Following a tough loss last week, EKU seeks their first win of the season when SEMO comes to Richmond. Last year the Colonels were able to take down SEMO with a strong performance by QB Parker McKinney and two interceptions by the defense. SEMO comes in this Saturday with a 1-2 record. Here is the EKU vs. SEMO preview.
SEMO Offense
QB Paxton DeLaurent has been busy this season throwing the ball 35 or more times each game. Last week, DeLaurent completed 26 of 46 for 251 yards and a touchdown. RB Geno Hess is a 5’8, 222lb bowling ball who gets 98% of the carries. In their week two win, Hess had 115 yards and two touchdowns, and in week three he had 99 yards and one touchdown.
EKU Offense
The Colonels offense showed flashes of what they can be last week in the rain. Parker McKinney has thrown at least one interception in each game so far and looks to protect the ball this week. Braedon Sloan and Joshua Carter split the carries. Neither one has had a breakout game yet, but both have the confidence of the coaching staff and locker room. Jaden Smith has looked like he will be playing on Sunday’s soon. Smith has 22 catches for 238 yards and a touchdown on the season so far.
SEMO Defense
In their 25-26 loss to Southern Illinois last week, the SEMO defense gave up 458 yards through the air and 3 touchdowns. They were able to get 2 interceptions as well. The run defense has been solid this season, and I do not expect that to change this week.
EKU Defense
EKU surrendered 340 yards through the air in their loss last week. The main issue was the deep passes. Last week alone, the Colonels gave up big passes of 21, 35, 45, and 57 yards. This is the biggest concern coming into game four. The Colonels look to get more pressure on the QB to help the DBs out. The run defense has improved this season, but they will have their hands full with Hess this week.
Vince’s Thoughts
This is an important game for the moral of the Colonels. The two tough games to start the season make it hard to fully grade them so far, but last week cannot be a sign of how the rest of the year will go. The offense stalled for two quarters (Punter Jeremy Edwards was great) and failed to run time off the clock in the fourth quarter with the lead. The defense has to find a way to eliminate the big plays, which means the defensive staff will need to make adjustments this week. We will learn a lot about how this team responds to adversity when they take the field on Saturday. I believe in this team, and I am predicting EKU will get win number one by a score of 33-26. I will be on the lookout for Ryan Jackson’s new sack celebration as well.
Vince covers EKU every Monday on YouTube with EKU DL Ryan Jackson. Follow Vince on Twitter for more EKU coverage. All photos used in this article were taken by members of the EKU Staff.
