARTERBACK AT HOME FOR HOMECOMING EKU had nine sacks in its first three games, but has only Eastern had a nine-game Homecoming winning streak recorded one sack in the last three games. snapped last season by No. 2 Jacksonville State. EKU is 12-5 in Homecoming games since 2000. NOT GETTING TO THE QUARTERBACK While the defense has registered nine sacks, the EKU EKU’S RECORD AT RKS offensive line and quarterbacks have only allowed six. Eastern Kentucky’s all-time record in games played at That’s the 17th fewest sacks allowed in the nation. Roy Kidd Stadium is 218-55-1. A LOOK AT THE RANKINGS MOST POINTS AGAINST JSU Eastern Kentucky leads the nation in net punting (43.27 EKU’s 25 points against No. 3 Jacksonville State (Oct. ypp), ranks first in the OVC and second in the nation in 14) are the most allowed by the Gamecocks this season kickoff returns (29.48 ypr), is first in the conference and against an FCS opponent. 18th in the nation in tackles for a loss allowed (4.67/ game), second in the league and 17th nationally in sacks KEEPING IT CLOSE allowed (1.0/game), first in the OVC and 28th in the counIn their first two games of the season, against a pair of try in passing yards (254.7 ypg), and first in the conference FBS teams, the Colonels lost by an average margin of just and sixth in the country in punt return defense (2.33 ypr). 12.5 points. In the season-opener this year at Western Kentucky, EKU closed to within 10 twice in the second A LOOK AT THE INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS half and drove to the WKU six yard line as time expired Tim Boyle leads the OVC (29th FCS) in completion in the fourth quarter of a 14-point loss. Eastern led for percentage (62.4 percent), is first in the conference (19th nearly three quarters at UK before the Wildcats staged FCS) in completions per game (20.50), first in the league a comeback. (51st FCS) in total offense (218.8 ypg), and is second in the OVC (37th FCS) in passing yards (222.8 per game). TOP-RANKED PUNTING LJ Scott is first in the OVC (third FCS) in kickoff reKeith Wrzuszczak is first in the OVC and fifth in FCS with turns (29.6 ypr). an average of 45.1 yards per punt. Eastern Kentucky Ryan Markush is first in the OVC (13th FCS) in receivleads the nation in net punting (43.27 ypp). ing touchdowns (6), first in the OVC (77th FCS) in yards WE MUST PROTECT THE BALL EKU entered its game at Southeast Missouri having forced twice as many turnovers as it had committed (6 to 3). However, in their last three games the Colonels have given the ball away 12 times and forced just one turnover and are now -8 for the season. BIG RETURNS The EKU kickoff return game was outstanding at No. 3 Jacksonville State (Oct. 14). LJ Scott average 37.5 yards on four kickoff returns. After returns of 26 and 19 yards, Scott ripped off a 57-yarder and a 48-yarder. His 57-yard return is the longest by a Colonel this season. Daryl
FCS Playoff Appearances Team Trips Montana 23 Eastern Kentucky 21 Appalachian State 20 Georgia Southern 19 Northern Iowa 18 Furman 16 Eastern Illinois 16 McNeese State 16 9. Delaware 15 New Hampshire 15 11. James Madison 13 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Last 2015 2014 2012 2012 2015 2013 2015 2015 2010 2016 2016
2017 EKU FOOTBALL
FCS Coaches Top 25 Oct. 16, 2017 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25.
Team James Madison (26) North Dakota State Jacksonville State South Dakota Wofford Central Arkansas Sam Houston State Eastern Washington Youngstown State Richmond North Carolina A&T Western Illinois South Dakota State Samford Elon Villanova Grambling State New Hampshire McNeese Nicholls Western Carolina Northern Arizona Weber State Illinois State Montana
Points 650 624 589 575 539 516 470 467 389 388 382 366 315 259 243 223 217 191 189 127 125 102 90 79 58
Prev Record 1 6-0 2 6-0 3 5-1 4 6-0 5 6-0 6 5-1 T-9 5-1 T-9 5-2 8 3-3 13 4-2 11 7-0 17 5-1 7 4-2 18 4-2 20 5-1 14 4-3 19 5-1 12 4-2 21 5-1 23 5-2 25 5-2 24 4-2 16 4-2 15 4-2 RV 5-2
Receiving votes: Stony Brook (50), Northern Iowa (49), Kennesaw St. (40), N.C. Central (31), Monmouth (29), The Citadel (22), Southern Utah (16), Delaware (13), Saint Francis (10), Dartmouth (7), Alcorn State (5), Albany (4), SE Louisiana (1).
STATS.com Top 25
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25.
Oct. 16, 2017 Team Record James Madison (160) 6-0 North Dakota State (7) 6-0 Jacksonville State 5-1 South Dakota 6-0 Wofford 6-0 Central Arkansas 5-1 Sam Houston State 5-1 Eastern Washington 5-2 Youngstown State 3-3 Western Illinois 5-1 Richmond 4-2 North Carolina A&T 7-0 South Dakota State 4-2 Elon 5-1 Villanova 4-3 Samford 4-2 Grambling State 5-1 New Hampshire 4-2 Western Carolina 5-2 McNeese 5-1 Montana 5-2 Stony Brook 5-2 Weber State 4-2 Illinois State 4-2 North Carolina Central 5-1
Points Prev 4167 1 4014 2 3741 3 3663 4 3494 5 3352 6 3062 9 2975 10 2642 8 2463 14 2456 13 2174 15 2138 7 2057 16 1785 11 1523 19 1219 20 1164 12 1138 21 851 22 736 24 688 NR 416 18 391 17 356 25
Receiving votes: Northern Ariz. (276), Dartmouth (247), Nicholls (169), UNI (164), Delaware (160), Citadel (109), Southern Utah (100), Albany (94), Eastern Ill. (63), Kennesaw St. (62), Columbia (48), Monmouth (44), Furman (14), Charleston Southern (14), Duquesne (12), Southern Ill. (7), Austin Peay (6), Alcorn St. (4), Liberty (4), Mercer (4), Princeton (3), Southeastern La. (3), UC Davis (2), Saint Francis (1).
www. EKUSports.com | 3 per reception (15.24) and second in the OVC (26th FCS) in receiving yards (86.3 per game). Keith Wrzuszczak is first in the OVC (5th FCS) in punting (45.1 ypp). Kobie Grace is first in the OVC (6th FCS) in fumbles recovered (2). LOT OF NEW FACES Eastern has 61 new players on the team in 2017. Of the 113 players on the roster, 63 are either true freshmen or redshirt freshmen. HEAD COACH The 2016 season was the first for Mark Elder is as head coach at EKU. He spent the previous three seasons as the tight ends coach and special teams coordinator at Tennessee. Over his final 11 seasons as an assistant, Elder helped his teams reach nine bowl games and win four conference championships. In 2015, he was ranked as one of the top-25 recruiters in college football. Elder is the 14th head coach in program history. IN THE BOX This season, offensive coordinator Angelo Mirando, tight ends coach Tommy Zagorski, defensive coordinator Kurt Mattix and co-defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach Shannon Morrison will be in the coaches booth during games. PAUL GETTING THE BALL Tight end Dan Paul had a season-high eight catches for a season-best 76 yards against Tennessee State (Oct. 7).
Ohio Valley Conference Standings Team Eastern Illinois Jacksonville State Austin Peay Southeast Missouri Tennessee-Martin Murray State Tennessee State Eastern Kentucky Tennessee Tech
OVC Overall 4-0 1.000 5-2 .714 3-0 1.000 5-1 .833 3-1 .750 4-3 .571 2-1 .667 2-4 .333 1-2 .333 3-3 .500 1-2 .333 2-5 .286 1-3 .250 4-3 .571 1-3 .250 1-5 .167 0-4 .000 0-7 .000
Preseason Poll (Coaches/SIDs) Order of Finish Points 1. Jacksonville State (16) 128 2. Tennessee-Martin (2) 107 3. Tennessee State 96 4. Eastern Illinois 81 5. Eastern Kentucky 68 6. Tennessee Tech 64 7. Southeast Missouri 42 8. Murray State 41 9. Austin Peay 21 Preseason Poll (Media) Order of Finish 1. Jacksonville State (13) 2. Tennessee-Martin (1) 3. Tennessee State (2) 4. Eastern Illinois 5. Tennessee Tech 6. Murray State 7. Eastern Kentucky 8. Southeast Missouri 9. Austin Peay
Points 141 120 112 96 70 62 61 33 25
IMPROVEMENT IN THE GROUND GAME For the first time this Eastern eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark as a team against Tennessee State (Oct. 7), finishing with 124 yards on 32 carries for a respectable 3.9 yards per carry. EKU’s previous best was 83 yards against reer-best 122 yards at Southeast Missouri (Sept. 30), his Tennessee Tech (Sept. 23). second 100-yard receiving game this season. He also has a 98-yard performance this year. TWO MORE TOUCHDOWN GRABS Ryan Markush caught two more touchdown passes LONG FIELD GOALS against Tennessee State (Oct. 7), raising his season total Senior Lucas Williams made a career-best 51-yard field to six. Last season he totaled three touchdown catches. goal against Tennessee Tech (Sept. 23) and booted a He also eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark as a Colonel. 41-yarder at Southeast Missouri (Sept. 30). He is now WELCOME TO THE HALL Two former Colonel football players and the 1982 national championship team were among the group of nine inducted into the Eastern Kentucky University Athletics Hall of Fame on Oct. 7. The two players were Elroy Harris (1985-88) and Jessie Small (1985-89).
2-for-2 this season on attempts of 40 or more yards. A DOZEN FOR REED Eric Reed made 12 tackles at Southeast Missouri (Sept. 30). Nine were solo stops and one was for a loss.
STATUE OF THE KIDD EKU unveiled a statue of College Football Hall of Fame GREAT PUNTING coach Roy Kidd on Saturday, Sept. 23. Kidd won 314 Keith Wrzuszczak averaged 48 yards per punt on five games, including two national championships, as the punts at Southeast Missouri (Sept. 30). His five punts head coach of the Colonels from 1964 to 2002. were for 45, 46, 48, 49 and 52 yards. HONORING THE PAST ANOTHER 100-YARD GAME The football team that started the championship tradiSenior Ryan Markush caught four passes for a ca- tion at Eastern Kentucky -- the 1967 Grantland Rice Bowl
2017 EKU FOOTBALL Champions -- were honored at the Colonels’ game on Saturday, Sept. 23 against Tennessee Tech. NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE WEEK Safety Kobie Grace was chosen as the STATS National Defensive Player of the Week on Monday (Sept. 25). Grace was a difference maker for the Colonels in a close win over Tennessee Tech. The senior finished with seven tackles, one interception, one forced fumble and two fumbles recovered. He forced and recovered a fumble on TTU’s first possession of the game and the Colonels turned it into three points, which would be the margin in the game. With Eastern leading by 10, Grace intercepted a pass at the EKU 19 on the first play of the fourth quarter to stop a Tech drive. The offense then drove for
www. EKUSports.com | 4 what would prove to be the game-winning touchdown. DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK Kobie Grace was chosen as the adidas® Ohio Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Week on Sunday (Sept. 24). He also picked up Madness Ohio Valley Defensive Player of the Week honors from College Sports Madness. SPECIALIST OF THE WEEK Punter Keith Wrzuszczak was chosen as the adidas® OVC Specialist of the Week on Sept. 24. In a game EKU won by just three points against Tennessee Tech, field possession proved to be key. Wrzuszczak punted the ball nine times for an average of 48.1 yards per punt. The senior boomed a career-best 76-yard punt and had three of 50 or more yards.
Eastern Kentucky Quick Facts THE UNIVERSITY Location (Enrollment): .......................... Richmond, Ky. (16,959) Founded: .......................................................................... 1906 Colors: ............................................ Maroon (PMS 209) & White Nickname: ................................................................... Colonels National Affiliation: ...................................... NCAA Division FCS Conference: .................... Ohio Valley (Founding Member 1948) President: ................................................... Dr. Michael Benson Director of Athletics: ................................ Stephen Lochmueller Senior Woman Administrator: ................................ Rachel Park Athletics Department Phone: ........................... (859) 622-2120 Stadium (Capacity): ........................ Roy Kidd Stadium (20,000) Surface: ..................................................... Synthetic (2009) Press Box Phone: ......................................... (859) 622-2226 COACHING STAFF Head Coach: ............... Mark Elder (Case Western Reserve, 2000) Associate HC/OL: ....................... Terry Heffernan (Dayton, 2003) Assistant HC/TEs/OTs: ..... Tommy Zagorski (Case Western, 2007) Defensive Coord.: ........................ Kurt Mattix (Valparaiso, 1999) Offensive Coord.: ............ Angelo Mirando (Case Western, 2008) Co-Defensive Coord./DBs: ... Shannon Morrison (Marshall, 1995) Linebackers: ............................... Chase Gibson (Marshall, 2007) Wide Receivers: ........................... Kevin Koger (Michigan, 2012) Special Teams/RBs: ................. Greg Meyer (Case Western, 2010) Defensive Line: ...................... Walter Stewart (Cincinnati, 2012) Recruiting Coordinator: ...... Brandon Lawson (Tennessee, 2013) Strength & Conditioning: ... Jon-Michael Davis (App State, 2000) Associate Athletic Trainer: ....... Tim Miesmer (Central Fla., 2007) Dir. of Operations: ................. John Barnett (Virginia Tech, 2011) 2017 TEAM INFORMATION Offense/Defense: ............................................. Spread/Multiple Offensive Starters Returning/Lost: ....................................... 5/6 Defensive Starters Returning/Lost: ...................................... 7/4 Specialist Returning/Lost: ................................................... 3/4 Players Returning: .......................... 53 (24 off., 26 def., 3 spec.) Players Lost: ................................... 44 (24 off., 15 def., 5 spec.) EKUSports Communications Asst. AD/Communications (FB Contact): ............... Kevin Britton Office Phone: ............................................... (859) 622-2006 Office Fax: ................................................... (859) 622-5108 Cell Phone: .................................................. (859) 358-8359 E-Mail: ............................................ [email protected] Associate Director: .................................................... Steve Fohl Assistant Director: ........................................... Morgan Romans EKU Athletics Web Site: ............................ www.EKUSports.com Ohio Valley Conf. Web Site: ...................... www.OVCSports.com Overnight Mailing: .......... EKU Athletics, 521 Lancaster Avenue, 115 Alumni Coliseum, Richmond, KY 40475
JUST MISSING THE RECORD Keith Wrzuszczak’s 76-yard punt against Tennessee Tech (Sept. 23) just missed tying the school record by two yards. Bob Plotts set the program mark of 78 yards against Tampa in 1966. FIRST WITH 10 CATCHES SINCE 2010 Ryan Markush caught 10 passes for 98 yards at Kentucky (Sept. 9), the first time an EKU player registered 10 or more catches in a game since Orlandus Harris (10) at Chattanooga on Sept. 18, 2010. DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK Linebacker Jeffrey Canady was chosen as the adidas® Ohio Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 10. He also picked up Madness Ohio Valley Defensive Player of the Week honors from College Sports Madness. He finished with 13 tackles and 1.5 sacks for a loss of 11 yards against Kentucky. NATIONAL HONORABLE MENTION Jeffrey Canady earned honorable mention recognition for National Defensive Player of the Week by STATS after his 13 tackle and 1.5 sack performance at Kentucky (Sept. 9). MOST AGAINST POWER 5 TEAM Jeffrey Canady had 1.5 sacks at Kentucky (Sept. 9), the most by an OVC player this year against a Power 5 conference opponent. NOT YOUR AVERAGE BACK UP The regular game plan calls for back up quarterback Austin Scott to play the first series of the second quarter in every game. At Kentucky (Sept. 9), Scott completed 7-of-8 passes for 54 yards during his second quarter possession. His 12-play, 66-yard drive resulted in a 7-yard touchdown run by LJ Scott and a 13-3 lead for EKU. ALL-PURPOSE ALL-STAR LJ Scott finished with 201 all-purpose yards in Eastern’s near upset of Kentucky (Sept. 9). It was the most all-purpose yards by an OVC player this year against an FBS
2017 Honors/Awards 2017 Kentucky Collegiate All-Commonwealth Team Keith Wrzuszczak ..................................... June 23 Jeffrey Canady .......................................... June 23 Kobie Grace ............................................... June 23 Allstate Good Works Team Nominee Jeffrey Canady ........................................... July 13 Preseason All-Ohio Valley Conference Aaron Patrick (DE) .................................... July 24 Keith Wrzuszczak (P) ................................ July 24 Preseason All-America by STATS Keith Wrzuszczak (2nd team) ............... July 31 Preseason All-America by TyrantScouting.com Jeffrey Canady (2nd team) .............. August 16 Preseason All-OVC by CollegeSportsMadness Aaron Patrick (DE, 1st team) ............. August 7 Keith Wrzuszczak (P, 1st team) ......... August 7 Ryan Markush (WR, 2nd team) ........ August 7 Cameron Kowalewski (OL, 2nd team) ... August 7 Chance Edwards (OL, 3rd team) ...... August 7 Lucas Williams (K, 3rd team) ............. August 7 Corey Glass (LB, 3rd team) ................. August 7 Ben Bascom (DB, 3rd team) .............. August 7 Cornelius Floyd (DB, 3rd team) ........ August 7 Preseason OVC Freshman of the Year by CollegeSportsMadness Austin Scott (QB) ................................... August 7 _____________________________________ Ohio Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Week Jeffrey Canady ......................................... Sept. 10 Kobie Grace .............................................. Sept. 24 Ohio Valley Conference Specialist of the Week Keith Wrzuszczak (Co-) ............................ Sept. 3 Keith Wrzuszczak .................................... Sept. 24 Madness Ohio Valley Defensive Player of the Week Jeffrey Canady ......................................... Sept. 10 Kobie Grace .............................................. Sept. 24 STATS Honorable Mention National Defensive Player of the Week Jeffrey Canady ......................................... Sept. 11 STATS Honorable Mention National Special Teams Player of the Week Keith Wrzuszczak .................................... Sept. 25 STATS National Defensive Player of the Week Kobie Grace .............................................. Sept. 25
2017 EKU FOOTBALL opponent. He led the team with 40 rushing yards and gave EKU a 13-3 lead when he scored on a 7-yard run. He caught two passes for 20 yards. Scott also returned four kickoffs for 141 yards, an average of 35.3 yards per return. He began the second half with a 53-yard return. 15 TACKLE GAME Kobie Grace finished with 15 tackles and two pass breakups at Kentucky (Sept. 9). He leads the OVC and is 30th in the nation with 10.0 tackles per game. FIRST 300-YARD PASSER IN DEBUT Tim Boyle became the first EKU quarterback to eclipse the 300-yard mark in their first game as a Colonel. The redshirt senior completed 63 percent of his passes (29of-46) for 320 yards at Western Kentucky (Sept. 2). He also tossed two touchdown passes. FBS SUCCESS Eastern 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 (1913), Louisville (23-13), Kansas State (10-7), Kentucky (34-27 OT), and this year at Western Kentucky (31-17) and Kentucky (27-16). CO-SPECIALIST OF THE WEEK Punter Keith Wrzuszczak was chosen as the OVC Co-Specialist of the Week on Sept. 3. He was charged with keeping the nation’s No. 2 rated punt return team at bay in the season opener at Western Kentucky. WKU led Conference USA and was second in the country with an average of 17.93 yards per punt return in 2016. Wrzuszczak punted four times, and only one was returned – for just two yards. He averaged 40.5 yards per punt while keeping the ball out of the hands of the dangerous Hilltopper returners. Wrzuszczak had a long of 46 and placed one inside the 20 yard line. GETTING DEFENSIVE The Colonels limited a WKU offense that averaged 45.5 points and 523 yards of offense in 2016 to 31 points and 364 yards in the season opener on Sept. 2. NO TURNOVERS -- NONE, ZERO, ZILCH The Colonels did not turn the ball over in their season-opener at Western Kentucky. Last season EKU was plagued by turnovers, finishing with an OVC-most 31. That number also tied for the most in all of FCS football.
