Sixth and final installment in a series on the 2022 Morehead State football team, highlighting the various position groups.

MOREHEAD, Ky. – The offensive skill positions feature a mix of both old and new faces on the 2022 Morehead State football team. The running backs, tight ends, and wide receivers are looking to get the ball in the end zone this season in hopes of winning the PFL Championship.

RUNNING BACKS
Some new faces will be carrying the ball for the Morehead State football team in 2022 under the guidance of new Running Backs Coach Miles Fishback, who also serves as the Special Teams Coordinator.

Although nothing is set in stone as far as starting roles, Fishback is certainly excited about the backs heading into the season, including returning sophomores Chance Harris, James Louis, and Nate Adebayo.

"Chance (Harris) and James (Louis) have been working hard and really improving since the spring, and Nate Adebayo really showed out and scored two TDss during team period on Aug. 10."

Two new faces have joined the fold as well as true freshman Cole Wallace and Zavier Lomax are competing for playing time.

"The young guys have really been developing and pushing the older guys for playing time. I have been pleased with Cole (Wallace) and (Zavier) Lomax," said Fishback. "Just like any other freshman, we're working out kinks, but these guys have come in and worked hard, been coachable and willing to learn, and I'm excited for their futures in this program."

As far as what he wants from his position group, Fishback said he wants "guys who not only know their job, but execute, and have the mentality that they are always going to win, as well as being unselfish and versatile. We have made vast improvements in running the ball successfully since the spring across the board with both the backs and the offensive line. Knowing the ins and outs and details of our assignments as well as the footwork associated with them and ensuring that we are on the same page will be key in our success in the run game moving forward."

With only 234 of their 1,335 rushing yards from 2021 returning in 2022, MSU will have to rely on their new talent in the backfield this season.

TIGHT ENDS
Valin Kattoula serves as the tight ends coach for the Eagle football team, and he is excited about his group heading into what hopes to be a championship season for Morehead State.

"The Tight End position is growing into being a vital part of the Eagles offense. We are being used more in the run game and as a result, we are able to have a greater presence in the passing game. We added two new additions to the group, FBS transfer TE Nicholas Dottore joined the Morehead State Football family this past summer from Akron and Harrison Cohen, who previously was a wide receiver for the Eagles, has joined the TE group."

In addition to those new additions, Chaz Geraghty is back with the Eagles, entering his sophomore season.

With tight ends being more involved in the MSU rushing attack, Kattoula has had his group working alongside O-Line Coach Harris Bivin's group during camp.

"A tight end is a member within the "trenches". We will line up as an attached TE many times and are infused within the blocking scheme. We work with the O-line to have proper communication, understand the total blocking scheme, and even practice combo blocks," said Kattoula.

Lastly, Kattoula has been emphasizing many things during camp, but has three focuses for his tight ends. "We continuously emphasize being assignment perfect, techniques, and having a dominant mentality.  We watch a lot of film and go in-depth on their footwork, hand placement, routes, and catching abilities. All TE's have progressed tremendously over the last 3 weeks and each TE is able to conduct our offensive scheme."

WIDE RECEIVERS
Rounding out the offensive skill positions is the most experienced group; the wide receivers. Despite the loss of 2021 All-American PFL Offensive Player of the Year BJ Byrd to graduation, there is a ton of experience returning to the 2022 WR room, and Wide Receivers Coach Micah Johnson has his group ready to roll heading into the season opener at Mercer.

"This group does have a lot of experience and it has helped practices run smoothly. It helps to have players that know what they are doing and can communicate with the QBs so everyone's on the same page, "Johnson said. "There are a few leaders in the group. Jeremiah Scott, Matt Guilfoil, Christian Graves and Kyle Daly. A couple of them are vocal, and a couple lead by example, but they all push the group to be better every day."

Those leaders are setting the standard for both new and returning faces on the Morehead State football team. Ryan Upp, Mikey Armour, Isaiah Davis, and Caleb Willis are all back along with six newcomers to the program. Gunnison Bloodgood, Kenny Lewis Jr., Naythan Mulugeta, Trevon Kleint, and Shyheim Drew round out the 2022 WR room.
Johnson went on to emphasize that moving the ball on offense will not be a one-man show.

"It's always tough to lose an All-American player like BJ Byrd and the biggest difference this year will be receptions by committee. We have a lot of big play talent and we will have to distribute the ball to multiple receivers."

Morehead State opens the 2022 season this Saturday (Aug. 27), at Mercer, in the program's first ever Week 0 game.