EKU is headed to the FCS Playoffs following thier regular season finale win. The Colonels had two quality wins beating FBS Bowling Green, and top 15 SEMO, but winning the ASUN-WAC challenge was all they had to do. EKU will host Gardner-Webb as they will appear in the FCS Playoffs for the first time since 2014.
The Colonels entered a must-win game to close out their regular season against Kennesaw State. KSU came in with the triple-option offense and a disappointing 5-5 on the season. Here is how the game went down to clinch the Autmatic Qualifier for EKU.
First Quarter
The game started with a false start penalty on EKU, then on the first snap, Parker McKinney hit Jayden Higgins for an 80-yard catch and run for a touchdown! The offense did its part on the first drive and the defense could not do theirs in return. KSU marched down and scored on a 35-yard touchdown run.
The second possession saw McKinney march the Colonels down the field, but had to settle for a Field Goal. The defense still could not figure out how to corral the option, as KSU marched right down and scored another rushing TD.
Second Quarter
The EKU offense started the second quarter marching, but the drive stalled out and Patrick Nations missed his field goal attempt. The defense made their first stand of the game forcing a punt by KSU. McKinney quickly found Cornelius McCoy for a touchdown pass. The defense stuffed KSU for the second straight drive, and the offense scored again when McKinney hit Jaden Smith for a 6-yard TD.
Third Quarter
KSU started off the second half driving until LB Matthew Jackson recovered a fumble to set up his offense with great field position. The offense only needed three plays as RB Braeden Sloan scored on a 31-yard run.
KSU answered with a 43-yard TD run for their first score since the first quarter. The EKU offense did not answer and had to punt for the first time in the game. KSU turned around to add a field goal and make it a one-possession game.
The Colonels found the endzone again when McKinney found McCoy for his second TD of the game.
Fourth Quarter
KSU methodically marched down the field and scored on a TD pass to keep EKU from pulling away. The Colonels added to their lead on a huge 65-yard TD pass to Braeden Sloan. The Owls refused to give up and punched in another score to get back to a one-score game with 4:57 to play.
EKU special teams survived the onside kick and were tasked to run five minutes off the clock or score. Following a holding call, the Colonels went three-and-out.
KSU had 2:54 to drive 82 yards but the EKU defense was able to stop KSU with a fourth down sack.
Game Notes
- Parker McKinney tied the EKU single-season TD record in the second quarter score to Cornelius McCoy. Later in the same quarter, McKinney broke the record when he found Jaden Smith for a TD.
- McKinney set the EKU single-season record for pass attempts
- McKinney set a career-high for single-game passing yards with 427.
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