www. EKUSports.com | 5 PRESEASON ALL-AMERICAN LINEBACKER Senior linebacker Jeffrey Canady was chosen as a second team preseason All-American by TyrantScouting.com. TWO PICKED ALL-OVC BY COACHES Two Colonels – defensive end Aaron Patrick and punter Keith Wrzuszczak – were chosen to the Preseason All-Ohio Valley Conference Team by league coaches and media relations contacts. NINE CHOSEN PRESEASON ALL-OVC CollegeSportsMadness put nine Colonels on its preseason All-Ohio Valley Conference teams. Aaron Patrick (DL) and Keith Wrzuszczak (P) were first team selections. Ryan Markush (WR) and Cameron Kowalewski (OL) were second team choices. Chance Edwards (OL), Lucas Williams (K), Corey Glass (LB), Ben Bascom (DB) and Cornelius Floyd (DB) were chosen to the third team. PRESEASON OVC FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR CollegeSportsMadness chose quarterback Austin Scott as its Madness Preseason Ohio Valley Conference Freshman of the Year. Scott redshirted last season. RECRUITING SUCCESS In his first 14 months as head coach, Mark Elder engineered back-to-back 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 first recruiting class, after being hired in mid-December, Eastern’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 featured 20 players that received all-state honors, including the No. 17 overall FCS recruit in the nation, Sean Cleasant. DOING GOOD WORKS Senior Jeffrey Canady was a nominee for the 2017 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team ®. RETURNING STARTERS Eastern Kentucky returns just five starters on offensive and seven defensive starters from last season’s team. The returning offensive starters are Chance Edwards (RG), Cameron Fogle (SL), Cameron Kowalewski (RT), Ryan Markush (WR) and Ethan Thomas (RB). The returning defensive starters are Ben Bascom (NB), Nigel Bethel (CB), Jeffrey Canady (LB), Corey Glass (LB), Kobie Grace (S), Aaron Patrick (DE), and Jared Tucker (S).
BIG RETURN After Luder Jean Louis sacked WKU quarterback Mike White and forced a fumble, safety Eric Reed scooped it up and returned it 44 yards.
NATIONAL PRESEASON POLLS Eastern received two votes in the preseason STATS Poll.
PRESEASON ALL-AMERICAN PUNTER Punter Keith Wrzuszczak was chosen as a second team preseason All-American by STATS.
AYE AYE CAPTAIN Five Colonels -- Jeffrey Canady (LB), Kobie Grace (DB), Kagen Skidmore (C), Tim Boyle (QB) and LJ Scott (RB) will serve as permanent team captains throughout the 2017 season.
THE LAST TIME AN EKU PLAYER ... Rushed 30 times in a game Dy’Shawn Mobley vs. MUR on Nov. 15, 2014 (40) Rushed for 200 yards Dy’Shawn Mobley vs. MUR on Nov. 15, 2014 (224) Rushed for 150 yards Dy’Shawn Mobley vs. MUR on Nov. 15, 2014 (224) Rushed for 100 yards Daryl McCleskey Jr. at Austin Peay on Nov. 12, 2016 (109) Rushed for 100 yards in cons. games Dy’Shawn Mobley on Oct. 11, Oct. 18, Oct. 25 and Nov. 1, 2014 Rushed for 3 or more touchdowns Daryl McCleskey Jr. at Austin Peay on Nov. 12, 2016 (3) Passed for 400 yards Bennie Coney at Tennessee Tech on Oct. 1, 2016 (464) Passed for 300 yards Tim Boyle at Western Kentucky on Sept. 2, 2017 (320) Attempted 50 passes Bennie Coney at Murray State on Nov. 14, 2015 (68) Attempted 40 passes Tim Boyle at Western Kentucky on Sept. 2, 2017 (46) Threw 5 touchdown passes Bennie Coney vs. Tennessee-Martin on Nov. 7, 2015 (5) Threw 4 touchdown passes Bennie Coney vs. Southeast Missouri on Oct. 8, 2016 (4) Threw 3 touchdown passes Bennie Coney vs. Southeast Missouri on Oct. 8, 2016 (4) Had 400 yards total offense Bennie Coney at Tennessee Tech on Oct. 1, 2016 (459) Accounted for 5 or more touchdowns Dy’Shawn Mobley vs. MUR on Nov. 15, 2014 (6) Accounted for 4 or more touchdowns Bennie Coney vs. Southeast Missouri on Oct. 8, 2016 (4) Accounted for 3 or more touchdowns Daryl McCleskey Jr. at Austin Peay on Nov. 12, 2016 (3) Caught 10 or more passes Ryan Markush at Kentucky on Sept. 9, 2010 (10) Caught 7 or more passes Dan Paul vs. Tennessee State on Oct. 7, 2017 (8) Had 200 or more yards receiving Orlandus Harris at Tennessee Tech on Nov. 13, 2010 (200) Had 150 or more yards receiving Jeff Glover vs. Murray State on Nov. 15, 2014 (161) Had 100 or more yards receiving Ryan Markush at Southeast Mo. on Sept. 30, 2017 (122) Caught 3 or more touchdown passes Devin Borders vs. Southeast Missouri on Oct. 8, 2016 (3) Had 2 interceptions Stanley Absanon (2) vs. Indiana State on Nov. 29, 2014 Had 15 or more tackles Kobie Grace (15) vs. Kentucky on Sept. 9, 2017
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2017 EKU FOOTBALL
Depth Chart (As Of Oct. 15, 2017)
OFFENSE QB
DEFENSE
7 15 17
Tim Boyle (6-4, 233, r-Sr., Middlefield, Conn.) Austin Scott (6-1, 209, r-Fr., Moore, S.C.) Garrett Kruczek (6-2, 174, r-So., Winter Park, Fla.)
4 20 or 6 or 23
LJ Scott (6-0, 222, r-Jr., Marion, Ohio) Ethan Thomas (5-11, 203, Jr., Johnson City, Tenn.) Jason Lewis (6-3, 253, r-So., Virginia Beach, Va.) Daryl McCleskey Jr. (5-9, 186, So., Dayton, Ohio)
RB
DE
55 45
Taquan Evans (6-2, 229, r-So., Douglasville, Ga.) DJ White (6-5, 250, r-Fr., Madisonville, Ky.)
DT
92 69
Dillon Denault (6-2, 280, r-Fr., Lancaster, Ohio) Sean Cleasant Jr. (6-2, 308, Fr., Louisville, Ky.)
DT
70 54
Connor Foos (6-4, 275, So., Louisville, Ky.) Leonard Humphrey (6-2, 280, Fr., Knoxville, Tenn.)
LT
64 67
Cameron Kowalewski (6-5, 277, r-Jr., Dallas, Ga.) Nick Cavinee (6-7, 281, r-Fr., Newark, Ohio)
DE
5 45
Luder Jean Louis (6-4, 223, r-Sr., Brooklyn, N.Y.) DJ White (6-5, 250, r-Fr., Madisonville, Ky.)
LG
63 79
Kagen Skidmore (6-2, 306, Sr., Somerset, Ky.) Thomas Tabur (6-3, 288, r-So., Northbridge, Mass.)
LB
53 34
Jeffrey Canady (6-0, 232, r-Sr., Barbourville, Ky.) Demontre Boyd (6-1, 191, r-Jr., Louisville, Ky.)
C
75 63
De’jour Simpson (6-3, 320, So., Charlotte, N.C.) Kagen Skidmore (6-2, 306, Sr., Somerset, Ky.)
LB
49 8
Damon Lowe (6-2, 241, So., Louisville, Ky.) Gavin Bryant (6-1, 238, r-Jr., Jackson, Ala.)
RG
66 79
Chance Edwards (6-5, 330, r-Sr., Webster, Fla.) Thomas Tabur (6-3, 288, r-So., Northbridge, Mass.)
LB
3 27
Corey Glass (5-10, 217, Jr., Jacksonville, Fla.) Drew O’Bryan (6-2, 233, r-Fr., Ashland, Ky.)
RT
78 57
Justin Myles (6-3, 301, r-Jr., Cincinnati, Ohio) Ja’HShaun Seider (6-2, 307, r-So., Belle Glade, Fla.)
NB
18 12
Ben Bascom (5-9, 186, r-So., Apoka, Fla.) Cornelius Floyd (5-11, 175, Sr., Miami, Fla.)
TE 43 or 89
Dan Paul (6-3, 253, r-Jr., Naples, Fla.) Clayton Schmerber (6-6, 249, Jr., Centerville, Ohio)
LCB 10 36
Jordan Whitfield (6-1, 182, r-Jr., Huber Heights, Ohio) Omari Alexander (5-10, 171, So., Louisville, Ky.)
WR
11 87
Neiko Creamer (6-3, 224, r-Jr., Wilmington, Del.) Matt Clark (6-2, 212, r-So., Prospect, Ky.)
RCB 32 36
Buck Solomon (6-0, 180, Sr., Groveland, Fla.) Omari Alexander (5-10, 171, So., Louisville, Ky.)
SL
25 23
BK Smith (5-10, 184, Fr., Louisville, Ky.) Daryl McCleskey Jr. (5-9, 186, So., Dayton, Ohio)
LS
2 35
Kobie Grace (5-9, 191, Sr., Winter Park, Fla.) TJ Comstock (5-11, 193, So., Louisville, Ky.)
WR
9 80
Ryan Markush (6-2, 189, Sr., Germantown, Md.) Jaelin Carter (6-2, 203, Fr., Louisville, Ky.)
RS
41 24
Eric Reed (5-9, 208, r-Sr., Nashville, Tenn.) Jared Tucker (5-11, 180, r-Jr, Stone Mountain, Ga.)
KO
99 28
Lucas Williams (6-1, 193, r-Sr., Russell Springs, Ky.) Samuel Hayworth (5-11, 169, r-So., Ormond Beach, Fla.)
SS
42 46
Alex Shelton (6-0, 217, Fr., Fort Wright, Ky.) Thomas Bowling (6-1, 192, Fr., Bardstown, Ky.)
PK
99 28
Lucas Williams (6-1, 193, r-Sr., Russell Springs, Ky.) Samuel Hayworth (5-11, 169, r-So., Ormond Beach, Fla.)
HO
19 28
Keith Wrzuszczak (5-11, 212, Sr., Victoria, Australia) Samuel Hayworth (5-11, 169, r-So., Ormond Beach, Fla.)
P
19 28
Keith Wrzuszczak (5-11, 212, Sr., Victoria, Australia) Samuel Hayworth (5-11, 169, r-So., Ormond Beach, Fla.)
KR
4 23
LJ Scott (6-0, 222, r-Jr., Marion, Ohio) Daryl McCleskey Jr. (5-9, 186, So., Dayton, Ohio)
LS
46 42
Thomas Bowling (6-1, 192, Fr., Bardstown, Ky.) Alex Shelton (6-0, 217, Fr., Fort Wright, Ky.)
