The Colonels are ready to bounce back at home after a tough loss to Southern Utah, where they fell 27-17. They had a rough second half, giving up 10 unanswered points. This week, they’ll be counting on quarterback Myles Burkett and wide receiver Marcus Calwise Jr. Together, they’ve connected for six touchdowns in just the last two games.
Turnovers will be crucial for the Colonels’ defense. Their Maroon Doom unit has created 17 turnovers this season, ranking 12th in the FCS. With a positive four-turnover margin, they’re sitting 25th in the nation. This matchup will be the fourth time EKU faces a ranked opponent this season, and so far, they have a record of 1-2 against them. Under head coach Walt Wells, the Colonels have won 7 of their 14 matchups against ranked teams.
The Wildcats from ACU are also looking for a big win. A victory would keep them tied for first place in the UAC, alongside their rival Tarleton State, whom they edged out earlier this season with a dramatic last-second field goal. Recently, ACU took down Utah Tech 31-10 in Texas.
Defensively, the Wildcats have improved significantly. They have forced 18 turnovers this season and currently hold a plus-five turnover margin, a major leap from last year when they ended with a negative-eight margin. Just last week, they had four interceptions against Utah Tech, with two being returned for touchdowns, giving them an early edge in points.
Their offense is driven by sixth-year senior quarterback Stone Earle, who is having a standout season. He averages 256.9 yards of total offense per game, throwing 16 touchdowns and adding seven rushing scores. Earle’s 2,235 passing yards are the second most in the conference this season.
This matchup looks to be a thrilling contest between two determined teams, both aiming for crucial wins in their quest for a successful season.
For more detailed statistics and player highlights, you can check out the NCAA’s official statistics page on [NCAA Stats](https://www.ncaa.com/stats/).
