This week’s hash tags: #FireTheCannon, #GoBigE, #BeatSFU ... · SAINT FRANCIS RED FLASH Record:...

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SAINT FRANCIS RED FLASH Record: 5-5 (3-3 NEC, 2-3 away) Ranking: NR, STATS NR, Coaches Last Game: lost to Sacred Heart, 16-7 Nov. 11 at Loretto, Pa. Head Coach: Chris Villarrial (Indiana U. Pennsylvania) Record: 36-51 (8th season) at SFU: 36-51 (8th season) vs. Eastern Kentucky: 0-0 www. EKUSports.com 2017 2017 EKU FOOTBALL FOOTBALL EKUSports Communications Football Contact: Kevin Britton, Assistant Athletics Director for Communications [email protected] (859) 622-2006 EASTERN KENTUCKY COLONELS Record: 3-7 (3-5 OVC, 2-2 home) Ranking: NR, STATS FCS Top-25 NR, FCS Coaches Poll Last Game: lost to Austin Peay, 31-24 Nov. 11 at Richmond, Ky. Head Coach: Mark Elder (Case Western, 2000) Record: 6-15 (second season) at EKU: 6-15 (second season) vs. Saint Francis: 0-0 The Colonels nearly have a four-game winning streak, but have suffered back-to-back close losses in which they had the lead late in the game. Keith Wrzuszczak (ROO-sack) is first in the OVC and sixth in FCS with an average of 43.9 yards per punt. If that average holds, it will be a new program record. Eastern is second in the nation in net punting (41.58 ypp). Eastern Kentucky has only allowed eight sacks in 10 games, the seventh fewest allowed in the nation. EKU has recorded 12 sacks in their last four games. Luder Jean Louis had three last week against Austin Peay. Luder Jean Louis moved to sixth on Eastern’s single season sacks list with 10. Jessie Small holds the single season record with 13 sacks in 1988. 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 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. 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 110 players on the roster, 60 are freshmen or redshirt freshmen. Mark Elder is entering his second season as Head Coach at EKU. Elder and his staff have engineered back-to- back 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. 2017 FOOTBALL 2017 FOOTBALL www.EKUSports.com @EKUSports @EKUFootball @CoachElderEKU EKUSports Facebook.com/EKUColonels GAME NOTES GAME NOTES NATIONAL CHAMPIONS 1979 • 1982 OVC CHAMPIONS 1954 • 1962 • 1967 • 1968 • 1974 • 1976 1981 • 1982 • 1983 • 1984 • 1986 • 1987 1988 • 1990 • 1991 • 1993 • 1994 • 1997 2007 • 2008 • 2011 GAME 11 vs. SAINT FRANCIS Nov. 18, 2017 1 p.m. ET - OVCDN Richmond, Ky. Roy Kidd Stadium (20,000) 2017 EKU Schedule/Results DATE RANK OPPONENT TV/NET TIME Sept. 2 RV/NR at Western Kentucky FloFootball L, 17-31 Sept. 9 RV/NR at Kentucky SECN L, 16-27 Sept. 16 RV/NR OPEN Sept. 23 RV/NR TENNESSEE TECH* OVCDN W, 24-21 Sept. 30 RV/NR at Southeast Missouri* OVCDN L, 10-29 Oct. 7 NR/NR TENNESSEE STATE* OVCDN L, 21-45 Oct. 14 NR/NR at No. 3 Jacksonville St.* ESPN3 L, 25-41 Oct. 21 NR/NR TENNESSEE-MARTIN* OVCDN W, 31-21 Oct. 28 NR/NR at Murray State* OVCDN W, 26-13 Nov. 4 NR/NR at Eastern Illinois* OVCDN L, 20-23 OT Nov. 11 NR/NR AUSTIN PEAY* OVCDN L, 24-31 Nov. 18 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. BREAKDOWN QUICK NOTES This week’s hash tags: #FireTheCannon, #GoBigE, #BeatSFU 2017 Saint Francis Schedule/Results DATE OPPONENT TIME Sept. 2 LOCK HAVEN W, 69-3 Sept. 9 WAGNER* W, 31-6 Sept. 16 TOWSON L, 14-16 Sept. 23 OPEN Sept. 30 at No. 22 Liberty W, 13-7 Oct. 7 at Presbyterian L, 14-26 Oct. 14 at Bryant* W, 30-14 Oct. 21 at Duquesne* L, 7-24 Oct. 28 ROBERT MORRIS* W, 36-7 Nov. 4 at Central Connecticut St.* L, 10-28 Nov. 11 SACRED HEART* L, 7-16 Nov. 18 at Eastern Kentucky 1 p.m. Home games appear in ALL CAPITALS. Times given are Eastern Time. * Denotes Northeast 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 This is the first-ever meeting between the two schools. INSIDE THE SERIES

Transcript of This week’s hash tags: #FireTheCannon, #GoBigE, #BeatSFU ... · SAINT FRANCIS RED FLASH Record:...

SAINT FRANCIS RED FLASHRecord: 5-5 (3-3 NEC, 2-3 away)Ranking: NR, STATS NR, CoachesLast Game: lost to Sacred Heart, 16-7 Nov. 11 at Loretto, Pa.Head Coach: Chris Villarrial (Indiana U. Pennsylvania) Record: 36-51 (8th season) at SFU: 36-51 (8th season) vs. Eastern Kentucky: 0-0

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EKUSports Communications • Football Contact: Kevin Britton, Assistant Athletics Director for Communications • [email protected] • (859) 622-2006

EASTERN KENTUCKY COLONELSRecord: 3-7 (3-5 OVC, 2-2 home)Ranking: NR, STATS FCS Top-25 NR, FCS Coaches PollLast Game: lost to Austin Peay, 31-24 Nov. 11 at Richmond, Ky.Head Coach: Mark Elder (Case Western, 2000) Record: 6-15 (second season) at EKU: 6-15 (second season) vs. Saint Francis: 0-0

• The Colonels nearly have a four-game winning streak, but have suff ered back-to-back close losses in which they had the lead late in the game.

• Keith Wrzuszczak (ROO-sack) is fi rst in the OVC and sixth in FCS with an average of 43.9 yards per punt. If that average holds, it will be a new program record. Eastern is second in the nation in net punting (41.58 ypp).

• Eastern Kentucky has only allowed eight sacks in 10 games, the seventh fewest allowed in the nation.• EKU has recorded 12 sacks in their last four games. Luder Jean Louis had three last week against Austin Peay.• Luder Jean Louis moved to sixth on Eastern’s single season sacks list with 10. Jessie Small holds the single

season record with 13 sacks in 1988.• 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 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.• Safety Kobie Grace was chosen as the STATS National Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 25. The senior

fi nished with seven tackles, one interception, one forced fumble and two fumbles recovered vs. Tennessee Tech.• In its fi rst 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.

• Jeff rey 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 110 players on the roster, 60 are freshmen or redshirt freshmen.• Mark Elder is entering his second season as Head Coach at EKU. Elder and his staff have engineered back-to-

back top-25 rated recruiting classes.• Punter Keith Wrzuszczak was chosen as a second team preseason All-American by STATS.• Linebacker Jeff rey 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.

2017 FOOTBALL2017 FOOTBALL

www.EKUSports.com@EKUSports@[email protected]/EKUColonels

GAME NOTESGAME NOTES

NATIONAL CHAMPIONS1979 • 1982

OVC CHAMPIONS1954 • 1962 • 1967 • 1968 • 1974 • 1976

1981 • 1982 • 1983 • 1984 • 1986 • 1987

1988 • 1990 • 1991 • 1993 • 1994 • 1997

2007 • 2008 • 2011

GAME

11

vs. SAINT FRANCISNov. 18, 20171 p.m. ET - OVCDNRichmond, Ky.Roy Kidd Stadium (20,000)

2017 EKU Schedule/ResultsDATE RANK OPPONENT TV/NET TIMESept. 2 RV/NR at Western Kentucky FloFootball L, 17-31Sept. 9 RV/NR at Kentucky SECN L, 16-27Sept. 16 RV/NR OPENSept. 23 RV/NR TENNESSEE TECH* OVCDN W, 24-21Sept. 30 RV/NR at Southeast Missouri* OVCDN L, 10-29Oct. 7 NR/NR TENNESSEE STATE* OVCDN L, 21-45Oct. 14 NR/NR at No. 3 Jacksonville St.* ESPN3 L, 25-41Oct. 21 NR/NR TENNESSEE-MARTIN* OVCDN W, 31-21Oct. 28 NR/NR at Murray State* OVCDN W, 26-13Nov. 4 NR/NR at Eastern Illinois* OVCDN L, 20-23 OTNov. 11 NR/NR AUSTIN PEAY* OVCDN L, 24-31Nov. 18 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.

