1996 Eastern Kentucky University FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
EASTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY 1996 Football Media Guide
Memo To The Sports Media
TO THE MEDIA
The 1996 Football Media Guide has been prepared especially for the members of the press , radio and television who cover the Colonels . We sincerely hope that it will provide many of the answers concerning the Colonels and Eastern Kentucky University. If you desire additional information special features, pictures, etc , or have questions not an~ swered in this brochure, feel free to contact the Division of Sports Information located i n the Begley Building (Telephone: 606-622-1253 , FAX: 606-622-1230).
Information for Visiting News Media Personnel at Football Games
WORKING PRESS TICKETS-All requests for press tickets by working newspaper, radio, or telev ision personnel should be made BY NAME, as far in advance as possible. Press tickets cannot be mailed less than one week in advance of the game. In the event of a large press turnout, priority will go to our regular coverage and statewide media.
RADIO-All correspondence concern i ng Rad io Broadcasting Rights should be addressed to the Division of Sports Information, Eastern Kentucky University. Requests should be made BY NAME as early as possible. Lines are to be ordered by the requesting station direct from the South Central Bell Telephone Company with instructions to be made available if requested in advance. The "official station," as designated by the Director of Athletics of the visiting institution , will be assigned priority space Requests by other stations w ill be considered in relation to availability of space and date of request.
TELEVISION-Live television coverage is prohibited unless permission is granted by the Director of Athletics well in advance
SCOUTS-All requests by scouts should be made BY NAME as far in advance as possible Scouts representing a college or university are limited to one per school, while profess iona l scouts' requests are to be made from the team's ma i n office . No passes will be given to professional scouts for a playoff game.
PHOTOGRAPHERS-Advance requests BY NAME are required and, as a general policy, there should be no more than one photographer per school or medium Photographers may take pictures from the sidelines during the game provided they remain within a specified area-away from the immediate sidelines and in front of the bench and coaching areas (30 to 30 yd line) Motion picture crews may use the facilities provided in the television tower on the east side of the field , upon assignment of available space Television station cameramen may park underneath and behind the tower on the bleacher side of the field.
SEATING-In requesting working press tickets, please advise BY NAME as to the number in your party. It is desired that newspaper requests be limited to no more than two persons, radio requests, four persons.
PRESS TAGS-Press tags must be worn for identification by all writers, photographers and scouts seated in the press box or located on the field. Please note : All press passes are issued BY NAME to authorized working personnel and are non-transferable.
ACCOMMODATIONS AT EASTERN-The working newspaper, radio, and television personnel, as well as scouts and other officials , will be furn ished a copy of the play-by - play report and complete team and individual statistics at halftime and approximately 15 minutes after the game. Refreshments are served before and during the game.
AVAILABILITY OF COACH ROY KIDD-EKU head coach Roy Kidd is available for telephone interviews, Monday-Thursday from 10 :30 a m.-Noon and 2:00-2:30 p m. The only exception is Tuesday and Thursday when he teaches class from 10 :30-11 :30 Kidd's office telephone number is (606) 622-2146 and his home number is (606) 623-5533.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Location-Richmond, Madison County, Kentucky, a growing city of about 24,000 .
Enrollment-15,727
Founded-1906
President-Dr Hanly Funde r burk
Vice President for Academ ic Affairs-Dr. Russell Enzie Athletic Conference-Oh io Valley, N.C.A.A.-Men and Women
Gymnasium-McBrayer Arena (capacity 6,500)
Stadium-Roy Kidd (capacity 20,000)
Nickname-Colonels
ATHLETICS COMMITTEE
Members : Dr. Janna Vice, Chairman; Dr. Dorothy Kirkpatrick; Dr. Anne Brooks ; Dr . Samuel Leung; Dr. Nancy Peel; Dr. Doug Whitlock; Mrs Jeannette Crockett; Dr. Jim Masterson ; Mr C E. Baldwin; Dr Jay H Riggs; and Dr. Robert Baugh, ex-officio
Director of Athletics-Dr. Robert Baugh
Assistant Director of Athletics for External Affairs-Mike Blaser
Head Football Coach-Roy Kidd (Eastern Kentucky, 1955) Line Coaches-Jim Tanara (UT-Chattanooga, 1965); Doug Carter (William Jewell, 1980).
Backfield Coaches-Jack Ison (Eastern Kentucky, 1961 ); Leon Hart (Maryville, 1973); Dean Hood (Ohio Wesleyan 1986). '
Head Coaches Other Sports-Baseball : Jim Ward ; Men's Basketball: Mike Calhoun ; Men's Golf: Lew Smither ; Men's Track and Cross Country : Rick Erdmann ; Men's and Women's Tennis: Tom Higgins; Women 's Golf: Sandy Martin ; Women 's Volleyball: Dr Geri Polvino; Women's Basketball: Larry Inman; Women's Track and Cross Country: Rick Erdmann ; Softball : Jane Worthington
Assistant Coaches Other Sports-Basketball : Marty Pollio, Byron Jones ; Women's Basketball : Sheila Simmons, Kent Miller ; Men's and Women's Track: Tim Moore; Women's Volleyball : Madeline Jackson
Trainer-Dr . Bobby Barton
Assistant Trainers-Eva Clifton, Randy McGuire
Sports Information Director-Karl Park
Athletics Business Manager-David Parke
Athletics Ticket Manager-Dan McBride
BOARD OF REGENTS
Chairman, James Gilbert , Richmond and Berea ; Vice Chairman , Barbara Ricke , Lexington ; Jane Boyer , Louisville; Gilbert Miller, Richmond ; Irving Rosenstein, Lexington ; Harold Campbell, Booneville; Dr. William DeVries , Lexington ; Alice Rhodes, Ashland; Dr Richard Freed , faculty representative; Ronnie Mink, staff representative ; Melody Mason, student representative
Karl Park DirectorDivision of Sports Information
Karl Park , a 1970 graduate of EKU, is now in his 27th year as Sports Information Director for Eastern ' s athletic teams He served as sports editor of the school newspaper, The Eastern Progress , for three years while a student of the University. The 47 year-old Richmond, Kentucky native is a member of the College Sports Information Directors of America (COSIDA), the United States Basketball Writers Association and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. He recently concluded a six-year stint as Mideast Director of the National Collegiate Baseball Writer's Association .
He received national recognition for the production of EKU's three seasonal media guides for 1978-79 and 197980 . The winter sports guide was voted Best in the NationDivision A for those two years.
Park was a member of the Ohio Valley Conference's 40th Anniversary Celebration Committee in 1987-88 and is currently serving on the OVC's 50th Anniversary Committee. He received his master's degree from Eastern in 1979 in sports administration
He is married to the former Shelley Steele of Owingsville and they have a daughter , Rachel , age 12 , and son , Drew , 6
He is currently serving on the GTE Academic All-America Committee as District IV Coordinatorforthe Universi ty Division Men's At-Large Teams .
Dr. Hanly Funderburk has begun his 12th academic year as the eighth president of Eastern Kentucky University. Throughout his more than 30years of service to education, Dr. Funderburk has held to his commitment to excellence in the classroom, in the research laboratory, and as a university administrator.
Dr Funderburk's background in many ways parallels that of many others of Eastern Kentucky University's founders-modest beginnings as a farmboy, earning his education, military service, a welcomer of responsibility, enthusiastic, impatient of mediocrity
A native of Carrollton, Alabama, President Funderburk earned the bachelorofscience degree in agricultural science from Auburn University in 1953, working on a family farm each summer between terms. Following three years in the U.S. Army, he returned to Auburn to earn a master of science degree in botany. Later, he completed study for the doctorate of philosophy degree in plant physiology from Louisiana State University.
Dr. Funderburk held progressively responsible positions in teaching, research and administration during his years at Auburn University where he served with distinction as president from 1980 to 1983 Prior to his post at Auburn, Dr. Funderburk served as chancellor of Auburn University at Montgomery, a regional university that serves south central Alabama. The 500-acre campus and its twenty million dollar physical plant was developed during his tenure there and today stands as a testimonial to his administrative and leadership ability.
On his philosophy concerning the role of intercollegiate athletics, Dr. Funderburk says, "I believe that a reasonable program of intercollegiate athletics, operated in an ethical, rational manner is an important part of an institution of higher education We must not lose sight of the fact that academics are our primary purpose, and we must remember that participants on our teams are student-athletes. It is also imperative that intercollegiate athletics be conducted on a very high level of integrity
"Within this framework, I believe that athletics has a real role to play in the educational experience. A sound, competitive program of athletics provides a rallying point for an institution's alumni and can be of benefit to the other, more fundamental, purposes of a university."
He and his wife Helen, have two children, Kenneth Cliff, and Debra Elaine Dahl. They also have a granddaughter, Ashley Dahl, and two grandsons, Hanly P. Funderburk and Wes Funderburk.
The Campus Beautiful
The nickname , "The Campus Beautiful " , aptly describes the Eastern Kentucky University campus It is truly a beautiful atmosphere in which to live and learn Eastern , a member of the Commonwealth ' s system of regional universities, is the cu lmination of more than a century of higher education development on its 350-acre main campus in Richmond Today ' s modern Eastern offers more than 160 degree programs in its nine academic colleges and graduate school including education , allied health and nursing , computer science , business , sciences , law enforcement , recreation , and environmental resources that provide educational opportunities to meet society ' s demands
The pursuit of academic exce llence has been pledged as one of the foremost objectives of Dr Hanly Funderburk , who has begun his 12th full academic year as Eastern ' s eighth president.