PR
9 23
Ryan Markush (6-2, 189, Sr., Germantown, Md.) Daryl McCleskey Jr. (5-9, 186, So., Dayton, Ohio)
SPECIAL TEAMS
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2017 EKU FOOTBALL
HEAD COACH Mark Elder Eastern Kentucky University owns two national championships, 21 Ohio Valley Conference titles and 21 NCAA playoff appearances. Head coach Mark Elder has the program back on track to add to those numbers. In his first 14 months as head coach, Elder has engineered back-to-back top-25 rated recruiting classes, re-stocking the Colonel roster with a talented young core. He has also driven dramatic facility improvements. The program now has a brand new, state-of-the-art strength and conditioning center that includes an indoor turf area and the second-largest nutrition bar in all of college 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 revitalization project will open this fall. The east side of Roy Kidd Stadium will feature a brand new team locker room featuring a team lounge, equipment room and a game day training area. The expansion project will include over 3,000 new seats and a new concourse with modern concession facilities. Despite having less than two months to put together his first recruiting class, after being hired in mid-December, Eastern’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 featured 20 players that received all-state honors, including the No. 17 overall FCS recruit in the nation, Sean Cleasant. The team excelled in several areas while a number of Colonels thrived on and off the field during Elder’s first season as head coach. The offense fired on all cylinders in scoring 67 points against Austin Peay, tying a school record set in 1925. Not only did Eastern Kentucky lead the Ohio Valley Conference in net punting and punt return defense, the team ranked third and fourth in the nation in those categories. Eastern led the conference, and was sixth
The Elder File PERSONAL Hometown ............................................................................. Cincinnati, Ohio Family ..................................................................................... Wife - Lindsey, Children - Owen & Lila EDUCATION Undergraduate ....................... Case Western Reserve (2000) - B.S. Economics Graduate ........... Akron (2001) - M.S. Education In Sports Science & Coaching ASSISTANT COACHING EXPERIENCE Year School Coaching Position 2000-01 Akron Defensive Graduate Assistant 2002 Lehigh Asst. Linebackers Coach 2003 Iona Defensive Coord./Linebackers 2004 Wayne State Defensive Coord./ Linebackers 2005-06 Michigan Defensive Quality Control/GA 2007-09 Central Michigan Linebackers Coach 2010-12 Cincinnati TEs, RBs, Special Teams, DBs 2013-15 Tennessee Special Teams/Tight Ends HEAD COACHING EXPERIENCE Year School 2016 Eastern Kentucky 2017 Eastern Kentucky Totals First Season
Overall 3-8 1-5 4-13
OVC 2-6 1-3 3-9
Notes 2000 MAC East Co-Champions 18th nationally scoring defense 1st winning season since 1993 Alamo Bowl & Rose Bowl 2x MAC Champs, 3 bowl games 2x Big East Champs, 2 bowl wins 2 bowl wins Notes
NOTABLE - Over final 11 seasons as an assistant, has helped his teams reach nine bowl games - 2014 national top-50 recruiter - 2015 national top-25 recruiter
in the country, in fumbles recovered. The defense registered 21 sacks in the final eight games of the season. The Colonels finished the season among the top-45 in the nation in total offense and passing. In just his second season as a college football player, defensive end Aaron Patrick earned first team All-OVC honors and was chosen as a first team Sophomore All-American. Quarterback Tyler Swafford more than quadrupled his production on the field, doubled his quarterback rating and earned the 2016 Doris Robinson FCS Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award. True freshman Daryl McCleskey Jr. made an immediate impact, leading the team with five rushing touchdowns and had a 109-yard, three touchdown performance against Austin Peay. The academic success wasn’t limited to Swafford. As a team, the Colonels had the highest graduation rate of any team in the conference. Linebacker Jeffrey Canady was chosen as Academic All-District and defensive lineman Avery Pitt was chosen as a semifinalist for the 2016 Campbell Trophy, recognizing the abso-
lute best scholar-athlete in the nation. Elder was chosen as EKU’s head football coach on Dec. 8, 2015. He had served as the tight ends coach and special teams coordinator at Tennessee since 2013. Elder is the 14th head coach in program history. Over his final 11 seasons as an assistant 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. As a member of Butch Jones’ inaugural staff, the Cincinnati native helped lead the revitalization of Volunteer football. He helped UT to a 9-4 record in 2015 and a second place finish in the SEC East Division with a 5-3 mark. It was Tennessee’s first winning record in SEC play since 2007. The Volunteers beat Northwestern in the Outback Bowl on New Year’s Day. In just their second season in Knoxville, Elder helped Jones and the Vols to a 7-6 mark in 2014 and a 45-28 victory over Iowa in the TaxSlayer Bowl. It was Tennes-
2017 EKU FOOTBALL see’s first winning record in five seasons and first bowl win since the end of the 2007 campaign. Elder helped Michigan reach bowl games as a defensive graduate assistant in 2005 and 2006. He then joined Jones’ first staff at Central Michigan University. Elder coached the Chippewa linebackers for three seasons (2007-09). During that time, CMU qualified for three bowl appearances and won two MAC Championships. When Jones made the jump to the University of Cincinnati before the 2010 season, Elder joined the Bearcat staff as the tight ends coach. He also coached running backs, safeties and special teams at various times. The duo found similar success at UC, winning two Big East Conference Championships and getting Cincinnati into two bowl games in three seasons. While coaching the running backs at Cincinnati in 2011 Elder tutored Isaiah Pead, the Big East Offensive Player of the Year and the first Bearcat in nearly 25 years to record consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. UC led the Big East in rushing and averaged 33.3 points per game. Cincinnati capped the season with a victory over Vanderbilt in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. In three seasons at Central Michigan, Elder produced an all-conference linebacker each year. Elder also served as the defensive coordinator at Wayne State (2004) and Iona (2003). He was assistant coach at Lehigh in 2002 and a graduate assistant with Akron in 2000 and 2001. Elder graduated cum laude with a degree in economics from Case Western Reserve in Cleveland, Ohio in 2000. He earned a master’s degree in education in sports science and coaching from Akron in 2001. He and his wife LIndsey have one son, Owen, and one daughter, Lila. Mark Elder vs. All Opponents Team Record Austin Peay ....................................................... 1-0 Ball State ............................................................ 0-1 Eastern Illinois .................................................. 0-1 Jacksonville State ........................................... 0-2 Kentucky ............................................................ 0-1 Murray State ..................................................... 0-1 Pikeville .............................................................. 1-0 Purdue ................................................................ 0-1 Southeast Missouri ........................................ 1-1 Tennessee-Martin ........................................... 0-1 Tennessee State .............................................. 0-2 Tennessee Tech ............................................... 1-1 Western Kentucky .......................................... 0-1 TOTAL ............................................................. 4-13
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THE LAST TIME EASTERN KENTUCKY ... Had 20 or more first downs at Western Kentucky on Sept. 2, 2017 (22) Had 400 yards rushing at Robert Morris on Aug. 28, 2014 (407) Had 300 yards rushing at Austin Peay on Nov. 12, 2016 (346) Had 50 or more rushing attempts vs. Southeast Missouri on Oct. 8, 2016 (52) Had 5 or more rushing TDs at Austin Peay on Nov. 12, 2016 (6) Had 4 or more rushing TDs at Austin Peay on Nov. 12, 2016 (6) 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 Southeast Mo. on Sept. 30, 2017 (306) 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 Kentucky on Sept. 9, 2017 (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 offense vs. Tennessee Tech on Oct. 8, 2015 (629) Had 500 yards total offense at Austin Peay on Nov. 12, 2016 (531) Had 80 total plays vs. Murray State on Nov. 5, 2016 (91) Scored 70 points never Scored 60 points at Austin Peay on Nov. 12, 2016 (67) Scored 50 points at Austin Peay on Nov. 12, 2016 (67) Scored 40 points at Austin Peay on Nov. 12, 2016 (67) Committed no turnovers at Western Kentucky on Sept. 2, 2017 Had 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 vs. Austin Peay on Sept. 8, 2016 (Kiante Northington – 12 yards, Corey Glass – 54 yards, Luder Jean Louis – 0 yards)
Returned a fumble for TD at Tennessee State on Nov. 1, 2014 (Devin Borders – 33 yards) Returned a blocked punt for TD at Eastern Illinois on Nov. 21, 2015 (Tyrell Curry – 35 yards) Blocked a punt at Eastern Illinois on Nov. 21, 2015 (LaJuan Smith) Blocked a FG vs. Jacksonville State on Oct. 22, 2016 (Devin Borders) Blocked a PAT at Jacksonville State on Nov. 9, 2013 (Devin Borders) Missed a PAT at Kentucky on Sept. 9, 2017 (Lucas Williams) Had a punt blocked at Jacksonville State on Nov. 9, 2013 Had a FG blocked vs. Murray State, Nov. 5, 2016 Was held scoreless vs. Eastern Illinois, Nov. 19, 2016 (24-0) 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 first downs vs. Tennessee State on Nov. 2, 2013 (10) Held an oppt. to 300 yards total offense vs. Tennessee State on Oct. 7, 2017 (299) Held an oppt. to 200 yards total offense at Southeast Missouri on Oct. 17, 2014 (191) Held an oppt. to 150 yards total offense vs. Austin Peay on Oct. 5, 2013 (108) Held an oppt. to less than 100 yards rushing vs. Murray State on Nov. 5, 2016 (66) Held an oppt. to 50 yards rushing at Southeast Missouri on Oct. 17, 2015 (31) Held an opponent to 100 yards passing at Southeast Mo. on Sept. 30, 2017 (76) Held an opponent without a TD at Austin Peay on Oct. 4, 2014 Scored an offensive 2-pt. conversion at Jacksonville State on Oct. 14, 2017 Scored a defensive 2-pt. conversion vs. Morehead State on Sept. 13, 2014 Had 10 or more penalties at Kentucky on Sept. 9, 2017 (11) Had 100 penalty yards at Ball State on Sept. 17, 2016 (128) Had 35 minutes ToP at Murray State on Nov. 14, 2015 (36:37) Played an OT game at Tennessee Tech on Oct. 1, 2016 (L, 33-30) Scored a safety vs. Murray State on Nov. 5, 2016 Allowed a safety at Southeast Mo. on Sept. 30, 2017
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2017 EKU FOOTBALL
NUMERICAL ROSTER
ALPHABETICAL ROSTER No. 36 13 74 73 71 18 83 33 90
Name Pos. Omari Alexander DB Dakota Allen QB Christopher Anthony OL Graham Ashkettle OL Jackson Bardall OL Ben Bascom DB Jackson Beerman WR Malik Bell DB Josiah Bennett DL Grayson Blevins LB 39 Alonzo Booth RB 46 Thomas Bowling LS 34 Demontre Boyd LB 7 Tim Boyle QB 88 Ethan Bradds TE 8 Gavin Bryant LB Andrew Burgess QB Shane Burks DT 82 Alex Cabrera WR 53 Jeffrey Canady LB Brian Carter LB 80 Jaelin Carter WR Cameron Catron RB 67 Nick Cavinee OL Cameron Chase TE 87 Matt Clark WR 69 Sean Cleasant Jr. DL Tristan Coffey WR Deiondre Coleman DB 35 TJ Comstock DB 21 Azjai Cooper WR Isaiah Cornett WR 11 Neiko Creamer WR 40 Steven Crowder LB 92 Dillon Denault DL Andrew Dziuk LB 66 Chance Edwards OL 58 Brentton Ervin LB 55 Taquan Evans DE 12 Cornelius Floyd DB 96 Quinten Floyd DL 22 Cameron Fogle WR 70 Connor Foos DL 3 Corey Glass LB Dalton Gossett OL 2 Kobie Grace DB 37 Raynaldy Gustave RB 28 Samuel Hayworth K/P Jeremy Hodowanic DL 50 Ray Horton DL 54 Leonard Humphrey DL Kevin Hyde DB 31 AJ Jackson DB 47 Matthew Jackson LB Melchisedek Jeudy OL 5 Luder Jean Louis DL Domynik Johnson RB 14 Derius Jones WR No. Name Pos.
No. 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 27 28 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 No.
Player Kobie Grace Corey Glass LJ Scott Luder Jean Louis Jason Lewis Tim Boyle Gavin Bryant Ryan Markush Jordan Whitfield Neiko Creamer Cornelius Floyd Dakota Allen Derius Jones Austin Scott James Smith Jr. Garrett Kruczek Ben Bascom Keith Wrzuszczak Ethan Thomas Azjai Cooper Cameron Fogle Daryl McCleskey Jr. Jared Tucker BK Smith Drew O’Bryan Samuel Hayworth Ralph Patton AJ Jackson Buck Solomon Malik Bell Demontre Boyd TJ Comstock Omari Alexander Raynaldy Gustave Eli Sowder Alonzo Booth Steven Crowder Eric Reed Alex Shelton Dan Paul Aaron Patrick DJ White Thomas Bowling Matthew Jackson Damon Lowe Ray Horton Quinton Locklear Tucker Schroeder Jeffrey Canady Leonard Humphrey Taquan Evans Brian Lassiter Ja’HShaun Seider Brentton Ervin Gunner Slone Kagen Skidmore Cameron Kowalewski Josh Ratliff Chance Edwards Nick Cavinee Jordan Scott Sean Cleasant Jr. Player
Pos. DB LB RB DL RB QB LB WR DB WR DB QB WR QB QB QB DB P RB WR WR RB DB WR LB K/P RB DB DB DB LB DB DB RB LS RB LB DB LB/LS TE DL DL LS LB LB DL LB OL LB DL DE DL OL LB DL OL OL OL OL OL OL DL Pos.
Ht. 5-9 5-10 6-0 6-4 6-3 6-4 6-1 6-2 6-1 6-3 5-11 6-4 5-10 6-1 5-11 6-2 5-9 5-11 5-11 6-4 5-11 5-9 5-11 5-10 6-2 5-11 5-9 5-11 6-0 6-0 6-1 5-11 5-10 5-7 5-10 6-1 6-2 5-9 6-0 6-3 6-4 6-5 6-1 6-2 6-2 6-1 6-2 6-4 6-0 6-2 6-2 6-3 6-2 5-11 6-3 6-2 6-5 6-6 6-5 6-7 6-2 6-2 Ht.
Wt. 191 217 222 223 253 233 235 189 182 224 175 210 176 209 170 174 186 212 203 187 208 186 180 184 233 169 194 187 180 184 191 193 171 183 195 260 236 208 217 253 236 250 192 186 241 317 218 300 232 280 229 237 302 229 284 306 277 272 330 281 311 308 Wt.
Cl. Sr. Jr. R-Jr. Sr. R-So. R-Sr. R-Jr. Sr. R-Jr. R-Jr. Sr. Fr. R-Sr. R-Fr. So. R-So. R-So. Sr. Jr. Fr. R-Sr. So. R-Jr. Fr. R-Fr. R-So. R-Jr. R-Fr. R-Jr. Fr. Jr. So. So. R-Jr. Fr. Fr. Fr. R-Sr. Fr. R-Jr. Jr. R-Fr. Fr. Fr. So. Fr. R-Fr. Fr. R-Sr. Fr. R-So. Fr. R-So. R-So. Fr. Sr. R-Jr. Fr. R-Sr. R-Fr. Fr. Fr. Cl.
Hometown (Previous School) Winter Park, Fla. (West Orange HS) Jacksonville, Fla. (Ed White HS) Marion, Ohio (University of Louisville) Brooklyn, N.Y. (Nassau CC) Virginia Beach, Va. (Arizona State University) Middlefield, Conn. (University of Connecticut) Jackson, Ala. (University of Tennessee) Germantown, Md. (Fullerton College) Huber Heights, Ohio (Wayne HS) Wilmington, Del. (University of Tennessee) Miami, Fla. (University of Arkansas) Lebanon, Ohio (Lebanon HS) Louisville, Ky. (Kentucky State University) Moore, S.C. (Spartanburg HS) Charlotte, N.C. (Mallard Creek HS) Winter Park, Fla. (University of Central Florida) Apopka, Fla. (Apopka HS) Geelong, Victoria, Australia (Oberon HS) Johnson City, Tenn. (Elizabethton HS) Indianapolis, Ind. (Ben Davis HS) Hebron, Ky. (University of Kentucky) Dayton, Ohio (Wayne HS) Stone Mountain, Ga. (University of Kentucky) Louisville, Ky. (Male HS) Ashland, Ky. (Western Kentucky University) Ormond Beach, Fla. (Seabreeze HS) Cincinnati, Ohio (Shorter College) Nashville, Tenn. (Cane Ridge HS) Groveland, Fla. (South Lake HS) Miami, Fla. (Miami Palmetto Senior HS) Louisville, Ky. (Central HS) Louisville, Ky. (duPont Manual HS) Louisville, Ky. (duPont Manual HS) Louisville, Ky. (Western Kentucky University) Covington, Ky. (Scott HS) Canal Winchester, Ohio (St. Francis DeSales HS) Mount Olive, Ala. (Gardendale HS) Nashville, Tenn. (Goodpasture Christian School) Fort Wright, Ky. (Covington Catholic HS) Naples, Fla. (Naples Community HS) Dayton, Ohio (Meadowdale HS) Madisonville, Ky. (Casey County HS) Bardstown, Ky. (Bardstown HS) Nashville, Tenn. (Hillsboro HS) Louisville, Ky. (Trinity HS) Belfry, Ky. (Belfry HS) Sanford, N.C. (Southern Lee HS) St. Cloud, Fla. (Harmony HS) Barbourville, Ky. (Knox Central HS) Knoxville, Tenn. (West HS) Douglasville, Ga. (South Paulding HS) Charlotte, N.C. (Mallard Creek HS) Belle Glade, Fla. (West Virginia University) Louisville, Ky. (Kentucky State University) Paintsville, Ky. (Johnson Central HS) Somerset, Ky. (Somerset HS) Dallas, Ga. (Hillgrove HS) Louisa, Ky. (Lawrence County HS) Webster, Fla. (South Sumter HS) Newark, Ohio (Newark Catholic HS) Huddy, Ky. (Belfry HS) Louisville, Ky. (duPont Manual HS) Hometown (Previous School)
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2017 EKU FOOTBALL
70 71 73 74 75 78 79 80 81 82 83 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 95 96 99
Connor Foos Jackson Bardall Graham Ashkettle Christopher Anthony De’jour Simpson Justin Myles Thomas Tabur Jaelin Carter Aaron Riddick Alex Cabrera Jackson Beerman Collin Sanchez Matt Clark Ethan Bradds Clayton Schmerber Josiah Bennett Tre Turner Dillon Denault Nakiya Smith Quinten Floyd Lucas Williams Grayson Blevins Andrew Burgess Shane Burks Brian Carter Cameron Catron Cameron Chase Tristan Coffey Deiondre Coleman Isaiah Cornett Andrew Dziuk Dalton Gossett Jeremy Hodowanic Kevin Hyde Melchisedek Jeudy Domynik Johnson Tre’ Moore Isaiah Murph Jaret Pogliano Ridge Reed John Riley Jr. Chase Ross Cade Sanchez Cole Schaff Kameron Smith Ricky Smith Austin Torrens Peyton Van Horn Landon White Bryce Wilson Zay Yeast
DL OL OL OL OL OL OL WR WR WR WR TE WR TE TE DL DL DL DL DL K LB QB DT LB RB TE WR DB WR LB OL DL DB DL RB DB RB WR RB DB OL OL LB DB LB WR DL K DB DB
6-4 6-3 6-6 6-4 6-3 6-3 6-3 6-2 5-11 6-0 6-5 6-4 6-2 6-5 6-6 6-3 6-5 6-2 6-4 6-2 6-1 5-10 6-0 6-1 6-1 5-9 6-2 5-9 5-10 6-2 6-0 6-4 6-1 5-10 6-0 5-10 5-9 6-2 6-0 6-0 5-10 6-2 6-2 6-2 5-11 6-1 6-2 6-2 6-1 6-0 6-2
275 300 289 286 320 301 288 203 163 184 204 263 212 245 249 294 228 280 234 261 193 205 171 309 216 172 220 175 170 180 211 257 271 170 280 190 195 215 189 208 180 323 240 205 165 230 202 210 187 181 190
So. R-Fr. Fr. Fr. So. R-Jr. R-So. Fr. R-So. So. Fr. Fr. R-So. Fr. Jr. Sr. Fr. R-Fr. Fr. Fr. R-Sr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. R-Fr. R-Fr. R-Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. R-Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Jr. R-Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. R-So. R-Fr. R-Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr.
