This week’s hash tags: #FireTheCannon, #GoBigE, #BeatAPSU 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. AUSTIN PEAY
GAME
Nov. 11, 2017 1 p.m. ET - OVCDN Richmond, Ky. Roy Kidd Stadium (20,000)
10
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 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 W, 31-21 at Murray State* OVCDN W, 26-13 at Eastern Illinois* OVCDN L, 20-23 OT 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 Austin Peay 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 at Cincinnati at Miami (Ohio) MOREHEAD STATE at Murray State* No. 18 UT Martin* No. 4 Jacksonville St.* at Tennessee State* SOUTHEAST MISSOURI* at No. 17 Central Florida at Tennessee Tech* at Eastern Kentucky* EASTERN ILLINOIS*
TIME L, 14-26 L, 10-31 W, 69-13 W, 27-7 W, 7-0 L, 14-34 W, 21-17 W, 38-31 L, 33-73 W, 35-28 1 p.m. 5 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: 3-6 (3-4 OVC, 2-1 home) Ranking: NR, STATS FCS Top-25 NR, FCS Coaches Poll Last Game: lost at Eastern Illinois, 23-20 (OT) Nov. 4 at Charleston, Ill. Head Coach: Mark Elder (Case Western, 2000) Record: 6-14 (second season) at EKU: 6-14 (second season) vs. Austin Peay: 1-0
AUSTIN PEAY GOVERNORS Record: 6-4 (5-1 OVC, 3-3 away) Ranking: NR, STATS NR, Coaches Last Game: beat Tennessee Tech, 35-28 Nov. 4 at Cookeville, Tenn. Head Coach: Will Healy (Richmond, 2008) Record: 6-15 (second season) at APSU: 6-15 (second season) vs. Eastern Kentucky: 0-1
QUICK NOTES EKU has held two of its last three opponents to less than 100 yards rushing and less than 300 yards of offense. The Colonels nearly had a three-game winning streak, taking a seven-point lead at Eastern Illinois (Nov. 4) with 32 seconds left. However, EIU tied the game with 1.9 seconds left on the clock and then won in overtime. • Sophomore Daryl McCleskey has rushed for 351 yards and scored three touchdowns in the last three games. • EKU rushed for a season-high 229 yards in its 31-21 victory over UT Martin (Oct. 21), and then ran for 279 yards in its 26-13 win at Murray State (Oct. 28). UTM entered that game leading the OVC in rush defense (79.3 ypg). • Keith Wrzuszczak (ROO-sack) is first in the OVC and sixth in FCS with an average of 44.4 yards per punt. Eastern Kentucky is second in the nation in net punting (41.69 ypp). • Keith Wrzuszczak broke EKU’s 51-year-old punting record with an 84-yard punt against UT Martin (Oct. 21), the second-longest in the FCS this season. • Eastern Kentucky has only allowed seven sacks in nine games, the 11th fewest allowed in the nation. • The Colonels have recorded nine sacks in their last three games. • 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 vs. 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. • Jeffrey Canady had 1.5 sacks at Kentucky, the most by an OVC player this year against a Power 5 team. • The 2017 roster includes 59 new players. Of 111 players on the roster, 61 are freshmen or redshirt freshmen. • 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. • Aaron Patrick (DE) and Keith Wrzuszczak were chosen to the Preseason All-Ohio Valley Conference Team as selected by head coaches and media relations contacts. • •
INSIDE THE SERIES The Colonels lead the all-time series 44-5 and are 23-2 against Austin Peay in Richmond. The two teams first met on Oct. 23, 1959, a 21-7 EKU victory. Eastern has won 28 of the last 30 against APSU. Eastern Kentucky won 67-30 last season in Clarksville, tying the program record for points in a game set against Morehead State in 1925. EKU has won the last five meetings by an average score of 46-12 (232-60). Daryl McCleskey ran for 109 yards on 11 carries and scored three touchdowns in last year’s game. Ralph Patton rumbled for 61 yards on seven carries. As a team, EKU rushed for 346 yards and scored six touchdowns on the ground. www. EKUSports.com
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2017 EKU FOOTBALL
GAME-WEEK FOOTBALL SCHEDULE MONDAY - 6
TUESDAY - 7
WEDNESDAY - 8
THURSDAY - 9
FRIDAY - 10
SATURDAY - 11
SUNDAY - 12
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. Austin Peay 1 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.
three games and has won two of those. GETTING TO THE QUARTERBACK EKU had nine sacks in its first three games, but then only recorded one sack in the next three games. The Colonels have had nine sacks in their last three games.