The Univers ity seeks to fulfill the " living -while-learn i ng " concept by providing comfortable living conditions for almost 7 ,000 students in campus residence halls Eastern can accommodate more students on campus than any other university in the state
In addition to being a highly respected academic institution , Eastern is also noted for its prog ram of intercollegiate athletics and recreational sports. The accomplishments of the Colonel athletic teams are a source of great pride for the student body and campus community
Eastern is a hub for cultural enrichment opportunities as nationally known lecturers , artists, and entertainers appear on campus A wide variety of student and faculty musical groups also provide a fine selection of entertainment options
Whether it be in the area of academics , the athletic arena , or campus life , Eastern continues its stride toward excellence
Athletics At Eastern Kentucky University
Organized under a single administrat ive unit, the College of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Athletics includes three academic departments , the division of athletics, and the division of intramural programs The three academic departments; health education, physical education, and recreation and park administration, offer undergraduate and graduate degree programs with15 different options. The division of athletics sponsors eight intercollegiate sports for men and eight intercollegiate sports for women. In addition to the balanced intercollegiate athletics program, the division of intramural programs sponsors competitive team and individual sports, recreational free play, sport clubs, camping trips, equipment rental, and otherco-ed activities for students, faculty, and staff
These programs are an integral part of the total program and development of Eastern students They offer experiences which contribute imm easurably to the health, vitality and preparation of young people as citizens and for their leadership contributions to the youth in the nation's schools and elsewhere
Possessing academic backgrounds that represent more than a score of the finest colleges and universities in the nation, the coaches of athletics are members of the full-time faculty that provide the academic and intramura l, as well as, varsity athletic programs housed within the College.
The Dean of the College is Dr. Robert J . Baugh. The three academic departments are chaired by : Dr Donald Calitri, Health Education; Dr. Lonnie Davis, Physical Education; Dr. Larry Belknap, Recreation and Park Administration. John
Jewell serves as director of the Division of Intramural Programs .
The College's intercollegiate athletics program is administered by Dr Robert Baugh, who also serves as athletics director. Mr. Mike Blaser is assistant athletics director for external affairs.
EKU, a memberofthe NCAA and Ohio Valley Conference, fields athletic teams in football, baseball, men's and women's basketball, tennis, cross country, track and field (indoor and outdoor), golf, women's softball and volleyball.
In addition to a diversified faculty, extensive indoor and outdoor resources are required to support the wide scope operation of Eastern's College of H PER&A, and most facilities serve multipurpose functions for instruction and athletics The College's programs are housed in five major campus structures : The Robert B. Begley Building, Alumni Coliseum, Weaver Health Building, the Presnell Building, and the Greg Adams Building
Numerous tennis courts, recreation areas, Gertrude Hood Field, Turkey Hughes Baseball Field and the Tom C. Samuels nine-lane track and tartan infield are among the other facilities of the College.
The F.M. Burke Wellness Center, located in the Weaver Health Building, provides a practical educational opportunity for students as well as individualized physical activity, lifestyle assessment, and physical assessment that can assist faculty and staff in the development of healthy lifestyles.
Dr. Robert Baugh
Athletics Director and Dean, College of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Athletics
Dr . Robert Baugh serves as Director of Athletics, as well as dean of Eastern's College of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Athletics, one of the University's nine academic colleges.
Baugh, former professor and chair of the EKU Department of Health Education, assumed the duties of acting dean in January of 1987 He also served a six month stint as Acting Director of Athletics during the 1990-91 school year prior to the appointment of Roy Kidd as athletic director. He has been at Eastern since 1970.
Prior to arriving at EKU, Baugh taught four years
at Austin Peay State University following a stint of high school teaching in University City , Missouri.
Baugh holds the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees from Indiana University.
Baugh and his wife, Carol, reside in Richmond. She is a professor in EKU's College of Allied Health and Nursing.
He also serves as member of the NCAA Council, the NCAA Eligibility Committee and the NCAA Initial Eligibility Committee.
Mike Blaser Assistant Director of Athletics for External AffairsMike Blaser is beginning his second year at Eastern, serving the University as Assistant Director of Athletics for External Affairs.
Blaser, 35, who received both his bachelors ('84) and his masters ('86) degrees from EKU, worked two and one-half years in the marketing and promotions department at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, having served in 1994-95 as the Director of Athletic Promotions
Prior to his stint at UNLV, he was an assistant director of athletic marketing and promotions at the University of Louisville for two years after serving at UL the previous year as an athletic marketing assistant in sales.
His other athletic-related experience comes from stints with the Savannah Cardinal Class A baseball club as General Manager ( 1986-87) and with the Jacksonville Expos Class AA baseball team as Assistant General Manager (1987-89) .
Blaser and his wife, Risa, have three children: Natalie (5), Mitchell (4) and Chase (2).
The Supporting Cast
David Parke Athletics Business Manager Becky Hacker Secretary Athletics Joan Hopkins Athletics Academic Counselor Dr. Bobby Barton Trainer Gina Kingsley Secretary Athletics Robert Palmer President Colonel Club Randy McGuire Assistant Trainer Janet Murphy Secretary FootballROY KIDD STADIUM
Roy Kidd Stadium , Hanger Field and the Robert B Begley Building, the home of Colonel football since 1969, is one of the most unique, architecturally-designed academ i c-athletics complexes in the nation.
The stadium portion of the Begley Complex was re-named in honor of current head football coach Roy Kidd. The ded i cation took place on September 8 , 1990 when the Colone l s defeated Central Florida , 24-12. Eastern opened the stadium in 1969 defeating Austin Peay, 20 - 10 Hanger Field was officially dedicated on September 26, 1970 when the Colonels downed East Tennessee, 10-6 The field itself continues to bear the name Hanger Field
The nine-story structure provides seating on its slanted roof for 16,000 football spectators while an additional 4,000 can be seated in bleachers across the field. Hanger Field consists oflush Bermuda grass that provides one of the best natural playing surfaces found anywhere
The Colonels have found Kidd Stadium to their liking during its 27-year history. Entering the 1996 season, Eastern has won 137, lost 20, and tied 1 ( 870 winning percentage), and had a Kidd Stadium undefeated streak of 36 games which
TOP 1 5 ROY KIDD STADIUM CROWDS
began on September 23 , 1978 , and was brought to a halt November 27, 1984 EKU also ran off 27 straight wins at Hanger Field from 1985-89 and had a Roy Kidd Stadium OVC consecutive game winning streak of 22 games dating back to 1977 broken in 1984 and another 20-game OVC win streak stopped in 1990 EKU has a current 20-game OVC home win streak entering the 1996 season. The single-level pressbox , which towers 94 feet above the playing field, has working space for 87 media representatives , including private coaching booths, radio booths, and film areas There is an auxiliary press box located opposite the main stands for live or taped television coverage with two levels for shooting footage available. Facilities inside the stadium include offices for the football coaching staff, locker rooms , a modern training room, and weight room. The structure also has 12 handball courts, two basketball courts, a gymnastics area, and classroom space to serve 2 ,000 students simultaneously
Year- by-Year Record at Roy Kidd Stadium
Year After Year After . ..
Roy -Kidd's Pursuit of Excellence Takes the Coach and His School to College Football's Pinnacle
By Craig Ammerman, Guest WriterFor more than 40 yea rs, Kidd-coached players have been playing and winning on fall weekends, then moving on to successful lives Asked what philosophy he fo llowed as a coach, he said, "I try to treat my players, my coach ing staff, the peop le I wo rk w it h , the w ay I w ou ld l ike to be t reated ! tell my coaches, 'You treat those young men li ke you'd like to be treated' "
Turn the calendar back 32 years to September 1964. Lyndon Johnson had been President of the United States for less than a year. The Beatles were making their first trip to America The first American combat soldiers were on their way to a place that was then little-known: Vietnam .
And Roy Kidd was about to coach his first game at his alma mater, Eastern Kentucky State College, enrollment: 5,433.
Fast forward to 1996. Eastern Kentucky has grown up Its enrollment has more than tripled , to 15 ,727. The school was granted university status 30 years ago . President Johnson, the Beatles and Vietnam have are in our history books .
But the Roy Kidd Story is still being written. Every fall, a new chapter The page turns The characters change What doesn't change are the results.
Top Active Coaches
(Follwing are the records of the top active coaches, ranked by wins, in NCAA Division I and I-AA.)
What Roy Kidd has bu i lt is a record that will live through the ages--32 years from now and far beyond What he produces are teams which understand what has come before them and which seek to write their own chapter, make theirown place.
Kidd's name is on the stadium. He ' s all over the record book, alongside the legends : Bryant , Paterno, Hayes , Schembechler , Pop Warner
More than anything, he's still the coach His record paints quite a portrait. But it doesn 't fully cover the canvas, because numbers don't tell you what's inside a man. Listen to
11
My basic philosophy in life as well as football is treat people the way you'd like to be treated."
-Roy Kidd
200 Win Club
(Ranked by career wins as of the beginning of the 1996 season, following are the only Division I and I-AA coaches to win 200 games in their career * indicates coaches who are still active. The school listed is the current school, or the last one for inactive or deceased coaches
director of the NCAA. "But he has a comfort level at Eastern and he has his ego in check. He already has what's important to him."
The man is also some kind of football coach. Since 1978, when Division I-AA was formed, Eastern Kentucky has the second winningest college football program in Division I. The 174 Colonel wins since 1978 are exceeded only by Nebraska among the 200 Division I and I-AA schools.
For the 18 years there has been a Division I-AA EKU has stood at its pinnacle. Only Georgia Southern, Young~town State and Marshall belong in the same paragraph.
There's more . But first, let's step back four decades to make the point that Roy Kidd's attainment of excellence is a long-playing record that was first heard long before anyone called him coach.
At Corbin High School, Kidd played three sports-football, basketball and baseball. He made first-team All-State in each.
Bear Bryant wanted Kidd to play quarterback at the University of Kentucky. Kidd chose Eastern, because the coaches were willing to let him play baseball as well, and baseball was Kidd's favorite sport as a player
some who have lived and worked with him about the Roy Kidd they know.
"I try to live my life like his," said Byron Ingram, former Colonel who played four years as an offensive lineman in the National Football League.
"You can tell the first time you meet him that Coach Kidd tells you the truth," said John Jackson, now is in his ninth year as an offensive tackle with the Pittsburgh Steelers and a memberofUSAToday'sAII-ProTeamin 1995. "He always tells you where you stand. I've heard from other guys up here (the NFL) that a lot of schools, some of the big schools, try to hide things from you and you don't learn the truth until after you get there. With Coach Kidd, you know "
Wally Chambers, an Eastern graduate whose sevenyear NFL career included a Pro Bowl appearance and selection as Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1973, said, "Coach Kidd and his staff make players better than they think they can be.