Louisville, Ky. (Trinity HS) Cumming, Ga. (North Forsyth HS) Crestwood, Ky. (South Oldham HS) Massillon, Ohio (Washington HS) Charlotte, N.C. (Mallard Creek HS) Cincinnati, Ohio (Colerain HS) Northbridge, Mass. (University of Connecticut) Louisville, Ky. (duPont Manual HS) Louisville, Ky. (DuPont Manual HS) Melbourne, Fla. (Viera HS) Lexington, Ky. (Tates Creek HS) Lexington, Ala. (Lexington HS) Prospect, Ky. (North Oldham HS) Jamestown, Ohio (Greenview HS) Centerville, Ohio (Centerville HS) East Stroudsburg, Pa. (Lackawanna College) Huntersville, N.C. (North Mecklenburg HS) Lancaster, Ohio (Lancaster HS) Johnson City, Tenn. (Science Hill HS) Frankfort, Ky. (Bryan Station HS) Russell Springs, Ky. (Russell County HS) Harrodsburg, Ky. (Mercer County HS) South Bend, Ind. (Adams HS) Lexington, Ky. (Bryan Station HS) Independence, Ky. (Simon Kenton HS) Belfry, Ky. (Belfry HS) Bellevue, Ky. (Bellevue HS) Danville, Ky. (Union College) Louisville, Ky. (Marshall University) Somerset, Ky. (Somerset HS) Cornelius, N.C. (Hough HS) Louisville, Ky. (Male HS) Forney, Texas (Naval Academy Prep School) Cincinnati, Ohio (Colerain HS) Miami, Fla. (Miami Southridge Senior HS) Lexington, Ky. (Woodford County HS) Indianapolis, Ind. (Warren Central HS) Hamilton, Ohio (Hamilton HS) Union, Ky. (Mount St. Joseph University) Carlisle, Ohio (Carlisle HS) Louisville, Ky. (duPont Manual HS) Walton, Ky. (Ryle HS) Lexington, Ala. (Lexington HS) Ashburn, Va. (Briar Woods HS) Louisville, Ky. (Campbellsville University) Charlotte, N.C. (Lenoir Rhyne University) New Richmond, Ohio (Mount St. Joseph Univ.) Hebron, Ky. (Conner HS) Richmond, Ky. (Madison Central HS) Lexington, Ky. (Tates Creek HS) Lexington, Ky. (Paul Laurence Dunbar HS)
Head Coach: Mark Elder (Case Western Reserve, 2000), second season Staff: Terry Heffernan (Associate Head Coach/Offensive Line), Tommy Zagorski (Assistant Head Coach/Tight Ends/Offensive Tackles), Kurt Mattix (Defensive Coordinator), Angelo Mirando (Offensive Coordinator), Shannon Morrison (Co-Defensive Coordinator/DBs), Chase Gibson (Linebackers), Kevin Koger (Wide Receivers), Greg Meyer (Special Teams/RBs), Walter Stewart (Defensive Line), Tommy Feazell (Offensive Quality Control), Patrick Parrilli (Offensive QC), Spencer Patterson (Offensive QC), Robert Belle (Defensive QC), Braxton Brown (Defensive QC), Hunter Nichols (Defensive QC), Austin Minor (Special Teams QC), David Leake (QC Analyst), Jon-Michael Davis (Strength & Conditioning), Brandon Lawson (Dir. of Recruiting), Cory Lanham (Video), Dalvin Jones (Equipment), Tim Miesmer (Athletic Trainer), John Barnett (Dir. of Operations)
Pronunciation Guide Jackson Bardall – Bar-DOLL Azjai Cooper – Ah-ZAY Garrett Kruczek – CRUISE-zack Jaelin Carter – JAY-lynn Neiko Creamer – CREE-mer Brian Lassiter – las-SITTER Nick Cavinee – CAV-in-EEE Raynaldy Gustave – GOO-stahv Ryan Markush – mar-KOOSH Sean Cleasant Jr. – rhymes with pleasant Cameron Kowalewski – KOH-wah-less-skee Ja’HShaun Seider – JAY-shawn Cider
64 17 56 6 51 49 9 23 78 27 44 30 43 65 41 81
86 89 52 15 68 4 57 42 75 63 59 25 16 95 32 38 79 20 24 91 45 10 99 19
Cameron Kowalewski Garrett Kruczek Brian Lassiter Jason Lewis Quinton Locklear Damon Lowe Ryan Markush Daryl McCleskey Jr. Tre’ Moore Isaiah Murph Justin Myles Drew O’Bryan Aaron Patrick Ralph Patton Dan Paul Jaret Pogliano Josh Ratliff Eric Reed Ridge Reed Aaron Riddick John Riley Jr. Chase Ross Cade Sanchez Collin Sanchez Cole Schaff Clayton Schmerber Tucker Schroeder Austin Scott Jordan Scott LJ Scott Ja’HShaun Seider Alex Shelton De’jour Simpson Kagen Skidmore Gunner Slone BK Smith James Smith Jr. Kameron Smith Nakiya Smith Ricky Smith Buck Solomon Eli Sowder Thomas Tabur Ethan Thomas Austin Torrens Jared Tucker Tre Turner Peyton Van Horn DJ White Landon White Jordan Whitfield Lucas Williams Bryce Wilson Keith Wrzuszczak Zay Yeast
Nakiya Smith – NICK-kie-ah Tom Tabur – TAY-bur Keith Wrzuszczak – ROO-sack
OL QB DL RB LB LB WR RB DB RB OL LB DL RB TE WR OL DB RB WR DB OL OL TE LB TE OL QB OL RB OL LB/LS OL DL DL WR QB DB DL LB DB LS OL RB WR DB DL DL DL K DB K DB P DB
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2017 GAME-BY-GAME STARTERS Offense WR LT LG at Western Kentucky Creamer Kowalewski Simpson at Kentucky Creamer Kowalewski Simpson Tennessee Tech Creamer Kowalewski Simpson at Southeast Missouri Creamer Kowalewski Skidmore Tennessee State Creamer Kowalewski Skidmore at Jacksonville State Creamer (7) Kowalewski (17) Skidmore (6) Tennessee-Martin at Murray State at Eastern Illinois Austin Peay Saint Francis Defense DE at Western Kentucky Patrick at Kentucky Patrick Tennessee Tech Patrick at Southeast Missouri Evans Tennessee State Evans at Jacksonville State Evans (3) Tennessee-Martin at Murray State at Eastern Illinois Austin Peay Saint Francis
DT Foos Foos Foos Foos Foos Foos (7)
C Skidmore Skidmore Skidmore Simpson Simpson Simpson (3)
RG Edwards Edwards Edwards Tabur Edwards Edwards (2)
RT Myles Myles Myles Myles Myles Myles (6)
DT DE Denault Jean Louis Denault Jean Louis Denault Jean Louis Denault Jean Louis Cleasant Jean Louis Humphrey (1) Jean Louis (6)
LB Canady Canady Canady Canady Canady Canady (17)
LB Glass Glass Glass Glass Glass Lowe (4)
TE SL WR Paul Schmerber [TE] Markush Paul Fogle Markush Schmerber [TE] Markush Paul Paul BK Smith Markush Seider [OL] BK Smith Markush Seider [OL] (2) BK Smith (3) Markush (17)
NB Bascom Bascom Lowe [LB] Lowe [LB] Lowe [LB] Bascom (1)
LCB Solomon Bethel Whitfield Bethel Solomon Solomon (2)
RCB Tucker Solomon Solomon Whitfield Whitfield Whitfield (4)
QB Boyle Boyle Boyle Boyle Boyle Boyle (6)
RB LJ Scott LJ Scott LJ Scott LJ Scott LJ Scott D. McCleskey (1)
LS Grace Reed Grace Grace Grace Grace (27)
RS Reed Grace Bascom Reed Reed Reed (3)
consecutive starts in ( )
2017 GAME-BY-GAME TEAM STATISTICS Score 31 17
1st Dns 20 22
Rush-Yds. 40-100 22-25
Passes 20-31-0 29-48-0
Pass Yds. 264 320
Total Yds. 364 345
Pen.-Yds. 3-25 5-65
TOs 1 0
Poss. 29:38 30:22
3Dn Con. 10/17 8/15
Sacks By 1-8 4-31
at Kentucky Eastern Kentucky
27 16
22 17
39-207 20-62
16-24-0 31-43-1
229 256
436 318
6-60 11-90
0 2
31:28 28:32
6/13 6/14
1-15 3-20
Tennessee Tech at Eastern Kentucky
21 24
21 11
36-112 27-83
26-40-2 23-32-0
304 205
416 288
9-52 7-51
5 1
32:21 27:39
6/15 4/16
0-0 2-15
at Southeast Missouri Eastern Kentucky
29 10
15 18
44-299 22-11
9-23-0 19-46-3
76 306
375 317
12-110 5-43
0 4
35:44 24:16
4/15 1/13
2-15 0-0
Tennessee State at Eastern Kentucky
45 21
21 16
46-193 32-124
12-23-1 21-35-4
106 246
299 370
3-24 8-72
1 4
34:09 25:51
7/14 8/16
1-1 1-1
at Jacksonville State Eastern Kentucky
41 25
19 16
40-184 30-57
11-22-0 17-28-2
162 195
346 252
9-72 7-70
0 4
30:01 29:59
8/15 7/13
1-8 0-0
at Western Kentucky Eastern Kentucky
Tennessee-Martin at Eastern Kentucky at Murray State Eastern Kentucky at Eastern Illinois astern Kentucky Austin Peay at Eastern Kentucky Saint Francis at Eastern Kentucky
2017 OPENING DRIVES 1st Half Eastern Opponent
WKU Punt Punt
UK TD FG
TTU Punt Fumble
SEMO TOD Punt
TSU INT INT
JSU INT TD
UTM
MUR
EIU
APSU
SFU
2nd Half Eastern Opponent
WKU TD TD
UK Fumble Punt
TTU TD Downs
SEMO Punt Punt
TSU TD Punt
JSU Fumble Punt
UTM
MUR
EIU
APSU
SFU
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2017 EKU FOOTBALL
2017 GAME SUMMARIES # (DVWHUQ.HQWXFN\YV:.8 6HSDW%RZOLQJ*UHHQ.\
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NATIONAL CHAMPIONS 1979 • 1982
2017 FOOTBALL GAME
OVC CHAMPIONS 1954 • 1962 • 1967 • 1968 • 1974 • 1976 1981 • 1982 • 1983 • 1984 • 1986 • 1987 1988 • 1990 • 1991 • 1993 • 1994 • 1997 2007 • 2008 • 2011
NOTES
EKUSports Communications • Football Contact: Kevin Britton, Assistant Athletics Director for Communications • [email protected] • (859) 622-2006
vs. TENNESSEE-MARTIN
GAME
Oct. 21, 2017 3 p.m. ET - OVCDN Richmond, Ky. Roy Kidd Stadium (20,000)
7
2017 EKU Schedule/Results DATE Sept. 2 Sept. 9 Sept. 16 Sept. 23 Sept. 30 Oct. 7 Oct. 14 Oct. 21 Oct. 28 Nov. 4 Nov. 11 Nov. 18
RANK RV/NR RV/NR RV/NR RV/NR RV/NR NR/NR NR/NR NR/NR
OPPONENT TV/NET TIME at Western Kentucky FloFootball L, 17-31 at Kentucky SECN L, 16-27 OPEN TENNESSEE TECH* OVCDN W, 24-21 at Southeast Missouri* OVCDN L, 10-29 TENNESSEE STATE* OVCDN L, 21-45 at No. 3 Jacksonville St.* ESPN3 L, 25-41 TENNESSEE-MARTIN* OVCDN 3 p.m. at Murray State* OVCDN 4 p.m. at Eastern Illinois* OVCDN 2 p.m. AUSTIN PEAY* OVCDN 1 p.m. SAINT FRANCIS* OVCDN 1 p.m.
EKU Ranking = STATS/Coaches. Home games appear in ALL CAPITALS. Times given are Eastern Time and subject to change. * Denotes Ohio Valley Conference game.
2017 UT Martin Schedule/Results DATE Aug. 31 Sept. 9 Sept. 16 Sept. 23 Sept. 30 Oct. 7 Oct. 14 Oct. 21 Oct. 28 Nov. 4 Nov. 11 Nov. 18
OPPONENT CLARION at Ole Miss at No. 15 Chattanooga No. 20 TENNESSEE STATE* at Austin Peay* MURRAY STATE* OPEN at Eastern Kentucky* EASTERN ILLINOIS* at Southeast Missouri* JACKSONVILLE STATE* at Tennessee Tech*
TIME W, 36-0 L, 23-45 W, 21-7 W, 31-16 L, 0-7 L, 10-13 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 2 p.m. 3 p.m. 2:30 p.m.
Home games appear in ALL CAPITALS. Times given are Eastern Time. * Denotes Ohio Valley Conference game.