BREAKDOWN

QUICK NOTES

This week’s hash tags: #FireTheCannon, #GoBigE, #BeatSFU

2017 Saint Francis Schedule/ResultsDATE OPPONENT TIMESept. 2 LOCK HAVEN W, 69-3Sept. 9 WAGNER* W, 31-6Sept. 16 TOWSON L, 14-16Sept. 23 OPEN Sept. 30 at No. 22 Liberty W, 13-7Oct. 7 at Presbyterian L, 14-26Oct. 14 at Bryant* W, 30-14Oct. 21 at Duquesne* L, 7-24Oct. 28 ROBERT MORRIS* W, 36-7Nov. 4 at Central Connecticut St.* L, 10-28Nov. 11 SACRED HEART* L, 7-16Nov. 18 at Eastern Kentucky 1 p.m.

Home games appear in ALL CAPITALS. Times given are Eastern Time.

* Denotes Northeast Conference game.

On The AirOVC 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

This is the fi rst-ever meeting between the two schools.

INSIDE THE SERIES

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Media InformationCONTACT INFORMATION

Kevin Britton (Football Contact) Assistant Athletics Director for CommunicationsWork Phone: 859-622-2006 Cell: 859-358-8359E-Mail: [email protected] Fax: 859-622-5108Roy Kidd Stadium Press Box Phone: 859-622-2226

MEDIA SERVICESCREDENTIALSCredentials are issued to members of the working media only. Requests for credentials should be made to Kevin Britton.

PLAYER/COACHES INTERVIEWSAll interviews with players, head coach Mark Elder and all assistant coaches must be arranged through the EKUSports Communications offi ce at least 24 hours in advance. Please contact Kevin Britton to arrange all interviews.

PRACTICEEKU football practices are generally open to the media. Please contact Kevin Britton in the EKUSports Communica-tions offi ce for schedule, times and location.

POST-GAME INTERVIEWSFor home games, coach Elder and selected EKU players will be available 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 SERVICEComplete individual and team statistics and play-by-play will be available to the media following the game. One hour prior to tip-off , media packets containing a game program, fl ipcard, updated stats and game notes will be available in the media working area. Wireless internet access is available in Roy Kidd Stadium.

WEEKLY PRESS CONFERENCEHead 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 fl oor of the Moberly Building.

OVC TELECONFERENCEThe Ohio Valley Conference holds a coaches teleconference weekly during the season. The teleconferences begin at 10:55 a.m. ET. EKU Head Coach Mark Elder will be on the teleconference at 11:07 a.m. ET. For the teleconference phone number and pass code, please contact Kevin Britton.

OHIO VALLEY CONFERENCE MEDIA RELATIONSFootball Contact .............................................. Kyle SchwartzPhone ............................................. 615-371-1698 ext. 6685E-mail .................................................... [email protected] Site .............................................. www.OVCsports.com

an average of 41.3 per punt.

TOP-RANKED PUNTINGKeith Wrzuszczak is fi rst in the OVC and sixth in FCS with an average of 43.9 yards per punt. As a team, Eastern is second in the nation in net punting (41.58 ypp).

WE MUST PROTECT THE BALLEKU 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 four games and has won two of those.

GETTING TO THE QUARTERBACKEKU had nine sacks in its fi rst three games, but then only recorded one sack in the next three games. The Colonels have had 12 sacks in their last four games.

NOT GETTING TO THE QUARTERBACKWhile the defense has registered 22 sacks, the EKU of-fensive line and quarterbacks have only allowed eight in 10 games. That is fi rst the conference and is the seventh fewest sacks allowed in the nation.

A LOOK AT THE RANKINGSEastern Kentucky ranks fi rst in the OVC and fi rst in the na-tion in kickoff returns (27.52 ypr), leads the OVC and is sec-ond in the nation in net punting (41.58 ypp), is second in the league and seventh nationally in sacks allowed (0.80/game), fi rst in the OVC and fi fth in FCS in fumbles recov-ered (12), is fi rst in the conference and 31st in the nation in tackles for a loss allowed (5.30/game), and fi rst in the OVC and 40th in the country in passing yards (226.9 ypg).

BEST TRADITION IN FCS FOOTBALLThe Eastern Kentucky University football program has won two national championships, 21 conference titles and has made 21 playoff appearances. No other FCS team has won at least two FCS national titles and 20 or more conference championships.

EKU’S RECORD AT RKSEastern Kentucky’s all-time record in games played at Roy Kidd Stadium is 219-56-1.

NEARLY A 4-GAME WINNING STREAKThe Colonels nearly have a four-game winning streak. Eastern took a seven-point lead at Eastern Illinois (Nov. 4) with 32 seconds left in the game. However, EIU scored the tying touchdown and extra-point with 1.9 seconds left on the clock and then won in overtime. EKU took a 24-7 third quarter lead against Austin Peay (Nov. 11) before the Governors came back to win by seven.

ON TRACK FOR NEW RECORDKeith Wrzuszczak’s current season punting average of 43.9 yards per punt would break his own program single season record of 43.7 set as a sophomore in 2015.

APSU WAS SACKEDLuder Jean Louis had three sacks against Austin Peay (Nov. 11), giving him 10 for the season. Austin Peay en-tered the game having only allowed only seven sacks all season. The Governors were 10th in the nation in fewest sacks allowed. Jean Louis moved from 22nd to sixth in the country with 1.00 sacks per game.

ANOTHER TOUCHDOWN CATCHRyan Markush caught two more touchdown passes against Austin Peay (Nov. 11), raising his season total to nine. Last season he had three. He also eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark as a Colonel against Tennessee State (Oct. 7).

TOP-10 SACKERWith three sacks against Austin Peay (Nov. 11), Luder Jean Louis moved to sixth on EKU’s single season sacks list with 10. Jessie Small holds the single season record with 13 sacks in 1988. Current Tampa Bay Buccaneer Noah Spence had 11.5 sacks in 2015.

10,000-YARD PUNTERWith 244 punting yards against Austin Peay (Nov. 11), senior Keith Wrzuszczak surpassed 10,000 yards for his career. He has punted 248 times now for 10,238 yards,

GAME-WEEK FOOTBALL SCHEDULEMONDAY - 13 TUESDAY - 14 WEDNESDAY - 15 THURSDAY - 16 FRIDAY - 17 SATURDAY - 18 SUNDAY - 19

PracticeOff

OVC Teleconference 11:07 a.m.

Press Conference, 1:25 p.m. Moberly Building - 212

Practice4:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Coach Elder Radio ShowGillum’s 7 p.m.

Practice4:15 - 6:15 p.m.

Roy Kidd Stadium

PracticeOff

No Availability

Coach Elder LuncheonGolden Corral 12 p.m.

Practice4 - 5:10 p.m.

Roy Kidd Stadium

Eastern Kentucky vs. Saint Francis1 p.m. (OVCDN)

Roy Kidd Stadium (20,000)

End Of Season

FCS Playoff Appearances Team Trips Last1. Montana 23 20152. Eastern Kentucky 21 20143. Appalachian State 20 20124. Georgia Southern 19 20125. Northern Iowa 18 20156. Furman 16 2013 Eastern Illinois 16 2015 McNeese State 16 20159. Delaware 15 2010 New Hampshire 15 201611. James Madison 13 2016

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A LOOK AT THE INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS Tim Boyle is fi rst in the OVC (33rd FCS) in comple-tion percentage (61.3 percent), second in the conference (43rd FCS) in passing yards (206.8/game), and second in the OVC (23rdFCS) in completions per game (19.00/game). Ryan Markush is second in the conference (15th FCS) with nine receiving touchdowns. LJ Scott is fi rst in the OVC (4th FCS) in kickoff re-turns (30.0 ypr). Keith Wrzuszczak is fi rst in the OVC (6th FCS) in punting (43.9 ypp). Luder Jean Louis is fi rst in the OVC (6th FCS) in sacks (1.00/game), and second in the conference (14th FCS) in tackles for a loss (1.5/game). Kobie Grace is fi rst in the OVC (1st FCS) in fumbles recovered (4).

