Homecoming weekend in Richmond is here! EKU will host Tarleton State on Saturday afternoon. EKU is coming off of a bye week following their win over North Alabama. Tarleton is 4-2 on the year and suffered a heartbreaking loss to Southern Utah. The Colonels have faced a tough schedule to start the year, and seem to be coming into form, while Tarleton has four wins but all four wins came as the favorites. Here is my EKU vs. Tarleton State preview.
What to Expect from Tarleton State
QB Victor Gabalis has been solid in several areas, with over 1,200 yards passing and 9 TDs. He also has 9 interceptions and has been sacked 9 times. The run game is a balanced attack with Juniors Kayvon Britten and Derrel Kelley III. The two have combined for 773 yards and 8 touchdowns. WR Benjamin Omayebu is Gabalis’ favorite target by far, with 39 receptions for 332 yards, but he has zero TDs. Keylan Johnson on the other hand only has 10 catches, but he has 306 yards and 5 TDs. Defensively, TSU has 16 sacks, 7 interceptions (four of which went for touchdowns) and 6 forced fumbles.
The offense is balanced, but mistake-prone. The defense is solid and forces their opponents into mistakes.
What to Expect from EKU
Parker McKinney has not had the start he hoped for, but has still been solid for the Colonels. He has 1,278 yards and 9 touchdowns with 6 interceptions. RBs Braedon Sloan and Joshua Carter have each had big games, if they can find a way to be effective on the same day EKU would be unstoppable. Jaden Smith has been the go-to receiver with 30 catches for 351 yards and 3 TDs. Defensively, the Colonels have been led by the tackling machine in Logan Blake and a revived pass rush by the front seven. Three Colonels have multiple sacks on the season. EKU has 4 interceptions and 7 forced fumbles on the season.
The offense has yet to put 4 full quarters together but shows signs of getting there soon. Defensively the pass rush, and run defense have been refreshing, but the coverage continues to struggle.
Vince’s Prediction
These teams’ stat lines are incredibly similar, and their styles are similar too. While Tarleton is trying to get the taste of last week’s loss out of their mouth, EKU is rested and spent two weeks preparing for this game. I think Tarleton will have success in the air, while EKU will find more success on the ground. Both defenses are solid, but I will take Walt Wells’ rested Colonels in this one. I predict a final score of 36-27 with the Colonels on top.
Catch Vince and EKU DT Ryan Jackson every Monday as they recap and preview EKU football games on the Sports Stove Local Hour. Follow Vince on Twitter for more EKU coverage. All pictures used in this article were taken by members of the EKU staff.