"I was a fat kid who no big college wanted," said Chambers. "I'd never been pushed. They saw in me more than I knew I had, and they taught me and pushed me to become as good as I could be."
Carl White, Kidd's roommate at Eastern and now retired director of instruction for the Ironton, Ohio, school system, said, "In this day of uncertain sensual values and unstable family backgrounds of so many of our young students, it is reassuring that the EKU players have such a fine model for their lives after football."
"Coach Kidd always wants you to do the right thing," said Aaron Jones, ninth-year defensive end for the Miami Dolphins and the 19th player selected in the 1988 NFL draft. "He gives good advice, and he knows whatthe young guys love to do. You could never pull anything over on him. On campus or in town, he knows."
"Roy is one of the best coaches in the history of the sport, and he could have gone other places," said David Cawood, a former Kidd aide who is now assistant executive
His senior year at Eastern, Kidd was an All-American quarterback. After one year as a graduate assistant at Eastern and another year as a coach at Madison Central High School, Kidd went to Richmond Madison High School, one of Kentucky's smallest schools, as its football coach.
It soon was obvious that a man and a profession had found each other. In six years, Kidd's Madison teams won 54 games and lost 10. There was a 27-game winning streak; in one 21-game stretch, Kidd's Madison teams allowed a total of 15 points: In 1961, his final year at Madison, Kidd was Kentucky Coach of the Year.
Kidd served the next two years as a college assistant, in 1962 at Morehead and in 1963 at Eastern. He began the 1964 season as the head coach at his alma mater.
Now, he begins his 33rd consecutive season in that job, a one-school tenure exceeded only by Grambling's Eddie Robinson among Division I coaches.
Along the way, there have been a succession of very good teams The first Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) championship of the Kidd era was in 1967, which ended with a 27-13 victory over Ball State in the Grantland Rice Bowl. The second
Coaches at One School
(Following are the records of the only coaches who have ever won 200 or more games at one school in the history of Division I college football. * indicates a coach who is still active.)
OVC title came the next year, as a team led by quarterback Jim Guice and split end Aaron Marsh (AFL Rookie of the Year in 1968) set the standard which Kidd would call on future teams to match or exceed The number of OVC titles under Kidd's stewardship now stands at 15
The march for national recognition began to be heard in 1978, when the NCAA created two levels in Division I football. Division I-AA was formed when some conferences (the Southern, Southland and Big Sky) stepped down from Division I and others (the OVC, Yankee, Colonial, Southwestern and Gateway) stepped up from Division II.
I-AA schools could award 65 scholarships That was a turning point , because now Roy Kidd had 25 more scholarships than in most previous years. This allowed Kidd and his staff to bring in more of the raw, undeveloped recruits who had much in common with the best players who had come before them--like Guice, Marsh and Chambers These were players with talent, but without the size, experience and clippings wh ich attract the football powers
For the first time, Eastern coaches had depth. This meant there was time to teach players the basics of football, which is what Roy Kidd believes his job is about.
The first I-AA season, 1978, the Colonels were 8-2 but did not make the playoffs Then began a four-year run which is the program's high water mark :
- In 1979, the Colonels won the first playoff game in the school's history, a thrilling 33-30 double overtime win over Nevada, and went on to cap an 11 - 2 season with a 30-7 romp over Lehigh It was Eastern's first national championship.
- The next season, Kidd's squad advanced to the championship game again, losing 31-29 to Boise State on a fourth down desperation pass in the game ' s final seconds.
-In 1981, a 12-2 record and tough playoffvictoriesover Delaware and Boise State did nothing to mask the disappointment of a 34-23 loss to Idaho State in the national championship game .
- Kidd and a veteran team entered the 1982 season determined. Led by quarterback Tuck Woolum and wide receiver Steve Bird, who went on to play for the St. Louis Cardinals, the Colonels stormed to a perfect 13-0 record, defeating Delaware 17-14 for the school's second national championship
Since 1982, EKU has returned to the playoffs every yearbutone(1985)
Year after year after year, fall Saturdays bring victory
Winningest Active I-AA Coaches
(Following are the winningest active Division I-AA coaches, ranked by winning percentage. As with all other coaching statistics listed in this section, a minimum of 100 games as a head coach is required )
to Roy Kidd and Eastern Kentucky. Sometimes, it seems as if the calendar never turned . The emphasis is on fundamentals. There aren't many turnovers, and even fewer gimmicks.
"Coach Kidd believes in blocking and tackling," said Tim Stowers, coach at Georgia Southern. "His defense says, Here we are, block us if you can. His offense says, Here we come, stop us if you can Not many people block them, and not many people stop them."
"Look , you know what they're going to do," said Dave Roberts, offensive coordinator at Notre Dame and a former assistant to Kidd. "They do pretty much the same thing every year. But that doesn't make it any easier. They just line up and beat you."
"We try to keep the game from being too complicated," Kidd said. "Some of the people we play try to do too much, and that leads to mistakes I believe that your kids should know what they are supposed to do, so they can execute on the field. If you ' re going to beat me, I want my kids to know what they are doing. We want to make it possible for them to win "
Clearly, it works, because Roy Kidd enters the 1996 season in third place on the winning list among active Division I coaches. Only Eddie Robinson and Joe Paterno are ahead of him.
His 266 victories rank Kidd sixth all time among Division I coaches and third all time for victories at one school. Meantime, the Colonels can add to some impressive records of their own. In the 18-year history of Division I-AA, Eastern Kentucky teams have :
-Won more games (EKU's 174winsare22 more than second-place Delaware) than any school in the 90-team division .
-Compiled a 102-9-1 record at Roy Kidd Stadium, an incredible winning percentage of .915.
-Appeared in the playoffs five more times (16) than any other school.
- Played in the most playoff games (30).
-Won more playoff games ( 16) than any school except Georgia Southern (20) and Marshall (19) and more national championships (2) than any school except Georgia Southern (four) and Youngstown (three)
All of which has caused some to wonder if Kidd may soon decide to extend his golf season into the fall. When the 1996 season ends, Kidd will be 64. He's in good health. As fall practice was about to begin, his enthusiasm was high
Those closest to him don't expect Kidd to retire very
soon. Although he still receives calls about jobs at bigger schools, most expect him to stay at Eastern.
"I have a lotofroots here," Kidd said. "This is my home, it's (wife) Sue's home, it's our family's home. This is my school. I played here, I was a graduate assistant and then an assistant. I really love this place . And I really love the kids we have at Eastern, and the friends we've made over the years. I don't think I'd want to leave that."
Kidd is married to the former Susan Purcell of Richmond. They have three children--Marc, Keith and Kathy-- and five grandchildren : Seth Kidd (9), Samantha Kidd (6), Evan Kuhl (7), Nicholas Kuhl (3) and Kirsten Kuhl (1 1/2).
Kidd is as competitive as he's ever been No matter what he does, he tries to win. "I'm not a very good loser," he says.
On the golf course, Kidd will try about anything he can think of to beat you. He's not above setting up a game which makes him nearly unbeatable. (Of golf, he said, "I play to win. I don't just play to be playing.")
He loves to coach, and he looks forward to all the work
winning requires. There are no off-days for Eastern coaches du ring the season; Kidd doesn't ask his assistants to put in any time he doesn't work himself. He still works four or five nights a week during the season.
What about the 1996 season?
"We lost 23 kids who played significant time last year, so we have a lot of spots to fill," said Kidd
"Offensively, our linemen are experienced and capable, but we have virtually no depth," he said. "We'll be weaker at tight end. We'll be looking to some redshirts and maybe even some freshmen to help us
"We're looking to Greg Couch to lead us at quarterback. I think Greg will be a real leader. He'll have a good year. Our running game has a chance to be strong and we have some good receivers, although again we don't have much depth there "
Defensively, Kidd pointed to strength at the linebacker position and solid returnees in the secondary and in the line. "But here again, we will be relying on kids who have played very little or none at all to give us the depth you've got to have "
What worries Kidd is the most difficult schedule in the school's history. Non-conference opponents are archrival Western Kentucky and two 1-AA playoff teams that return most of their 1995 teams--Appalachian State and Troy State.
In the OVC, Morehead State, which the Colonels defeated 24ofthe last25years, has been replaced by Eastern Illinois, a returning 1-AA playoff team and one of the top 10 alltime 1-AA programs. Defending OVC champion Murray State, another 1-AA playoff team, and perennial challenger Middle Tennessee may each be ranked in the top 10 in the country.
"I've never seen anything like this schedule," said Kidd "It is going to require the best effort from our players, our coaches, all of us We have a great tradition here We're going to need it and everything else we can muster to produce the kind of year everyone has come to expect from an Eastern football team."
"Th is is my home. It's Sue's home. This is my school; I played here .. .I don't think I'd want to leave that."
The Best Since 1978
(Following are the 10 Division I (A and AA) programs with the most w ins since 1978 , when D iv ison I-AA wa s formed. )
Division I-AA Playoff Records
The Best Since 1978, Part 2
(Following are the top 10 programs , ranked by winning percentage, in Divis ion I (A and AA) since 1978 , when Division I-AA was formed )
(Combined playoff records in Division I-AA since its
8 inception for all teams with two or more playoff appearances , ranked by number of years in the playoffs)
Top Division I-AA Programs
Overall records of top Division I-AA programs since 1978 , the first year of play in the div ision , ranked by wins )
Eastern Kentucky-Home of I-AA Football's Top Rushing Game Tradition
The first time T i m Lester saw film of the Eastern Kentucky offense , he was a high school running back in Miami , Florida
"I just thought, oh, man!" said Lester as he recalled watching first one tailback , then another, rip off huge chunks of yardage He knew then that he'd be coming to R ichmond , Kentucky, to play college football.
Lesterfinished his Eastern careerwith the 1991 season By then, he had rushed for 3,651 yards, despite losing all but one game of his sophomore season to a knee injury Thus, he became the 10th Colonel running back to gain more than 2,300 yards since 1970 , a record no other NCAA Div ision I school can touch.
