Eastern Kentucky has a proud football tradition. They have been struggling for a couple years, but have solid recruiting and would appear to be on the upswing. They have won I-AA titles. They beat Morehead State 49-23 and lost @Marshall 32-16 in a game that had about that deficit for the whole time. Morehead State is picked 8th in their conference and Marshall beat Miami by 7 in Oxford, for comparison purposes.
How many seniors and juniors on the two-deep?
They are a very young team, with 20.
Who were their statistical leaders?
LJ Scott was #2 in KOR last year. He's #11 so far this year. He's also #5 in rushing TDs.
Aaron Patrick is #14 in sacks.
What was their turnover ratio?
They were -5 last year and even this year..
They have played 2 QBs in both of their games so far. They have rFR Dakota Allen and rSo Austin Scott. They have alternated through the game. Allen is the better passer and I assume Scott is more of a runner. They are a run-focused team.
What was their scoring and yards per play?
Overall, they are scoring 32 points per game on 5 yards per play. No surprise...much better against Morehead than against Marshall.
Can they run the ball?
They can run the ball. They average 5 yards per rush...only 3.1 against Marshall. This will be a key test for BG. The Falcons have to stop the run.
Do they pass the ball?
They are not very good. They have 48 passing yards against Marshall. Allen is decent, with 58% completions but less than 10 per completion. Scott is 6 of 14 for 23 yards. TE Dan Paul has both of their TD catches.
How was their run/pass balance?
They have run on 66% of their plays.
Did they convert on 3rd Down?
They are good at 45%.
Did they score in the red zone?
They average 5 yards per trip, which is pretty good.
Did they protect the quarterback?
No. They give up sacks on 14% of their passes.
Defense:
Topline: Scoring and yards per play.
They are allowing 27.5 PPG and 5.2 yards per play. Marshall scored 32 on 5.5 per play.
Did they defend the run effectively?
Yes. They have only allowed 3.2 yards per carry. Marshall had 3.2 yards per carry as well. This will also be a key battleground for the game.
Can they be passed on?
They are OK. They allow 60% completions of 11.3 YPC.
Did they get off the field on 3rd down?
They are very good, allowing 31%.
Do they defend in the red zone?
They allow 5.6 points per trip, which is not good.
Did they pressure the QB?
Not bad. They get sacks on 7.4% of their pass defenses.
Special Teams:
Punting?
They have a new punter averaging 38 yards per punt net, which is decent.
Punt Return?
Good. They have a block and 11 yard per return.
Placekicking?
Also new. He's 3 of 4 with a long of 38.
Kickoff?
Not bad. Teams start on the 26.
Kickoff Return?
They started on the 28. Their KOR is averaging a 28 yards return.
A couple things.
First, our program is in a place where you are nowhere near sure we will win this game, and you should be. Last year, BG lost their FCS game to South Dakota, a ranked FCS team. These guys are not ranked, are young and should be someone BG can beat. (BG also barely beat their first FCS opponent during the first season for Jinks).
Second, this is a huge game for the program. They can't afford to lose this game---their 7th in a row at home. The fact that THIS is a huge game is not a good look, but that's what it is.
Third, I wouldn't expect much in the way of a crowd Saturday and it still remains a potential let down game for BG. Shouldn't be, but it wouldn't surprise me.
BG badly needs a win. I suspect they get it and I hope it is a comfortable win.
Overall, they are scoring 32 points per game on 5 yards per play. No surprise...much better against Morehead than against Marshall.
Can they run the ball?
They can run the ball. They average 5 yards per rush...only 3.1 against Marshall. This will be a key test for BG. The Falcons have to stop the run.
Do they pass the ball?
They are not very good. They have 48 passing yards against Marshall. Allen is decent, with 58% completions but less than 10 per completion. Scott is 6 of 14 for 23 yards. TE Dan Paul has both of their TD catches.
How was their run/pass balance?
They have run on 66% of their plays.
Did they convert on 3rd Down?
They are good at 45%.
Did they score in the red zone?
They average 5 yards per trip, which is pretty good.
No. They give up sacks on 14% of their passes.
Defense:
Topline: Scoring and yards per play.
They are allowing 27.5 PPG and 5.2 yards per play. Marshall scored 32 on 5.5 per play.
Yes. They have only allowed 3.2 yards per carry. Marshall had 3.2 yards per carry as well. This will also be a key battleground for the game.
Can they be passed on?
They are OK. They allow 60% completions of 11.3 YPC.
Do they defend in the red zone?
They allow 5.6 points per trip, which is not good.
Did they pressure the QB?
Not bad. They get sacks on 7.4% of their pass defenses.
Special Teams:
Punting?
They have a new punter averaging 38 yards per punt net, which is decent.
Good. They have a block and 11 yard per return.
Placekicking?
Also new. He's 3 of 4 with a long of 38.
Kickoff?
Not bad. Teams start on the 26.
Kickoff Return?
They started on the 28. Their KOR is averaging a 28 yards return.
First, our program is in a place where you are nowhere near sure we will win this game, and you should be. Last year, BG lost their FCS game to South Dakota, a ranked FCS team. These guys are not ranked, are young and should be someone BG can beat. (BG also barely beat their first FCS opponent during the first season for Jinks).
Second, this is a huge game for the program. They can't afford to lose this game---their 7th in a row at home. The fact that THIS is a huge game is not a good look, but that's what it is.
Third, I wouldn't expect much in the way of a crowd Saturday and it still remains a potential let down game for BG. Shouldn't be, but it wouldn't surprise me.
BG badly needs a win. I suspect they get it and I hope it is a comfortable win.
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