MOREHEAD, Ky. -- The Morehead State football team continues non-conference action on Saturday when it travels to No. 25 Youngstown State. Kick-off from Stambaugh Stadium is set for 4 p.m. ET.
The Penguins are 1-0 overall after a 28-10 victory over Pioneer Football League foe Dayton. The Eagles are 0-1 on the season after a 13-10 setback to NAIA opponent Pikeville (Ky.).
The contest will be Morehead State's first against a nationally-ranked Football Championship Subdivision opponent since a 24-17 defeat at No. 21 Eastern Kentucky on Sept. 8, 2012.
Youngstown State is a former Ohio Valley Conference member. The Eagles and Penguins have not met in football since 1987. YSU owns an 8-6 advantage in the all-time series vs. MSU.
Ways to follow the game:
LIVE VIDEO | 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. Radio affiliates include WIVY-96.3 FM (Morehead), WMST-1150 AM & 106.9 FM (Mt. Sterling). The contest will also be webcast via YSUSports.com.
Releases and pre-game information:
MOREHEAD STATE | YOUNGSTOWN STATE | PIONEER FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Ten notes heading into the contest:
THE NEW MAN IN CHARGE
Rob Tenyer was introduced as the 14th head football coach in Morehead State history on Dec. 13, 2012. He had previously served as an assistant coach at MSU for 12 seasons.
LET'S NOT GO THERE
Morehead State took a 10-7 lead with 9:56 remaining in its season opener, but Pikeville (Ky.) responded with a late touchdown to post a 13-10 victory. The Eagles are coming off a 4-7 campaign, but had second-half leads in three of their seven 2012 setbacks.
TIME TO "JAM THE JAYNE"
Morehead State welcomed 8,311 fans to Jayne Stadium for its home opener vs. Pikeville (Ky.). The Eagles have led the Pioneer Football League in home attendance each of the last five seasons.
BRING ON THE POSTSEASON
For the first time ever, the Pioneer Football League's 2013 champion will gain access to the NCAA Division I Football Championship through an automatic bid. The spot came about when the NCAA expanded its national tournament to 24 teams.
HOW WAS HIS DEBUT?
Quarterback Logan Johnson, who redshirted in 2012, finished 33-of-53 for 271 yards with two interceptions against Pikeville (Ky.). He also rushed 10 times for 57 yards in his collegiate debut.
POSITIVE NUMBERS
Morehead State tallied advantages of 26-18 in first downs, 271-131 in passing yards and 378-326 in total yards against Pikeville (Ky.). The Eagles also converted 10-of-19 third-down opportunities, but committed three turnovers while the Bears had no miscues.
WHO'S BACK ON OFFENSE?
Junior running back Rees Macshara, a First-Team All-Pioneer Football League selection in 2012, is Morehead State's top returnee on offense. Senior offensive lineman Kalvin Harrington was also an Honorable Mention All-PFL choice last year.
A STRONG DEBUT
Freshman defensive back Dominic Iori led Morehead State with eight tackles against Pikeville (Ky.). He also broke up one pass in his collegiate debut.
WHO'S BACK ON DEFENSE?
Junior linebacker Jordan Hendrix and senior defensive lineman Aaron Meadows, who both earned Second-Team All-Pioneer Football League honors in 2012, are Morehead State's top returnees on defense. Sophomore defensive lineman Ronald Cooper, sophomore defensive lineman Rob Lewis and junior defensive back Michael Jackson were Honorable Mention All-PFL choices last year.
HE SET THE RECORD
Jordan Hendrix set Morehead State's single-season record with 123 tackles in 2012. He led the Pioneer Football League and ranked 10th in the Football Championship Subdivision with 11.2 stops per game. Hendrix posted games of 10+ tackles, including a career-best 17 stops at Eastern Kentucky.
