Game Notes (MSU | Valpo) | Live Stats | Live Video | Live Audio | Tickets
MOREHEAD, Ky. -- If history is on the Morehead State football team's side this week, then the Eagles should have success against visiting Valparaiso this Saturday. But, even though the Eagles have claimed nine straight wins in the series, the last two games haven't been decided until the final two minutes. MSU and Valpo kick off at 1 p.m. ET at Jayne Stadium.
The game can be seen live on the OVC Digital Network and heard live on the Eagle Sports Radio Network (Eagle Empire app or WIVYRadio.com). Fans can still purchase a Phil Simms bobblehead pack, which includes a season ticket for the remaining four games and a bobblehead for just $50. Saturday's game is also designated as Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates (KODA) day. Representatives will be on hand to hand out information on organ donation and sign people up. Organ donor recipients will serve as honorary game captains.
"All in all, it's about consistency," said head coach
Rob Tenyer. "We've got the makeup and the personnel to be a real good team going forward, but each week is a different opponent who brings different schematics. We have to find ways to put our personnel in a position to be successful. I challenged our guys this week, and I expect them to come out and perform at a high level."
Last season, the Eagles scored with just more than two minutes left to beat the Crusaders 36-29 on the road. Two years ago, in Morehead, the Eagles edged Valpo 48-47, scoring in the final 20 seconds to rally for a win.
And speaking of comebacks, Morehead State nearly pulled off a win after a 22-point deficit at Drake. A two-point conversion try fell short with a minute left, and MSU fell 30-28 to fall to 1-3 overall and 0-1 in the PFL.
"I felt like the defense played a great game last week, and what we did offensively kind of hindered that effort," Tenyer said. "We got what I considered three stops on four possessions, forcing them into three field goals. When we do that, our offense has to change field position and put points on the board. We didn't do that, and our defense was taking too many snaps."
Defensive backs
Matthew Brewer and
Braylyn Cook came up with interceptions in the contest, following a pick by safety
Dominic Iori the previous week against Lincoln (Pa.).
Offensively, this week, senior quaterback
Austin Gahafer needs only four completed passes to break the MSU career record of 936 held by current QBs coach
Zach Lewis. Gahafer threw three touchdowns and connected on 330 yards last week. A majority of those yards were garnered by senior slot man
Jake Raymond, who had a career game with 179 yards and a score.
"I have said this all season," Tenyer said. "Jake is a kind of the heartbeat of the team. When he is on, we are usually on. But, teams will start to key on him, just like they did last year, so we have to get our other skilled receivers involved and our running backs involved in the passing game a bit more now."
The Crusaders (2-2/1-0 PFL) enter the contest on the heels of back-to-back wins. They beat NAIA Trinity International at home and then last week held off Davidson, 24-20. Running back Jarrett Morgan rushed for more than 100 yards in both games, and quarterback Jimmy Seewald tossed five touchdowns versus TIU. Valpo's defense has created five takeaways in the first four games, and the offense has scored after each one.
Morehead State will head back on the road next weekend at Dayton.