On The Air OVC Digital Network • www.OVCDigitalNetwork.com Greg Stotelmyer, play-by-play Jim Tirey, analyst Wes Chandler, sideline reporter WCYO 100.7 FM (Radio & Internet - www.EKUSports.com) Greg Stotelmyer, play-by-play Jim Tirey, analyst Wes Chandler, sideline reporter
2017 EKU FOOTBALL
BREAKDOWN EASTERN KENTUCKY COLONELS Record: 1-5 (1-3 OVC, 1-1 home) Ranking: NR, STATS FCS Top-25 NR, FCS Coaches Poll Last Game: lost at Jacksonville State, 41-25 Oct. 14 at Jacksonville, Ala. Head Coach: Mark Elder (Case Western, 2000) Record: 4-13 (second season) at EKU: 4-13 (second season) vs. UT Martin: 0-1
UT MARTIN SKYHAWKS Record: 3-3 (1-2 OVC, 1-2 away) Ranking: NR, STATS FCS Top-25 NR, FCS Coaches Poll Last Game: lost to Murray State, 13-10 Oct. 7 at Martin, Tenn. Head Coach: Jason Simpson (Southern Miss, 1995) Record: 75-57 (12th season) at UTM: 75-57 (12th season) vs. Eastern Kentucky: 4-6
QUICK NOTES Eastern Kentucky is 12-5 in Homecoming games since 2000. The Colonels’ 25 points against No. 3 Jacksonville State are the most allowed by the Gamecocks this season against an FCS opponent. • As a team, Eastern averaged 29.48 yards per kickoff at No. 3 Jacksonville State. LJ Scott and Daryl McCleskey combined for returns of 57, 55, 48 and 40 yards. The Colonels are second in FCS this season in kickoff returns. • Keith Wrzuszczak (ROO-sack) is first in the OVC and fifth in FCS with an average of 45.1 yards per punt. Eastern Kentucky leads the nation in net punting (43.27 ypp). • EKU entered its game at Southeast Missouri having forced twice as many turnovers as it had committed (6 to 3). However, in their last three games the Colonels have given the ball away 12 times and forced just one turnover. • EKU has only allowed six sacks in six games, the 17th fewest allowed in the nation. • Safety Kobie Grace was chosen as the STATS National Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 25. The senior finished with seven tackles, one interception, one forced fumble and two fumbles recovered in Eastern’s win over Tennessee Tech. • In its first two games of the season, against a pair of FBS teams, the Colonels lost by an average margin of just 12.5 points. Against 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 UK before the Wildcats staged a comeback. • The 2017 roster includes 61 new players. Of 113 players on the roster, 63 are freshmen or redshirt freshmen. • LJ Scott had 201 all-purpose yards at Kentucky, including averaging 35.3 yards on four kickoff return. • Jeffrey Canady had 1.5 sacks at Kentucky, the most by an OVC player this year against a Power 5 team. • Tim Boyle became the first EKU quarterback to eclipse the 300-yard mark in their first game as a Colonel. He threw for 320 yards and tossed two touchdown passes at Western Kentucky. • Mark Elder is entering his second season as Head Coach at EKU. Elder and his staff have engineered back-toback top-25 rated recruiting classes. • Punter Keith Wrzuszczak was chosen as a second team preseason All-American by STATS. • Linebacker Jeffrey Canady was chosen as a second team preseason All-American by TyrantScouting.com. • •
INSIDE THE SERIES Eastern Kentucky leads the all-time series with Tennessee-Martin, 23-4. The Colonels are 11-2 against the Skyhawks in games played in Richmond. In the last game played at Roy Kidd Stadium, the Colonels lost 42-35 on Nov. 7, 2015. EKU won the first 20 games in the series, but is 3-4 against UTM in the last seven meetings. UT Martin won last season, 33-3, on Oct. 29 in Martin. Eastern Kentucky forced and recovered a fumble on the first drive of the game, and turned it into an early lead, but the Skyhawks scored 33 unanswered points on the way to the victory. www. EKUSports.com
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2017 EKU FOOTBALL
GAME-WEEK FOOTBALL SCHEDULE MONDAY - 16
TUESDAY - 17
WEDNESDAY - 18
THURSDAY - 19
FRIDAY - 20
SATURDAY - 21
SUNDAY - 22
Practice Off
OVC Teleconference 11:07 a.m. Press Conference, 1:25 p.m. Moberly Building - 212 Practice 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. Coach Elder Radio Show Gillum’s 7 p.m.
Practice 4:15 - 6:15 p.m. Roy Kidd Stadium
Practice Off No Availability
Practice 4 - 5:10 p.m. Roy Kidd Stadium
Eastern Kentucky vs. Tennessee-Martin 3 p.m. (OVCDN) Roy Kidd Stadium (20,000)
Practice 9:10 - 10:30 p.m. Roy Kidd Stadium
Media Information CONTACT INFORMATION Kevin Britton (Football Contact) Assistant Athletics Director for Communications Work Phone: 859-622-2006 Cell: 859-358-8359 E-Mail: [email protected] Fax: 859-622-5108 Roy Kidd Stadium Press Box Phone: 859-622-2226 MEDIA SERVICES CREDENTIALS Credentials are issued to members of the working media only. Requests for credentials should be made to Kevin Britton. PLAYER/COACHES INTERVIEWS All interviews with players, head coach Mark Elder and all assistant coaches must be arranged through the EKUSports Communications office at least 24 hours in advance. Please contact Kevin Britton to arrange all interviews. PRACTICE EKU football practices are generally open to the media. Please contact Kevin Britton in the EKUSports Communications office for schedule, times and location. POST-GAME INTERVIEWS For home games, coach Elder and selected EKU players will be available outside the 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 SERVICE Complete 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, flipcard, updated stats and game notes will be available in the media working area. Wireless internet access is available in Roy Kidd Stadium. WEEKLY PRESS CONFERENCE Head coach Mark Elder and select players meets with the media each game week. The weekly press conference will be on Tuesday at 1:25 p.m. in room 212 on the second floor of the Moberly Building. OVC TELECONFERENCE The 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 11:07 a.m. ET. For the teleconference phone number and pass code, please contact Kevin Britton. OHIO VALLEY CONFERENCE MEDIA RELATIONS Football Contact .............................................. Kyle Schwartz Phone ............................................. 615-371-1698 ext. 6685 E-mail .................................................... [email protected] Web Site .............................................. www.OVCsports.com
Coach Elder Luncheon Golden Corral 12 p.m.
BEST TRADITION IN FCS FOOTBALL The 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.
McCleskey registered a 55-yard return and a 40-yard return as well. Combined, EKU averaged 36 yards on seven kickoff returns. Eastern now leads the conference and is second in the nation with an average of 29.48 yards per kickoff return this season.
GETTING TO THE QUARTERBACK AT HOME FOR HOMECOMING EKU had nine sacks in its first three games, but has only Eastern had a nine-game Homecoming winning streak recorded one sack in the last three games. snapped last season by No. 2 Jacksonville State. EKU is 12-5 in Homecoming games since 2000. NOT GETTING TO THE QUARTERBACK While the defense has registered nine sacks, the EKU EKU’S RECORD AT RKS offensive line and quarterbacks have only allowed six. Eastern Kentucky’s all-time record in games played at That’s the 17th fewest sacks allowed in the nation. Roy Kidd Stadium is 218-55-1. A LOOK AT THE RANKINGS MOST POINTS AGAINST JSU Eastern Kentucky leads the nation in net punting (43.27 EKU’s 25 points against No. 3 Jacksonville State (Oct. ypp), ranks first in the OVC and second in the nation in 14) are the most allowed by the Gamecocks this season kickoff returns (29.48 ypr), is first in the conference and against an FCS opponent. 18th in the nation in tackles for a loss allowed (4.67/ game), second in the league and 17th nationally in sacks KEEPING IT CLOSE allowed (1.0/game), first in the OVC and 28th in the counIn their first two games of the season, against a pair of try in passing yards (254.7 ypg), and first in the conference FBS teams, the Colonels lost by an average margin of just and sixth in the country in punt return defense (2.33 ypr). 12.5 points. In the season-opener this year at Western Kentucky, EKU closed to within 10 twice in the second A LOOK AT THE INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS half and drove to the WKU six yard line as time expired Tim Boyle leads the OVC (29th FCS) in completion in the fourth quarter of a 14-point loss. Eastern led for percentage (62.4 percent), is first in the conference (19th nearly three quarters at UK before the Wildcats staged FCS) in completions per game (20.50), first in the league a comeback. (51st FCS) in total offense (218.8 ypg), and is second in the OVC (37th FCS) in passing yards (222.8 per game). TOP-RANKED PUNTING LJ Scott is first in the OVC (third FCS) in kickoff reKeith Wrzuszczak is first in the OVC and fifth in FCS with turns (29.6 ypr). an average of 45.1 yards per punt. Eastern Kentucky Ryan Markush is first in the OVC (13th FCS) in receivleads the nation in net punting (43.27 ypp). ing touchdowns (6), first in the OVC (77th FCS) in yards WE MUST PROTECT THE BALL EKU entered its game at Southeast Missouri having forced twice as many turnovers as it had committed (6 to 3). However, in their last three games the Colonels have given the ball away 12 times and forced just one turnover and are now -8 for the season. BIG RETURNS The EKU kickoff return game was outstanding at No. 3 Jacksonville State (Oct. 14). LJ Scott average 37.5 yards on four kickoff returns. After returns of 26 and 19 yards, Scott ripped off a 57-yarder and a 48-yarder. His 57-yard return is the longest by a Colonel this season. Daryl
FCS Playoff Appearances Team Trips Montana 23 Eastern Kentucky 21 Appalachian State 20 Georgia Southern 19 Northern Iowa 18 Furman 16 Eastern Illinois 16 McNeese State 16 9. Delaware 15 New Hampshire 15 11. James Madison 13 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Last 2015 2014 2012 2012 2015 2013 2015 2015 2010 2016 2016
2017 EKU FOOTBALL
FCS Coaches Top 25 Oct. 16, 2017 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25.
Team James Madison (26) North Dakota State Jacksonville State South Dakota Wofford Central Arkansas Sam Houston State Eastern Washington Youngstown State Richmond North Carolina A&T Western Illinois South Dakota State Samford Elon Villanova Grambling State New Hampshire McNeese Nicholls Western Carolina Northern Arizona Weber State Illinois State Montana
Points 650 624 589 575 539 516 470 467 389 388 382 366 315 259 243 223 217 191 189 127 125 102 90 79 58
Prev Record 1 6-0 2 6-0 3 5-1 4 6-0 5 6-0 6 5-1 T-9 5-1 T-9 5-2 8 3-3 13 4-2 11 7-0 17 5-1 7 4-2 18 4-2 20 5-1 14 4-3 19 5-1 12 4-2 21 5-1 23 5-2 25 5-2 24 4-2 16 4-2 15 4-2 RV 5-2
Receiving votes: Stony Brook (50), Northern Iowa (49), Kennesaw St. (40), N.C. Central (31), Monmouth (29), The Citadel (22), Southern Utah (16), Delaware (13), Saint Francis (10), Dartmouth (7), Alcorn State (5), Albany (4), SE Louisiana (1).
STATS.com Top 25
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25.
Oct. 16, 2017 Team Record James Madison (160) 6-0 North Dakota State (7) 6-0 Jacksonville State 5-1 South Dakota 6-0 Wofford 6-0 Central Arkansas 5-1 Sam Houston State 5-1 Eastern Washington 5-2 Youngstown State 3-3 Western Illinois 5-1 Richmond 4-2 North Carolina A&T 7-0 South Dakota State 4-2 Elon 5-1 Villanova 4-3 Samford 4-2 Grambling State 5-1 New Hampshire 4-2 Western Carolina 5-2 McNeese 5-1 Montana 5-2 Stony Brook 5-2 Weber State 4-2 Illinois State 4-2 North Carolina Central 5-1
Points Prev 4167 1 4014 2 3741 3 3663 4 3494 5 3352 6 3062 9 2975 10 2642 8 2463 14 2456 13 2174 15 2138 7 2057 16 1785 11 1523 19 1219 20 1164 12 1138 21 851 22 736 24 688 NR 416 18 391 17 356 25
Receiving votes: Northern Ariz. (276), Dartmouth (247), Nicholls (169), UNI (164), Delaware (160), Citadel (109), Southern Utah (100), Albany (94), Eastern Ill. (63), Kennesaw St. (62), Columbia (48), Monmouth (44), Furman (14), Charleston Southern (14), Duquesne (12), Southern Ill. (7), Austin Peay (6), Alcorn St. (4), Liberty (4), Mercer (4), Princeton (3), Southeastern La. (3), UC Davis (2), Saint Francis (1).
www. EKUSports.com | 3 per reception (15.24) and second in the OVC (26th FCS) in receiving yards (86.3 per game). Keith Wrzuszczak is first in the OVC (5th FCS) in punting (45.1 ypp). Kobie Grace is first in the OVC (6th FCS) in fumbles recovered (2). LOT OF NEW FACES Eastern has 61 new players on the team in 2017. Of the 113 players on the roster, 63 are either true freshmen or redshirt freshmen. HEAD COACH The 2016 season was the first for Mark Elder is as head coach at EKU. He spent the previous three seasons as the tight ends coach and special teams coordinator at Tennessee. Over his final 11 seasons as an assistant, Elder helped his teams reach nine bowl games and win four conference championships. In 2015, he was ranked as one of the top-25 recruiters in college football. Elder is the 14th head coach in program history. IN THE BOX This season, offensive coordinator Angelo Mirando, tight ends coach Tommy Zagorski, defensive coordinator Kurt Mattix and co-defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach Shannon Morrison will be in the coaches booth during games. PAUL GETTING THE BALL Tight end Dan Paul had a season-high eight catches for a season-best 76 yards against Tennessee State (Oct. 7).
Ohio Valley Conference Standings Team Eastern Illinois Jacksonville State Austin Peay Southeast Missouri Tennessee-Martin Murray State Tennessee State Eastern Kentucky Tennessee Tech
OVC Overall 4-0 1.000 5-2 .714 3-0 1.000 5-1 .833 3-1 .750 4-3 .571 2-1 .667 2-4 .333 1-2 .333 3-3 .500 1-2 .333 2-5 .286 1-3 .250 4-3 .571 1-3 .250 1-5 .167 0-4 .000 0-7 .000
Preseason Poll (Coaches/SIDs) Order of Finish Points 1. Jacksonville State (16) 128 2. Tennessee-Martin (2) 107 3. Tennessee State 96 4. Eastern Illinois 81 5. Eastern Kentucky 68 6. Tennessee Tech 64 7. Southeast Missouri 42 8. Murray State 41 9. Austin Peay 21 Preseason Poll (Media) Order of Finish 1. Jacksonville State (13) 2. Tennessee-Martin (1) 3. Tennessee State (2) 4. Eastern Illinois 5. Tennessee Tech 6. Murray State 7. Eastern Kentucky 8. Southeast Missouri 9. Austin Peay
Points 141 120 112 96 70 62 61 33 25
IMPROVEMENT IN THE GROUND GAME For the first time this Eastern eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark as a team against Tennessee State (Oct. 7), finishing with 124 yards on 32 carries for a respectable 3.9 yards per carry. EKU’s previous best was 83 yards against reer-best 122 yards at Southeast Missouri (Sept. 30), his Tennessee Tech (Sept. 23). second 100-yard receiving game this season. He also has a 98-yard performance this year. TWO MORE TOUCHDOWN GRABS Ryan Markush caught two more touchdown passes LONG FIELD GOALS against Tennessee State (Oct. 7), raising his season total Senior Lucas Williams made a career-best 51-yard field to six. Last season he totaled three touchdown catches. goal against Tennessee Tech (Sept. 23) and booted a He also eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark as a Colonel. 41-yarder at Southeast Missouri (Sept. 30). He is now WELCOME TO THE HALL Two former Colonel football players and the 1982 national championship team were among the group of nine inducted into the Eastern Kentucky University Athletics Hall of Fame on Oct. 7. The two players were Elroy Harris (1985-88) and Jessie Small (1985-89).
2-for-2 this season on attempts of 40 or more yards. A DOZEN FOR REED Eric Reed made 12 tackles at Southeast Missouri (Sept. 30). Nine were solo stops and one was for a loss.
STATUE OF THE KIDD EKU unveiled a statue of College Football Hall of Fame GREAT PUNTING coach Roy Kidd on Saturday, Sept. 23. Kidd won 314 Keith Wrzuszczak averaged 48 yards per punt on five games, including two national championships, as the punts at Southeast Missouri (Sept. 30). His five punts head coach of the Colonels from 1964 to 2002. were for 45, 46, 48, 49 and 52 yards. HONORING THE PAST ANOTHER 100-YARD GAME The football team that started the championship tradiSenior Ryan Markush caught four passes for a ca- tion at Eastern Kentucky -- the 1967 Grantland Rice Bowl
2017 EKU FOOTBALL Champions -- were honored at the Colonels’ game on Saturday, Sept. 23 against Tennessee Tech. NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE WEEK Safety Kobie Grace was chosen as the STATS National Defensive Player of the Week on Monday (Sept. 25). Grace was a difference maker for the Colonels in a close win over Tennessee Tech. The senior finished with seven tackles, one interception, one forced fumble and two fumbles recovered. He forced and recovered a fumble on TTU’s first possession of the game and the Colonels turned it into three points, which would be the margin in the game. With Eastern leading by 10, Grace intercepted a pass at the EKU 19 on the first play of the fourth quarter to stop a Tech drive. The offense then drove for
www. EKUSports.com | 4 what would prove to be the game-winning touchdown. DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK Kobie Grace was chosen as the adidas® Ohio Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Week on Sunday (Sept. 24). He also picked up Madness Ohio Valley Defensive Player of the Week honors from College Sports Madness. SPECIALIST OF THE WEEK Punter Keith Wrzuszczak was chosen as the adidas® OVC Specialist of the Week on Sept. 24. In a game EKU won by just three points against Tennessee Tech, field possession proved to be key. Wrzuszczak punted the ball nine times for an average of 48.1 yards per punt. The senior boomed a career-best 76-yard punt and had three of 50 or more yards.