LOT OF NEW FACESEastern has 59 new players on the team in 2017. Of the 110 players on the roster, 60 are either true freshmen or redshirt freshmen.

KEEPING IT CLOSEIn their fi rst 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.

HEAD COACHThe 2016 season was the fi rst 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 Ten-nessee. Over his fi nal 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.

RECRUITING SUCCESSIn his fi rst 14 months as head coach, Mark Elder engi-neered 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 to-gether his fi rst class, after being hired in mid-December, Eastern’s 2016 class was ranked as the 23rd best in the nation. Elder’s second recruiting class was rated as the 14th best in the country.

IN THE BOXThis season, off ensive 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.

SHORT BUT EFFECTIVEIn a game that was a constant chess match for fi eld po-sition and both teams punting from inside the others

territory, Keith Wrzuszczak only averaged 36.9 yards per punt, but placed fi ve of his seven inside the 20 yard line and did not have a touchback.

KOBIE WITH A BIG GAMESenior Kobie Grace led EKU with a game-best 11 tackles and 3.5 tackles for a loss at Eastern Illinois (Nov. 4).

BOYLE IS OVC CO-NOWQuarterback 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 Middlefi eld, Connecticut native fi nished 15-for-25 for 201 yards. He gave EKU a 6-0 lead with a 22-yard scoring toss on third down in the fi rst quar-ter. He put his team on top 20-3 with a 38-yard touch-down pass late in the second quarter.

MADNESS OFFENSIVE POW, AGAINDaryl McCleskey Jr. was selected as the Madness Ohio Val-ley Off ensive Player of the Week by College Sports Mad-ness on Oct. 29, for the second straight week. McCleskey rushed for a career-high 144 yards on 21 carries. His 72-yard run in the fi rst quarter was the longest rush by an

FCS Coaches Top 25Nov. 13, 2017

Team Points Prev Record1. James Madison (26) 650 1 10-02. Jacksonville State 618 2 9-13. Central Arkansas 572 3 9-14. Sam Houston State 558 4 9-15. South Dakota State 544 5 8-26. North Dakota State 535 6 9-1T-7. North Carolina A&T 473 7 10-0T-7. Woff ord 473 8 9-19. Weber State 397 12 8-210. Western Illinois 387 13 7-311. Grambling State 385 11 9-112. Stony Brook 318 15 8-213. Samford 312 14 7-314. New Hampshire 307 16 8-215. Elon 269 9 8-216. South Dakota 257 10 7-317. Nicholls 217 17 8-218. Southern Utah 213 19 8-219. McNeese 199 18 8-220. Eastern Washington 138 21 6-421. Kennesaw State 136 23 9-122. Monmouth 135 22 9-123. Northern Arizona 77 24 7-324. Furman 73 RV 7-325. Illinois State 67 20 6-4

Receiving votes: Northern Iowa (60), Montana (25), Richmond (15), Delaware (15), Yale (11), Western Carolina (7), Austin Peay (5), Central Connecticut (1), San Diego (1).

STATS.com Top 25Nov. 13, 2017

Team Record Points Prev1. James Madison (163) 10-0 4075 12. Jacksonville State 9-1 3840 23. Central Arkansas 9-1 3700 34. North Dakota State 9-1 3510 55. Sam Houston State 9-1 3451 46. South Dakota State 8-2 3331 67. Woff ord 9-1 3043 88. North Carolina A&T 10-0 2829 99. Western Illinois 7-3 2417 1110. Stony Brook 8-2 2263 1211. Elon 8-2 2197 712. Weber State 8-2 2096 1413. Grambling State 9-1 1942 1314. Southern Utah 8-2 1823 1515. South Dakota 7-3 1769 1016. New Hampshire 7-3 1667 1817. Samford 7-3 1598 1618. Eastern Washington 6-4 1049 1919. McNeese 8-2 967 2020. Furman 7-3 954 2121. Illinois State 6-4 798 1722. Kennesaw State 9-1 787 2323. Northern Arizona 7-3 717 2424. UNI 6-4 515 2525. Nicholls 8-2 485 NR

Receiving votes: Monmouth (366), Delaware (225), Montana (215), Yale (89), Richmond (83), Western Carolina (70), Austin Peay (46), Columbia (18), North Carolina Central (16), Sacramento State (7), Youngstown State (6), Howard (5), Central Connecticut State (3), Dartmouth (2), San Diego (1).

Ohio Valley Conference

Standings Team OVC OverallJacksonville State 7-0 1.000 9-1 .900Austin Peay 6-1 .857 7-4 .636Eastern Illinois 5-2 .714 6-4 .600Tennessee-Martin 3-4 .429 5-5 .500Eastern Kentucky 3-5 .375 3-7 .300Tennessee State 2-4 .333 6-4 .600Murray State 2-4 .333 3-7 .300Southeast Missouri 2-5 .286 2-8 .200Tennessee Tech 1-6 .143 1-9 .100

Preseason Poll (Coaches/SIDs) Order of Finish Points1. Jacksonville State (16) 1282. Tennessee-Martin (2) 1073. Tennessee State 964. Eastern Illinois 815. Eastern Kentucky 686. Tennessee Tech 647. Southeast Missouri 428. Murray State 419. Austin Peay 21

Preseason Poll (Media) Order of Finish Points1. Jacksonville State (13) 1412. Tennessee-Martin (1) 1203. Tennessee State (2) 1124. Eastern Illinois 965. Tennessee Tech 706. Murray State 627. Eastern Kentucky 618. Southeast Missouri 339. Austin Peay 25

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EKU player since 2015.

NEW PUNT RECORDKeith Wrzuszczak broke EKU’s 51-year-old punting re-cord 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 pre-vious record of 78 yards was set by Bob Plotts in 1966.

NATIONAL HONORABLE MENTIONKeith 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 WEEKCorey Glass was chosen as the OVC Defensive Player of

2017 Honors/Awards2017 Kentucky Collegiate All-Commonwealth Team

Keith Wrzuszczak ..................................... June 23Jeff rey Canady .......................................... June 23Kobie Grace ............................................... June 23

Allstate Good Works Team NomineeJeff rey Canady ........................................... July 13

Preseason All-Ohio Valley ConferenceAaron Patrick (DE) .................................... July 24Keith Wrzuszczak (P) ................................ July 24

Preseason All-America by STATSKeith Wrzuszczak (2nd team) ............... July 31

Preseason All-America by TyrantScouting.comJeff rey Canady (2nd team) .............. August 16

Preseason All-OVC by CollegeSportsMadnessAaron Patrick (DE, 1st team) ............. August 7Keith Wrzuszczak (P, 1st team) ......... August 7Ryan Markush (WR, 2nd team) ........ August 7Cameron Kowalewski (OL, 2nd team) ... August 7Chance Edwards (OL, 3rd team) ...... August 7Lucas Williams (K, 3rd team) ............. August 7Corey Glass (LB, 3rd team) ................. August 7Ben Bascom (DB, 3rd team) .............. August 7Cornelius 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 WeekJeff rey Canady ......................................... Sept. 10Kobie Grace .............................................. Sept. 24Corey Glass ................................................. Oct. 22

Ohio Valley Conference Specialist of the WeekKeith Wrzuszczak (Co-) ............................ Sept. 3Keith Wrzuszczak .................................... Sept. 24Keith Wrzuszczak (Co-) ........................... Oct. 22

Ohio Valley Conference Newcomer of the WeekTim Boyle (Co-) .......................................... Oct. 29

Madness Ohio Valley Defensive Player of the WeekJeff rey Canady ......................................... Sept. 10Kobie Grace .............................................. Sept. 24

Madness Ohio Valley Off ensive Player of the WeekDaryl McCleskey Jr. .................................. Oct. 22Daryl McCleskey Jr. .................................. Oct. 29