NOT GETTING TO THE QUARTERBACK EKU’S RECORD AT RKS Eastern Kentucky’s all-time record in games played at While the defense has registered 19 sacks, the EKU offensive line and quarterbacks have only allowed seven in Roy Kidd Stadium is 219-55-1. nine games. That is second the conference and is the 11th fewest sacks allowed in the nation. NEARLY A 3-GAME WINNING STREAK The Colonels nearly had a three-game winning streak, taking a seven-point lead at Eastern Illinois (Nov. 4) with WILLIAMS STRONG AT EIU 32 seconds left in the game. However, EIU scored the Lucas Williams hit both of his field goal attempts (34 and tying touchdown and extra-point with 1.9 seconds left 37 yards) and both extra-point tries at Eastern Illinois (Nov. 4). on the clock and then won in overtime. McCLESKEY CONTINUES TO ROLL It has been an impressive three weeks for sophomore running back Daryl McCleskey Jr. (351 rushing yards, three touchdowns). He scored a touchdown and ran for what was then a career-best 137 yards against UT Martin (Oct. 21). The next week he finished with a new career-high 144 rushing yards at Murray State (Oct. 28), becoming the first Colonel to rush for 100 yards in backto-back games since Dy’Shawn Mobley did it four games in a row in 2014. At Eastern Illinois (Nov. 4), McCleskey scored two touchdowns and ran for 70 yards. IT’S OKAY TO GET DEFENSIVE In two of its last three games, EKU has held its opponents to less than 100 yards rushing and less than 300 yards of total offense. Eastern gave up 38 rushing yards and 254 total yards to UT Martin (Oct. 21), and 63 rushing yards and 273 total yards to Murray State (Oct. 28). The Colonels nearly made it three games in a row. Eastern Illinois (Nov. 4) finished with 109 rushing yards and 322 yards of offense in an overtime game. TOP-RANKED PUNTING Keith Wrzuszczak is first in the OVC and sixth in FCS with an average of 44.4 yards per punt. As a team, Eastern is second in the nation in net punting (41.69 ypp). 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 the next three games the Colonels gave the ball away 12 times and forced just one turnover, and lost all three. Eastern is +3 in turnover margin in its last
SHORT BUT EFFECTIVE In a game that was a constant chess match for field position and both teams punting from inside the others territory, Keith Wrzuszczak only averaged 36.9 yards per punt, but placed five of his seven inside the 20 yard line and did not have a touchback. KOBIE WITH A BIG GAME Senior Kobie Grace led EKU with a game-best 11 tackles and 3.5 tackles for a loss at Eastern Illinois (Nov. 4). A LOOK AT THE RANKINGS Eastern Kentucky leads the OVC and is second in the nation in net punting (41.69 ypp), ranks first in the OVC and second in the nation in kickoff returns (27.34 ypr), second in the league and 11th nationally in sacks allowed (0.78/ game), first in the OVC and sixth in FCS in fumbles recovered (11), and first in the OVC and 40th in the country in
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
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2017 EKU FOOTBALL
FCS Coaches Top 25 Nov. 6, 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) Jacksonville State Central Arkansas Sam Houston State South Dakota State North Dakota State North Carolina A&T Wofford Elon South Dakota Grambling State Weber State Western Illinois Samford Stony Brook New Hampshire Nicholls McNeese Southern Utah Illinois State Eastern Washington Monmouth Kennesaw State Northern Arizona Western Carolina
Points 650 619 567 550 538 527 478 466 447 364 362 346 308 285 238 234 221 177 167 164 152 114 103 85 65
Prev Record 1 9-0 3 8-1 4 8-1 5 8-1 8 7-2 2 8-1 7 9-0 9 8-1 10 8-1 6 7-2 12 8-1 14 7-2 18 6-3 15 6-3 21 7-2 19 6-3 17 7-2 22 7-2 23 7-2 13 6-2 11 5-4 24 8-1 25 8-1 16 6-3 RV 7-3
Receiving votes: Northern Iowa (51), Richmond (38), Furman (37), Montana (27), Villanova (24), Delaware (20), The Citadel (9), Dartmouth (5), Yale (5), N.C. Central (3), Austin Peay (2), San Diego (2).