Eastern Kentucky Quick Facts THE UNIVERSITY Location (Enrollment): .......................... Richmond, Ky. (16,959) Founded: .......................................................................... 1906 Colors: ............................................ Maroon (PMS 209) & White Nickname: ................................................................... Colonels National Affiliation: ...................................... NCAA Division FCS Conference: .................... Ohio Valley (Founding Member 1948) President: ................................................... Dr. Michael Benson Director of Athletics: ................................ Stephen Lochmueller Senior Woman Administrator: ................................ Rachel Park Athletics Department Phone: ........................... (859) 622-2120 Stadium (Capacity): ........................ Roy Kidd Stadium (20,000) Surface: ..................................................... Synthetic (2009) Press Box Phone: ......................................... (859) 622-2226 COACHING STAFF Head Coach: ............... Mark Elder (Case Western Reserve, 2000) Associate HC/OL: ....................... Terry Heffernan (Dayton, 2003) Assistant HC/TEs/OTs: ..... Tommy Zagorski (Case Western, 2007) Defensive Coord.: ........................ Kurt Mattix (Valparaiso, 1999) Offensive Coord.: ............ Angelo Mirando (Case Western, 2008) Co-Defensive Coord./DBs: ... Shannon Morrison (Marshall, 1995) Linebackers: ............................... Chase Gibson (Marshall, 2007) Wide Receivers: ........................... Kevin Koger (Michigan, 2012) Special Teams/RBs: ................. Greg Meyer (Case Western, 2010) Defensive Line: ...................... Walter Stewart (Cincinnati, 2012) Recruiting Coordinator: ...... Brandon Lawson (Tennessee, 2013) Strength & Conditioning: ... Jon-Michael Davis (App State, 2000) Associate Athletic Trainer: ....... Tim Miesmer (Central Fla., 2007) Dir. of Operations: ................. John Barnett (Virginia Tech, 2011) 2017 TEAM INFORMATION Offense/Defense: ............................................. Spread/Multiple Offensive Starters Returning/Lost: ....................................... 5/6 Defensive Starters Returning/Lost: ...................................... 7/4 Specialist Returning/Lost: ................................................... 3/4 Players Returning: .......................... 53 (24 off., 26 def., 3 spec.) Players Lost: ................................... 44 (24 off., 15 def., 5 spec.) EKUSports Communications Asst. AD/Communications (FB Contact): ............... Kevin Britton Office Phone: ............................................... (859) 622-2006 Office Fax: ................................................... (859) 622-5108 Cell Phone: .................................................. (859) 358-8359 E-Mail: ............................................ [email protected] Associate Director: .................................................... Steve Fohl Assistant Director: ........................................... Morgan Romans EKU Athletics Web Site: ............................ www.EKUSports.com Ohio Valley Conf. Web Site: ...................... www.OVCSports.com Overnight Mailing: .......... EKU Athletics, 521 Lancaster Avenue, 115 Alumni Coliseum, Richmond, KY 40475
JUST MISSING THE RECORD Keith Wrzuszczak’s 76-yard punt against Tennessee Tech (Sept. 23) just missed tying the school record by two yards. Bob Plotts set the program mark of 78 yards against Tampa in 1966. FIRST WITH 10 CATCHES SINCE 2010 Ryan Markush caught 10 passes for 98 yards at Kentucky (Sept. 9), the first time an EKU player registered 10 or more catches in a game since Orlandus Harris (10) at Chattanooga on Sept. 18, 2010. DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK Linebacker Jeffrey Canady was chosen as the adidas® Ohio Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 10. He also picked up Madness Ohio Valley Defensive Player of the Week honors from College Sports Madness. He finished with 13 tackles and 1.5 sacks for a loss of 11 yards against Kentucky. NATIONAL HONORABLE MENTION Jeffrey Canady earned honorable mention recognition for National Defensive Player of the Week by STATS after his 13 tackle and 1.5 sack performance at Kentucky (Sept. 9). MOST AGAINST POWER 5 TEAM Jeffrey Canady had 1.5 sacks at Kentucky (Sept. 9), the most by an OVC player this year against a Power 5 conference opponent. NOT YOUR AVERAGE BACK UP The regular game plan calls for back up quarterback Austin Scott to play the first series of the second quarter in every game. At Kentucky (Sept. 9), Scott completed 7-of-8 passes for 54 yards during his second quarter possession. His 12-play, 66-yard drive resulted in a 7-yard touchdown run by LJ Scott and a 13-3 lead for EKU. ALL-PURPOSE ALL-STAR LJ Scott finished with 201 all-purpose yards in Eastern’s near upset of Kentucky (Sept. 9). It was the most all-purpose yards by an OVC player this year against an FBS
2017 Honors/Awards 2017 Kentucky Collegiate All-Commonwealth Team Keith Wrzuszczak ..................................... June 23 Jeffrey Canady .......................................... June 23 Kobie Grace ............................................... June 23 Allstate Good Works Team Nominee Jeffrey Canady ........................................... July 13 Preseason All-Ohio Valley Conference Aaron Patrick (DE) .................................... July 24 Keith Wrzuszczak (P) ................................ July 24 Preseason All-America by STATS Keith Wrzuszczak (2nd team) ............... July 31 Preseason All-America by TyrantScouting.com Jeffrey Canady (2nd team) .............. August 16 Preseason All-OVC by CollegeSportsMadness Aaron Patrick (DE, 1st team) ............. August 7 Keith Wrzuszczak (P, 1st team) ......... August 7 Ryan Markush (WR, 2nd team) ........ August 7 Cameron Kowalewski (OL, 2nd team) ... August 7 Chance Edwards (OL, 3rd team) ...... August 7 Lucas Williams (K, 3rd team) ............. August 7 Corey Glass (LB, 3rd team) ................. August 7 Ben Bascom (DB, 3rd team) .............. August 7 Cornelius Floyd (DB, 3rd team) ........ August 7 Preseason OVC Freshman of the Year by CollegeSportsMadness Austin Scott (QB) ................................... August 7 _____________________________________ Ohio Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Week Jeffrey Canady ......................................... Sept. 10 Kobie Grace .............................................. Sept. 24 Ohio Valley Conference Specialist of the Week Keith Wrzuszczak (Co-) ............................ Sept. 3 Keith Wrzuszczak .................................... Sept. 24 Madness Ohio Valley Defensive Player of the Week Jeffrey Canady ......................................... Sept. 10 Kobie Grace .............................................. Sept. 24 STATS Honorable Mention National Defensive Player of the Week Jeffrey Canady ......................................... Sept. 11 STATS Honorable Mention National Special Teams Player of the Week Keith Wrzuszczak .................................... Sept. 25 STATS National Defensive Player of the Week Kobie Grace .............................................. Sept. 25
2017 EKU FOOTBALL opponent. He led the team with 40 rushing yards and gave EKU a 13-3 lead when he scored on a 7-yard run. He caught two passes for 20 yards. Scott also returned four kickoffs for 141 yards, an average of 35.3 yards per return. He began the second half with a 53-yard return. 15 TACKLE GAME Kobie Grace finished with 15 tackles and two pass breakups at Kentucky (Sept. 9). He leads the OVC and is 30th in the nation with 10.0 tackles per game. FIRST 300-YARD PASSER IN DEBUT Tim Boyle became the first EKU quarterback to eclipse the 300-yard mark in their first game as a Colonel. The redshirt senior completed 63 percent of his passes (29of-46) for 320 yards at Western Kentucky (Sept. 2). He also tossed two touchdown passes. FBS SUCCESS Eastern 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 (1913), Louisville (23-13), Kansas State (10-7), Kentucky (34-27 OT), and this year at Western Kentucky (31-17) and Kentucky (27-16). CO-SPECIALIST OF THE WEEK Punter Keith Wrzuszczak was chosen as the OVC Co-Specialist of the Week on Sept. 3. He was charged with keeping the nation’s No. 2 rated punt return team at bay in the season opener at Western Kentucky. WKU led Conference USA and was second in the country with an average of 17.93 yards per punt return in 2016. Wrzuszczak punted four times, and only one was returned – for just two yards. He averaged 40.5 yards per punt while keeping the ball out of the hands of the dangerous Hilltopper returners. Wrzuszczak had a long of 46 and placed one inside the 20 yard line. GETTING DEFENSIVE The Colonels limited a WKU offense that averaged 45.5 points and 523 yards of offense in 2016 to 31 points and 364 yards in the season opener on Sept. 2. NO TURNOVERS -- NONE, ZERO, ZILCH The Colonels did not turn the ball over in their season-opener at Western Kentucky. Last season EKU was plagued by turnovers, finishing with an OVC-most 31. That number also tied for the most in all of FCS football.
www. EKUSports.com | 5 PRESEASON ALL-AMERICAN LINEBACKER Senior linebacker Jeffrey Canady was chosen as a second team preseason All-American by TyrantScouting.com. TWO PICKED ALL-OVC BY COACHES Two Colonels – defensive end Aaron Patrick and punter Keith Wrzuszczak – were chosen to the Preseason All-Ohio Valley Conference Team by league coaches and media relations contacts. NINE CHOSEN PRESEASON ALL-OVC CollegeSportsMadness put nine Colonels on its preseason All-Ohio Valley Conference teams. Aaron Patrick (DL) and Keith Wrzuszczak (P) were first team selections. Ryan Markush (WR) and Cameron Kowalewski (OL) were second team choices. Chance Edwards (OL), Lucas Williams (K), Corey Glass (LB), Ben Bascom (DB) and Cornelius Floyd (DB) were chosen to the third team. PRESEASON OVC FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR CollegeSportsMadness chose quarterback Austin Scott as its Madness Preseason Ohio Valley Conference Freshman of the Year. Scott redshirted last season. RECRUITING SUCCESS In his first 14 months as head coach, Mark Elder engineered back-to-back 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 first recruiting class, after being hired in mid-December, Eastern’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 featured 20 players that received all-state honors, including the No. 17 overall FCS recruit in the nation, Sean Cleasant. DOING GOOD WORKS Senior Jeffrey Canady was a nominee for the 2017 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team ®. RETURNING STARTERS Eastern Kentucky returns just five starters on offensive and seven defensive starters from last season’s team. The returning offensive starters are Chance Edwards (RG), Cameron Fogle (SL), Cameron Kowalewski (RT), Ryan Markush (WR) and Ethan Thomas (RB). The returning defensive starters are Ben Bascom (NB), Nigel Bethel (CB), Jeffrey Canady (LB), Corey Glass (LB), Kobie Grace (S), Aaron Patrick (DE), and Jared Tucker (S).
BIG RETURN After Luder Jean Louis sacked WKU quarterback Mike White and forced a fumble, safety Eric Reed scooped it up and returned it 44 yards.
NATIONAL PRESEASON POLLS Eastern received two votes in the preseason STATS Poll.
PRESEASON ALL-AMERICAN PUNTER Punter Keith Wrzuszczak was chosen as a second team preseason All-American by STATS.
AYE AYE CAPTAIN Five Colonels -- Jeffrey Canady (LB), Kobie Grace (DB), Kagen Skidmore (C), Tim Boyle (QB) and LJ Scott (RB) will serve as permanent team captains throughout the 2017 season.
THE LAST TIME AN EKU PLAYER ... Rushed 30 times in a game Dy’Shawn Mobley vs. MUR on Nov. 15, 2014 (40) Rushed for 200 yards Dy’Shawn Mobley vs. MUR on Nov. 15, 2014 (224) Rushed for 150 yards Dy’Shawn Mobley vs. MUR on Nov. 15, 2014 (224) Rushed for 100 yards Daryl McCleskey Jr. at Austin Peay on Nov. 12, 2016 (109) Rushed for 100 yards in cons. games Dy’Shawn Mobley on Oct. 11, Oct. 18, Oct. 25 and Nov. 1, 2014 Rushed for 3 or more touchdowns Daryl McCleskey Jr. at Austin Peay on Nov. 12, 2016 (3) Passed for 400 yards Bennie Coney at Tennessee Tech on Oct. 1, 2016 (464) Passed for 300 yards Tim Boyle at Western Kentucky on Sept. 2, 2017 (320) Attempted 50 passes Bennie Coney at Murray State on Nov. 14, 2015 (68) Attempted 40 passes Tim Boyle at Western Kentucky on Sept. 2, 2017 (46) Threw 5 touchdown passes Bennie Coney vs. Tennessee-Martin on Nov. 7, 2015 (5) Threw 4 touchdown passes Bennie Coney vs. Southeast Missouri on Oct. 8, 2016 (4) Threw 3 touchdown passes Bennie Coney vs. Southeast Missouri on Oct. 8, 2016 (4) Had 400 yards total offense Bennie Coney at Tennessee Tech on Oct. 1, 2016 (459) Accounted for 5 or more touchdowns Dy’Shawn Mobley vs. MUR on Nov. 15, 2014 (6) Accounted for 4 or more touchdowns Bennie Coney vs. Southeast Missouri on Oct. 8, 2016 (4) Accounted for 3 or more touchdowns Daryl McCleskey Jr. at Austin Peay on Nov. 12, 2016 (3) Caught 10 or more passes Ryan Markush at Kentucky on Sept. 9, 2010 (10) Caught 7 or more passes Dan Paul vs. Tennessee State on Oct. 7, 2017 (8) Had 200 or more yards receiving Orlandus Harris at Tennessee Tech on Nov. 13, 2010 (200) Had 150 or more yards receiving Jeff Glover vs. Murray State on Nov. 15, 2014 (161) Had 100 or more yards receiving Ryan Markush at Southeast Mo. on Sept. 30, 2017 (122) Caught 3 or more touchdown passes Devin Borders vs. Southeast Missouri on Oct. 8, 2016 (3) Had 2 interceptions Stanley Absanon (2) vs. Indiana State on Nov. 29, 2014 Had 15 or more tackles Kobie Grace (15) vs. Kentucky on Sept. 9, 2017
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2017 EKU FOOTBALL
Depth Chart (As Of Oct. 15, 2017)
OFFENSE QB
DEFENSE
7 15 17
Tim Boyle (6-4, 233, r-Sr., Middlefield, Conn.) Austin Scott (6-1, 209, r-Fr., Moore, S.C.) Garrett Kruczek (6-2, 174, r-So., Winter Park, Fla.)
4 20 or 6 or 23
LJ Scott (6-0, 222, r-Jr., Marion, Ohio) Ethan Thomas (5-11, 203, Jr., Johnson City, Tenn.) Jason Lewis (6-3, 253, r-So., Virginia Beach, Va.) Daryl McCleskey Jr. (5-9, 186, So., Dayton, Ohio)
RB
DE
55 45
Taquan Evans (6-2, 229, r-So., Douglasville, Ga.) DJ White (6-5, 250, r-Fr., Madisonville, Ky.)
DT
92 69
Dillon Denault (6-2, 280, r-Fr., Lancaster, Ohio) Sean Cleasant Jr. (6-2, 308, Fr., Louisville, Ky.)
DT
70 54
Connor Foos (6-4, 275, So., Louisville, Ky.) Leonard Humphrey (6-2, 280, Fr., Knoxville, Tenn.)
LT
64 67
Cameron Kowalewski (6-5, 277, r-Jr., Dallas, Ga.) Nick Cavinee (6-7, 281, r-Fr., Newark, Ohio)
DE
5 45
Luder Jean Louis (6-4, 223, r-Sr., Brooklyn, N.Y.) DJ White (6-5, 250, r-Fr., Madisonville, Ky.)
LG
63 79
Kagen Skidmore (6-2, 306, Sr., Somerset, Ky.) Thomas Tabur (6-3, 288, r-So., Northbridge, Mass.)
LB
53 34
Jeffrey Canady (6-0, 232, r-Sr., Barbourville, Ky.) Demontre Boyd (6-1, 191, r-Jr., Louisville, Ky.)
C
75 63
De’jour Simpson (6-3, 320, So., Charlotte, N.C.) Kagen Skidmore (6-2, 306, Sr., Somerset, Ky.)
LB
49 8
Damon Lowe (6-2, 241, So., Louisville, Ky.) Gavin Bryant (6-1, 238, r-Jr., Jackson, Ala.)
RG
66 79
Chance Edwards (6-5, 330, r-Sr., Webster, Fla.) Thomas Tabur (6-3, 288, r-So., Northbridge, Mass.)
LB
3 27
Corey Glass (5-10, 217, Jr., Jacksonville, Fla.) Drew O’Bryan (6-2, 233, r-Fr., Ashland, Ky.)
RT
78 57
Justin Myles (6-3, 301, r-Jr., Cincinnati, Ohio) Ja’HShaun Seider (6-2, 307, r-So., Belle Glade, Fla.)
NB
18 12
Ben Bascom (5-9, 186, r-So., Apoka, Fla.) Cornelius Floyd (5-11, 175, Sr., Miami, Fla.)
TE 43 or 89
Dan Paul (6-3, 253, r-Jr., Naples, Fla.) Clayton Schmerber (6-6, 249, Jr., Centerville, Ohio)
LCB 10 36
Jordan Whitfield (6-1, 182, r-Jr., Huber Heights, Ohio) Omari Alexander (5-10, 171, So., Louisville, Ky.)