Lester, now entering his fifth season as a runn ing back for the Pittsburgh Steelers, ranks 21st all time for career rushing yards i n Division I-AA . Among those in front of him are four more EKU running backs :
• Markus Thomas, who closed a fabulous career in 1992 , is ranked as the number one Division I-Mall time rusherwith 5,552 yards Thomas spent the 1993 NFL season with the Philadelphia Eagles and played the last two Springs in the World League of Ame ri can Football in Europe, scoring a touchdown in the championship game earlier this year
• Elroy Harris , ranked 7th all timewith4,559yards in three seasons ( 1985, 1987, 1988)
• Jimmie Brooks , who ranks 15th with 3 ,842 yards (19681971 )
• James Crawford, who ranks 16th with 3 ,833 yards in three seasons (1985-1987) .
"We run the I- formation , and we feature the tai lback , so you'd expect them to get a lot of yards, " said Coach Roy Kidd. "But it's more than that. We've had some special kids playing back there. Plus, you've got to give credit to the offensive lines we've had They ' re responsible for a lot of those yards " The offense which produces all those yards seems predictable It's the tailback off tackle Or the sprint draw up the middle. Or the option either way Or the fullback on a quick hitter.
Everybody knows what's coming But few teams have shut it down
Consider :
• Over the last 112 games, covering nine seasons and 87 victories, the offense has averaged 281 yards per game on the ground
• In the 11 seasons s ince 1985 , there have been 16 individual 1,000 yard rushing seasons . Five times in 11 years, two backs have each ga ined more than 1,000 yards, another NCAA record.
• Among the top 25 rushers, all time , in Division I-AA, Thomas has the highest average yards per carry (6.57) and Harris ranks third (5.9)
• On a per-game basis, Harris ranks fifth, all t ime, in Division I-AA with 123 yards per game, while Thomas ranks sixth (122) and Crawford 11th (106)
• In 1991, Lester and Thomas broke through the 3,000yard barrierfortheircareers the same day-appropriately enough, Homecoming. Also that day, fullback Rick Burkhead went over 1,000 yards for his career, which was mostly spent opening holes for Harris , Lester and Thomas
• When Eastern faced Marshall in the Divis ion I-AA semifinals in 1991, Lester and Thomas began the game with more than 7 ,500 career yards between them . A check of the record book by NCAA researchers failed to find any school with two starting backs-ever-totalling as much as 6,000 yards.
• In 1993, seniors Leon Brown and Mike Penman shared the role of starter at tailback It was the first time as a starter at tailback for either player, yet both exceeded 1,000 yards Brown spent the 1994 NFL season with the New York Giants ; he began the 1995 season in his home town of Jacksonville , Florida, on the roster of the NFL expansion franchise there
All-Time Rushers
Following are the leading rushers, all t ime , i n Division I-AA . These totals include I-AA playoff games. Average is average yards per carry.
Player School
Markus Thomas, Eastern Ky.
Frank Hawkins, Nevada
Kenny Gamble, Colgate
Erik Marsh, Lafayette
Joe Ross , Georg ia Southern
Cedric Minter, Boise State
John Settle, Appalachian St.
Elroy Harris, Eastern Ky.
Mike Clark, Akron
Keith Elias , Princeton
Warren Marshall , James Madison
Joe Campbell , Middle Tenn.
Harvey Reed, Howard
Paul Lewis , Boston U
Lewis Tillman, Jackson St.
Daryl Brown , Delaware
Gary Pearson , Massachusetts
Jimmie Brooks , Eastern Ky.
James Crawford, Eastern Ky.
Lorenzo Bouler , Maine
Carl Sm ith , Maine
Brad Baxter , Alabama St.
Gill Fenerty , Holy Cross
Eric Gant , Grambling
Lester,
Average Yards Per Game
Following are the career leaders in yards rushed per game for a career, all ti me, in Division I-AA , with a minimum career total of 3 ,000 yards. These totals, compiled by the NCAA, do not include postseason games *Indicates an active player
outside from tailback one series, and flatten linebackers and defensive ends from fullback the next series. Those multiple talents were on display last in January 1992 when Lester played in the North-South and East-West Shrine all-star games
But the most accomplished was Thomas. He was selected first-team All-American by Kodak, Associated Press, Football News-Gazette and the Walter Camp Football Foundation. He was OVC Offensive Player of the Year his junior and senior years.
Most of all, Thomas was a player who, like Lester, realized his potential. "He dedicated himself to doing the little things that are needed to be the best football player you can be," Kidd said.
- For his career, Harris averaged 9 3 points per game, second highest total in the Div ision I-AA record book (behind Dave Meggett}, and the 12 8 points he averaged per game in the 1988 season is the second highest average in one season (behind Jerry Rice)
The most talented of this very accomplished group may have been Elroy Harris With his penchant for finding the end zone-58 times-and his trademark back flip upon doing so, he is the all-time crowd favorite.
A second-round draft choice of the Seattle Seahawks in 1989, Harris played one year in the NFL before being waived, a victim , Seattle observers said, of a tendency to miss meetings and to practice half heartedly. Harris then played two years in the World League of American Football.
The most versatile was Tim Lester, who would break
Single-Game Yards
Following are the top 10 single-game rushing performances, all-time, in Division I-AA.
Career Points Per Game
Following are the players who have scored the most career points, all time, on a per-game basis in Division I-AA
Player, School Dave Meggett,
Season Points Per Game
Following are the players who have averaged the most points per game over the course of a season, all time, in Division I-AA
A Matter of Pride
Following are !Dt~r~~R!l2Qi~s. all time , in Division
Career Kickoff Returns
Following are the players with the highest career averages for kickoff returns, all time, in Division I-AA.
This year, senior Daymon Carter is expected to start at tailback But he will have stiff competition from senior William Murrell and from Drew Hall , who was redshirted in 1995
At fullback , junior Clifford Posey should start . But sophomore Jonas Hill and freshman redshirt Jonathan Butler will push for playing time
All of these players have the potential to one day become a bigger part of this story The 1996 season will provide them with that opportunity.
"We have some kids with the talent it takes to play running back here," said Kidd " Now, we'll have to see which of them are ready to step up ."
Season Kickoff Returns
Following are the players with the highest average kickoff returns for one season, all time, in Division I-AA.
A Story About Winning
What EKU Recruits Are Told: You Will Be In The I-AA Playoffs And Have A Chance To Win A National Championship
When Roy Kidd and his assistants hit the recruiting road this fall, they'll be telling potential players a story about winning
Said Kidd: "I try to sit down with every kid we want to sign , and I tell them and their parents , ' If you come to Eastern , you're going to have a chance to play for a conference championship and you're going to be in the national playoffs, and you ' re going to have a chance to win a national champ ionship .'
"There's so many places where a kid isn't going to have those chances ," Kidd said "If he comes here , we ' re going to make sure that he has a chance to be a winner.''
There are other messages given to potential recruits - you will go to class, you will attend study halls and you won't use drugs.
"We do all we can to make sure our players graduate," Kidd said "We provide tutors to help them, we insist that they go to study table, and we don't put up with class cutting .''
As for drugs, Kidd sets aside money earned from his summer football camp - money wh ich otherwise would go to him - to pay for regular drug testing for all Eastern players; this is in addition to testing conducted by the NCAA.
" If you test positive once , it's between you and the trainer ," Kidd said " lfyoutestpositiveagain, l ' mgoingtobe told and I' m going to tell your parents And the kid is going to enter counseling and straighten up before he can rejoin the team .
"Drugs are a big problem in society, but they aren't going to be a big problem on our football team I want our kids off drugs. And when they are with their peers and have an opportunity to stray , I want them to know that I' m going to be testing them.''
In some ways, Kidd has tried to change with the times. But he still runs a tight ship Where players once had curfew every night, it has now been relaxed to three nights a week during the season Where long hair was once banned year round , it is now banned only d1,1ring the season
" I used to be a lot stricter on how they dress ," Kidd said of his players , " but I still don ' t let them have long hair during the season I still want them to make a nice appearance representing the university .''
When recruiting, Kidd looks for " kids who can run and who like to h it. You can ' t play football today if you can't run, and you don't belong on the field if you don 't like to hit.''
He also looks for"the k id who is an inch or two shorter, half a step slower, 20 to 30 pounds lighter than the big schools want. Then , we have to work with them and teach them how to play. That's our job , to teach kids how to play the game .''
Despite the disadvantages presented by recruiting against bigger schools, Kidd said EKU coaches do " have some advantages in recruiting. We ' ve always recruited good kids, and they become the best salesmen for our program Potential recruits come here and can see how much our k ids enjoy playing the game and how much they enjoy playing together Another advantage is our tradition "
One more advantage is that recruits learn they will be treated with respect. Eastern coaches don ' t hit players , and they don't treat them l ike second-class citizens
"I try to treat my players , my coaching staff, the people I work with, the way I would like to be treated ," said Kidd " I' m not going to abuse our kids physically, and I don't expect any of my coaches to do that. I tell them, 'You treat those young men like you 'd like to be treated'.
"My basic philosophy in life as well as football is treat people the way you ' d like to be treated."
Meet The Assistant Coaches
JACK ISON Linebackers Coach and Defensive Coordinator
Coach Jack Ison will again serve as defensive coordinator for Eastern He is the Dean of Colonel assistant coaches, having served for this his 30th year, 26 as defensive coordinator.
Ison, who will again be in charge ofthe4-3 defense this year for the Colonels, will work with the linebackers for the fourth straight year
Kidd gave the 1961 Eastern graduate his first coaching job at Richmond's Madison High School.
After assisting Kidd to a 13-1 record and a Class AA runnerup trophy in 1961, Ison was named head coach in 1962 when Kidd entered the college coaching field The Royal Purples were 6-2-2 under his guidance. He also served as head football, baseball, and basketball coach at Catlettsburg High School during 1965 and 1966.
