GAME NOTES (PDF) | WATCH | LISTEN | STATS | TICKETS

MOREHEAD, Ky. -- Back-to-back home contests culminate with a visit by Marist for the Morehead State football program Saturday. Kickoff is set for 1:05 p.m. ET at Jayne Stadium.

Saturday's contest will stream live on ESPN+ and air live on the Eagle Sports Radio Network (WIVY-96.3 FM and WMST-106.9 FM and 1150 AM).

The Eagles (3-4/2-2 PFL) are coming off back-to-back wins as well and both by seven points. Last week, the Eagles held off Valparaiso 31-24 on Homecoming. Marist enters with a 3-4 overall mark but a 3-1 PFL scorecard. They defeated Davidson 48-41 in overtime last weekend.

Saturday is Donate Life Day with representatives from the Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates serving as honorary team captains and signing fans up for organ donation if they choose. Head coach Rob Tenyer's father is a kidney transplant recipient.

QUOTING COACH TENYER

On the growth of his team from fall camp to now
"It's really just the 'want to.' The guys fought through a really demanding pre-conference schedule. We did some really good things, but we just couldn't find ways to win games. I think we are continuing to get better each week and peaking at the right time. We have some things left in the tank though, and we can continue to improve on a lot of things. Hopefully we can do that this week."

On student-athletes' experience
"Football is a demanding sport on and off the field, especially in today's time. You have to be really passionate about it, I mean passionate, and you have to work extremely hard every day to get better. We have a lot of guys who are interested in doing that."

On the matchup with Marist
"They are tough and physical. They are always that. Marist presents problems on both sides of the ball. It's about going out and preparing for your next opponent. I am glad we are playing them at home."

GAME NOTES

THE SERIES WITH MARIST

The Eagles and Red Foxes have only played five times since beginning a series in 2009 with Marist leading 3-2. MSU has not defeated Marist on its home turf, dropping games in 2009 and 2016.  The teams did not meet from 2011-14. The last time the teams met in Morehead, it was a barnburner with Marist claiming a 44-41 overtime win in 2016.

HOME SWEET HOMECOMING

Morehead State has now claimed two straight Homecoming victories, defeating Valparaiso 31-24 last week and Dayton 34-28 in 2017.

CLOSE CALLS

Three of the Eagles' four PFL games have been literally decided in the final minute. MSU fell to Butler 24-21 with the ball in its possession in the final 20 seconds. The Eagles knocked off Davidson 35-28 by batting down two would-be game-tying TDs in the final five seconds, and beat Valparaiso 31-24 by intercepting a pass and running out the final 53 seconds last week. 

IN GOOD COMPANY

Senior quarterback Lawson Page is one of only two quarterbacks in the Football Championship Subdivision to record multiple games with at least 200 yards passing and 100 yards rushing. He has three 200-100 games in his career.

GROUND ATTACK

Morehead State's 422 rushing yards on Sep. 8 against Mount St. Joseph were the most team rushing yards since setting the school record with 478 against Austin Peay in 2000. Morehead State ranks third in the PFL in rushing yards per game (214.3) but is the top rushing team that does not run a spread option scheme (Davidson and Jacksonville) where a majority of the play calls are runs.

4K

Senior quarterback Lawson Page is the ninth signal caller in program history to eclipse 4,000 career passing yards. Page now has 4,117 yards to rank ninth in program history. He needs just 93 yards to pass Doug Turner (1997-98).

BEST DEFENDER

Senior safety Sayyid Kanu is the reigning official PFL Defensive Player of the Week and also earned the accolade from College Sports Madness. He had nine tackles (5 solo) last week and returned an interception 66 yards to seal the Eagles' 31-24 Homecoming win over Valparaiso.

FRESHMAN PHENOM

Redshirt freshman running back Jovan Smith ranks first in the PFL among freshman runners. The Louisville transfer averages 64 yard per outing and also ranks third in the league among freshmen with a 6.1 yards-per-carry average.

CAREER DAYS 

Senior wideout Jarin Higginbotham (140) and sophomore Sugar Ray Wyche (124) both had career highs in receiving yards against Valparaiso and both scored touchdowns.

HEAT CHECK

Jarin Higginbotham has been a hard receiver to contain in the last three games. He has 291 yards (97/game) and has a touchdown in all three contests. "Higgie" needs one more reception to reach 100 for his career. He needs just 14 more receptions to move all the way to fourth in career catches and needs just 194 more yards to become only the fourth player in program history with at least 2,000 career receiving yards.

NOT IN KANSAS ANYMORE

Junior defensive end Vaughn Taylor, Jr., who transferred from FBS school Kansas, has moved into the starting lineup and leads the Eagles with seven quarterback hurries. He also has four tackles losses, including a team-best two sacks.

MEN IN THE TRENCHES

Morehead State's projected starting five on the offensive line - Kris Jones, Cameron Bailey, Cam Marriott, Ben Price and Josh Poe - have combined for experience in 101 career games.