STATS Honorable Mention National Defensive Player of the Week

Jeff rey Canady ......................................... Sept. 11

STATS Honorable Mention National Special Teams Player of the Week

Keith Wrzuszczak .................................... Sept. 25Keith Wrzuszczak ...................................... Oct. 23

STATS National Defensive Player of the WeekKobie Grace .............................................. Sept. 25

Eastern Kentucky Quick FactsEastern Kentucky Quick Facts

THE UNIVERSITY

Location (Enrollment): .......................... Richmond, Ky. (16,959)

Founded: .......................................................................... 1906

Colors: ............................................ Maroon (PMS 209) & White

Nickname: ................................................................... Colonels

National Affi liation: ...................................... 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 Heff ernan (Dayton, 2003)

Assistant HC/TEs/OTs: ..... Tommy Zagorski (Case Western, 2007)

Defensive Coord.: ........................ Kurt Mattix (Valparaiso, 1999)

Off ensive 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

Off ense/Defense: ............................................. Spread/Multiple

Off ensive 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

Offi ce Phone: ............................................... (859) 622-2006

Offi ce 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

the Week on Oct. 22. Glass helped the EKU defense hold the eighth leading rusher in the nation – UTM’s Ladarius Galloway (104.8 ypg) – to 41 yards. Glass fi nished with fi ve tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble. He and his teammates held a Skyhawk off ense that averaged 161 rushing yards per game to 38 yards on the ground.

OVC CO-SPECIALIST OF THE WEEKKeith 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, includ-ing 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 POWDaryl McCleskey Jr. was selected as the Madness Ohio Valley Off ensive Player of the Week by College Sports Madness on Oct. 22. McCleskey fi nished with 137 yards rushing and one touchdown against a UT Martin team that entered the game leading the OVC in rushing de-fense (79 ypg). His 8-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter stretched the EKU lead to 17.

NO TURNOVERSEastern did not commit a turnover in its win over UT Martin (Oct. 21), the fi rst time since the season-opener at Western Kentucky (Sept. 2).

SEASON-HIGH RUSHINGEKU rushed for what was then a season-high 229 yards in its 31-21 victory over UT Martin (Oct. 21). The pre-vious 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 DEFENSEEKU churned out 331 yards of off ense in its victory over UT Martin (Oct. 21). UTM entered the game fi rst in the OVC and fi fth in the nation in total defense (271 ypg).

RUSHING TO THE DEFENSEEastern Kentucky held UT Martin to 38 yards rushing in its 31-21 victory (Oct. 21). It’s the fi rst time the Colonels held their opponent below 50 yards rushing since limit-ing Southeast Missouri to 31 on Oct. 17, 2015.

MOST POINTS AGAINST JSUEKU’s 25 points against No. 3 Jacksonville State (Oct. 14) are the most allowed by the Gamecocks this season against an FCS opponent.

BIG RETURNSThe EKU kickoff return game was outstanding at No. 3 Jacksonville State (Oct. 14). LJ Scott average 37.5 yards on four returns. After returns of 26 and 19 yards, Scott ripped off a 57-yarder and a 48-yarder. His 57-yard re-turn is the longest by a Colonel this season. Daryl Mc-Cleskey registered a 55-yard and a 40-yard return. Com-bined, EKU averaged 36 yards on seven kickoff returns.

WELCOME TO THE HALLTwo former Colonel football players and the 1982 na-

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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 off ense

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

Ryan Markush vs. Austin Peay on Nov. 11, 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

THE LAST TIME AN EKU PLAYER ...NATIONAL HONORABLE MENTIONJeff rey 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 TEAMJeff rey Canady had 1.5 sacks at Kentucky (Sept. 9), the most by an OVC player this year against a Power 5 con-ference opponent.

ALL-PURPOSE ALL-STARLJ Scott fi nished with 201 all-purpose yards in Eastern’s near upset of Kentucky (Sept. 9). It was the most all-pur-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 kickoff s for 141 yards, an average of 35.3 yards per return. He began the second half with a 53-yard return.

15 TACKLE GAMEKobie Grace fi nished with 15 tackles and two pass break-ups at Kentucky (Sept. 9).

FIRST 300-YARD PASSER IN DEBUTTim Boyle became the fi rst EKU quarterback to eclipse the 300-yard mark in their fi rst game as a Colonel. The redshirt senior completed 63 percent of his passes (29-of-46) for 320 yards at Western Kentucky (Sept. 2). He also tossed two touchdown passes.

CO-SPECIALIST OF THE WEEKPunter Keith Wrzuszczak was chosen as the OVC Co-Spe-cialist 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 Con-ference USA and was second in the country with an aver-age 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 keep-ing 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 PUNTERPunter Keith Wrzuszczak was chosen as a second team preseason All-American by STATS.

PRESEASON ALL-AMERICAN LINEBACKERSenior linebacker Jeff rey Canady was chosen as a second team preseason All-American by TyrantScouting.com.

TWO PICKED ALL-OVC BY COACHESTwo Colonels – defensive end Aaron Patrick and punt-er Keith Wrzuszczak – were chosen to the Preseason All-Ohio Valley Conference Team by league coaches and media relations contacts.

AYE AYE CAPTAINFive Colonels -- Jeff rey 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.

tional championship team were among the group of nine inducted into the Eastern Kentucky University Ath-letics Hall of Fame on Oct. 7. The two players were Elroy Harris (1985-88) and Jessie Small (1985-89).

ANOTHER 100-YARD GAMESenior Ryan Markush caught four passes for a ca-reer-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 GOALSSenior Lucas Williams made a career-best 51-yard fi eld goal against Tennessee Tech (Sept. 23) and booted a 41-yarder at Southeast Missouri (Sept. 30).

STATUE OF THE KIDDEKU 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 WEEKSafety Kobie Grace was chosen as the STATS National Defensive Player of the Week on Monday (Sept. 25). Grace was a diff erence maker for the Colonels in a close win over Tennessee Tech. The senior fi nished with seven tackles, one interception, one forced fumble and two fumbles recovered. He forced and recovered a fumble on TTU’s fi rst 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 inter-cepted a pass at the EKU 19 on the fi rst play of the fourth quarter to stop a Tech drive. The off ense then drove for what would prove to be the game-winning touchdown.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEKKobie Grace was chosen as the adidas® Ohio Valley Con-ference 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 WEEKKeith 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, fi eld possession proved to be key. Wrzuszczak punted the ball nine times for an average of 48.1 yards per punt. The senior boomed a 76-yard punt and had three of 50 or more yards.

FIRST WITH 10 CATCHES SINCE 2010Ryan Markush caught 10 passes for 98 yards at Kentucky (Sept. 9), the fi rst 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 WEEKLinebacker Jeff rey Canady was chosen as the adidas® Ohio Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 10. He also picked up Madness Ohio Valley Defen-sive Player of the Week honors from College Sports Mad-ness. He fi nished with 13 tackles and 1.5 sacks for a loss of 11 yards against Kentucky.

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Depth Chart(As Of Nov. 12, 2017)

OFFENSE DEFENSEQB 7 Tim Boyle (6-4, 233, r-Sr., Middlefi eld, Conn.) 15 Austin Scott (6-1, 209, r-Fr., Moore, S.C.) 17 Garrett Kruczek (6-2, 174, r-So., Winter Park, Fla.)

RB 23 Daryl McCleskey Jr. (5-9, 186, So., Dayton, Ohio) 4 LJ Scott (6-0, 222, r-Jr., Marion, Ohio) 6 Jason Lewis (6-3, 253, r-So., Virginia Beach, Va.) 20 Ethan Thomas (5-11, 203, Jr., Johnson City, Tenn.)

LT 57 Ja’HShaun Seider (6-2, 307, r-So., Belle Glade, Fla.) 67 Nick Cavinee (6-7, 281, r-Fr., Newark, Ohio)

LG 79 Thomas Tabur (6-3, 288, r-So., Northbridge, Mass.) 75 De’jour Simpson (6-3, 320, So., Charlotte, N.C.)

C 71 Jackson Bardall (6-3, 300, r-Fr., Cumming, Ga.) 75 De’jour Simpson (6-3, 320, So., Charlotte, N.C.)

RG 66 Chance Edwards (6-5, 330, r-Sr., Webster, Fla.) 75 De’jour Simpson (6-3, 320, So., Charlotte, N.C.)