A fully-equipped, modern weight room is located on the extreme lower level of the stadium (opposite trophy-case entrance) and has been named in lson's honor- the Jack Ison Weight Room
The Flatwoods native is married to the former Patricia Lykins, whom he met as a classmate at Eastern. They have two daughters, Elizabeth Woehler and Melinda, both EKU graduates. He also has two grandchildren: Stephanie and Alexandra Woehler
JIMTANARA Defensive Line Coach
Jim Tanara will handle the defensive line again in his 18th year as an assistant coach at Eastern. Tanara came to EKU from the staff of Bear Bryant at Alabama where he served 11 years working with the Tide's defensive front.
While at Alabama, Tanara was a member of the staff that directed the Tide to two national championships and appearances in 11 bowl games He also served as UA's head wrestling coach for 11 years
He was a three-year letterman for UT Chattanooga and started at both defensive end and tight end. While collecting Little AllAmerican honors in 1964, he received his bachelor of science degree in 1965 and was drafted by the New Orleans Saints as a free agent upon graduation.
He was an assistant football coach at Cleveland (TN) High School for three years before going to Alabama in 1970.
Tanara's recruiting area for the Colonels includes northeast Georgia and the Atlanta and Chattanooga metropolitan areas.
He enjoys hobbies of golf, tennis and scuba diving. He has two children, Julie and Jimmy, and is married to the former Charlotte Gibson of Gadsden, AL.
LEON HART
Co-Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach
Leon Hart begins his second stint as an EKU assistant coach in 1996 He will serve coach Roy Kidd as co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the coming season.
Hart has been the head football coach at Elon College in Bu rlington , N C , from 1989-95 where he compiled a 37-37 overall record in seven seasons there . His best year came in 1992 when Elon went 8-2 and finished the year ranked fifth among NCAA Division II schools. He was voted South Atlantic Conference Coach of the Year and American Football Coaches Associat ion District 4 Coach of the Year in 1992.
He was prev iously a member of the EKU coaching staff for 13 seasons ( 1976-88) and was offensive coordinator from 1981-88. Hart graduated from Mansfield (Ohio) Madison High School in 1969 and went on to Maryville College where he rece ived his B.A. in education in 1973
While at Maryv ille , Hart lettered four years serving as captain of the baseball squad as a senior He was a safety for the Maryvillegridders , leading the team in interceptions his last three seasons
Prior to coming to EKU in 1976 , he coached at Malabar High School in Mansfield for three years. Hart coached running bac k s and defensive linemen , plus assisted with basketball and baseball.
Hart is married to the former Mattie Arvin of Irvine and has two sons , Tim and Seth
DOUG CARTER
Co-Offensive Coordinator and Offensive Line Coach
Doug Carter will begin his 10th season as an assistant coach for Coach Roy Kidd's staff and will be in charge of the offensive line , while serving his first season as co-offensive coordinator.
Carter came to Eastern from the staff at the University of Central Florida where he coached two seasons as head offensive line coach , offensive special teams coordinator and recruiting coordinator. In those two seasons , UCF progressed to a winning 6-5 record from a 2-9 mark in 1984
He has also served as a graduate assistant at Florida State University in 1983 and 1984 and at EKU in 1982 when the Colonels went 13- 0 and won the NCAA I-AA national championship. While at Florida State , the Seminoles competed in both the Peach and Citrus Bowls
His other coaching experience includes one year (1981) as offensive backfield coach at his alma mater-William Jewell College in Liberty , MO That team went 12-1 and was a NAIA national semifinalist. In 1980 , he was head football coach at Holt County High School in Mound City , MO ., as that team was district champion and Class A state semifinalist.
Carter is a 1976 graduate of Liberty (MO) High School where he was a three-year letterman in the offensive line and played i n the Missouri vs. Kansas high school all-star game . The 37-year old native of Kansas City , MO , graduated from William Jewell in 1980 where he was a two-year letterman at offensive guard and competed for one season on the swim team
He has one son , Christian (1 1/2).
Coach
Teddy Taylor, a 1970 graduate of Eastern, will serve as a coach for Kidd's Colonels for the 18th straight season He will work again with the Colonel runningbacks th is season .
Taylor , who played offensive guard and defens ive tackle at Harrison County High School for five seasons, was an all-state player and led the Thorobreds to the Mid-State Conference title three years
An All-American noseguard at Eastern in 1969, Taylor was a significant force in EKU's Mideast Regional and Ohio Valley Conference championship team in 1967 and the OVC champion squad of 1968
Taylor served as head coach at Pineville High School after filling an assistant's post there for two years He was voted Southeast Kentucky Coach of the Year in 1978 while guiding his team to a 9-3 record
His hobbies include reading , sports and travel i ng .
He is married to the former Frances White of Lexington and they have two daughters, Katrina and Che
DEAN HOOD Defensive Backfield Coach
Dean Hood , former assistant head coach and defensive coordinator at Glenville 0MI) State College, begins his third season as defensive backfield coach at EKU
Hood came to Eastern after coaching at Glenville State for four seasons , the last three on defense , as GSC advanced in 1993 to the NA IA Division I national championship game and compiled a 10-3 record .
Glenville State 's defense led all NAIA Divis ion I schools in 1993 in three categories : scoring defense (9 2) , pass defense (118 0) and total defense (223 .0) .
Hood , 32 , a native of Ashtabula , OH, also coached the 1987 and 1988 seasons as assistant football coach at Fairmont 0MI) State College working with defensive backs In 1989 , he served as junior vars ity defensive coordinator, special teams coordinator and assistant varsity defensive secondary coach at Colgate (NY) University.
Hood is a 1986 graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University where he served as team captain his jun ior and senior seasons while playing defensive back there . He was a first team All-American defensive back at OWU as a senior and a three-time All-North Coast Athletic Conference choice in the secondary
He is a 1982 graduate of Harbor High School in Ashtabula whe re, as a senior, he served as team captain, was an All -Ohio pick , was chosen as the Northeastern Conference and Ashtabula County Offensive Player of the Year and received the Jim Kanicki , Robert L. Weise Outstanding Senior Athlete Award
Hood received his masters of science degree in physical educat ion from West V irginia University in 1989 He is married to the former Crystal Ramsey of Richmond
DAVID ELSENRATH Tight Ends Coach
David Elsenrath begins his third season at EKU and will work with the Colonel tight ends He came to EKU after serving for two seasons as graduate assistant at the University of Louisville
A native of St. Peter's, MO, Elsenrath played offensive guard in college for the University of Missouri-Rolla where he graduated in 1985 with a bachelors degree in life sciences. He was a letterwinner on the UMR squad that copped the Missouri Intercollegiate Athletic Association title
He is a 1980 graduate of Francis Howell High School in St. Charles, MO, where he was a two-sport letterman and a secondteam All-Gateway Athletic Conference choice.
Elsenrath, 34, began his coaching career as offensive line coach at Cooper City (FL) High School in 1985 He then spent two seasons on coach Pat Dye's staff at Auburn as a graduate assistant in 1986 and 1987 when the Tigers won the Citrus Bowl the first season and secured the Southeastern Conference and tied Syracuse in the Sugar Bowl in 1987.
From Auburn, he joined the staff at Valdosta State University for four seasons, working with the tight ends and offensive line from 1988-91. He was also recruiting coordinator at VSU for three seasons.
Elsenrath received his masters degree in education from Auburn in 1987
Restricted Earnings Coaches
1996 Colonels' Depth Chart
Punters-35 John Wright, 17 Austin Maddox, 18 Nicky Nickels
Punt Returners-5 Bobby Washington, 8 Randel Menendez, 33 William Murrell
Kickoff Returners-33 William Murrell, 8 Ronde! Menendez, 5 Bobby Washington
Dane Damron Chris Young Perry JehlickaOn The Road With The Colonels
Game 2 at Western Kentucky University , Bowling Green , KYSept. 14
Depart Richmond by bus to Bowling Green Saturday, Sept. 14. Return to Richmond immediately following the game.
Game 6 at Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN-Oct.19
Depart Richmond by bus to Murfreesboro Friday afternoon , Oct. 18. Stay at the Holiday Inn (615) 896-2420 in Murfreesboro. Return to Richmond immediately following the game
Game 7 at University ofTennessee-Martin, Martin, TN-Oct. 26
Depart Richmond by bus to Martin Friday morning , Oct. 25
Stay at the University Lodge (901) 587-9577 in Martin . Return to Richmond immediately following the game
Game 10 at Austin Peay State University, Clarksville , TN-Nov. 16.
Depart Richmond by bus to Clarksville Friday afternoon , Nov. 15. Stay at the Ramada Inn-Riverview (615) 552-3331 in downtown Clarksville. Return to Richmond immediately following the game.
Game 11 at Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL-Nov. 23
Depart Richmond by bus to Charleston Friday morning , Nov 22 Stay at the Holiday Inn (217) 342-4161 in Effingham Return to Richmond immediately following the game.
Memorable EKU Football Events
1. NATIONAL CHAMPIONS-NCAA Division I-AA - 1979 , 1982
2. NATIONAL RUNNERSUP-NCAA Division I-AA- 1980, 1981
3. NATIONAL SEMIFINALIST-NCAA Division I-AA - 1986 , 1988, 1991
4. GRANTLAND RICE BOWL CHAMPIONS - 1967
5. NCAA PLAYOFF PARTICIPANTS-1976 , 1979 , 1980 , 1981 , 1982, 1983, 1984 , 1986 , 1987 , 1988 , 1989 , 1990 , 1991, 1992 , 1993 , 1994 , 1995
6 OHIO VALLEY CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS -1954 , 1962 (CoChamps) , 1967 , 1968 , 1974 , 1976, 1981 , 1982, 1983 , 1984, 1986 (CoChamps) , 1987 (Co-Champs) , 1988 , 1990 (Co-Champs), 1991, 1993, 1994.
7. Head Coach Roy Kidd , beginning 33rd season at EKU , has been named NCAA Division I-AA National Coach of the Year twice and OVC Coach of the Year nine times.
8. Have had 47 All-Americans and 171 AII-OVC players in the school's history
9 Have had 36-game unbeaten string at Roy Kidd Stadium (snapped in first round of '83 playoffs) and 27-game winning streak at Roy Kidd Stadium (sn apped in first round of ' 89 playoffs) .