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.
Nov. 6, 2017 Team Record James Madison (162) 9-0 Jacksonville State 8-1 Central Arkansas 8-1 Sam Houston State 8-1 North Dakota State 8-1 South Dakota State 7-2 Elon 8-1 Wofford 8-1 North Carolina A&T 9-0 South Dakota 7-2 Western Illinois 6-3 Stony Brook 7-2 Grambling State 8-1 Weber State 7-2 Southern Utah 7-2 Samford 6-3 Illinois State 6-3 New Hampshire 6-3 Eastern Washington 5-4 McNeese 7-2 Furman 6-3 Western Carolina 7-3 Kennesaw State 8-1 Northern Arizona 6-3 UNI 5-4
Points Prev 4050 1 3830 3 3692 4 3427 5 3329 2 3260 10 3027 7 2902 8 2772 9 2278 6 2128 15 1977 14 1911 13 1835 19 1636 17 1615 16 1391 12 1088 21 1076 11 848 22 692 23 665 24 622 25 581 18 410 NR
Receiving votes: Nicholls (376), Monmouth (338), Richmond (258), Montana (229), Delaware (196), Yale (63), North Carolina Central (36), Villanova (23), Austin Peay (22), Youngstown State (22), Duquesne (11), Eastern Illinois (9), Dartmouth (9), Howard (6), Columbia (4), Charleston Southern (4), Sacramento State (2).
passing yards (227.4 ypg). A LOOK AT THE INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS Tim Boyle is first in the OVC (36th FCS) in completion percentage (61.3 percent), and second in the OVC (26th FCS) in completions per game (18.67/game). LJ Scott is first in the OVC (4th FCS) in kickoff returns (29.8 ypr). Keith Wrzuszczak is first in the OVC (6th FCS) in punting (44.4 ypp). Luder Jean Louis is second in the OVC (22nd FCS) in sacks (0.78/game), and second in the conference (33rd FCS) in tackles for a loss (1.3/game). Kobie Grace is first in the OVC (1st FCS) in fumbles recovered (4). LOT OF NEW FACES Eastern has 59 new players on the team in 2017. Of the 111 players on the roster, 61 are either true freshmen or redshirt freshmen. KEEPING IT CLOSE In their first two games of the season, against a pair of FBS teams, the Colonels lost by an average margin of just 12.5 points. In the season-opener this year at Western Kentucky, EKU closed to within 10 twice in the second half and drove to the WKU six yard line as time expired in the fourth quarter of a 14-point loss. Eastern led for nearly three quarters at UK before the Wildcats staged a comeback.
Ohio Valley Conference Standings Team Jacksonville State Austin Peay Eastern Illinois Tennessee-Martin Eastern Kentucky Southeast Missouri Tennessee State Murray State Tennessee Tech
OVC Overall 6-0 1.000 8-1 .889 5-1 .833 6-4 .600 5-2 .714 6-4 .600 3-3 .500 5-4 .556 3-4 .429 3-6 .333 2-4 .333 2-7 .222 1-4 .200 5-4 .556 1-4 .200 2-7 .222 1-5 .167 1-8 .111
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
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. MADNESS OFFENSIVE POW, AGAIN Daryl McCleskey Jr. was selected as the Madness Ohio IN THE BOX Valley Offensive Player of the Week by College Sports This season, offensive coordinator Angelo Mirando, tight Madness on Oct. 29, for the second straight week. Mcends coach Tommy Zagorski, defensive coordinator Kurt Cleskey rushed for a career-high 144 yards on 21 carries. Mattix and co-defensive coordinator/defensive backs The Dayton, Ohio native averaged 6.9 yards per carry. His coach Shannon Morrison will be in the coaches booth 72-yard run in the first quarter was the longest rush by an during games. EKU player since 2015. ANOTHER TOUCHDOWN CATCH Ryan Markush caught another touchdown pass against Murray State (Oct. 28), raising his season total to seven. Last season he had three. He also eclipsed the 1,000yard mark as a Colonel against Tennessee State (Oct. 7). BOYLE IS OVC CO-NOW Quarterback Tim Boyle was chosen as the adidas® Ohio Valley Conference Co-Newcomer of the Week on Oct. 29. He completed 60 percent of his passes and threw two touchdown passes. The Middlefield, Connecticut native finished 15-for-25 for 201 yards. He gave EKU a 6-0 lead with a 22-yard scoring toss on third down in the first quarter. He put his team on top 20-3 with a 38-yard touchdown pass late in the second quarter.
