Eastern Kentucky Colonels
Ohio Valley
Eastern Kentucky managed to squeeze into the FCS Playoffs after finishing the season with an 8-3 overall record. They ended the season a week before most other teams and really had to sweat it out for eight days. The Colonels suffered two conference losses to go along with their non-conference loss to Purdue. But the OVC was really balanced and tough this year and there is no shame in losing at Tennessee State and against Eastern Illinois. Wins over teams like Coastal Carolina, Tennessee-Martin and Murray State made up for those losses in the eyes of the selection committee.
2012 Record: 8-3, 6-2
Coach: Dean Hood
Big Wins: 9/29 at Tennessee-Martin (28-16), 11/10 Murray State (55-24)
Bad Losses: 10/6 at Tennessee State (20-23), 10/27 Eastern Illinois (7-24)
Strengths:
The Colonels made the playoffs in part because of their defense. And if they are going to advance, it will need to be because of the defense. The pass defense did allow over 254 yards per game through the air, but that is actually pretty good by OVC standards. Safety Brandon Stanley is the team’s best tackler and fellow safety Brooklyn Fox picked off six passes during the regular season. Cornerbacks Justin Bell and Cejay Ceniza have been tested often this year, but the senior duo was up for the challenge. The rush defense ranks in the top ten in the nation. The safeties versatility to come up and help out against the run is a big bonus, but the Colonels also have linebackers Anthony Brown, Kevin Hamlin and Ichiro Vance to help out in that regard. The front four is led by defensive end Robert Knowles who posted a team high 5.0 sacks on the season. What the defense does best is force turnovers. In 11 games, EKU picked off 16 passes and recovered 12 fumbles. That is why Eastern Kentucky has the third best turnover margin in the nation.
Weaknesses:
But in order to have a turnover margin that impressive, the offense must avoid them as well. And that is what quarterback T.J. Pryor has done. In 213 pass attempts the senior signal caller has thrown just three interceptions compared to 15 touchdowns. The passing offense is not prolific by OVC standards as Pryor threw for 1,929 yards during the regular season. But Pryor is a smart quarterback who can buy time with his mobility. The ground game has a star in running back Matt Denham. Denham broke the 1,000 yard plateau in 2012, ending up with 1,386 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns. But this is an offense that can be stagnant at times. Sometimes simply avoiding turnovers is not enough and if the opposition can keep Denham under control, the passing attack may not be able to win games on their own.
Statistical Leaders:
Rushing: Matt Denham, RB, 1,386 yards
Passing: T.J. Pryor, QB, 1,929 yards
Receiving: Tyrone Goard, WR, 900 yards
Tackles: Brandon Stanley, S, 81
Sacks: Robert Knowles, DE, 5.0
Interceptions: Brooklyn Fox, S, 6
2012 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 205.73 (19th in nation, 2nd in conference)
Passing Offense: 220.09 (52, 7)
Total Offense: 425.83 (25, 5)
Scoring Offense: 31.27 (30, 6)
Rushing Defense: 108.18 (8, 1)
Pass Defense: 254.18 (101, 3)
Total Defense: 362.36 (49, 2)
Scoring Defense: 21.73 (34, 2)
Turnover Margin: 1.73 (3, 1)
Sacks: 2.18 (43, 1)
Sacks Allowed: 1.55 (35, 5)
Recent Playoff Appearances:
2011 First Round Lost to James Madison
2008 First Round Lost to Richmond
2007 First Round Lost to Richmond
1997 First Round Lost to Western Kentucky
1995 First Round Lost to Montana
1994 First Round Defeated Boston University
1994 Quarterfinals Lost to Youngstown State
1993 First Round Lost to Georgia Southern
1992 First Round Lost to Marshall
1991 First Round Defeated Appalachian State
1991 Quarterfinals Defeated Middle Tennessee State
1991 Semifinals Lost to Marshall
1990 First Round Lost to Furman
1989 First Round Lost to Youngstown State
1988 First Round Defeated Massachusetts
1988 Quarterfinals Defeated Western Kentucky
1988 Semifinals Lost to Georgia Southern
1987 First Round Defeated Western Kentucky
1987 Quarterfinals Lost to Louisiana Monroe
1986 First Round Defeated Furman
1986 Quarterfinals Defeated Eastern Illinois
1986 Semifinals Lost to Arkansas State
1984 First Round Lost to Middle Tennessee State
1983 First Round Lost to Boston University
1982 Quarterfinals Defeated Idaho
1982 Semifinals Defeated Tennessee State
1982 Championship Defeated Delaware
1981 First Round Defeated Delaware
1981 Semifinals Defeated Boise State
1981 Championship Lost to Idaho State
1980 First Round Defeated Lehigh
1980 Championship Lost to Boise State
1979 First Round Defeated Nevada
1979 Championship Defeated Lehigh
*all team stats through 11/10