WR
11 87
Neiko Creamer (6-3, 224, r-Jr., Wilmington, Del.) Matt Clark (6-2, 212, r-So., Prospect, Ky.)
RCB 32 36
Buck Solomon (6-0, 180, Sr., Groveland, Fla.) Omari Alexander (5-10, 171, So., Louisville, Ky.)
SL
25 23
BK Smith (5-10, 184, Fr., Louisville, Ky.) Daryl McCleskey Jr. (5-9, 186, So., Dayton, Ohio)
LS
2 35
Kobie Grace (5-9, 191, Sr., Winter Park, Fla.) TJ Comstock (5-11, 193, So., Louisville, Ky.)
WR
9 80
Ryan Markush (6-2, 189, Sr., Germantown, Md.) Jaelin Carter (6-2, 203, Fr., Louisville, Ky.)
RS
41 24
Eric Reed (5-9, 208, r-Sr., Nashville, Tenn.) Jared Tucker (5-11, 180, r-Jr, Stone Mountain, Ga.)
KO
99 28
Lucas Williams (6-1, 193, r-Sr., Russell Springs, Ky.) Samuel Hayworth (5-11, 169, r-So., Ormond Beach, Fla.)
SS
42 46
Alex Shelton (6-0, 217, Fr., Fort Wright, Ky.) Thomas Bowling (6-1, 192, Fr., Bardstown, Ky.)
PK
99 28
Lucas Williams (6-1, 193, r-Sr., Russell Springs, Ky.) Samuel Hayworth (5-11, 169, r-So., Ormond Beach, Fla.)
HO
19 28
Keith Wrzuszczak (5-11, 212, Sr., Victoria, Australia) Samuel Hayworth (5-11, 169, r-So., Ormond Beach, Fla.)
P
19 28
Keith Wrzuszczak (5-11, 212, Sr., Victoria, Australia) Samuel Hayworth (5-11, 169, r-So., Ormond Beach, Fla.)
KR
4 23
LJ Scott (6-0, 222, r-Jr., Marion, Ohio) Daryl McCleskey Jr. (5-9, 186, So., Dayton, Ohio)
LS
46 42
Thomas Bowling (6-1, 192, Fr., Bardstown, Ky.) Alex Shelton (6-0, 217, Fr., Fort Wright, Ky.)
PR
9 23
Ryan Markush (6-2, 189, Sr., Germantown, Md.) Daryl McCleskey Jr. (5-9, 186, So., Dayton, Ohio)
SPECIAL TEAMS
www. EKUSports.com | 7
2017 EKU FOOTBALL
HEAD COACH Mark Elder Eastern Kentucky University owns two national championships, 21 Ohio Valley Conference titles and 21 NCAA playoff appearances. Head coach Mark Elder has the program back on track to add to those numbers. In his first 14 months as head coach, Elder has engineered back-to-back top-25 rated recruiting classes, re-stocking the Colonel roster with a talented young core. He has also driven dramatic facility improvements. The program now has a brand new, state-of-the-art strength and conditioning center that includes an indoor turf area and the second-largest nutrition bar in all of college 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 revitalization project will open this fall. The east side of Roy Kidd Stadium will feature a brand new team locker room featuring a team lounge, equipment room and a game day training area. The expansion project will include over 3,000 new seats and a new concourse with modern concession facilities. Despite having less than two months to put together his first recruiting class, after being hired in mid-December, Eastern’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 featured 20 players that received all-state honors, including the No. 17 overall FCS recruit in the nation, Sean Cleasant. The team excelled in several areas while a number of Colonels thrived on and off the field during Elder’s first season as head coach. The offense fired on all cylinders in scoring 67 points against Austin Peay, tying a school record set in 1925. Not only did Eastern Kentucky lead the Ohio Valley Conference in net punting and punt return defense, the team ranked third and fourth in the nation in those categories. Eastern led the conference, and was sixth
The Elder File PERSONAL Hometown ............................................................................. Cincinnati, Ohio Family ..................................................................................... Wife - Lindsey, Children - Owen & Lila EDUCATION Undergraduate ....................... Case Western Reserve (2000) - B.S. Economics Graduate ........... Akron (2001) - M.S. Education In Sports Science & Coaching ASSISTANT COACHING EXPERIENCE Year School Coaching Position 2000-01 Akron Defensive Graduate Assistant 2002 Lehigh Asst. Linebackers Coach 2003 Iona Defensive Coord./Linebackers 2004 Wayne State Defensive Coord./ Linebackers 2005-06 Michigan Defensive Quality Control/GA 2007-09 Central Michigan Linebackers Coach 2010-12 Cincinnati TEs, RBs, Special Teams, DBs 2013-15 Tennessee Special Teams/Tight Ends HEAD COACHING EXPERIENCE Year School 2016 Eastern Kentucky 2017 Eastern Kentucky Totals First Season
Overall 3-8 1-5 4-13
OVC 2-6 1-3 3-9
Notes 2000 MAC East Co-Champions 18th nationally scoring defense 1st winning season since 1993 Alamo Bowl & Rose Bowl 2x MAC Champs, 3 bowl games 2x Big East Champs, 2 bowl wins 2 bowl wins Notes
NOTABLE - Over final 11 seasons as an assistant, has helped his teams reach nine bowl games - 2014 national top-50 recruiter - 2015 national top-25 recruiter
in the country, in fumbles recovered. The defense registered 21 sacks in the final eight games of the season. The Colonels finished the season among the top-45 in the nation in total offense and passing. In just his second season as a college football player, defensive end Aaron Patrick earned first team All-OVC honors and was chosen as a first team Sophomore All-American. Quarterback Tyler Swafford more than quadrupled his production on the field, doubled his quarterback rating and earned the 2016 Doris Robinson FCS Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award. True freshman Daryl McCleskey Jr. made an immediate impact, leading the team with five rushing touchdowns and had a 109-yard, three touchdown performance against Austin Peay. The academic success wasn’t limited to Swafford. As a team, the Colonels had the highest graduation rate of any team in the conference. Linebacker Jeffrey Canady was chosen as Academic All-District and defensive lineman Avery Pitt was chosen as a semifinalist for the 2016 Campbell Trophy, recognizing the abso-
lute best scholar-athlete in the nation. Elder was chosen as EKU’s head football coach on Dec. 8, 2015. He had served as the tight ends coach and special teams coordinator at Tennessee since 2013. Elder is the 14th head coach in program history. Over his final 11 seasons as an assistant 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. As a member of Butch Jones’ inaugural staff, the Cincinnati native helped lead the revitalization of Volunteer football. He helped UT to a 9-4 record in 2015 and a second place finish in the SEC East Division with a 5-3 mark. It was Tennessee’s first winning record in SEC play since 2007. The Volunteers beat Northwestern in the Outback Bowl on New Year’s Day. In just their second season in Knoxville, Elder helped Jones and the Vols to a 7-6 mark in 2014 and a 45-28 victory over Iowa in the TaxSlayer Bowl. It was Tennes-
2017 EKU FOOTBALL see’s first winning record in five seasons and first bowl win since the end of the 2007 campaign. Elder helped Michigan reach bowl games as a defensive graduate assistant in 2005 and 2006. He then joined Jones’ first staff at Central Michigan University. Elder coached the Chippewa linebackers for three seasons (2007-09). During that time, CMU qualified for three bowl appearances and won two MAC Championships. When Jones made the jump to the University of Cincinnati before the 2010 season, Elder joined the Bearcat staff as the tight ends coach. He also coached running backs, safeties and special teams at various times. The duo found similar success at UC, winning two Big East Conference Championships and getting Cincinnati into two bowl games in three seasons. While coaching the running backs at Cincinnati in 2011 Elder tutored Isaiah Pead, the Big East Offensive Player of the Year and the first Bearcat in nearly 25 years to record consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. UC led the Big East in rushing and averaged 33.3 points per game. Cincinnati capped the season with a victory over Vanderbilt in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. In three seasons at Central Michigan, Elder produced an all-conference linebacker each year. Elder also served as the defensive coordinator at Wayne State (2004) and Iona (2003). He was assistant coach at Lehigh in 2002 and a graduate assistant with Akron in 2000 and 2001. Elder graduated cum laude with a degree in economics from Case Western Reserve in Cleveland, Ohio in 2000. He earned a master’s degree in education in sports science and coaching from Akron in 2001. He and his wife LIndsey have one son, Owen, and one daughter, Lila. Mark Elder vs. All Opponents Team Record Austin Peay ....................................................... 1-0 Ball State ............................................................ 0-1 Eastern Illinois .................................................. 0-1 Jacksonville State ........................................... 0-2 Kentucky ............................................................ 0-1 Murray State ..................................................... 0-1 Pikeville .............................................................. 1-0 Purdue ................................................................ 0-1 Southeast Missouri ........................................ 1-1 Tennessee-Martin ........................................... 0-1 Tennessee State .............................................. 0-2 Tennessee Tech ............................................... 1-1 Western Kentucky .......................................... 0-1 TOTAL ............................................................. 4-13
www. EKUSports.com | 8
THE LAST TIME EASTERN KENTUCKY ... Had 20 or more first downs at Western Kentucky on Sept. 2, 2017 (22) Had 400 yards rushing at Robert Morris on Aug. 28, 2014 (407) Had 300 yards rushing at Austin Peay on Nov. 12, 2016 (346) Had 50 or more rushing attempts vs. Southeast Missouri on Oct. 8, 2016 (52) Had 5 or more rushing TDs at Austin Peay on Nov. 12, 2016 (6) Had 4 or more rushing TDs at Austin Peay on Nov. 12, 2016 (6) 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 Southeast Mo. on Sept. 30, 2017 (306) 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 Kentucky on Sept. 9, 2017 (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 offense vs. Tennessee Tech on Oct. 8, 2015 (629) Had 500 yards total offense at Austin Peay on Nov. 12, 2016 (531) Had 80 total plays vs. Murray State on Nov. 5, 2016 (91) Scored 70 points never Scored 60 points at Austin Peay on Nov. 12, 2016 (67) Scored 50 points at Austin Peay on Nov. 12, 2016 (67) Scored 40 points at Austin Peay on Nov. 12, 2016 (67) Committed no turnovers at Western Kentucky on Sept. 2, 2017 Had 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 vs. Austin Peay on Sept. 8, 2016 (Kiante Northington – 12 yards, Corey Glass – 54 yards, Luder Jean Louis – 0 yards)
Returned a fumble for TD at Tennessee State on Nov. 1, 2014 (Devin Borders – 33 yards) Returned a blocked punt for TD at Eastern Illinois on Nov. 21, 2015 (Tyrell Curry – 35 yards) Blocked a punt at Eastern Illinois on Nov. 21, 2015 (LaJuan Smith) Blocked a FG vs. Jacksonville State on Oct. 22, 2016 (Devin Borders) Blocked a PAT at Jacksonville State on Nov. 9, 2013 (Devin Borders) Missed a PAT at Kentucky on Sept. 9, 2017 (Lucas Williams) Had a punt blocked at Jacksonville State on Nov. 9, 2013 Had a FG blocked vs. Murray State, Nov. 5, 2016 Was held scoreless vs. Eastern Illinois, Nov. 19, 2016 (24-0) 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 first downs vs. Tennessee State on Nov. 2, 2013 (10) Held an oppt. to 300 yards total offense vs. Tennessee State on Oct. 7, 2017 (299) Held an oppt. to 200 yards total offense at Southeast Missouri on Oct. 17, 2014 (191) Held an oppt. to 150 yards total offense vs. Austin Peay on Oct. 5, 2013 (108) Held an oppt. to less than 100 yards rushing vs. Murray State on Nov. 5, 2016 (66) Held an oppt. to 50 yards rushing at Southeast Missouri on Oct. 17, 2015 (31) Held an opponent to 100 yards passing at Southeast Mo. on Sept. 30, 2017 (76) Held an opponent without a TD at Austin Peay on Oct. 4, 2014 Scored an offensive 2-pt. conversion at Jacksonville State on Oct. 14, 2017 Scored a defensive 2-pt. conversion vs. Morehead State on Sept. 13, 2014 Had 10 or more penalties at Kentucky on Sept. 9, 2017 (11) Had 100 penalty yards at Ball State on Sept. 17, 2016 (128) Had 35 minutes ToP at Murray State on Nov. 14, 2015 (36:37) Played an OT game at Tennessee Tech on Oct. 1, 2016 (L, 33-30) Scored a safety vs. Murray State on Nov. 5, 2016 Allowed a safety at Southeast Mo. on Sept. 30, 2017
www. EKUSports.com | 9
2017 EKU FOOTBALL
NUMERICAL ROSTER
ALPHABETICAL ROSTER No. 36 13 74 73 71 18 83 33 90
Name Pos. Omari Alexander DB Dakota Allen QB Christopher Anthony OL Graham Ashkettle OL Jackson Bardall OL Ben Bascom DB Jackson Beerman WR Malik Bell DB Josiah Bennett DL Grayson Blevins LB 39 Alonzo Booth RB 46 Thomas Bowling LS 34 Demontre Boyd LB 7 Tim Boyle QB 88 Ethan Bradds TE 8 Gavin Bryant LB Andrew Burgess QB Shane Burks DT 82 Alex Cabrera WR 53 Jeffrey Canady LB Brian Carter LB 80 Jaelin Carter WR Cameron Catron RB 67 Nick Cavinee OL Cameron Chase TE 87 Matt Clark WR 69 Sean Cleasant Jr. DL Tristan Coffey WR Deiondre Coleman DB 35 TJ Comstock DB 21 Azjai Cooper WR Isaiah Cornett WR 11 Neiko Creamer WR 40 Steven Crowder LB 92 Dillon Denault DL Andrew Dziuk LB 66 Chance Edwards OL 58 Brentton Ervin LB 55 Taquan Evans DE 12 Cornelius Floyd DB 96 Quinten Floyd DL 22 Cameron Fogle WR 70 Connor Foos DL 3 Corey Glass LB Dalton Gossett OL 2 Kobie Grace DB 37 Raynaldy Gustave RB 28 Samuel Hayworth K/P Jeremy Hodowanic DL 50 Ray Horton DL 54 Leonard Humphrey DL Kevin Hyde DB 31 AJ Jackson DB 47 Matthew Jackson LB Melchisedek Jeudy OL 5 Luder Jean Louis DL Domynik Johnson RB 14 Derius Jones WR No. Name Pos.
No. 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 27 28 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 No.
Player Kobie Grace Corey Glass LJ Scott Luder Jean Louis Jason Lewis Tim Boyle Gavin Bryant Ryan Markush Jordan Whitfield Neiko Creamer Cornelius Floyd Dakota Allen Derius Jones Austin Scott James Smith Jr. Garrett Kruczek Ben Bascom Keith Wrzuszczak Ethan Thomas Azjai Cooper Cameron Fogle Daryl McCleskey Jr. Jared Tucker BK Smith Drew O’Bryan Samuel Hayworth Ralph Patton AJ Jackson Buck Solomon Malik Bell Demontre Boyd TJ Comstock Omari Alexander Raynaldy Gustave Eli Sowder Alonzo Booth Steven Crowder Eric Reed Alex Shelton Dan Paul Aaron Patrick DJ White Thomas Bowling Matthew Jackson Damon Lowe Ray Horton Quinton Locklear Tucker Schroeder Jeffrey Canady Leonard Humphrey Taquan Evans Brian Lassiter Ja’HShaun Seider Brentton Ervin Gunner Slone Kagen Skidmore Cameron Kowalewski Josh Ratliff Chance Edwards Nick Cavinee Jordan Scott Sean Cleasant Jr. Player
Pos. DB LB RB DL RB QB LB WR DB WR DB QB WR QB QB QB DB P RB WR WR RB DB WR LB K/P RB DB DB DB LB DB DB RB LS RB LB DB LB/LS TE DL DL LS LB LB DL LB OL LB DL DE DL OL LB DL OL OL OL OL OL OL DL Pos.
Ht. 5-9 5-10 6-0 6-4 6-3 6-4 6-1 6-2 6-1 6-3 5-11 6-4 5-10 6-1 5-11 6-2 5-9 5-11 5-11 6-4 5-11 5-9 5-11 5-10 6-2 5-11 5-9 5-11 6-0 6-0 6-1 5-11 5-10 5-7 5-10 6-1 6-2 5-9 6-0 6-3 6-4 6-5 6-1 6-2 6-2 6-1 6-2 6-4 6-0 6-2 6-2 6-3 6-2 5-11 6-3 6-2 6-5 6-6 6-5 6-7 6-2 6-2 Ht.