NEW PUNT RECORD Keith Wrzuszczak broke EKU’s 51-year-old punting record with an 84-yard punt against UT Martin (Oct. 21), the second-longest in the FCS this season. It is also tied for the second-longest in the OVC since 2004. The previous record of 78 yards was set by Bob Plotts in 1966. NATIONAL HONORABLE MENTION Keith Wrzuszczak earned honorable mention recognition for National Special Teams Player of the Week by STATS after his performance against UT Martin (Oct. 21). OVC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK Corey Glass was chosen as the OVC Defensive Player of the Week on Oct. 22. Glass helped the EKU defense hold the
2017 EKU FOOTBALL eighth leading rusher in the nation – UTM’s Ladarius Galloway (104.8 ypg) – to 41 yards. Glass finished with five tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble. He and his teammates held a Skyhawk offense that averaged 161 rushing yards per game to 38 yards on the ground. OVC CO-SPECIALIST OF THE WEEK Keith Wrzuszczak was chosen as the OVC Co-Specialist of the Week on Oct. 22 after setting a new program record with an 84-yard punt and averaging 49.9 yards in a win over UT Martin. He put two punts inside the 20, including one at the UTM two yard line. Seven of his nine puts forced the Skyhawks to start at their own 25 or less. MADNESS OFFENSIVE POW Daryl McCleskey Jr. was selected as the Madness Ohio 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
www. EKUSports.com | 4 Valley Offensive Player of the Week by College Sports Madness on Oct. 22. McCleskey finished with 137 yards rushing and one touchdown against a UT Martin team that entered the game leading the OVC in rushing defense (79 ypg). His 8-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter stretched the EKU lead to 17. NO TURNOVERS Eastern did not commit a turnover in its win over UT Martin (Oct. 21), the first time since the season-opener at Western Kentucky (Sept. 2). SEASON-HIGH RUSHING EKU rushed for what was then a season-high 229 yards in its 31-21 victory over UT Martin (Oct. 21). The previous high was 124. Eastern had 104 yards at halftime against UTM. The Skyhawks entered the game leading the conference in rushing defense (79.3 ypg). OFFENSE AGAINST DEFENSE EKU churned out 331 yards of offense in its victory over UT Martin (Oct. 21). UTM entered the game first in the OVC and fifth in the nation in total defense (271 ypg). RUSHING TO THE DEFENSE Eastern Kentucky held UT Martin to 38 yards rushing in its 31-21 victory (Oct. 21). It’s the first time the Colonels held their opponent below 50 yards rushing since limiting Southeast Missouri to 31 on Oct. 17, 2015. MOST POINTS AGAINST JSU EKU’s 25 points against No. 3 Jacksonville State (Oct. 14) are the most allowed by the Gamecocks this season against an FCS opponent. 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 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. 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). ANOTHER 100-YARD GAME Senior Ryan Markush caught four passes for a career-best 122 yards at Southeast Missouri (Sept. 30), his second 100-yard receiving game this season. He also has a 98-yard performance this year. LONG FIELD GOALS Senior Lucas Williams made a career-best 51-yard field goal against Tennessee Tech (Sept. 23) and booted a
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 Corey Glass ................................................. Oct. 22 Ohio Valley Conference Specialist of the Week Keith Wrzuszczak (Co-) ............................ Sept. 3 Keith Wrzuszczak .................................... Sept. 24 Keith Wrzuszczak (Co-) ........................... Oct. 22 Ohio Valley Conference Newcomer of the Week Tim Boyle (Co-) .......................................... Oct. 29 Madness Ohio Valley Defensive Player of the Week Jeffrey Canady ......................................... Sept. 10 Kobie Grace .............................................. Sept. 24 Madness Ohio Valley Offensive Player of the Week Daryl McCleskey Jr. .................................. Oct. 22 Daryl McCleskey Jr. .................................. Oct. 29 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 Keith Wrzuszczak ...................................... Oct. 23 STATS National Defensive Player of the Week Kobie Grace .............................................. Sept. 25
2017 EKU FOOTBALL 41-yarder at Southeast Missouri (Sept. 30). STATUE OF THE KIDD EKU unveiled a statue of College Football Hall of Fame coach Roy Kidd on Saturday, Sept. 23. Kidd won 314 games, including two national championships, as the head coach of the Colonels from 1964 to 2002. 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 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 Keith Wrzuszczak was chosen as the 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 76yard punt and had three of 50 or more yards. 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. 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. 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-pur-
www. EKUSports.com | 5 pose yards by an OVC player this year against an FBS 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). 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. 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. PRESEASON ALL-AMERICAN PUNTER Punter Keith Wrzuszczak was chosen as a second team preseason All-American by STATS. 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. 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. 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 Murray State on Oct. 28, 2017 (144) Rushed for 100 yards in cons. games Daryl McCleskey Jr. at Murray State on Oct. 21, Oct. 28, 2017 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 Nov. 5, 2017)
OFFENSE
DEFENSE
QB
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.)
