BOX SCORE
MOREHEAD, Ky. -- Morehead State football rode the ferociousness of its defense once again Saturday as the Eagles claimed a 14-7 Homecoming game win over Pioneer Football League rival Presbyterian.
The Eagles (4-3/2-1 PFL) forced five turnovers, including both their interceptions on the day deep in Eagle territory with less than three minutes remaining. MSU also forced three fumbles, including one at the PC 22-yard line which eventually led to the Eagles' first touchdown. The defense, in addition, forced two turnovers on downs by the Blue Hose.
The victory allowed new head coach Jason Woodman to make history as the first coach in program history to lead his team to wins in the first four home games of a tenure.
Morehead State's offense was out-gained 273-252 but capitalized the short field to score its first TD with 1:53 left before halftime. Wide receiver
Nate Garnett took a misdirection hand-off on a fourth down play and scooted untouched 10 yards across the goal line.
MSU made it 14-0 with 13:21 remaining when running back
Isaac Stopke pushed in from the five-yard line to make it 14-0. Wideout
Ryan Upp, who finished with 97 of the Eagles' 212 passing yards, rambled 64 yards on a shuffle pass from QB
Carter Cravens to set up the Eagles at the Blue Hose five-yard line.
Presbyterian (2-5/0-3 PFL) eventually scored with 11:05 remaining to cut the lead to 14-7, but the defense then stepped up. With 8:25 left, PC engineered a 14-play drive to move it down to the Eagle 26-yard line. But linebacker
Branden Stearman ripped the next pass away from the receiver on a fourth-down situation, garnering his second career interception.
PC's defense held once again and regained possession with 56 seconds left. A couple of positive scrambles by QB Collin Hurst set up the visitors at the MSU 14-yard line. A pass into the end zone, however, was picked off by defensive back
Jihad McCall and returned to the six, where the Eagles kneeled it out for the win.
Stearman was all over the field, registering a career-high 12 tackles along with the INT. He also had a tackle for loss and recovered a fumble. Safety
Matthew McClelland, who was just one tackle behind PC's Alex Herriott for the PFL lead in tackles, led MSU with 13 stops. Herriott led the Blue Hose with eight tackles.
Linebacker
Luke Bauer had 1.5 tackles for loss and caused a fumble on a sack. Defensive lineman
Kylyn Macklin also caused a fumble on a sack.
Morehead State has bye week next Saturday before returning to action on Oct. 26 at Dayton.
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