MOREHEAD, Ky. -- The Morehead State football team, off to its best Pioneer Football League start since 2007, continues conference action on Saturday when it travels to Valparaiso. Kick-off from Brown Field is set for 2 p.m. ET.
The Eagles, who were idle last week and have not dropped a decision since Sept. 21, are 2-4 overall and 2-1 in the league. The Crusaders, who suffered a 35-21 setback at PFL foe at Mercer last Saturday, are 1-5 on the season and 1-2 in conference play.
Morehead State has won six straight against Valparaiso and owns a 15-3 edge in the all-time series. MSU scored six different ways (passing, rushing, kick return, interception return, fumble return and extra points) en route to a 76-24 win over Valpo in 2012.
Ways to follow the game:
LIVE AUDIO (CPU) | LIVE AUDIO (mobile) | LIVE STATS | TWITTER
Chuck Mraz (play-by-play), Jason Blanton (analyst) and Mike Williams (sidelines) will call all the action on the Eagle Sports Network and MSUEagles.com. Radio affiliates include WIVY-96.3 FM (Morehead), WMST-1150 AM & 106.9 FM (Mt. Sterling) and WLGC-1520 AM (Ashland).
Releases and pre-game information:
MOREHEAD STATE | VALPARAISO | PIONEER FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Ten notes heading into the contest:
BEST PFL START SINCE 2007
Morehead State is off to its best Pioneer Football League start (2-1) since 2007. The Eagles began league play 5-1 that year with wins over Dayton, Davidson, Butler, Valparaiso and Drake.
THREE-GAME WINNING STREAKS
A victory on Saturday at Valparaiso would give Morehead State its first three-game winning streak since Nov. 13, 2010-Sept. 1, 2011. The Eagles have not won three straight contests in the Pioneer Football League play since Oct. 20-Nov. 3, 2007.
GOING .500 IN THE LEAGUE
Morehead State has won two of its first three Pioneer Football League tilts this year. The Eagles have not finished above .500 in the PFL since a 5-2 mark in 2007. MSU went 4-4 in 2008 and 2010.
A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO WIN
Morehead State started the campaign 0-4, but the Eagles are in a three-game stretch where their opponents have a combined 2-16 record (Davidson 0-6, Campbell 1-5 and Valparaiso 1-5).
GAHAFER'S CAREER HIGH
Freshman Austin Gahafer completed 26-of-34 attempts for a career-best 334 yards and three touchdowns at Campbell. Morehead State scored 45 points for the second straight week.
BORNHAUSER IS A THREAT
Junior slot receiver Brandon Bornhauser posted a career-best three touchdowns at Campbell. He tallied two touchdown runs in the second quarter and caught a TD pass in the fourth period.
PROTECTING THE QUARTERBACK
Morehead State ranks second in the Pioneer Football League for fewest sacks allowed per game (1.00). The MSU offensive line has not allowed a sack since Sept. 21 against Eastern Kentucky.
BETTER NUMBERS = MORE SUCCESS
Morehead State has allowed 50 points (25 ppg) and 826 total yards (413 ypg) in its past two games (both wins) after yielding 192 points (64 ppg) and 2,043 total yards (681 ypg) the previous three weeks (all losses).
THE TURNOVER BATTLE IS CRUCIAL
Morehead State has forced six turnovers over its past four contests after forcing none during the first two weeks of 2013. The Eagle defense has collected four interceptions and two fumble recoveries this year.
MOMENTUM-CHANGING PLAYS
Junior linebacker Jordan Hendrix registered his second career interception in the opening period at Campbell, while senior defensive back Steven Lester blocked his third career kick in the second quarter.