DE
55 45
Taquan Evans (6-2, 229, r-So., Douglasville, Ga.) DJ White (6-5, 250, r-Fr., Madisonville, Ky.)
RB
23 4 6 20
Daryl McCleskey Jr. (5-9, 186, So., Dayton, Ohio) LJ Scott (6-0, 222, r-Jr., Marion, Ohio) Jason Lewis (6-3, 253, r-So., Virginia Beach, Va.) Ethan Thomas (5-11, 203, Jr., Johnson City, Tenn.)
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
57 67
Ja’HShaun Seider (6-2, 307, r-So., Belle Glade, Fla.) Nick Cavinee (6-7, 281, r-Fr., Newark, Ohio)
DE
5 27
Luder Jean Louis (6-4, 223, r-Sr., Brooklyn, N.Y.) Drew O’Bryan (6-2, 233, r-Fr., Ashland, Ky.)
LG
79 75
Thomas Tabur (6-3, 288, r-So., Northbridge, Mass.) De’jour Simpson (6-3, 320, So., Charlotte, N.C.)
LB
53 34
Jeffrey Canady (6-0, 232, r-Sr., Barbourville, Ky.) Demontre Boyd (6-1, 191, r-Jr., Louisville, Ky.)
C
71 75
Jackson Bardall (6-3, 300, r-Fr., Cumming, Ga.) De’jour Simpson (6-3, 320, So., Charlotte, N.C.)
LB
8 49
Gavin Bryant (6-1, 238, r-Jr., Jackson, Ala.) Damon Lowe (6-2, 241, So., Louisville, Ky.)
RG
66 75
Chance Edwards (6-5, 330, r-Sr., Webster, Fla.) De’jour Simpson (6-3, 320, So., Charlotte, N.C.)
LB
3 40
Corey Glass (5-10, 217, Jr., Jacksonville, Fla.) Steven Crowder (6-2, 236, Fr., Mount Olive, Ala.)
RT
78 67
Justin Myles (6-3, 301, r-Jr., Cincinnati, Ohio) Nick Cavinee (6-7, 281, r-Fr., Newark, Ohio)
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 22
BK Smith (5-10, 184, Fr., Louisville, Ky.) Cameron Fogle (5-11, 208, r-Sr., Hebron, Ky.)
LS
2 24
Kobie Grace (5-9, 191, Sr., Winter Park, Fla.) Jared Tucker (5-11, 180, r-Jr, Stone Mountain, Ga.)
WR
9 80
Ryan Markush (6-2, 189, Sr., Germantown, Md.) Jaelin Carter (6-2, 203, Fr., Louisville, Ky.)
RS
35 41
TJ Comstock (5-11, 193, So., Louisville, Ky.) Eric Reed (5-9, 208, r-Sr., Nashville, Tenn.)
