We’re rolling out a new feature on Scoop 22 where we review all the college football programs outside of Kentucky and Louisville in the Commonwealth and a look at their games for the upcoming week. There is a lot of good football being played in Kentucky and we think it’s important to highlight all of it. As a former NAIA athlete (I played at the University of the Cumberlands from 2008-2010), I can tell you it means a lot when the local community supports the program. Hopefully if there is a game in your area you can go out and support some of these programs that are often filled with Kentucky kids. If nothing else we can learn about the fascinating rivalries in different parts of the state. If you have any extra information on how to stream these games or listen on the radio feel free to reach out so we can include it for next week’s edition.
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
The Hilltoppers took their first loss of the season this past weekend as they headed up to Columbus to face off against 6th ranked Ohio State. The Tops hung close for a quarter but ended up losing 63-10 in part because of 4 turnovers. WKU fell to 2-1 on the season (wins over South Florida and Houston Christian) but are still a very good G5 program. They head to Alabama to take on the defending Sun Belt Champs the Troy Trojans (former UK assistant Jon Sumrall is in his 2nd year there). The game kicks off at noon ET on ESPNU.
Eastern Kentucky Colonels
After the passing of Roy Kidd this past week it was an emotional day for the EKU program as they welcomed a good Western Carolina team to Richmond. The Colonels jumped out to an 11-0 lead but ultimately fell 27-24 on a late WCU TD. EKU is now 0-3 (previous road losses to Cincinnati and Kentucky) on the season and things don’t get easier as 16th ranked SEMO is up next. The game kicks off at 6pm ET at Roy Kidd Stadium. If you can’t make it out to the stadium the game airs on ESPN+.
Murray State Racers
Led by former Kentucky assistant Dean Hood the Racers lost to 35-14 to Middle Tennessee State. Murray State was able to put up 400 yards of offense on a FBS team so that bodes well for their conference season. The loss dropped the Racers to 1-2 on the season (win came over fellow FCS opponent Presbyterian and the loss came to Louisville). The Racers are transitioning from the OVC to the much more difficult Missouri Valley this year (5 ranked teams in the MVC and Murray plays 4 of them) so it’s probably a good thing they are on a bye this week before entering conference play.
Morehead State Eagles
The Eagles were off this past week. They are back in action this week against Pioneer Conference opponent St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. The Eagles are 1-1 on the season with a win at home over DII program West Virginia State and a loss on the road to 20th ranked Mercer. The game can be streamed on ESPN+ and kicks off at 2pm ET.
Kentucky State Thorobreds
The Thorobreds dropped a SIAC game on the road to Allen 34-30. Kentucky State had a 30-7 lead thanks to a punt return TD from Jude Santana and a blocked punt returned for a TD plus an INT returned for a TD by Donta Broadnax. Unfortunately, they couldn’t hang on with Allen scoring a TD with less than a minute to go in the 4th quarter to take the lead. Kentucky State dropped to 1-2 on the season and 0-2 in conference play and will be back in action this week at home against Fort Valley State. The game kicks off at 1pm at Alumni Stadium in Frankfort, Kentucky.
Kentucky Wesleyan Panthers
The Panthers kicked off conference play with a 31-28 win at home over Walsh. KWC was led by QB Christian Arrambide who threw for 334 yards while also being the leading rusher with 84 yards and 3 TD, including the go-ahead TD with 16 seconds left. The Panthers are 2-1 on the season and 1-0 in conference, they continue conference play this Saturday against Ohio Dominican. The game kicks off at 7pm ET/6pm CT at Steele Stadium in Owensboro, KY.
Thomas More Saints
The Saints started conference play strong with an 18-17 win at home over Ohio Dominican. Thomas More trailed 17-6 early in the 4th quarter but came back to win with a 5-yard pass from Rae’Von Vaden (from Moore HS in Louisville) to Mike Kirch with less than 2 minutes to go. They improved to 2-1 and 1-0 in conference and they head to North Canton, OH to take on Walsh College this Saturday. The game kicks off at Noon ET and can be streamed here.
Centre College Colonels
The Colonels opened SAA play with a thrilling 28-26 3OT win on the road over Rhodes College. Centre led 17-3 in the 3rd quarter but survived the Rhodes comeback with a successful 2 point conversion from Jack Gohmann (from Lexington Catholic) to Joey Deshler (from Highlands) in the third OT. Centre is back home this week with a conference game against Berry. The game kicks off at 1pm ET at Andy Frye Stadium in Danville, KY. For those who can’t make it out the game can be streamed here.
Campbellsville Tigers
The Campbellsville Tigers were on a bye this past week, but their most recent game was a 56-0 drubbing of Kentucky Christian. Sophomore Jagger Gillis (from Boyle Count HS) led the way going 8/10 with 151 yards and 3 TD. Campbellsville is 1-2 on the season and are back at home this Saturday against Union College. The game kicks off at 2pm ET at Finley Stadium in Campbellsville, KY. For those who can’t make it out a link for a stream can be found here.
Georgetown Tigers
Georgetown was also on bye this past week, but their most recent game was a 35-14 win over the Pikeville Bears. The Tigers were led by RB Darius Neal (from Frederick Douglass HS) who rushed for 140 yards and 2 TD. Georgetown is 2-0 on the season and is ranked 12th in the latest NAIA Coaches Poll. They are back in action this Saturday as they head down to Waleska, Georgia to take on a good Reinhardt team. The game kicks off at Noon ET and a link for a stream can be found here.
Cumberlands Patriots
The Patriots held on to beat 14th ranked Reinhardt (at the time, they have since fallen out of the top 25) 20-19 this past weekend. Cumberlands were led by RB Darius James who rushed for 150 yards and 1 TD and by Safety Damon Byrnes-Mitchell who picked off two passes including the game sealing INT on the last play of the game. The Pats are 4-0 and ranked 19th in the latest NAIA Coaches Poll, they head into a bye week before entering Mid-South Conference play on 9/30 against 6th ranked Bethel.
Pikeville Bears
Pikeville held on to a 24-20 home win over Faulkner this past weekend. The Bears were led by QB Lee Kirkland who threw for 224 yards and 2 TD and RB Alex Sanders who rushed for 125 yards and 1 TD. Pikeville improved to 2-2 on the season and head into a bye week before beginning AAC play on 9/30 against rival Union College.
Union College Bulldogs
The Bulldogs were on a bye this past week, but their most recent game was a 10-7 home loss to Cumberlands in the Battle for the Brass Lantern (one of the oldest rivalries in NAIA football). The game was marred by a several hour weather delay and didn’t finish until well past midnight but Union was led by QB Byrson Grabowski who threw for the lone TD but also tossed 3 INT. Union is 1-2 on the season and back in action this week on the road against Campbellsville.
Lindsey Wilson Blue Raiders
The Blue Raiders thumped Point 57-7. QB Ethan Cash threw for 3 TD and the D picked off 3 passes to push Linsey Wilson to 2-1 on the season. Up next the LWC heads to Virginia to take on Bluefield. The game kicks off at 2:30pm ET.
Kentucky Christian Knights
KCU is coming off a 50-6 loss to Cumberland (TN). RB Jamari Wilson (from Moore HS in Louisville) scored the lone TD for the Knights. KCU is 0-4 on the season welcomes Warner this weekend in Grayson, KY. The game kicks off at Noon ET.
