GAME NOTES (PDF) | SCHEDULE PAGE (LIVE STATS, LIVE VIDEO, AUDIO) | TICKETS | TAILGATING
MOREHEAD, Ky. -- Morehead State opens the Jason Woodman era of Eagle football this week, hosting Division II Central State (Ohio) for a Thursday night battle at Jayne Stadium. Kick-off is set for 6 p.m. ET with a fireworks show to conclude the evening following the game.
The game can be heard on the Eagle Sports Radio Network with WIVY-96.3 FM serving as flagship station. Chuck Mraz, Jason Blanton and Tom Lewis provide the radio call. Fans can also hear it on MSUEagles.com, WGOH-100.9 FM/1370 AM and WMST-106.9 FM/1150 AM. The game will stream live on ESPN+ with Jared Stacy and Herb Triplett teaming up as the voices this game.
The Eagles and Marauders have only ever met one time, in 1973, with CSU winning 31-24 in Ashland, Ky. The Eagles' roster boasts a healthy mix of veterans who stayed through the coaching change, with 40+ newcomers on the roster as well.
THE SERIES
Record vs. Central State: 0-1
First Meeting: 9/8/73 CSU won 31-24 at Ashland, Ky.
Last Meeting: Same
Eagles' Record in Morehead: 0-0
Eagles' Record in Wilberforce, Ohio.: 0-0
Neutral Record: 0-1
GAME NOTES
• Woodman has worked on staffs either led by, or alongside, notable coaches Jimbo Fisher (Florida State/Texas A&M), Les Miles (LSU) and Nick Saban (LSU).
• Redshirt junior defensive back
Jihad McCall and senior wide receiver
Ryan Upp are on the official preseason All-Pioneer League team. McCall tied for the MSU and FCS national lead with six interceptions, including two against Davidson. He had 36 total tackles. Upp racked up 833 receiving yards and hauled in nine touchdowns, which ranked in the top five in MSU single-season history.
• Nine Eagles were listed on Phil Steele's preseason All-PFL teams. First-Team accolades went to
Ryan Upp and
Jihad McCall. Second-Team honorees are
Jaxsen Spears,
Noah Benza and
Brady McKnight. Third-Team awardees are
Carter Cravens,
James Louis,
Luke Bauer and
Kip Warren.
• MSU returns top quarterback
Carter Cravens. Prior to missing the final two games, Cravens recorded 2,074 passing yards and 13 touchdowns with just six interceptions. He completed 51 percent of this throws, averaging 230.4 yards per outing.
•
Carter Cravens needs just 278 passing yards to reach 3,000 for his career.
•
Carter Cravens ranked 18th in the FCS in total offense last season (257.4/game).
• Morehead State's defense finished 2023 ranked 4th nationally among all FCS teams with 17 interceptions.
•
Ryan Upp's nine TDs receiving last fall ranked as the fourth best single-season total in program history. Upp ranked 9th in the nation in touchdowns caught.
• The defense returns four of the top seven tacklers from 2023. Linebacker
Andre Nolan-White leads the way with 71 stops last year, including six for losses.
Zane Porter (51),
Noah Benza (37) and
Jihad McCall (35) round out the top seven.
• Defensive lineman
Noah Benza recorded double-digit stops behind opponents' lines of scrimmage last year with 10. He also led the team with 4.5 sacks.
• The 2024 roster includes 40 newcomers who were not a part of the program last season.
• With Jason Woodman coming on board to lead the Eagles, that meant a whole new coaching staff as well. Here are the new faces mentoring the Eagle program: Travis Everhart, associate head coach/offensive line/run game coordinator; Wil Truelove, defensive coordinator; Roland Brady, defensive line; Laurence Treadaway, defensive backs/special teams; Kyle Weiss, wide receivers/recruiting coordinator; Austin Schmidt, running backs; Joey Kiernan, outside linebackers; Tom Keane, tight ends; and Donald Dice, field coordinator/equipment
• Defensive line coach Roland Brady is in his second stint on the Eagles' staff. He was the linebackers coach in 2021 when MSU had one of its best seasons recently at 7-4. He coached Vincent Winey to First-Team All-PFL. Winey is now starting a pro wrestling career with WWE.