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 3-5 6-14
OVC 2-6 3-3 5-10
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 .................................................. 0-2 Jacksonville State ........................................... 0-2 Kentucky ............................................................ 0-1 Murray State ..................................................... 1-1 Pikeville .............................................................. 1-0 Purdue ................................................................ 0-1 Southeast Missouri ........................................ 1-1 Tennessee-Martin ........................................... 1-1 Tennessee State .............................................. 0-2 Tennessee Tech ............................................... 1-1 Western Kentucky .......................................... 0-1 TOTAL ............................................................. 6-14
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THE LAST TIME EASTERN KENTUCKY ... Had 20 or more first downs at Murray State on Oct. 28, 2017 (23) 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 at Murray State on Oct. 28, 2017 (55) Had 5 or more rushing TDs at Austin Peay on Nov. 12, 2016 (6) Had 4 or more rushing TDs vs. Tennessee-Martin on Oct. 21, 2017 (4) 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 at Murray State on Oct. 28, 2017 (82) 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 vs. Tennessee-Martin on Oct. 21, 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 Murray St. on Oct. 28, 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 at Murray State on Oct. 28, 2017 (273) 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 at Murray State on Oct. 28, 2017 (63) Held an oppt. to 50 yards rushing vs. Tennessee-Martin on Oct. 21, 2017 (38) 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 Oct. 28, 2017 (37:38) Played an OT game at Eastern Illinois on Nov. 4, 2017 (L, 23-20) 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 39 46 34 7 88 8 29 82 53 98 80 9 67 87 69 35 21 11 40 92 97 66 58 55 12 96 22 70 3 2 37 28 50 54 31 47 5 14 64 17
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 Alonzo Booth RB Thomas Bowling LS Demontre Boyd LB Tim Boyle QB Ethan Bradds TE Gavin Bryant LB Andrew Burgess QB Shane Burks DT Alex Cabrera WR Jeffrey Canady LB Brian Carter LB Jaelin Carter WR Cameron Catron DB Nick Cavinee OL Cameron Chase TE Matt Clark WR Sean Cleasant Jr. DL Tristan Coffey WR Deiondre Coleman DB TJ Comstock DB Azjai Cooper WR Isaiah Cornett WR Neiko Creamer WR Steven Crowder LB Dillon Denault DL Andrew Dziuk LB Chance Edwards OL Brentton Ervin LB Taquan Evans DE Cornelius Floyd DB Quinten Floyd DL Cameron Fogle WR Connor Foos DL Corey Glass LB Dalton Gossett OL Kobie Grace DB Raynaldy Gustave RB Samuel Hayworth K/P Jeremy Hodowanic DL Ray Horton DL Leonard Humphrey DL AJ Jackson DB Matthew Jackson LB Melchisedek Jeudy OL Luder Jean Louis DL Derius Jones WR Cameron Kowalewski OL Garrett Kruczek QB
No. 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 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 61 63 64
Player Kobie Grace Corey Glass LJ Scott Luder Jean Louis Jason Lewis Tim Boyle Gavin Bryant Ryan Markush Cameron Catron 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 Ridge Reed Drew O’Bryan Samuel Hayworth Andrew Burgess 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 Landon White Kagen Skidmore Cameron Kowalewski
Pos. DB LB RB DL RB QB LB WR DB DB WR DB QB WR QB QB QB DB P RB WR WR RB DB WR RB LB K/P QB 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 K OL OL
Ht. 5-9 5-10 6-0 6-4 6-3 6-4 6-1 6-2 5-9 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 6-0 6-2 5-11 6-0 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 6-1 6-2 6-5
Wt. 191 217 222 223 253 233 235 189 172 182 224 175 210 176 209 170 182 186 212 203 187 208 186 180 184 208 233 169 171 194 187 180 184 191 193 171 183 195 260 236 208 217 253 236 250 192 186 241 317 218 300 232 280 229 237 302 229 284 187 306 277
Cl. Sr. Jr. R-Jr. Sr. R-So. R-Sr. R-Jr. Sr. Fr. R-Jr. R-Jr. Sr. Fr. R-Sr. R-Fr. So. R-So. R-So. Sr. Jr. Fr. R-Sr. So. R-Jr. Fr. Fr. R-Fr. R-So. Fr. 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. Fr. Sr. R-Jr.
