We’re back with our look at football programs around the Commonwealth. Lots of good football being played so check out a game in your area if you have the time. As usual if you have any more info on how to follow the programs mentioned just reach out.
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
WKU lost at home to New Mexico State, 38-29. The Hilltoppers held a 21-17 HT lead but then allowed the Aggies to score 21 straight points. QB Austin Reed accounted for 4 total TD, but the WKU was gashed on the ground all evening. The Tops fall to 5-5 overall and 3-3 in CUSA, any shot at making the CUSA Championship Game is gone. They now need to win one of their last two to even make a bowl.
WKU has its last home game of the season this weekend as they welcome new FBS addition Sam Houston State. The game kicks off at 3:30pm ET/2:30pm CST and if you can’t make it to the LT Smith Stadium you can stream it on ESPN+.
Eastern Kentucky Colonels
The Colonels lost a heartbreaker on the road to 20th ranked Central Arkansas. EKU took a 24-21 lead with 24 seconds left but gave up a 46-yard Hail Mary to lose 27-24. QB Parker McKinney attempted 54 passes and threw for 377 yards and 2 TD but also threw 2 INT (one of which was returned for a TD). EKU falls to a really disappointing 4-6 overall and 3-2 in the UAC. There is no doubt this season has been a missed opportunity for the EKU program as the Colonels have lost 4 one score games (they also won 3 of them) despite having a talent advantage in most games.
EKU will close out it’s season at home this weekend against SF Austin. EKU has a lot of talented seniors who have played a big part in the success of the last few years, check them out if you can. The game kicks off at 2pm ET and can be streamed on ESPN+ if you can’t make it out to Roy Kidd Stadium.
Murray State Racers
The Racers lost 44-7 on the road to a solid Illinois State team. The Racers gave up 345 rushing yards and were never really in the game. Former Kentucky recruit Jawaun Northington rushed for 96 yards and scored the lone TD. Murray drops to 2-8 overall and 1-6 in a tough Missouri Valley.
Murray State will close out its season at home against another good team in Youngstown State. The game kicks off at 1pm CST/2pm ET and can be streamed on ESPN+ if you can’t make it out to Roy Stewart Stadium.
Morehead State Eagles
Morehead ran away from a solid Davidson 47-17 in their last home game of the season. The Eagles were led by QB Bryce Patterson (former Woodford County star) who threw for 6 TD while the Morehead defense intercepted 6 passes. The win pushes their record to 4-6 overall and 3-4 in the Pioneer Conference.
Morehead heads back out on the road to as they finish up their season at Presbyterian. The game kicks off at 1pm ET and can be streamed on ESPN+.
Kentucky Wesleyan Panthers
KWC closed out their season with a 56-23 loss to Ashland. QB Joey Cambron (former Daviess County standout) threw for 338 yards and 3 TD in a losing effort. The Panthers finish the season 4-7 overall and 3-6 in the GMAC.
Thomas More Saints
Thomas More finally broke their losing streak and finished their season with a 44-6 win over Lake Erie. RB Jaden Hall rushed for 77 yards and 3 TD as the Saints rolled from start to finish. They finish the year at 5-6 overall and 4-5 in the GMAC.
Centre College Colonels
Centre closed its season with a 10-6 home win over Birmingham-Southern. RB Keaton Martin (former South Oldham star) rushed 111 yards and scored the go-ahead TD in the 2nd quarter. The Colonels finish their season with 5 straight wins to end up 6-4 overall and 6-2 in SAA play. Unfortunately, Trinity (TX) won the conference with an 8-0 record to take the SAA’s spot in the DIII playoffs. It was a strong close to the football season for Centre so hopefully they can build off of it for next year.
Campbellsville Tigers
Campbellsville finished their 2023 football season with a 35-7 loss to 4th ranked Georgetown. The Tigers were led by WR Luke Sheperson (former Boyle County HS star) who caught 7 balls for 88 yards. Campbellsville finishes the season 4-6 overall and 2-4 in the Mid-South Conference.
Georgetown Tigers
The 4th ranked Tigers dominated Campbellsville 35-7 to close out the Mid-South Conference Championship and guarantee their spot in the NAIA playoffs. The Tigers rushed for 203 yards as a team and were never really threatened. Georgetown finished their regular season 8-1 overall and 6-0 in the Mid-South Conference.
Georgetown finished 4th in the final NAIA poll which gave them a first-round bye in the playoffs. They will wait to see the results of this weekend’s first round before seeing who they host next week.
Union College Bulldogs
Union finished their football season with a 44-0 home win over Kentucky Christian. RB Taji Jackson (former East Jessamine HS star) rushed for 162 yards as the Bulldogs rolled racking up nearly 500 yards of offense. Union finishes the season 4-6 overall and 3-3 in the AAC.
Lindsey Wilson Blue Raiders
The Blue Raiders had their shot at postseason spot this past weekend but lost 34-8 to 8th ranked Bethel. The LWC defense gave up over 400 yards of offense and the offense couldn’t muster any points until they were already down 34-0. Linsdey Wilson finishes 7-3 overall and 4-2 in the Mid-South Conference but was not selected for a NAIA at-large spot (Bethel was).
Kentucky Christian Knights
KCU lost 44-0 on the road to Union College. The Knights gave up 500 yards of offense and couldn’t muster anything on offense. This just wasn’t a very good football team as KCU ends up 1-10 overall and 1-5 in the AAC. There are some good young players to build around so hopefully the program is able to use this bad year as a springboard for a brighter future.
