Game Notes (MSU | Drake) | Live Stats | Live Audio | Live Video
MOREHEAD, Ky. -- Morehead State football opens its quest for a Pioneer Football League title Saturday when the Eagles visit Drake for a 2 p.m. ET kickoff in Des Moines, Iowa.
The game can be heard live on the Eagle Sports Radio Network with affiliates throughout eastern Kentucky. Live stats and live video, produced by Drake, are also available on MSUEagles.com. MSU's coaches will participate in the Coach to Cure MD program (Text 90999 to CURE to make a donation).
"Preseason is over and now every game counts more now," said head coach
Rob Tenyer. "This is a big game for us, we are taking on a well-coached Drake team. This is also our longest road trip of the year."
The Eagles will charter a flight from Lexington Friday and return after the contest. Morehead State will look for its first-ever win at Drake Stadium (0-5 all-time), coming close in 2008 (19-15) and 2012 (28-25). Last year's matchup in Morehead provided fans a thrilling finish as the Eagles kicked a field goal in triple overtime to win 38-35.
"From week one to week two to week three, we made some major strides in all phases of the game, and we are starting to play better on special teams," said Tenyer. "That will be important thid week. (Drake's) coach Fox is a former special teams guy and heavily involved in that aspect. It's something we've gotten better at, and it's something we stressed since the spring."
A special teams highlight last week in the 56-6 win over Lincoln (Pa.) was freshman
Trevor Jones' 39-yard punt return for a touchdown, the first punt return for a score since 2007. The Eagle offense also generated more than 500 yards and rushed for 256.
Morehead State's defense heads into conference play leading the PFL in pass defense and pass defense efficiency.
"It's all about matchups and how you prepare for each team you play," Tenyer added. "You have to prepare for their best players."
Senior safety
Dominic Iori has been proud of his unit's overall improvement since the start of the season.
"You can see it on the practice field," he said. "Guys are much more physical now, and we are wrapping guys up and making better tackles. Ultimately that helps us in the run defense and eliminates a lot of the big plays that kind of hurt us last year."
Drake's offense features running back Conley Wilkins, who averages 66 yards per game this year but rushed for 205 against the Eagles last season. Quarterback Grant Kraemer throws for 143 yards per outing with five touchdowns and just one interception.
Following this trip, MSU returns to Jayne Stadium next Saturday to host PFL foe Valparaiso at 1 p.m.
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