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) Belfry, Ky. (Belfry HS) 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) Carlisle, Ohio (Carlisle HS) Ashland, Ky. (Western Kentucky University) Ormond Beach, Fla. (Seabreeze HS) South Bend, Ind. (Adams 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) Richmond, Ky. (Madison Central HS) Somerset, Ky. (Somerset HS) Dallas, Ga. (Hillgrove HS)
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2017 EKU FOOTBALL
No. 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 73 74 75 78 79 80 81 82 83 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 95 96 97 98 99
Player Josh Ratliff Chance Edwards Nick Cavinee Jordan Scott Sean Cleasant Jr. 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 Andrew Dziuk Brian Carter Lucas Williams Grayson Blevins Shane Burks Cameron Chase Tristan Coffey Deiondre Coleman Isaiah Cornett Dalton Gossett Jeremy Hodowanic Melchisedek Jeudy Tre’ Moore Isaiah Murph Jaret Pogliano John Riley Jr. Chase Ross Cade Sanchez Cole Schaff Kameron Smith Ricky Smith Austin Torrens Peyton Van Horn Bryce Wilson Zay Yeast
Pos. OL OL OL OL DL DL OL OL OL OL OL OL WR WR WR WR TE WR TE TE DL DL DL DL DL LB LB K LB DT TE WR DB WR OL DL DL DB RB WR DB OL OL LB DB LB WR DL DB DB
Ht. 6-6 6-5 6-7 6-2 6-2 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 6-0 6-1 6-1 5-10 6-1 6-2 5-9 5-10 6-2 6-4 6-1 6-0 5-9 6-2 6-0 5-10 6-2 6-2 6-2 5-11 6-1 6-2 6-2 6-0 6-2
Wt. 272 330 281 311 308 275 300 289 286 320 301 288 203 163 184 204 263 212 245 249 294 228 280 234 261 211 216 193 205 309 220 175 170 180 257 271 280 195 215 189 180 323 240 205 165 230 202 210 181 190
Cl. Fr. R-Sr. R-Fr. Fr. Fr. 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. Fr. Fr. R-Sr. Fr. Fr. R-Fr. R-Fr. R-Fr. Fr. Fr. R-Fr. Fr. Jr. R-Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. R-So. R-Fr. R-Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr.
Hometown (Previous School) Louisa, Ky. (Lawrence County HS) Webster, Fla. (South Sumter HS) Newark, Ohio (Newark Catholic HS) Huddy, Ky. (Belfry HS) Louisville, Ky. (duPont Manual HS) 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) Cornelius, N.C. (Hough HS) Independence, Ky. (Simon Kenton HS) Russell Springs, Ky. (Russell County HS) Harrodsburg, Ky. (Mercer County HS) Lexington, Ky. (Bryan Station HS) Bellevue, Ky. (Bellevue HS) Danville, Ky. (Union College) Louisville, Ky. (Marshall University) Somerset, Ky. (Somerset HS) Louisville, Ky. (Male HS) Forney, Texas (Naval Academy Prep School) Miami, Fla. (Miami Southridge Senior HS) Indianapolis, Ind. (Warren Central HS) Hamilton, Ohio (Hamilton HS) Union, Ky. (Mount St. Joseph University) 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) 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
No. 56 6 51 49 9 23 78 27 44 30 43 65 41 26 81
86 89 52 15 68 4 57 42 75 63 59 25 16 95 32 38 79 20 24 91 45 61 10 99 19
Name Pos. Brian Lassiter DL Jason Lewis RB Quinton Locklear LB Damon Lowe LB Ryan Markush WR Daryl McCleskey Jr. RB Tre’ Moore DB Isaiah Murph RB Justin Myles OL Drew O’Bryan LB Aaron Patrick DL Ralph Patton RB Dan Paul TE Jaret Pogliano WR Josh Ratliff OL Eric Reed DB Ridge Reed RB Aaron Riddick WR John Riley Jr. DB Chase Ross OL Cade Sanchez OL Collin Sanchez TE Cole Schaff LB Clayton Schmerber TE Tucker Schroeder OL Austin Scott QB Jordan Scott OL LJ Scott RB Ja’HShaun Seider OL Alex Shelton LB/LS De’jour Simpson OL Kagen Skidmore DL Gunner Slone DL BK Smith WR James Smith Jr. QB Kameron Smith DB Nakiya Smith DL Ricky Smith LB Buck Solomon DB Eli Sowder LS Thomas Tabur OL Ethan Thomas RB Austin Torrens WR Jared Tucker DB Tre Turner DL Peyton Van Horn DL DJ White DL Landon White K Jordan Whitfield DB Lucas Williams K Bryce Wilson DB Keith Wrzuszczak P Zay Yeast DB