10. Have had 26-game unbeaten string in games against OVC competition (a league record , snapped by Murray State in 1995).
EKU's 2,000-Yard Rushing Club
1996 Football Prospectus
Eastern Kentucky University head football coach Roy Kidd will begin his 33rd year in charge of the Colonel football program with 12 starters highlighting the returnees for the 1996 season.
EKU 9-3 overall and ranked 10th in the final NCAA Division I-AA poll ,in 1995, participated last season in the I-AA playoffs for an unprecedented 16th time in the 18-year history of the playoff system .
Two first-team All-Ohio Valley Conference picks and a second-team AII-OVC selection return to lead the Colonels' fortunes for the '96 season.
On defense , first team AII-OVC and second-team AllAmerican (Sports Network and Football Gazette) senior linebacker Tony Mccombs (6-2, 239) will be back to lead the charge for the Colonels. He finished the '95 year as the sixth leading tackler in the OVC (121 total hits for the year) and tied for second in the league i n quarterback sacks (six) and tackles for loss (15)
Another outstanding defensive starter returning is junior end David Hoelscher (6-5 1/2, 247) Hoelscher led the conference in quarterback sacks with seven and was fourth in tackles for loss with 13, while registering 45 hits. He was a secondteam AII-OVC choice.
The remaining starters for Eastern on defense coming back include 1994 second-team AII-OVC senior cornerback
Bob Head (5-11 1/2 , 185); 1993 first-team all-OVC senior safety
Chris Guyton (6-3 1/2, 190); junior linebacker Britt Bowen (62, 217) who registered 101 total tackles (59T, 42A) in 1995 and who was sixth in the OVC in tackles for loss (12-40) ; and senior end Ty Ward (6-2, 235).
The Colonels receive a plus on defense in 1996 with the return of junior linebacker Victor Hyland (5-11 1/2 , 210) who sat out the 1995 season with major knee surgery He finished the '94 year with 102 total hits (65T, 47A) with 10 tackles for loss
Other lettermen on defense back for the Colonels are senior linebacker Anthony Johnson (6-0, 243); junior end Sanford Baskin (6-1, 235); junior tackle Cary Williams (6-0 , 266); junior cornerback Corey Clark (6-0, 186); and sophomore cornerback Dedric Campbell (5-8 , 164). Junior Danny Thomas (5-11 1/2, 190) has been moved to the secondary.
Offensively , first-team all-OVC senior tailback William Murrell (5-8, 183) heads the returnees Murrell closed the season with 1,004 yards rushing and 16 touchdowns He was the fourth-leading rusher and is the leading returning rusher from conference rushing leaders of a year ago
Murrell was also heavily involved in the return game for the Colonels, leading Eastern and the OVC in kickoff returns (23.7) and averaging 12.2 yards per return on punts in limited duty He scored a touchdown by both punt and kickoff returns last season
Other offensive starters back for the Colonels include three senior linemen : tackle Roger Orlandini (6-5, 286), center Son Tran (6-1 , 288) and guard Brandyon Brantley (6-2 1/2, 262)
Also returning as starters on offense are junior honorable mention AII-OVC split end Bobby Washingtonn (5-7 1/2, 165) who caught 31 passes for 558 yards in '95 and four touchdowns and junior fullback Clifford Posey (5-10, 240).
Senior Greg Couch (6-1, 202) is the heir apparent to the Colonels' starting quarterback slot. After starting his freshman season, he has been relegated to the backup slot the past two years behind Division I transfers John Sacca (formerly of Penn State ) and Tommy Luginbill (Georgia Tech)
Couch played in eight of the team's 12 games last season, completing 19-40 passes for 278 yards and two TD's. Junior college transfer Simon Fuentes (5-8 1/2, 180) was redshirted last season and will provide backup for Couch
Also returning to provide offensive punch for the Colonels is senior tailback Daymon Carter (6-1, 215) who finished the 1995 year with 735 yards rushing and scored 10 touchdowns He was the OVC's seventh-leading rusher from last season and is the second-leading returning rusher in the league behind teammate Murrell.
Rounding out the returnees for the Colonels in the backfield are sophomore tailback Ferlando Wilson (5-8 1/2, 190) who picked up 439 yards on the ground and scored five TD's and senior fullback Robert Bouldin (5-10, 214) who rushed for 67 yards and two TD's.
Several Colonel receivers return for '96 after picking up letters last season. These include sophomore flanker Rendel Menendez (5-9, 170) , senior tight end Sal Davis (5-11, 231 ), sophomore tight end Tony DeGregorio (6-3 , 236) and sophomore flanker Brian Brenneman (6-1, 190).
Rounding out the offensive lettermen coming back are sophomore center Reggie Myrtil (6-1, 294), sophomore guard Tyrone Hopson (6-2 1/2, 305) and sophomore center Matt Knight, the long snapper (6-1 1/2, 271).
Kidd, who is currently third among active Div ision I and IAA coaches in coaching victories with 266, signed 20 high school and junior college recruits as additions to the 1996 roster.
The 1995 season marked the 17th straight season Eastern Kentucky has finished among the nation's top 20 Division I-AA teams
Last year also saw EKU extend its consecutive unbeaten string in conference play to 26 games before the Colonels lost to eventual OVC champion Murray State, 17-7 . Eastern finished the season with a 7-1 league mark and in second place in the final league standings.
1996
EASTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL ROSTER
Steeped in Tradition Eastern's Football History
There he stood, Eastern Kentucky University football coach Roy Kidd, amid the jubilant crowd of players , press, and well-wishers in the vis itors' locker room at the Pioneer Bowl Stadium in Wichita Falls , Texas. He had just guided Eastern to another milestone in its athletic history.
On that day, December 18, 1982, the Colonels captured the University's second national championship (EKU won its first national crown in 1979 when it defeated Lehigh 30-7) as they defeated Delaware 17 - 14 in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I-AA championship game , capping a 13-0 season.
That victory marked Eastern's fourth straight appearance in the I-AA title game, having won runners-up trophies in 1980 and 1981.
EKU football has come a long way since the first organized game was played in 1909 on Stateland Field, and much of the credit is given to Kidd, an All-American quarterback at Eastern in 1953, who returned to his alma mater in 1963 and proceeded to build a national powerhouse.
Kidd ' s 32-year record stands at 266 wins, 94 losses, and eight ties , a remarkable 734 winning percentage He has twice been chosen National I-AA Coach of the Year and Kentucky Sportsman of the Year, and is the w inningest coach in Ohio Valley Conference history.
The popularity of Eastern football grew so rapidly in the 1960's that Hanger Stadium, the home of the Maroons (the school ' s nickname later became Colonels) since 1936, was too small for the large enthusiastic crowds. Eastern pa id "old" Hanger a fitting farewell in 1968 as it thrashed rival Morehead State, 35-7. A new era in EKU football began the following year when the Colonels moved to Hanger Field , a modern 20,000-seat facility. Eastern christened its new playing field with a 29-10 drubbing of Austin Peay In 1990 the Stadium was renamed in honor of current head coach Roy Kidd . The Colonels defeated the University of Central Florida 24-12 that day .
There have been many memorable moments in the rich heritage of Eastern football. One came in 1967 when EKU's OVC champs won the NCAA Mideast Regional championship by defeating Ball State, 27-13 , in the Grantland Rice Bowl. Another occurred in 1954 when Eastern ' s third regular season undefeated team (the first was in 1940) made the school's first bowl appearance only to fall to the University of Omaha , 7-6 , in the Tangerine Bowl. Then , 25 years later, came the first of four straight national championship game appearances and six consecutive playoff appearances .
Kidd's status among the active coaching profession is well-known , but Eastern has had other successful coaches during its football history. Previous coaches include James
Park (1909) , Clyde Wilson (1910-11) , Charles Keith (1912) , Ben Bernard (1913-16), Clyde McCoy (1919) , George Hembree (1922-28) , Charles "Turkey" Hughes (1929-34) , Rome Rankin (1935-42, 1945-46) , Tom Samuels (1947-53) , and Glenn Presnell (1954-62).
Since the OVC was organized in 1948 , Eastern has won 13 regular season titles outright (in ' 54, '67 , '68, '74, '76, '81, '82, '83 , '84, '88 , '91 , '93 and '94), shared four titles in '62, '86, '87 and '90 and to date ranks first in the Conference all-time standings with a 218-86-7 won-lost record.
EKU football has produced 47 All-Americans and has had 33 players drafted into the professional ranks. Best known among former Eastern players is Wally Chambers, a 1972 AllAmerican, who was voted National Football League "Defensive Rookie of the Year" in 1973 as a tackle with the Chicago Bears
EKU FOOTBALL MILESTONES
ALL GAMES PLAYED SINCE 1909
OVC GAMES PLAYED SINCE 1948
TEN BEST RECORDS
OFFENSE
CENTERS 75
Son Tran Senior 22 6-1
284
Three Letters Naranja, FL The 1996 season will be Son's third year as a starter possesses good strength and quickness will be called on for leadership in his final season at EKU had a sub-par spring but has all the attributes to be an all-conference player at his position Colonels need solid season from Son to have success named to OVC Offensive Linemen Checklist in 1995 for his 90% effectiveness against Middle Tennessee memberofWinners Club for past two seasons EKU's Offensive Scout Team Player of the Year in 1992 graduate of Homestead High School.
Brent Rhoades Senior 22 6-2 296 Two Letters Roswell, GA Brent has been a backup to former two-time All -American James Hand for the past two seasons has always been slowed by injuries at Eastern. enjoyed his best spring in '96 for Colonels closed spring drills as starting left guard is one of Eastern's strongest players will have strong competition in the fall to hold down his spot. graduate of Milton High School.