RT 78 Justin Myles (6-3, 301, r-Jr., Cincinnati, Ohio) 67 Nick Cavinee (6-7, 281, r-Fr., Newark, Ohio)

TE 89 Clayton Schmerber (6-6, 249, Jr., Centerville, Ohio) 43 Dan Paul (6-3, 253, r-Jr., Naples, Fla.)

WR 11 Neiko Creamer (6-3, 224, r-Jr., Wilmington, Del.) 87 Matt Clark (6-2, 212, r-So., Prospect, Ky.)

SL 25 BK Smith (5-10, 184, Fr., Louisville, Ky.) 22 Cameron Fogle (5-11, 208, r-Sr., Hebron, Ky.)

WR 9 Ryan Markush (6-2, 189, Sr., Germantown, Md.) 80 Jaelin Carter (6-2, 203, Fr., Louisville, Ky.)

DE 55 Taquan Evans (6-2, 229, r-So., Douglasville, Ga.) 45 DJ White (6-5, 250, r-Fr., Madisonville, Ky.)

DT 92 Dillon Denault (6-2, 280, r-Fr., Lancaster, Ohio) 69 Sean Cleasant Jr. (6-2, 308, Fr., Louisville, Ky.)

DT 70 Connor Foos (6-4, 275, So., Louisville, Ky.) 54 Leonard Humphrey (6-2, 280, Fr., Knoxville, Tenn.)

DE 5 Luder Jean Louis (6-4, 223, r-Sr., Brooklyn, N.Y.) 27 Drew O’Bryan (6-2, 233, r-Fr., Ashland, Ky.)

LB 53 Jeff rey Canady (6-0, 232, r-Sr., Barbourville, Ky.) 34 Demontre Boyd (6-1, 191, r-Jr., Louisville, Ky.)

LB 8 Gavin Bryant (6-1, 238, r-Jr., Jackson, Ala.) 49 Damon Lowe (6-2, 241, So., Louisville, Ky.)

LB 3 Corey Glass (5-10, 217, Jr., Jacksonville, Fla.) 40 Steven Crowder (6-2, 236, Fr., Mount Olive, Ala.)

NB 18 Ben Bascom (5-9, 186, r-So., Apoka, Fla.) 12 Cornelius Floyd (5-11, 175, Sr., Miami, Fla.)

LCB 10 Jordan Whitfi eld (6-1, 182, r-Jr., Huber Heights, Ohio) 36 Omari Alexander (5-10, 171, So., Louisville, Ky.)

RCB 32 Buck Solomon (6-0, 180, Sr., Groveland, Fla.) 36 Omari Alexander (5-10, 171, So., Louisville, Ky.)

LS 2 Kobie Grace (5-9, 191, Sr., Winter Park, Fla.) 24 Jared Tucker (5-11, 180, r-Jr, Stone Mountain, Ga.)

RS 35 TJ Comstock (5-11, 193, So., Louisville, Ky.) 41 Eric Reed (5-9, 208, r-Sr., Nashville, Tenn.)

SPECIAL TEAMSSS 42 Alex Shelton (6-0, 217, Fr., Fort Wright, Ky.) 46 Thomas Bowling (6-1, 192, Fr., Bardstown, Ky.)

HO 19 Keith Wrzuszczak (5-11, 212, Sr., Victoria, Australia) 28 Samuel Hayworth (5-11, 169, r-So., Ormond Beach, Fla.)

KR 4 LJ Scott (6-0, 222, r-Jr., Marion, Ohio) 23 Daryl McCleskey Jr. (5-9, 186, So., Dayton, Ohio)

PR 9 Ryan Markush (6-2, 189, Sr., Germantown, Md.) 23 Daryl McCleskey Jr. (5-9, 186, So., Dayton, Ohio)

KO 99 Lucas Williams (6-1, 193, r-Sr., Russell Springs, Ky.) 28 Samuel Hayworth (5-11, 169, r-So., Ormond Beach, Fla.)

PK 99 Lucas Williams (6-1, 193, r-Sr., Russell Springs, Ky.) 28 Samuel Hayworth (5-11, 169, r-So., Ormond Beach, Fla.)

P 19 Keith Wrzuszczak (5-11, 212, Sr., Victoria, Australia) 28 Samuel Hayworth (5-11, 169, r-So., Ormond Beach, Fla.)

LS 46 Thomas Bowling (6-1, 192, Fr., Bardstown, Ky.) 42 Alex Shelton (6-0, 217, Fr., Fort Wright, Ky.)

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Eastern Kentucky University owns two national championships, 21 Ohio Val-ley Conference titles and 21 NCAA playoff appearances. Head coach Mark Elder has the program back on track to add to those numbers.

In his fi rst 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 in-door turf area and the second-largest nu-trition 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 revi-talization 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 con-cession facilities.

Despite having less than two months to put together his fi rst recruiting class, af-ter 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 play-ers that received all-state honors, includ-ing 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 fi eld during Elder’s fi rst season as head coach.

The off ense fi red on all cylinders in scoring 67 points against Austin Peay, ty-ing a school record set in 1925. Not only did Eastern Kentucky lead the Ohio Valley Conference in net punting and punt re-turn defense, the team ranked third and fourth in the nation in those categories. Eastern led the conference, and was sixth

in the country, in fumbles recovered. The defense registered 21 sacks in the fi nal eight games of the season. The Colonels fi nished the season among the top-45 in the nation in total off ense and passing.

In just his second season as a college football player, defensive end Aaron Pat-rick earned fi rst team All-OVC honors and was chosen as a fi rst team Sophomore All-American. Quarterback Tyler Swaff ord more than quadrupled his production on the fi eld, doubled his quarterback rat-ing 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 fi ve rushing touchdowns and had a 109-yard, three touchdown performance against Austin Peay.

The academic success wasn’t limited to Swaff ord. As a team, the Colonels had the highest graduation rate of any team in the conference. Linebacker Jeff rey Canady was chosen as Academic All-Dis-trict and defensive lineman Avery Pitt was chosen as a semifi nalist for the 2016 Campbell Trophy, recognizing the abso-

HEAD COACH Mark Elder

The Elder File

PERSONALHometown ............................................................................. Cincinnati, OhioFamily ..................................................................................... Wife - Lindsey, Children - Owen & Lila

ASSISTANT COACHING EXPERIENCEYear School Coaching Position Notes2000-01 Akron Defensive Graduate Assistant 2000 MAC East Co-Champions2002 Lehigh Asst. Linebackers Coach 18th nationally scoring defense2003 Iona Defensive Coord./Linebackers 1st winning season since 1993 2004 Wayne State Defensive Coord./ Linebackers 2005-06 Michigan Defensive Quality Control/GA Alamo Bowl & Rose Bowl2007-09 Central Michigan Linebackers Coach 2x MAC Champs, 3 bowl games2010-12 Cincinnati TEs, RBs, Special Teams, DBs 2x Big East Champs, 2 bowl wins2013-15 Tennessee Special Teams/Tight Ends 2 bowl wins

HEAD COACHING EXPERIENCEYear School Overall OVC Notes2016 Eastern Kentucky 3-8 2-62017 Eastern Kentucky 3-7 3-5 Totals First Season 6-15 5-11

NOTABLE- Over fi nal 11 seasons as an assistant, has helped his teams reach nine bowl games- 2014 national top-50 recruiter- 2015 national top-25 recruiter

EDUCATIONUndergraduate ....................... Case Western Reserve (2000) - B.S. EconomicsGraduate ........... Akron (2001) - M.S. Education In Sports Science & Coaching

lute best scholar-athlete in the nation.Elder was chosen as EKU’s head foot-

ball coach on Dec. 8, 2015. He had served as the tight ends coach and special teams coordinator at Tennessee since 2013.

Elder is the 14th head coach in pro-gram history.

Over his fi nal 11 seasons as an assis-tant coach, Elder helped his teams reach nine bowl games and win four conference championships. In 2014 he was ranked as one of the top-50 recruiters in the nation. In 2015 he was recognized as one of the top-25 recruiters in college football.