Nakiya Smith – NICK-kie-ah Tom Tabur – TAY-bur Keith Wrzuszczak – ROO-sack
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2017 EKU FOOTBALL
2017 GAME-BY-GAME STARTERS Offense WR at Western Kentucky Creamer at Kentucky Creamer Tennessee Tech Creamer at Southeast Missouri Creamer Tennessee State Creamer at Jacksonville State Creamer Tennessee-Martin Creamer at Murray State Creamer at Eastern Illinois Creamer (10) Austin Peay Saint Francis
LT Kowalewski Kowalewski Kowalewski Kowalewski Kowalewski Kowalewski Kowalewski Kowalewski Seider (1)
Defense DE at Western Kentucky Patrick at Kentucky Patrick Tennessee Tech Patrick at Southeast Missouri Evans Tennessee State Evans at Jacksonville State Evans Tennessee-Martin Evans at Murray State Evans at Eastern Illinois Evans (6) Austin Peay Saint Francis
DT Foos Foos Foos Foos Foos Foos Foos Foos Cleasant (1)
LG Simpson Simpson Simpson Skidmore Skidmore Skidmore Tabur Tabur Tabur (3)
C Skidmore Skidmore Skidmore Simpson Simpson Simpson Skidmore Skidmore Bardall (1)
DT DE Denault Jean Louis Denault Jean Louis Denault Jean Louis Denault Jean Louis Cleasant Jean Louis Humphrey Jean Louis Denault Jean Louis Denault Jean Louis Humphrey (1) Jean Louis (9)
RG Edwards Edwards Edwards Tabur Edwards Edwards Edwards Edwards Edwards (5)
RT Myles Myles Myles Myles Myles Myles Myles Myles Myles (9)
TE Paul Paul Paul Paul Seider [OL] Seider [OL] Schmerber Schmerber Schmerber (3)
LB Canady Canady Canady Canady Canady Canady Canady Canady Canady (20)
LB Glass Glass Glass Glass Glass Lowe Glass Bryant Bryant (2)
NB Bascom Bascom Lowe [LB] Lowe [LB] Lowe [LB] Bascom Bascom Bascom Glass [LB] (1)
SL WR Schmerber [TE] Markush Fogle Markush Schmerber [TE] Markush BK Smith Markush BK Smith Markush BK Smith Markush Cavinee [OL] Markush Cavinee [OL] Markush Cavinee [OL] (3) Markush (20)
LCB Solomon Bethel Whitfield Bethel Solomon Solomon Solomon Solomon Solomon (5)
RCB Tucker Solomon Solomon Whitfield Whitfield Whitfield Whitfield Whitfield Whitfield (7)
QB Boyle Boyle Boyle Boyle Boyle Boyle Boyle Boyle Boyle (9)
RB LJ Scott LJ Scott LJ Scott LJ Scott LJ Scott McCleskey McCleskey Thomas McCleskey (1)
LS Grace Reed Grace Grace Grace Grace Grace Grace Grace (30)
RS Reed Grace Bascom Reed Reed Reed Comstock Comstock Bascom (4)
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
Tennessee-Martin at Eastern Kentucky
21 31
11 18
25-38 52-229
14-25-1 10-21-0
216 102
254 331
9-92 7-81
3 0
22:02 37:58
1/11 5/16
0-0 2-21
at Murray State Eastern Kentucky
13 26
13 23
24-63 55-279
20-40-0 15-27-2
210 201
273 480
7-52 6-53
3 3
22:22 37:38
5/17 6/17
0-0 3-23
at Eastern Illinois Eastern Kentucky
23 20
14 14
46-109 28-64
12-21-0 21-35-2
213 216
322 280
3-20 5-38
2 2
31:14 28:46
4/16 4/15
1-9 4-15
at Western Kentucky Eastern 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 Punt Punt
MUR TOD Punt
EIU TD TD
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 Punt Fumble
MUR INT Punt
EIU FG Punt
APSU
SFU
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2017 EKU FOOTBALL
2017 GAME SUMMARIES # (DVWHUQ.HQWXFN\YV:.86HSDW%RZOLQJ*UHHQ.\
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