Wt. 191 217 222 223 253 233 235 189 182 224 175 210 176 209 170 174 186 212 203 187 208 186 180 184 233 169 194 187 180 184 191 193 171 183 195 260 236 208 217 253 236 250 192 186 241 317 218 300 232 280 229 237 302 229 284 306 277 272 330 281 311 308 Wt.
Cl. Sr. Jr. R-Jr. Sr. R-So. R-Sr. R-Jr. Sr. R-Jr. R-Jr. Sr. Fr. R-Sr. R-Fr. So. R-So. R-So. Sr. Jr. Fr. R-Sr. So. R-Jr. Fr. R-Fr. R-So. R-Jr. R-Fr. R-Jr. Fr. Jr. So. So. R-Jr. Fr. Fr. Fr. R-Sr. Fr. R-Jr. Jr. R-Fr. Fr. Fr. So. Fr. R-Fr. Fr. R-Sr. Fr. R-So. Fr. R-So. R-So. Fr. Sr. R-Jr. Fr. R-Sr. R-Fr. Fr. Fr. Cl.
Hometown (Previous School) Winter Park, Fla. (West Orange HS) Jacksonville, Fla. (Ed White HS) Marion, Ohio (University of Louisville) Brooklyn, N.Y. (Nassau CC) Virginia Beach, Va. (Arizona State University) Middlefield, Conn. (University of Connecticut) Jackson, Ala. (University of Tennessee) Germantown, Md. (Fullerton College) Huber Heights, Ohio (Wayne HS) Wilmington, Del. (University of Tennessee) Miami, Fla. (University of Arkansas) Lebanon, Ohio (Lebanon HS) Louisville, Ky. (Kentucky State University) Moore, S.C. (Spartanburg HS) Charlotte, N.C. (Mallard Creek HS) Winter Park, Fla. (University of Central Florida) Apopka, Fla. (Apopka HS) Geelong, Victoria, Australia (Oberon HS) Johnson City, Tenn. (Elizabethton HS) Indianapolis, Ind. (Ben Davis HS) Hebron, Ky. (University of Kentucky) Dayton, Ohio (Wayne HS) Stone Mountain, Ga. (University of Kentucky) Louisville, Ky. (Male HS) Ashland, Ky. (Western Kentucky University) Ormond Beach, Fla. (Seabreeze HS) Cincinnati, Ohio (Shorter College) Nashville, Tenn. (Cane Ridge HS) Groveland, Fla. (South Lake HS) Miami, Fla. (Miami Palmetto Senior HS) Louisville, Ky. (Central HS) Louisville, Ky. (duPont Manual HS) Louisville, Ky. (duPont Manual HS) Louisville, Ky. (Western Kentucky University) Covington, Ky. (Scott HS) Canal Winchester, Ohio (St. Francis DeSales HS) Mount Olive, Ala. (Gardendale HS) Nashville, Tenn. (Goodpasture Christian School) Fort Wright, Ky. (Covington Catholic HS) Naples, Fla. (Naples Community HS) Dayton, Ohio (Meadowdale HS) Madisonville, Ky. (Casey County HS) Bardstown, Ky. (Bardstown HS) Nashville, Tenn. (Hillsboro HS) Louisville, Ky. (Trinity HS) Belfry, Ky. (Belfry HS) Sanford, N.C. (Southern Lee HS) St. Cloud, Fla. (Harmony HS) Barbourville, Ky. (Knox Central HS) Knoxville, Tenn. (West HS) Douglasville, Ga. (South Paulding HS) Charlotte, N.C. (Mallard Creek HS) Belle Glade, Fla. (West Virginia University) Louisville, Ky. (Kentucky State University) Paintsville, Ky. (Johnson Central HS) Somerset, Ky. (Somerset HS) Dallas, Ga. (Hillgrove HS) Louisa, Ky. (Lawrence County HS) Webster, Fla. (South Sumter HS) Newark, Ohio (Newark Catholic HS) Huddy, Ky. (Belfry HS) Louisville, Ky. (duPont Manual HS) Hometown (Previous School)
www. EKUSports.com | 10
2017 EKU FOOTBALL
70 71 73 74 75 78 79 80 81 82 83 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 95 96 99
Connor Foos Jackson Bardall Graham Ashkettle Christopher Anthony De’jour Simpson Justin Myles Thomas Tabur Jaelin Carter Aaron Riddick Alex Cabrera Jackson Beerman Collin Sanchez Matt Clark Ethan Bradds Clayton Schmerber Josiah Bennett Tre Turner Dillon Denault Nakiya Smith Quinten Floyd Lucas Williams Grayson Blevins Andrew Burgess Shane Burks Brian Carter Cameron Catron Cameron Chase Tristan Coffey Deiondre Coleman Isaiah Cornett Andrew Dziuk Dalton Gossett Jeremy Hodowanic Kevin Hyde Melchisedek Jeudy Domynik Johnson Tre’ Moore Isaiah Murph Jaret Pogliano Ridge Reed John Riley Jr. Chase Ross Cade Sanchez Cole Schaff Kameron Smith Ricky Smith Austin Torrens Peyton Van Horn Landon White Bryce Wilson Zay Yeast
DL OL OL OL OL OL OL WR WR WR WR TE WR TE TE DL DL DL DL DL K LB QB DT LB RB TE WR DB WR LB OL DL DB DL RB DB RB WR RB DB OL OL LB DB LB WR DL K DB DB
6-4 6-3 6-6 6-4 6-3 6-3 6-3 6-2 5-11 6-0 6-5 6-4 6-2 6-5 6-6 6-3 6-5 6-2 6-4 6-2 6-1 5-10 6-0 6-1 6-1 5-9 6-2 5-9 5-10 6-2 6-0 6-4 6-1 5-10 6-0 5-10 5-9 6-2 6-0 6-0 5-10 6-2 6-2 6-2 5-11 6-1 6-2 6-2 6-1 6-0 6-2
275 300 289 286 320 301 288 203 163 184 204 263 212 245 249 294 228 280 234 261 193 205 171 309 216 172 220 175 170 180 211 257 271 170 280 190 195 215 189 208 180 323 240 205 165 230 202 210 187 181 190
So. R-Fr. Fr. Fr. So. R-Jr. R-So. Fr. R-So. So. Fr. Fr. R-So. Fr. Jr. Sr. Fr. R-Fr. Fr. Fr. R-Sr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. R-Fr. R-Fr. R-Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. R-Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Jr. R-Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. R-So. R-Fr. R-Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr.
Louisville, Ky. (Trinity HS) Cumming, Ga. (North Forsyth HS) Crestwood, Ky. (South Oldham HS) Massillon, Ohio (Washington HS) Charlotte, N.C. (Mallard Creek HS) Cincinnati, Ohio (Colerain HS) Northbridge, Mass. (University of Connecticut) Louisville, Ky. (duPont Manual HS) Louisville, Ky. (DuPont Manual HS) Melbourne, Fla. (Viera HS) Lexington, Ky. (Tates Creek HS) Lexington, Ala. (Lexington HS) Prospect, Ky. (North Oldham HS) Jamestown, Ohio (Greenview HS) Centerville, Ohio (Centerville HS) East Stroudsburg, Pa. (Lackawanna College) Huntersville, N.C. (North Mecklenburg HS) Lancaster, Ohio (Lancaster HS) Johnson City, Tenn. (Science Hill HS) Frankfort, Ky. (Bryan Station HS) Russell Springs, Ky. (Russell County HS) Harrodsburg, Ky. (Mercer County HS) South Bend, Ind. (Adams HS) Lexington, Ky. (Bryan Station HS) Independence, Ky. (Simon Kenton HS) Belfry, Ky. (Belfry HS) Bellevue, Ky. (Bellevue HS) Danville, Ky. (Union College) Louisville, Ky. (Marshall University) Somerset, Ky. (Somerset HS) Cornelius, N.C. (Hough HS) Louisville, Ky. (Male HS) Forney, Texas (Naval Academy Prep School) Cincinnati, Ohio (Colerain HS) Miami, Fla. (Miami Southridge Senior HS) Lexington, Ky. (Woodford County HS) Indianapolis, Ind. (Warren Central HS) Hamilton, Ohio (Hamilton HS) Union, Ky. (Mount St. Joseph University) Carlisle, Ohio (Carlisle HS) Louisville, Ky. (duPont Manual HS) Walton, Ky. (Ryle HS) Lexington, Ala. (Lexington HS) Ashburn, Va. (Briar Woods HS) Louisville, Ky. (Campbellsville University) Charlotte, N.C. (Lenoir Rhyne University) New Richmond, Ohio (Mount St. Joseph Univ.) Hebron, Ky. (Conner HS) Richmond, Ky. (Madison Central HS) Lexington, Ky. (Tates Creek HS) Lexington, Ky. (Paul Laurence Dunbar HS)
Head Coach: Mark Elder (Case Western Reserve, 2000), second season Staff: Terry Heffernan (Associate Head Coach/Offensive Line), Tommy Zagorski (Assistant Head Coach/Tight Ends/Offensive Tackles), Kurt Mattix (Defensive Coordinator), Angelo Mirando (Offensive Coordinator), Shannon Morrison (Co-Defensive Coordinator/DBs), Chase Gibson (Linebackers), Kevin Koger (Wide Receivers), Greg Meyer (Special Teams/RBs), Walter Stewart (Defensive Line), Tommy Feazell (Offensive Quality Control), Patrick Parrilli (Offensive QC), Spencer Patterson (Offensive QC), Robert Belle (Defensive QC), Braxton Brown (Defensive QC), Hunter Nichols (Defensive QC), Austin Minor (Special Teams QC), David Leake (QC Analyst), Jon-Michael Davis (Strength & Conditioning), Brandon Lawson (Dir. of Recruiting), Cory Lanham (Video), Dalvin Jones (Equipment), Tim Miesmer (Athletic Trainer), John Barnett (Dir. of Operations)
Pronunciation Guide Jackson Bardall – Bar-DOLL Azjai Cooper – Ah-ZAY Garrett Kruczek – CRUISE-zack Jaelin Carter – JAY-lynn Neiko Creamer – CREE-mer Brian Lassiter – las-SITTER Nick Cavinee – CAV-in-EEE Raynaldy Gustave – GOO-stahv Ryan Markush – mar-KOOSH Sean Cleasant Jr. – rhymes with pleasant Cameron Kowalewski – KOH-wah-less-skee Ja’HShaun Seider – JAY-shawn Cider
64 17 56 6 51 49 9 23 78 27 44 30 43 65 41 81
86 89 52 15 68 4 57 42 75 63 59 25 16 95 32 38 79 20 24 91 45 10 99 19
Cameron Kowalewski Garrett Kruczek Brian Lassiter Jason Lewis Quinton Locklear Damon Lowe Ryan Markush Daryl McCleskey Jr. Tre’ Moore Isaiah Murph Justin Myles Drew O’Bryan Aaron Patrick Ralph Patton Dan Paul Jaret Pogliano Josh Ratliff Eric Reed Ridge Reed Aaron Riddick John Riley Jr. Chase Ross Cade Sanchez Collin Sanchez Cole Schaff Clayton Schmerber Tucker Schroeder Austin Scott Jordan Scott LJ Scott Ja’HShaun Seider Alex Shelton De’jour Simpson Kagen Skidmore Gunner Slone BK Smith James Smith Jr. Kameron Smith Nakiya Smith Ricky Smith Buck Solomon Eli Sowder Thomas Tabur Ethan Thomas Austin Torrens Jared Tucker Tre Turner Peyton Van Horn DJ White Landon White Jordan Whitfield Lucas Williams Bryce Wilson Keith Wrzuszczak Zay Yeast
Nakiya Smith – NICK-kie-ah Tom Tabur – TAY-bur Keith Wrzuszczak – ROO-sack
OL QB DL RB LB LB WR RB DB RB OL LB DL RB TE WR OL DB RB WR DB OL OL TE LB TE OL QB OL RB OL LB/LS OL DL DL WR QB DB DL LB DB LS OL RB WR DB DL DL DL K DB K DB P DB
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2017 EKU FOOTBALL
2017 GAME-BY-GAME STARTERS Offense WR LT LG at Western Kentucky Creamer Kowalewski Simpson at Kentucky Creamer Kowalewski Simpson Tennessee Tech Creamer Kowalewski Simpson at Southeast Missouri Creamer Kowalewski Skidmore Tennessee State Creamer Kowalewski Skidmore at Jacksonville State Creamer (7) Kowalewski (17) Skidmore (6) Tennessee-Martin at Murray State at Eastern Illinois Austin Peay Saint Francis Defense DE at Western Kentucky Patrick at Kentucky Patrick Tennessee Tech Patrick at Southeast Missouri Evans Tennessee State Evans at Jacksonville State Evans (3) Tennessee-Martin at Murray State at Eastern Illinois Austin Peay Saint Francis
DT Foos Foos Foos Foos Foos Foos (7)
C Skidmore Skidmore Skidmore Simpson Simpson Simpson (3)
RG Edwards Edwards Edwards Tabur Edwards Edwards (2)
RT Myles Myles Myles Myles Myles Myles (6)
DT DE Denault Jean Louis Denault Jean Louis Denault Jean Louis Denault Jean Louis Cleasant Jean Louis Humphrey (1) Jean Louis (6)
LB Canady Canady Canady Canady Canady Canady (17)
LB Glass Glass Glass Glass Glass Lowe (4)
TE SL WR Paul Schmerber [TE] Markush Paul Fogle Markush Schmerber [TE] Markush Paul Paul BK Smith Markush Seider [OL] BK Smith Markush Seider [OL] (2) BK Smith (3) Markush (17)
NB Bascom Bascom Lowe [LB] Lowe [LB] Lowe [LB] Bascom (1)
LCB Solomon Bethel Whitfield Bethel Solomon Solomon (2)
RCB Tucker Solomon Solomon Whitfield Whitfield Whitfield (4)
QB Boyle Boyle Boyle Boyle Boyle Boyle (6)
RB LJ Scott LJ Scott LJ Scott LJ Scott LJ Scott D. McCleskey (1)
LS Grace Reed Grace Grace Grace Grace (27)
RS Reed Grace Bascom Reed Reed Reed (3)
consecutive starts in ( )
2017 GAME-BY-GAME TEAM STATISTICS Score 31 17
1st Dns 20 22
Rush-Yds. 40-100 22-25
Passes 20-31-0 29-48-0
Pass Yds. 264 320
Total Yds. 364 345
Pen.-Yds. 3-25 5-65
TOs 1 0
Poss. 29:38 30:22
3Dn Con. 10/17 8/15
Sacks By 1-8 4-31
at Kentucky Eastern Kentucky
27 16
22 17
39-207 20-62
16-24-0 31-43-1
229 256
436 318
6-60 11-90
0 2
31:28 28:32
6/13 6/14
1-15 3-20
Tennessee Tech at Eastern Kentucky
21 24
21 11
36-112 27-83
26-40-2 23-32-0
304 205
416 288
9-52 7-51
5 1
32:21 27:39
6/15 4/16
0-0 2-15
at Southeast Missouri Eastern Kentucky
29 10
15 18
44-299 22-11
9-23-0 19-46-3
76 306
375 317
12-110 5-43
0 4
35:44 24:16
4/15 1/13
2-15 0-0
Tennessee State at Eastern Kentucky
45 21
21 16
46-193 32-124
12-23-1 21-35-4
106 246
299 370
3-24 8-72
1 4
34:09 25:51
7/14 8/16
1-1 1-1
at Jacksonville State Eastern Kentucky
41 25
19 16
40-184 30-57
11-22-0 17-28-2
162 195
346 252
9-72 7-70
0 4
30:01 29:59
8/15 7/13
1-8 0-0
at Western Kentucky Eastern Kentucky
Tennessee-Martin at Eastern Kentucky at Murray State Eastern Kentucky at Eastern Illinois astern Kentucky Austin Peay at Eastern Kentucky Saint Francis at Eastern Kentucky
2017 OPENING DRIVES 1st Half Eastern Opponent
WKU Punt Punt
UK TD FG
TTU Punt Fumble
SEMO TOD Punt
TSU INT INT
JSU INT TD
UTM
MUR
EIU
APSU
SFU
2nd Half Eastern Opponent
WKU TD TD
UK Fumble Punt
TTU TD Downs
SEMO Punt Punt
TSU TD Punt
JSU Fumble Punt
UTM
MUR
EIU
APSU
SFU
www. EKUSports.com | 12
2017 EKU FOOTBALL
2017 GAME SUMMARIES # (DVWHUQ.HQWXFN\YV:.8 6HSDW%RZOLQJ*UHHQ.\
6FRUHE\4XDUWHUV (DVWHUQ.HQWXFN\ :.8 4WU 7LPH QG UG WK
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