As a member of Butch Jones’ inaugu-ral 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 fi nish in the SEC East Divi-sion with a 5-3 mark. It was Tennessee’s fi rst 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 Knox-ville, 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-

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Had 20 or more fi rst 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 off ense vs. Tennessee Tech on Oct. 8, 2015 (629)Had 500 yards total off ense at Austin Peay on Nov. 12, 2016 (531)Had 80 total plays at Murray State on Oct. 28, 2017 (82)Scored 70 points neverScored 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, 2017Had 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)

THE LAST TIME EASTERN KENTUCKY ...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, 2013Had a FG blocked vs. Murray State, Nov. 5, 2016Was 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 fi rst downs vs. Tennessee State on Nov. 2, 2013 (10)Held an oppt. to 300 yards total off ense at Murray State on Oct. 28, 2017 (273)Held an oppt. to 200 yards total off ense at Southeast Missouri on Oct. 17, 2014 (191)Held an oppt. to 150 yards total off ense vs. Austin Peay on Oct. 5, 2013 (108)Held an oppt. to less than 100 yards rushing 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, 2014Scored an off ensive 2-pt. conversion vs. Austin Peay on Nov. 11, 2017Scored a defensive 2-pt. conversion vs. Morehead State on Sept. 13, 2014Had 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, 2016Allowed a safety at Southeast Mo. on Sept. 30, 2017

Mark Elder vs. All OpponentsTeam RecordAustin Peay ....................................................... 1-1Ball State ............................................................ 0-1Eastern Illinois .................................................. 0-2Jacksonville State ........................................... 0-2Kentucky ............................................................ 0-1Murray State ..................................................... 1-1Pikeville .............................................................. 1-0Purdue ................................................................ 0-1Southeast Missouri ........................................ 1-1Tennessee-Martin ........................................... 1-1Tennessee State .............................................. 0-2Tennessee Tech ............................................... 1-1Western Kentucky .......................................... 0-1TOTAL ............................................................. 6-15

see’s fi rst winning record in fi ve seasons and fi rst 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’ fi rst staff at Central Michigan University. Elder coached the Chippewa linebackers for three seasons (2007-09). During that time, CMU qualifi ed 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 run-ning backs, safeties and special teams at various times. The duo found similar suc-cess at UC, winning two Big East Confer-ence Championships and getting Cincin-nati into two bowl games in three seasons.

While coaching the running backs at Cincinnati in 2011 Elder tutored Isaiah Pead, the Big East Off ensive Player of the Year and the fi rst Bearcat in nearly 25 years to record consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. UC led the Big East in rushing and aver-aged 33.3 points per game. Cincinnati capped the season with a victory over Van-derbilt in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl.

In three seasons at Central Michigan, Elder produced an all-conference line-backer each year.

Elder also served as the defensive co-ordinator 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.

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ALPHABETICAL ROSTER

No. Name Pos.36 Omari Alexander DB13 Dakota Allen QB74 Christopher Anthony OL73 Graham Ashkettle OL71 Jackson Bardall OL18 Ben Bascom DB83 Jackson Beerman WR33 Malik Bell DB90 Josiah Bennett DL Grayson Blevins LB39 Alonzo Booth RB46 Thomas Bowling LS34 Demontre Boyd LB7 Tim Boyle QB88 Ethan Bradds TE8 Gavin Bryant LB29 Andrew Burgess QB93 Shane Burks DT82 Alex Cabrera WR53 Jeff rey Canady LB98 Brian Carter LB80 Jaelin Carter WR9 Cameron Catron DB67 Nick Cavinee OL Cameron Chase TE87 Matt Clark WR69 Sean Cleasant Jr. DL Tristan Coff ey WR Deiondre Coleman DB35 TJ Comstock DB21 Azjai Cooper WR Isaiah Cornett WR11 Neiko Creamer WR40 Steven Crowder LB92 Dillon Denault DL97 Andrew Dziuk LB66 Chance Edwards OL58 Brentton Ervin LB55 Taquan Evans DE12 Cornelius Floyd DB96 Quinten Floyd DL22 Cameron Fogle WR70 Connor Foos DL3 Corey Glass LB Dalton Gossett OL2 Kobie Grace DB37 Raynaldy Gustave RB28 Samuel Hayworth K/P Jeremy Hodowanic DL50 Ray Horton DL54 Leonard Humphrey DL47 Matthew Jackson LB Melchisedek Jeudy OL5 Luder Jean Louis DL14 Derius Jones WR64 Cameron Kowalewski OL17 Garrett Kruczek QB

NUMERICAL ROSTER

No. Player Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl. Hometown (Previous School)2 Kobie Grace DB 5-9 191 Sr. Winter Park, Fla. (West Orange HS)3 Corey Glass LB 5-10 217 Jr. Jacksonville, Fla. (Ed White HS)4 LJ Scott RB 6-0 222 R-Jr. Marion, Ohio (University of Louisville)5 Luder Jean Louis DL 6-4 223 Sr. Brooklyn, N.Y. (Nassau CC)6 Jason Lewis RB 6-3 253 R-So. Virginia Beach, Va. (Arizona State University)7 Tim Boyle QB 6-4 233 R-Sr. Middlefi eld, Conn. (University of Connecticut)8 Gavin Bryant LB 6-1 235 R-Jr. Jackson, Ala. (University of Tennessee)9 Ryan Markush WR 6-2 189 Sr. Germantown, Md. (Fullerton College)9 Cameron Catron DB 5-9 172 Fr. Belfry, Ky. (Belfry HS)10 Jordan Whitfi eld DB 6-1 182 R-Jr. Huber Heights, Ohio (Wayne HS)11 Neiko Creamer WR 6-3 224 R-Jr. Wilmington, Del. (University of Tennessee)12 Cornelius Floyd DB 5-11 175 Sr. Miami, Fla. (University of Arkansas)13 Dakota Allen QB 6-4 210 Fr. Lebanon, Ohio (Lebanon HS)14 Derius Jones WR 5-10 176 R-Sr. Louisville, Ky. (Kentucky State University)15 Austin Scott QB 6-1 209 R-Fr. Moore, S.C. (Spartanburg HS)16 James Smith Jr. QB 5-11 170 So. Charlotte, N.C. (Mallard Creek HS)17 Garrett Kruczek QB 6-2 182 R-So. Winter Park, Fla. (University of Central Florida)18 Ben Bascom DB 5-9 186 R-So. Apopka, Fla. (Apopka HS)19 Keith Wrzuszczak P 5-11 212 Sr. Geelong, Victoria, Australia (Oberon HS)20 Ethan Thomas RB 5-11 203 Jr. Johnson City, Tenn. (Elizabethton HS)21 Azjai Cooper WR 6-4 187 Fr. Indianapolis, Ind. (Ben Davis HS)22 Cameron Fogle WR 5-11 208 R-Sr. Hebron, Ky. (University of Kentucky)23 Daryl McCleskey Jr. RB 5-9 186 So. Dayton, Ohio (Wayne HS)24 Jared Tucker DB 5-11 180 R-Jr. Stone Mountain, Ga. (University of Kentucky)25 BK Smith WR 5-10 184 Fr. Louisville, Ky. (Male HS)26 Ridge Reed RB 6-0 208 Fr. Carlisle, Ohio (Carlisle HS)27 Drew O’Bryan LB 6-2 233 R-Fr. Ashland, Ky. (Western Kentucky University)28 Samuel Hayworth K/P 5-11 169 R-So. Ormond Beach, Fla. (Seabreeze HS)29 Andrew Burgess QB 6-0 171 Fr. South Bend, Ind. (Adams HS)30 Ralph Patton RB 5-9 194 R-Jr. Cincinnati, Ohio (Shorter College)32 Buck Solomon DB 6-0 180 R-Jr. Groveland, Fla. (South Lake HS)33 Malik Bell DB 6-0 184 Fr. Miami, Fla. (Miami Palmetto Senior HS)34 Demontre Boyd LB 6-1 191 Jr. Louisville, Ky. (Central HS)35 TJ Comstock DB 5-11 193 So. Louisville, Ky. (duPont Manual HS)36 Omari Alexander DB 5-10 171 So. Louisville, Ky. (duPont Manual HS)37 Raynaldy Gustave RB 5-7 183 R-Jr. Louisville, Ky. (Western Kentucky University)38 Eli Sowder LS 5-10 195 Fr. Covington, Ky. (Scott HS)39 Alonzo Booth RB 6-1 260 Fr. Canal Winchester, Ohio (St. Francis DeSales HS)40 Steven Crowder LB 6-2 236 Fr. Mount Olive, Ala. (Gardendale HS)41 Eric Reed DB 5-9 208 R-Sr. Nashville, Tenn. (Goodpasture Christian School)42 Alex Shelton LB/LS 6-0 217 Fr. Fort Wright, Ky. (Covington Catholic HS)43 Dan Paul TE 6-3 253 R-Jr. Naples, Fla. (Naples Community HS)44 Aaron Patrick DL 6-4 236 Jr. Dayton, Ohio (Meadowdale HS)45 DJ White DL 6-5 250 R-Fr. Madisonville, Ky. (Casey County HS)46 Thomas Bowling LS 6-1 192 Fr. Bardstown, Ky. (Bardstown HS)47 Matthew Jackson LB 6-2 186 Fr. Nashville, Tenn. (Hillsboro HS)48 Bryce Wilson DB 6-0 181 Fr. Lexington, Ky. (Tates Creek HS)49 Damon Lowe LB 6-2 241 So. Louisville, Ky. (Trinity HS)50 Ray Horton DL 6-1 317 Fr. Belfry, Ky. (Belfry HS)51 Quinton Locklear LB 6-2 218 R-Fr. Sanford, N.C. (Southern Lee HS)52 Tucker Schroeder OL 6-4 300 Fr. St. Cloud, Fla. (Harmony HS)53 Jeff rey Canady LB 6-0 232 R-Sr. Barbourville, Ky. (Knox Central HS)54 Leonard Humphrey DL 6-2 280 Fr. Knoxville, Tenn. (West HS)55 Taquan Evans DE 6-2 229 R-So. Douglasville, Ga. (South Paulding HS)56 Brian Lassiter DL 6-3 237 Fr. Charlotte, N.C. (Mallard Creek HS)57 Ja’HShaun Seider OL 6-2 302 R-So. Belle Glade, Fla. (West Virginia University)58 Brentton Ervin LB 5-11 229 R-So. Louisville, Ky. (Kentucky State University)59 Gunner Slone DL 6-3 284 Fr. Paintsville, Ky. (Johnson Central HS)61 Landon White K 6-1 187 Fr. Richmond, Ky. (Madison Central HS)63 Kagen Skidmore OL 6-2 306 Sr. Somerset, Ky. (Somerset HS)64 Cameron Kowalewski OL 6-5 277 R-Jr. Dallas, Ga. (Hillgrove HS)