Reggie Myrtil. Sophomore 20 6-1 1/2 296
Toby Coyle Freshman 19 6-1
266 No Letters . Berea, KY . Toby was redshirted in 1995 local product. held down the backup spot at center in spring has to improve in all areas to break into the starting lineup had a solid spring is a very good student. high school teammate of current Colonel fullback Jonas Hill. his father , Mike , played for coach Roy Kidd at Eastern in 1969-70 Colonel Scholar(3 0+) and Presidential Scholar (3 1+) graduate of Madison Southern High School
GUARDS
Brandy on Brantley . .. Senior. . .22 . .. 6-2 .. . 276 .. . Three Letters Powder Springs, GA Brandyon is beginning his fourth year of competition at Eastern, his second as a starter split time at his position his first two seasons was having an all-conference season in 1995 before breaking his wrist at Murray State played in a cast after the injury , but was limited in effectiveness missed all of spring practice this year recovering from that injury is the fastest and strongest of all EKU linemen if he can stay healthy , he should definitely be a candidate for postseason honors member of EKU Winners Club for past three seasons Colonel Scholar (3 0+) named to OVC Offensive Linemen Checklist for '95 season opener vs Central Florida graduate of McEachern High School.
One Letter . North Miami, FL. Reggie was a backup center during the 1995 season was slowed most of last year because he wasn't fully recovered from knee surgery early in '95 has as much potential as any Eastern linemen during the past 20 years played tackle in the spring, but will compete for starting left guard's spot this fall. could start at any position in offensive line if he can get body in playing shape , he could reach his potential. forme r state high school heavyweight wrestling champ in Florida graduate of North Miami Beach High School.
Clark Longhofer Sophomore 20 6-1 1/2 248. No Letters Louisville, KY Clark was a backup to Brandyon Brantley in 1995 had a solid off-season program injury kept him from competing in spring practice is a good technique player who will be counted upon to be a solid backup in 1996. will have to increase his strength to crack the starting lineup graduate of Male High School.
Matt Knight. . . Sophomore ... 19 . . . 6-1 1/2 ... 277 .. .
One Letter Henderson, KY Matt was the starting longsnapper all last season will be counted on for the same duties in 1996 needs to increase his body strength to compete in the line this season member of the EKU Winners Club graduate of Henderson County Senior High School.
Tran-75 Coyle-55 Brantley-73 Rhoades~S Myrtil-67 Longhofer-68 Knight-51TACKLES 78
Roger Orlandini. Senior 22 6-5 290 Three Letters . West Wyoming, PA . Roger was voted to be one of the offensive co-captains for the 1996 season will become a four-year starter for Eastern at right tackle in '96 has worked hard to become a good player named to OVC Offensive Linemen Checklist for the Western Kentucky game last season with a solid '96 season, he should be a definite candidate for post-season honors his brother is a starting tackle at the University of Pittsburgh was a member of the EKU Winner's Club. started his Colonel career on defensive side of the ball where he was chosen as EKU's Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year in 1992 graduate of West Wyoming High School.
Tyrone Hopson . Sophomore . 20 . 6-2 1/2 . 300. One Letter Owensboro, KY Tyrone is the first true freshman to play for EKU in the last 1Oyears on the offensive line split time last season with former all-conference tackle Jason Combs has all the tools to be a great one at Eastern missed all of spring practice recovering from an injury in the Montana game is expected to make a full recovery in the fall. could play tackle or guard next fall. goes into fall practice as the starting left tackle member of EKU Winner's Club graduate of Daviess County High School.
Charlie Watkins Freshman 19 6- 2 267 No Letters Pataskala, OH. Charlie's talents for offensive line play are relatively unknown entering fall practice was moved over to the offensive line from defense midway through spring practice will have to improve in all areas to hold down the backup spot at right tackle Colonel Scholar (3.0+) graduate of Watkins Memorial High School.
James Wilson . Sophomore . 20 . 6-0 1/2 . 280. No Letters . Mayfield, KY . James was redshirted in 1995 after transferring from Bethel College former high school teammate of Colonel tailback William Murrell. ended the spring as the backup left tackle will have to improve in every facet of play to secure his position graduate of Mayfield High School.
TIGHT ENDS
Tony DeGregorio . Sophomore . 20 . 6- 3. 236 . One Letter Jeannette, PA Tony improved steadily during the fall campaign and this improvement continued throughout spring practice hardworking and dedicated to becoming a good collegiate player saw increased playing time in the latter part of 1995 season with injuries to Jason Dunn and Sal Davis was a member of many EKU special teams offensive staff will depend on his productivity in 1996 caught 12-yard pass in '96 spring game graduate of Hempfield Area High School.
Career Pass Receiving Stats at EKU
Sal Davis Senior 21 5-11 236 One Letter Acworth, GA . Sa l was co nvert ed from wide re ceiver to tight end in the fall camp of 1995 has been a prod uctive cont ri butor since movi ng to this pos it io n pla ye d t ight en d in high school. has wor ked to incre ase h is st re ngth and improve his techniques at the tight end posi t ion pla ys on severa l EKU spec ial te ams whe re he ma d e th e E KU Winner' s Club in 1995 coac hes look ing for h im to be p rodu ctiv e at tight end this season hau led in 11 yd aeri al in spr ing game graduate of Marietta Hig h Sc hool.
Couch-12
Fuentes-10
Adam Harrison Freshman 19 6-3 1/2 233
No Letters . Calgary, Alberta , Canada . Adam jo ined the team in January of 1996 was a successful multi-sport athlete in Canada his fa t her played in the CFL has the too ls to be a cont ri buting college player. injured early in spring drills playing time in 1996depends on his adjustment t o Am eri can collegiate football. graduate of Ernest Manning High Sc ho ol.
QUARTERBACKS
Greg Couch Senior 23 6-11/2 202 Three Letters Hyden, KY Greg is an ex cellent leader on and off the field w i ll serve as one of offense 's cocaptains for 1996 season best game of 1995 was an 87 y ard , 6-9 passing night vs Western Kentucky. e xcellent student of the game and has very good pract ice habits finished spr ing drills as the No. 1 quarterback was 5- 12 in spring game for 102 yards , including gamewinning 21-yard TD str ik e to wideout Brian Brenneman reads the secondary well and makes good decisions in getting the ball to the open receiver very comfortable with EKU ' s offense. showed poise and maturity of v ete ran quarterback in making several big plays in spring game has played in reserve role last two years after le ading Colonels to OVC championship his freshman season has great desire to have an outstanding senior year and bring OVC championship flag bac k to EKU brother of Univers ity of Kentucky quarterback Tim Couch. gra d uate of Lesl ie County High School
Rush Yds.
Comp. Int. Yards TD's Att Rush TD's 7 5 7 940 4 54 103 3
12 0 97 1 5 0
19 2 7 8 2 15 40 0
106 8 13 15 7 74 144 3
Simon F uentes .. . Junior . 21 5- 8 1/2 . 183. No Letters Garden Grove, CA Simon is a very v ersatil e quarterba ck his quick feet and strong arm make h im hard to de fend ability to run , as well as throw , c re ates problems for defenses and ma kes h im a big play thre at. d evel oped bette r p ractice habits and concentrati on le v el in c reased during spr ing p ractice showed im pro vem e nt in reading coverages sh o uld batt le fo r p layi ng time and / or starting QB job in the fall had ter rifi c 199 6 s p ring game whe re he hit 8- 9 passes fo r 53 yards w as redshirted last year after outstanding junior coll ege career at Rancho Community College in Santa Ana , CA. co m p leted 11 O of 165 passes for 1,755 yards and 19 TD ' s in 199 4 fo r RSC C olon e l S c ho lar (3 0+ ) gra d uate of Garden Grove High School.
OFFENSE
RECEIVERS 5
Bobby Washington ... Junior . . . 21 ... 5-7 1/2 ... 164 . Two Letters Altamonte Springs, FL. Bo bby is the lead ing ret urning rece iver for the Colonels, having caug ht 31 passes for 558 yards and four TD's in 1995. honorable mention AII-OVC pick in 1995 after collecting second-team all-conference hono rs in 1994 top game of '95 came in 42-24 win over Southeast Missouri when he hauled i n five passes for 103 yards and two TD's also had five receptions last season vs East Stroudsburg for 79 yards caught seven passes for 69 yards and one TD as freshman against Middle Tennessee was OVC's seventh best punt returner last year and fourth best as freshman made tremendous improvement in his discip line from 1994 season to 1995 and this carried into '96 spring practice is most experienced of returning receivers expected to be lea de r among receivers in 1996 coaching staff is expecting big numbers from Bobby this season caught two passes in spring game for 62 yards member of EKU Winner's Club for both offense and special teams in 1995. graduate of Lyman High School.
178 One Letter Louisville, KY Randel came into spring drills with an outstanding attitude and wor ked very hard showed that he is developing the rest of his game to go along with his blazing speed has good hands and wants to improve h is pass-catching ability has unlimited potential if he continues to refine his game. caught three passes in '96 spring game for 11 yards was medically redshirted in 1994 after injuring his hip has been clocked at 4 24 in 40-yard dash in spring drills graduate of Eastern High School. Career
21 6-1 192
.One Letter . Lakeland, FL. Brian saw limited action last season is e x pected to contribute in 1996 has the best hands among all Colonel receivers is an exceptional blocker has the work ethic that will help develop his skills more rapidly caught two passes for 38 yards in '96 spring game, includ ing game-winning 21 yard TD throw from Greg Couch was redsh irted in 1994 graduate of Lakeland High S c hool.
Washington- 5 Menendez-8 Brenneman-19OFFENSE
Burks-81
Somers-82
Trellis Burks . Freshman . 19 . 6-3 1/2 . 203 .
No Letters LaGrange, GA Trellis was redshirted in 1995 has the natural ability that should aid him in attaining a successful career at EKU height makes him a great target. very tough , physical player should step in this year and be a key contributor for Colonels brother of former wide receiver Dialleo Burks who graduated last year with 94 career receptions and signed as free agent with Philadelphia Eagles graduate of LaGrange High School.
Travis Somers . Freshman . 19 . 5-8 1/2 . 165. No Letters Johnstown, OH Travis is a walk - on. works very hard is starting to develop into a good receiver wants to play is willing to work to achieve his goals has good hands is very tough graduate of Monroe High School.
TAILBACKS 21
Ferlando Wilson Sophomore 20 5-81/2 188
One Letter . Douglasville, GA . Ferlando worked hard in the winter weight program and spring practice improved his blocking in the spring must continue to work on his speed and strength to be a complete player teased the 100-yard rushing mark twice in 1995 with a 96-yard effort vs Southeast Missouri and a 98-yard game against Tennessee State graduate of Alexander High School.
