BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – October 18, 2023
The Eastern Kentucky University football team is set to face a familiar foe on the road in Gardner-Webb on Saturday at Spangler Stadium. The game sets up a rematch of last year’s NCAA FCS Playoffs opening round.
Saturday’s game is scheduled for a 6:00 p.m. kickoff, fans looking to make the trip to North Carolina can find tickets on the Runnin’ Bulldogs’ website starting at $25.
Those not able to make the trip can find Saturday’s game on ESPN+ with Phil Constantino and Reginald Walker Jr. on the call. Fans also are encouraged to listed to EKU Sports Network’s live coverage on 100.7 WCYO with Greg Stotelmyer, Jim Tirey, and Wes Chandler on the air.
The Colonels (3-3, 2-0 UAC) are coming off a thrilling 41-35 double overtime win over Tarleton State last weekend in Richmond on Homecoming.
Running back Braedon Sloan led the squad with a career-high four touchdowns and 160 yards of total offense. Sloan’s career day helped EKU move to 2-0 to open United Athletic Conference play in the league’s inaugural season.
On the defensive side of the ball, linebacker Logan Blake again led the Colonels tying a career-high 15 tackles, 10 solo, while intercepting a pass to set up EKU’s game winning drive in 2OT. His efforts found him named the STATS Perform FedEx Ground National Defensive Player of the Week and another nod to the UAC Defensive Player of the Week honor.
INSIDE THE SERIES
– Saturday’s road game is the second meeting between GWU and EKU. Gardner-Webb knocked the Colonels out of the NCAA FCS Playoffs last season by a score of 52-41 in Richmond.
– EKU quarterback Parker McKinney threw for 454 yards and four touchdowns in the last meeting between the two teams. He connected on 37-of-57 pass attempts.
THE COLONELS
– Are 2-0 to open conference play for the first time since 2021. After this week’s game outside of league play, EKU will conclude its regular season with Utah Tech, Austin Peay, Central Arkansas, and Stephen F. Austin.
– Complementing EKU’s ground attack is running back Joshua Carter, who had 70 yards on eight touches and found the endzone against Tarleton.
– Defensive Back Mike Smith Jr. had a career-high 10 tackles and an interception against the Texans.
– Blake’s 15 tackles against TSU moved him to 68 total tackles this season, which is first in the UAC and eighth in NCAA FCS football.
SCOUTING GARDNER-WEBB
– The Runnin’ Bulldogs are coming off a 41-14 loss to fellow UAC foe Austin Peay on the road last Saturday. GWU enters play on Saturday dropping three of its last four games.
– Quarterback Matt Caldwell leads the room with 928 passing yards and seven touchdowns in five games. Last game against APSU, backup Jaylen King completed 19-of-35 passes with one touchdown and two interceptions.
– Senior defensive end Ty French is GWU’s main threat with 27 total tackles and 8.5 tackles for loss totaling 57 yards. He’s recorded nearly four sacks for 30 yards this season.
