Life got in the way and I missed last week’s edition of Football in the Commonwealth. We’re back this week trying review everything we missed. Lots of good football around with several teams competing for conference titles (a couple of them competing against each other), several competing for playoff spots, and a few nationally ranked programs. As always if we’ve missed an interesting story feel free to reach out so we can include it.
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
The Hilltoppers have had two games since our last edition and both have been disappointing. First, they nearly blew a 35-7 HT lead to Louisiana Tech but utliimately held on 35-28. This past Tuesday WKU held a 17-10 lead late in the 4th quarter but gave up 10 points in under 5 minutes and lost to Jacksonsville State 20-17. The loss drops Western to 4-3 and 2-1 in CUSA play.
Up next is a big home match-up against Liberty. It’s likely a must-win if WKU wants to get back in the CUSA Championship race. Game kicks off at 7:30pm ET/6:30pm CT on 10/24 on ESPNU.
Eastern Kentucky Colonels
This past week EKU beat Tarleton State at home in 41-35 in OT. Former Wayne County HS star Braedon Sloan rushed for 120 yards and 3 TD while also catching 5 balls for 40 yards and a receiving TD. The Colonels improved to 3-3 on the season and 2-0 in UAC play.
Up next EKU steps out of conference play and heads to North Carolina to take on Gardner-Webb. The game kicks off at 6pm ET and can be streamed on ESPN+.
Murray State Racers
It’s been a tough two weeks for Murray State. They lost 38-7 on the road to a top 10 ranked South Dakota before returning home and losing 27-6 to a top 15 ranked Southern Illinois. The Racers are now 2-4 on the season and 1-2 in the MVC.
This week things get a little easier as they head to Springfield, Missouri to take on Missouri State. The game kicks off at 3pm ET/2pm CT and can be streamed on ESPN+.
Morehead State Eagles
Morehead got two wins since our last edition, first beating Dayton at home 31-7 and then going on the road and beating Valparaiso 24-21. Against Valpo the Eagles scored 10 points in the final 2 minutes of the game and walked off with a Nathan Hazlett 28-yard FG to win it. Morehead State is now 3-3 on the season and 2-2 in the Pioneer Conference.
Up next the Eagles will head to Stephenville, TX to take on Tarleton State. The game kicks off at 7pm ET and can be streamed on ESPN+.
Kentucky State Thorobreds
Two weeks ago Kentucky State went on the road and lost to a top 10 Grand Valley State 65-7. Last week the Thorobreds got their first SIAC win defeating Lane College 21-14 on the road. RB Isaiah Saleem led the way with 138 rushing yards. Kentucky State is now 2-5 overall and 1-4 in the SIAC.
Another big test looms as the Thorobreds will head to Columbia, SC to take on 8th ranked and undefeated Benedict College. The game kicks off at 2pm ET and it appears it will be streamed on ESPN+.
Kentucky Wesleyan Panthers
It was a rough two weeks for the Panthers as they lost at home to in-state rival Thomas More and then lost on the road 44-14 to Hilldsale. That is 3 losses in a row for KWC who are now 3-4 on the season and 2-3 in conference play.
Kentucky Wesleyan now heads to Tiffin, OH to take on the 23rd ranked Tiffin Dragons. The game kicks off at 3:30pm ET and can be streamed here.
Thomas More Saints
Thomas More split two games since our last edition. They went on the road and beat in-state rival Kentucky Wesleyan 36-28 and then lost on the road to Findlay 38-10. The Saints are 4-3 overall and 3-2 in conference.
Thomas More is back home this week as they welcome Hillsdale to Republic Bank Field in Crestview, KY. The game kicks off at noon ET and if you can’t make it out to the stadium can be streamed here.
Centre College Colonels
Centre lost 31-3 to 5th ranked Trinity but came back this past week and beat Southwestern 45-21 at home. Former Lexington Catholic star QB Jack Gohmann threw for 186 yards and 3 TD while also rushing for 89 yards. Former Boyle County RB Will McDaniel rushed for another 106 and the Colonels were never really threatened. Centre is 2-4 on the season and 1-2 in SAA play.
This week they head to Jackson, MS to take on Millsaps. The game kicks off at 1pm ET and will be streamed here.
Campbellsville Tigers
Campbellsville split a pair of games since our last edition beating Faulkner 36-5 on the road and losing at home to 8th ranked Lindsey Wilson 35-14. The Tigers are 4-3 overall and 2-1 in the Mid-South Conference. They will be on a bye this upcoming week.
Georgetown Tigers
It was a big two weeks for Georgetown as they went on the road and knocked off 10th ranked Bethel 52-24. Somehow the Tigers pulled off the win only throwing for 7 yards but were led by former Frederick Douglass HS standout Darius Neal’s 173 rushing yards and 3 TD. Last week Georgetown returned home and dominated Cumberland (TN) 42-14. The 11th ranked Tigers are 4-1 overall and 2-0 in the Mid-South Conference.
Up next they travel to Montgomery, AL to take a struggling Faulkner. The game kicks off at noon ET and can be streamed here.
Cumberlands Patriots
Cumberlands lost on the road 21-17 to Cumberland (TN) but they rebounded last week with 37-7 win over Faulkner. RB Darius James led the way in both games who rushed for 236 yards and 4 TD over the two games. The Patriots are 5-2 on the season and 1-2 in Mid-South Conference play.
Cumberlands will now travel to Columbia, KY to take on the 9th ranked Lindsey Wilson Blue Raiders.
Pikeville Bears
Pikeville lost on the road to 23rd ranked Reinhartdt 41-35 in 2OT. QB Lee Kirkland scored 5 total TD and almost led the Bears to the upset but it fell just short. Last week Pikeville came back home and beat Kentucky Christian 49-0. The Bears are now 4-3 overall and 2-1 in AAC play.
Up next UPike travels to Bluefield, VA to take Bluefield. The game kicks off at 7pm ET and can be streamed here.
Union College Bulldogs
Union won two home games since our last edition defeating St. Andrews 33-6 and then beating Point 20-13 last Saturday. Against Point LB Noah Sheen returned a 4th quarter INT 51 yards for the game-winning TD. Union is now 3-4 and 2-1 in AAC play.
The Bulldogs are on a bye this week.
Lindsey Wilson Blue Raiders
9th ranked Lindsey Wilson defeated Campbellsville 35-14 on the road. Jbias Dawson (from Washington County HS) rushed for 201 yards and 2 TD to lead the way for the Blue Raiders. LWC is now 5-1 overall and 2-0 in Mid-South Conference play.
Up next the Blue Raiders will welcome Cumberlands to Columbia, KY. The game kicks off at 2:30pm ET/1:30pm CT and if you can’t make it to the stadium can be streamed here.
Kentucky Christian Knights
KCU lost to Campbellsville 49-0 this past week. They were led in rushing by former Moore HS standout Jamari Wilson. DB Javid Gayle Jr. recorded 2 INT as well. Kentucky Christian is now 0-7 and 0-2 in AAC play.
They will now head to North Carolina to take on St. Andrews. It does not appear there will be a stream.
