HTML STATS | PDF STATS | ARCHIVED BROADCAST | VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS
BUIES CREEK, N.C. -- Junior slot receiver Brandon Bornhauser posted three touchdowns and freshman quarterback Austin Gahafer passed for 334 yards to lead the Morehead State football team to a 45-36 victory over Campbell on Saturday afternoon at Barker-Lane Stadium.
The Eagles, who improve to 2-4 overall, move to 2-1 in the Pioneer Football League for the first time since 2007. The Camels, now 1-4 on the season, slip to 0-2 in conference action. MSU also improves to 4-2 in the all-time series against CU with its first-ever win in Buies Creek.
"I'm proud of our young men," Head Coach Rob Tenyer said. "This is a long tough trip and a place we've never won. We didn't play perfectly, but we made enough plays when it counted. We had some big performances on both sides of the ball, and I'm happy we're off to a 2-1 start in the PFL."
Bornhauser tallied a pair of touchdown runs in the second quarter. His six-yard dash made it 7-7, while his one-yard sprint gave Morehead State a 14-7 lead. He also pulled in a 13-yard pass from Gahafer early in the fourth quarter to finish with three scores for the first time in his career.
Gahafer closed the day 26-of-34 for his career-best passing total. He also fired three touchdown passes for the first time in his brief time at Morehead State. Junior slot receiver Cyrus Strahm led the Eagles with six catches for 76 yards, while two other receivers collected four catches each.
Morehead State's defense came up with two momentum-changing plays in the first half. Junior linebacker Jordan Hendrix registered his second career interception in the opening period, while senior defensive back Steven Lester blocked his third career kick in the second quarter.
"Jordan and Steven played like veterans and came up big for us," Tenyer said. "Jordan's interception kept Campbell from scoring when they were deep in our territory, while Steven's blocked punt led to us scoring one play later. We may not have won this game today without those two plays."
Morehead State managed a 334-170 edge in passing yards and 26-20 advantage in first downs, but Campbell recorded a 383-135 upper hand in rushing yards for a 553-469 overall advantage.
The contest was scoreless after one quarter. Morehead State scored in seven of its last nine drives (six touchdowns and one field goal). Campbell put together a pair of eight-play touchdown drives in the fourth quarter after the Eagles had opened up a 38-21 advantage with 12:25 to play.
Hendrix was credited with nine tackles for Morehead State, while Lester, junior defensive back Michael Jackson and sophomore defensive lineman Ronald Cooper chipped in with eight apiece. Sophomore defensive back Jaylan Adlam collected a game-high 10 stops for Campbell.
Senior quarterback Brian Hudson rushed 11 times for a game-high 168 yards and completed 13-of-23 attempts for 170 yards and two scores. Senior Kurt Odom added 85 rushing yards and one touchdown for the Camels, while freshman Keith Goss contributed 80 rushing yards and two scores.
The Camels were flagged 11 times for 102 yards, while the Eagles limited themselves to five penalties for 35 yards. MSU converted 5-of-11 third-down opportunities, while CU was 4-of-12.
Morehead State will enjoy its bye week before travelling to PFL opponent Valparaiso on Oct. 19. The Eagles close out the schedule with four of their final five games at Jayne Stadium in Morehead.
"We're going to enjoy this win on the way home," Tenyer said. "Our young men will be able to rest a bit this week, and we'll eventually get into the game plan for another tough road game at Valparaiso."