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No. Name Pos.56 Brian Lassiter DL6 Jason Lewis RB51 Quinton Locklear LB49 Damon Lowe LB9 Ryan Markush WR23 Daryl McCleskey Jr. RB Tre’ Moore DB Isaiah Murph RB78 Justin Myles OL27 Drew O’Bryan LB44 Aaron Patrick DL30 Ralph Patton RB43 Dan Paul TE Jaret Pogliano WR65 Josh Ratliff OL41 Eric Reed DB26 Ridge Reed RB81 Aaron Riddick WR John Riley Jr. DB Chase Ross OL Cade Sanchez OL86 Collin Sanchez TE Cole Schaff LB89 Clayton Schmerber TE52 Tucker Schroeder OL15 Austin Scott QB68 Jordan Scott OL4 LJ Scott RB57 Ja’HShaun Seider OL42 Alex Shelton LB/LS75 De’jour Simpson OL63 Kagen Skidmore DL59 Gunner Slone DL25 BK Smith WR16 James Smith Jr. QB Kameron Smith DB95 Nakiya Smith DL Ricky Smith LB32 Buck Solomon DB38 Eli Sowder LS79 Thomas Tabur OL20 Ethan Thomas RB Austin Torrens WR24 Jared Tucker DB91 Tre Turner DL Peyton Van Horn DL45 DJ White DL61 Landon White K10 Jordan Whitfi eld DB99 Lucas Williams K48 Bryce Wilson DB19 Keith Wrzuszczak P Zay Yeast DB

No. Player Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl. Hometown (Previous School)65 Josh Ratliff OL 6-6 272 Fr. Louisa, Ky. (Lawrence County HS)66 Chance Edwards OL 6-5 330 R-Sr. Webster, Fla. (South Sumter HS)67 Nick Cavinee OL 6-7 281 R-Fr. Newark, Ohio (Newark Catholic HS)68 Jordan Scott OL 6-2 311 Fr. Huddy, Ky. (Belfry HS)69 Sean Cleasant Jr. DL 6-2 308 Fr. Louisville, Ky. (duPont Manual HS)70 Connor Foos DL 6-4 275 So. Louisville, Ky. (Trinity HS)71 Jackson Bardall OL 6-3 300 R-Fr. Cumming, Ga. (North Forsyth HS)73 Graham Ashkettle OL 6-6 289 Fr. Crestwood, Ky. (South Oldham HS)74 Christopher Anthony OL 6-4 286 Fr. Massillon, Ohio (Washington HS)75 De’jour Simpson OL 6-3 320 So. Charlotte, N.C. (Mallard Creek HS)78 Justin Myles OL 6-3 301 R-Jr. Cincinnati, Ohio (Colerain HS)79 Thomas Tabur OL 6-3 288 R-So. Northbridge, Mass. (University of Connecticut)80 Jaelin Carter WR 6-2 203 Fr. Louisville, Ky. (duPont Manual HS)81 Aaron Riddick WR 5-11 163 R-So. Louisville, Ky. (DuPont Manual HS)82 Alex Cabrera WR 6-0 184 So. Melbourne, Fla. (Viera HS)83 Jackson Beerman WR 6-5 204 Fr. Lexington, Ky. (Tates Creek HS)86 Collin Sanchez TE 6-4 263 Fr. Lexington, Ala. (Lexington HS)87 Matt Clark WR 6-2 212 R-So. Prospect, Ky. (North Oldham HS)88 Ethan Bradds TE 6-5 245 Fr. Jamestown, Ohio (Greenview HS)89 Clayton Schmerber TE 6-6 249 Jr. Centerville, Ohio (Centerville HS)90 Josiah Bennett DL 6-3 294 Sr. East Stroudsburg, Pa. (Lackawanna College)91 Tre Turner DL 6-5 228 Fr. Huntersville, N.C. (North Mecklenburg HS)92 Dillon Denault DL 6-2 280 R-Fr. Lancaster, Ohio (Lancaster HS)93 Shane Burks DT 6-1 309 Fr. Lexington, Ky. (Bryan Station HS)95 Nakiya Smith DL 6-4 234 Fr. Johnson City, Tenn. (Science Hill HS)96 Quinten Floyd DL 6-2 261 Fr. Frankfort, Ky. (Bryan Station HS)97 Andrew Dziuk LB 6-0 211 Fr. Cornelius, N.C. (Hough HS)98 Brian Carter LB 6-1 216 Fr. Independence, Ky. (Simon Kenton HS)99 Lucas Williams K 6-1 193 R-Sr. Russell Springs, Ky. (Russell County HS) Grayson Blevins LB 5-10 205 Fr. Harrodsburg, Ky. (Mercer County HS) Cameron Chase TE 6-2 220 R-Fr. Bellevue, Ky. (Bellevue HS) Tristan Coff ey WR 5-9 175 R-Fr. Danville, Ky. (Union College) Deiondre Coleman DB 5-10 170 R-Fr. Louisville, Ky. (Marshall University) Isaiah Cornett WR 6-2 180 Fr. Somerset, Ky. (Somerset HS) Dalton Gossett OL 6-4 257 Fr. Louisville, Ky. (Male HS) Jeremy Hodowanic DL 6-1 271 R-Fr. Forney, Texas (Naval Academy Prep School) Melchisedek Jeudy DL 6-0 280 Fr. Miami, Fla. (Miami Southridge Senior HS) Tre’ Moore DB 5-9 195 Jr. Indianapolis, Ind. (Warren Central HS) Isaiah Murph RB 6-2 215 R-Fr. Hamilton, Ohio (Hamilton HS) Jaret Pogliano WR 6-0 189 Fr. Union, Ky. (Mount St. Joseph University) John Riley Jr. DB 5-10 180 Fr. Louisville, Ky. (duPont Manual HS) Chase Ross OL 6-2 323 Fr. Walton, Ky. (Ryle HS) Cade Sanchez OL 6-2 240 Fr. Lexington, Ala. (Lexington HS) Cole Schaff LB 6-2 205 Fr. Ashburn, Va. (Briar Woods HS) Kameron Smith DB 5-11 165 R-So. Louisville, Ky. (Campbellsville University) Ricky Smith LB 6-1 230 R-Fr. Charlotte, N.C. (Lenoir Rhyne University) Austin Torrens WR 6-2 202 R-Fr. New Richmond, Ohio (Mount St. Joseph Univ.) Peyton Van Horn DL 6-2 210 Fr. Hebron, Ky. (Conner HS) Zay Yeast DB 6-2 190 Fr. Lexington, Ky. (Paul Laurence Dunbar HS)

Head Coach: Mark Elder (Case Western Reserve, 2000), second seasonStaff : Terry Heff ernan (Associate Head Coach/Off ensive Line), Tommy Zagorski (Assistant Head Coach/Tight Ends/Off ensive Tackles), Kurt Mattix (Defensive Coordinator), Angelo Mirando (Off ensive Coordinator), Shannon Morrison (Co-Defensive Coordinator/DBs), Chase Gibson (Lineback-

ers), Kevin Koger (Wide Receivers), Greg Meyer (Special Teams/RBs), Walter Stewart (Defensive Line), Tommy Feazell (Off ensive Quality Control), Patrick Parrilli (Off ensive QC), Spencer Patterson (Off ensive 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)

Jackson Bardall – Bar-DOLLJaelin Carter – JAY-lynnNick Cavinee – CAV-in-EEESean Cleasant Jr. – rhymes with pleasant

Azjai Cooper – Ah-ZAYNeiko Creamer – CREE-merRaynaldy Gustave – GOO-stahvCameron Kowalewski – KOH-wah-less-skee

Garrett Kruczek – CRUISE-zackBrian Lassiter – las-SITTERRyan Markush – mar-KOOSHJa’HShaun Seider – JAY-shawn Cider

Nakiya Smith – NICK-kie-ahTom Tabur – TAY-burKeith Wrzuszczak – ROO-sack

Pronunciation Guide

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Score 1st Dns Rush-Yds. Passes Pass Yds. Total Yds. Pen.-Yds. TOs Poss. 3Dn Con. Sacks Byat Western Kentucky 31 20 40-100 20-31-0 264 364 3-25 1 29:38 10/17 1-8Eastern Kentucky 17 22 22-25 29-48-0 320 345 5-65 0 30:22 8/15 4-31

at Kentucky 27 22 39-207 16-24-0 229 436 6-60 0 31:28 6/13 1-15Eastern Kentucky 16 17 20-62 31-43-1 256 318 11-90 2 28:32 6/14 3-20

Tennessee Tech 21 21 36-112 26-40-2 304 416 9-52 5 32:21 6/15 0-0at Eastern Kentucky 24 11 27-83 23-32-0 205 288 7-51 1 27:39 4/16 2-15

at Southeast Missouri 29 15 44-299 9-23-0 76 375 12-110 0 35:44 4/15 2-15Eastern Kentucky 10 18 22-11 19-46-3 306 317 5-43 4 24:16 1/13 0-0

Tennessee State 45 21 46-193 12-23-1 106 299 3-24 1 34:09 7/14 1-1at Eastern Kentucky 21 16 32-124 21-35-4 246 370 8-72 4 25:51 8/16 1-1

at Jacksonville State 41 19 40-184 11-22-0 162 346 9-72 0 30:01 8/15 1-8Eastern Kentucky 25 16 30-57 17-28-2 195 252 7-70 4 29:59 7/13 0-0

Tennessee-Martin 21 11 25-38 14-25-1 216 254 9-92 3 22:02 1/11 0-0at Eastern Kentucky 31 18 52-229 10-21-0 102 331 7-81 0 37:58 5/16 2-21

at Murray State 13 13 24-63 20-40-0 210 273 7-52 3 22:22 5/17 0-0Eastern Kentucky 26 23 55-279 15-27-2 201 480 6-53 3 37:38 6/17 3-23

at Eastern Illinois 23 14 46-109 12-21-0 213 322 3-20 2 31:14 4/16 1-9 Eastern Kentucky 20 14 28-64 21-35-2 216 280 5-38 2 28:46 4/15 4-15

Austin Peay 31 20 48-240 11-15-0 203 443 4-30 1 30:00 5/11 1-10at Eastern Kentucky 24 18 28-95 24-41-1 222 317 4-26 1 30:00 7/16 3-20

Saint Francis at Eastern Kentucky

1st Half WKU UK TTU SEMO TSU JSU UTM MUR EIU APSU SFU Eastern Punt TD Punt TOD INT INT Punt TOD TD FGOpponent Punt FG Fumble Punt INT TD Punt Punt TD Fumble

2nd Half WKU UK TTU SEMO TSU JSU UTM MUR EIU APSU SFU Eastern TD Fumble TD Punt TD Fumble Punt INT FG FGOpponent TD Punt Downs Punt Punt Punt Fumble Punt Punt TOD

Off ense WR LT LG C RG RT TE SL WR QB RBat Western Kentucky Creamer Kowalewski Simpson Skidmore Edwards Myles Paul Schmerber [TE] Markush Boyle LJ Scottat Kentucky Creamer Kowalewski Simpson Skidmore Edwards Myles Paul Fogle Markush Boyle LJ ScottTennessee Tech Creamer Kowalewski Simpson Skidmore Edwards Myles Paul Schmerber [TE] Markush Boyle LJ Scott at Southeast Missouri Creamer Kowalewski Skidmore Simpson Tabur Myles Paul BK Smith Markush Boyle LJ ScottTennessee State Creamer Kowalewski Skidmore Simpson Edwards Myles Seider [OL] BK Smith Markush Boyle LJ Scottat Jacksonville State Creamer Kowalewski Skidmore Simpson Edwards Myles Seider [OL] BK Smith Markush Boyle McCleskeyTennessee-Martin Creamer Kowalewski Tabur Skidmore Edwards Myles Schmerber Cavinee [OL] Markush Boyle McCleskeyat Murray State Creamer Kowalewski Tabur Skidmore Edwards Myles Schmerber Cavinee [OL] Markush Boyle Thomasat Eastern Illinois Creamer Seider Tabur Bardall Edwards Myles Schmerber Cavinee [OL] Markush Boyle McCleskeyAustin Peay Creamer (11) Seider (2) Tabur (4) Bardall (2) Edwards (6) Myles (10) Schmerber (4) BK Smith (1) Markush (21) Boyle (10) McCleskey (2)Saint Francis

Defense DE DT DT DE LB LB NB LCB RCB LS RSat Western Kentucky Patrick Foos Denault Jean Louis Canady Glass Bascom Solomon Tucker Grace Reedat Kentucky Patrick Foos Denault Jean Louis Canady Glass Bascom Bethel Solomon Reed GraceTennessee Tech Patrick Foos Denault Jean Louis Canady Glass Lowe [LB] Whitfi eld Solomon Grace Bascomat Southeast Missouri Evans Foos Denault Jean Louis Canady Glass Lowe [LB] Bethel Whitfi eld Grace ReedTennessee State Evans Foos Cleasant Jean Louis Canady Glass Lowe [LB] Solomon Whitfi eld Grace Reedat Jacksonville State Evans Foos Humphrey Jean Louis Canady Lowe Bascom Solomon Whitfi eld Grace ReedTennessee-Martin Evans Foos Denault Jean Louis Canady Glass Bascom Solomon Whitfi eld Grace Comstockat Murray State Evans Foos Denault Jean Louis Canady Bryant Bascom Solomon Whitfi eld Grace Comstockat Eastern Illinois Evans Cleasant Humphrey Jean Louis Canady Bryant Glass [LB] Solomon Whitfi eld Grace BascomAustin Peay Evans (7) Foos (1) Denault (1) Jean Louis (10) Canady (21) Bryant (3) Bascom (5) Solomon (6) Whitfi eld (8) Grace (31) Comstock (1)Saint Francis

consecutive starts in ( )

2017 GAME-BY-GAME STARTERS

2017 GAME-BY-GAME TEAM STATISTICS

2017 OPENING DRIVES

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