Wilson-21 Carter-1
1Daymon Carter.. . Senior... 23 . .. 6-11/2 ... 208 .. . One Letter . .. Henderson, KY .. Daymon missed winter weight program and spring practice because of shoulder surgery. has worked very hard to rehabilitate his injury will again compete for starting position this fall. has outstanding phys ical skills must continue to work hard on his blocking technique is a hard-nosed football player who has a desire to be the best. must continue to work hard on completing his assignments is second - leading returning rusher in OVC , finishing seventh in final league stats with 69 8 yards per game was OVC Offensive Player of the Week vs Austin Peay in 1995 when he rushed 25 times for 195 yards , including two touchdowns on runs of 64 and 30 yards also scored three TD's in regular-season ending 41-1 O win over Morehead State closed the '95 season with 1O rushing TD ' s and one pass receiving score transferred to Eastern last year from Kentucky, after playing in two games for UK in 1994 came to Kentucky after breaking all O J Simpson's records at City College of San Francisco played two seasons for coach George Rush at CCSF where he was named the Golen Gate Conference Offensive Player of the Year and the 1993 GGC Back of the Year his two-year CCSF stats include 3,230 yards rushing on 377 caries in 20 games with 42 TD's scored career JC marks also included a per-game rushing average of 161.5 and per rush average of 8 6 yards was ranked as the 20th best JuCo prospect by recruiting analyst Tom Lemming after being named first-team All-American by JC Gridwire high school honors included being named 1991 Player of the Year in the state by the Kentucky Network when he rushed for 1,629 yards (8 7) avg ) as a senior in 1187 attempts , scoring 27 TD's first-team all-state player who was a member of the Kentucky all-star team for the Kentucky-Tennessee game ended his prep career with 2 ,803 yards rushing (8 1 avg ) in 344 carries with 44 TD's. also caught si x passes for more than 200 yards with three TD receptions as a senior as the Colonels went 10-2 and earned a spot in the playoffs established a record for coach Randy Reese's Henderson County High School team for most yards rushing in a single game when he ran for 273 yards and scored four touchdowns in a 1991 game vs Madisonville graduate of Henderson County High School.
OFFENSE
William Murrell Senior 21 5-8 1/2 183 Two
Letters Mayfield, KY William was a first-team AllOhio Valley Conference choice at tailback in 1995 is the leading returning rusher in the OVC (98 2 yd avg ) went over 1,000-yard rushing mark for ' 95 season in playoff game with Montana had five games last season where he rushed for more than 100 yards , although splitting time with Daymon Carter and Ferlando Wilson member of 1995 Winners Club has great agility and speed needed to play tailback will return kickoffs in the fall. led OVC in kickoff return average last year (23 7) second - leading returning receiver on the team with eight catches in 1995 must continue to work hard in the weight room graduate of Mayfield High School.
Drew Hall Sophomore 21 5-8 1/2 192 No Letters . .. Owensboro , KY .. . Drew was redshirted in 1995 after being ineligible in 1994 worked very hard on the scout team last fall and was named Offensive Scout Team Player of the Yea r. had excellent winter weight program and has become stronger and faster had a good spring practice and showed his athletic ability was the leading ground gainer in the 1996 spring game with 29 yards in just six carries also caught one pass for 1O yards in spr i ng game has worked very ha rd to become a better blocker. has the desire to be a hard-nosed football player must continue to work hard on his strength , blocking and pass catching ab i lity with a ctual c o ll egiate game ex perience under his belt, improvements will come was one ofThe Lexington Herald's 22 Best Senior Football Players for 1993 and was a first -team All-State pick by The CourierJournal. rushed for 1,708 yards , setting new school reco rd for yards per c a r ry (9 7 ), and 24 t ou c hdowns his senio r yearof h igh school in 1993 graduate of Owensboro High School.
FULLBACKS
Robert Bouldin Senior 23 5-1 O 216 Three
Letters Cincinnati, OH Robert is one of t he hardest workers on the team has the desire to be the best. member of EKU Winners Club has shown improvement in his blocking must continue to work hard in the weight room is a very unselfish player second-leading rusher in spring game with 24 yards on three carries graduate of Winton Woods High School.
Murrell-33 Hall-32 Bouldin-22OFFENSE
Clifford Posey . .. Junior... 21 5-10 1/2 ... 243 ..
One Letter Henderson, KY Clifford has fought his way to a starting position , all the way from the scout team has continued to work hard on fundamentals has become a hard-nosed football player is starting to show coaching staff his mental toughness for the position must continue his hard work in the weight room needs improved blocking skills high school teammate of tailback Daymon Carter. picked up 18 yards rushing and caught a seven - yard pass in the '96 spring game graduate of Henderson County High School.
Career Rushing Stats at EKU Long Best
Jonathan Butler Freshman 21 5-11 217 No
Letters Bainbridge , GA Jonathan was redshirted last season worked hard in the winter p ro gram and this work eth ic carried over to spring practice must fight off injuries to reach his full potential. has outst a nding ability but must learn how to work hard to improve his skills must continue to improve his strength and blocking to become an outstanding player has to commit himself to the football program and become an intense player received the Georgia High School South Region 4A Offensive Player of the Year award for his junior and senior seasons of high school. had senior year rushing totals of 1,551 yards , 6 .3 y ards per rush and 14 TD's graduate of Bainbridge High School.
SPECIALISTS
John Wright .. Junior . 21 5-11 181 No Letters
Career Pass Receiving Stats at EKU Long Best
Jonas Hill Sophomore 21 5-11 228 No
Letters Berea, KY Jonas has always been an intense hard worker, but surprised everyone during spring drills with his ability had a good spring practice , but must carry this effort into the fall to warrant more playing time starting to develop confidence in playing fullback position has become intense and tough in his blocking redshirted in 1994 picked up 10 yards rushing and scored a TD on a one-yard plunge in ' 96 spring game Colonel Scholar (3.0+). graduate of Madison Southern High School.
Lyndon, KY John is the heir-apparent to Marc Collins as EKU's kicker needs to work on leg strength is one of the hardest workers on the team has been No 2 punter and placekicker for two straight seasons now averaged 35 yards per punt in '96 spring game has been recipient of team's Academic Excellence Award for two consecutive yea rs Colonel Scholar (3 .0+ ) OVC Commissioner's Honor Roll (3 0+) Presidential Scholar (3 1+) graduate ofTrinity High School. 1
8
Nicky Nickels . Senior. 22 . 5-11 . 175 . No Letters. Lexington, KY Nicky will be a member of the Colonel football team this fall after sitting out two seasons transferred to Eastern from the University of Kentucky where he punted for the Wildcats as redshirtfreshman punted in seven games for UK , averaging 38 3 yards on 28 punts top punt of that 1993 season was a 68-yard boomer versus Indiana was also 4-6 in field goals , including 2-2 in Kentucky's 1993 Peach Bowl loss to Clemson hit game -winning 29-yard field goal with :28 left in UK's win over East Carolina that season was first team All-State performer by The Courier-Journal (placekicker) and Associated Press (punter). member of Kentucky all-star team in Kentucky-Tennessee high school series was two-year letterman for coach Mike Meighan at Paul Laurence Dunbar H igh School as punter , placekicker , split end and defensive back
Posey-41 Hill-25 Butler-39 Wright-35TACKLES 91
Cary Williams Junior . 20 6-0 275 One
Letter Cincinnati, OH Cary has excellent athletic abili t y is quick and strong and should be a dominating player in 1996 needs to improve his conditioning coaching staff looking for Cary to be a big-time player. needs to improve overall work habits competed at same high school that produced former EKU All -American tailback Markus Thomas best game of 1995 came vs Morehead State when he totaled two tackles and si x assists had two solo tackles and one QB sack in '96 spring game played for coach Pat Mancuso at Princeton High School.
Chris Prewitt Senior 22 6-1 1/2 234 One Letter Richmond, KY Chris has improved each season since he has been with the program is a hard worker has an opportunity to play more in 1996 needs to increase his size and strength tough competitor has been second-leading tackler in past two spring games had five tackles and one assist in '96 spring game Colonel Scholar and OVC Commissioner's Honor Roll (3 0+) Presidential Scholar (3 1+) graduate of Madison Central High School.
Career Stats at EKU
Anthony Johnson Senior 22 6-0 254 Two
Letters Leisure City , FL. Anthony was the surprise of spring practice after playing linebacker his entire EKU career and being moved to left tackle this spring had outstanding stint at tackle in the spring has an excellent opportunity to start this fall on the defensive line is one of EKU's strongest players also has speed and quickness coaching staff looking for big senior season from Anthony team player best outing of '95 came vs Morehead State when he totaled seven tackles , four ass ists and one sack had two tackles , two assists and a sack in '96 spring game graduate of Homestead High School
Career
Sanford Baskin . Junior. 20 . 6-1 . 242 . One
Letter Cumberland, KY Sanford had an outstanding spring played some at left end and some at right tackle coaching staff was well-pleased with how he picked up the tackle technique could be a starter at a tackle slot. has speed and power was first-team All-State p ick for the 1993 high school season. played mostly at an end spot last season had seven tackles , si x assists , one QB sack and one tackle for loss in Morehead State game last year graduate of Cumberland High School.
Career Stats at EKU
Fumble Tackles
John Wooton Freshman 18 6-1 216 No Letters Hyden, KY John was a walk-on this past spring did a good job picking up his assignments worked hard to become a better football player needs to improve total body strength and weight. graduate of Leslie County High School.
Dustin Russell Sophomore 19 6-4 250 No Letters Bellbrook , OH Dustin was ineligible in 1995. will hopefully gain some experience early and provide depth latter in the 1996 year. has good height and size to play in the defensive line was a fou r-year participant in football for coach Chris Baker and a four-year wrestler at Bellbrook was team's Most Valuable Player and was named first team all-league and second team allstate his senior year graduate of Bellbrook High School.
DEFENSE
Logan-76
76 ENDS 89
Ward-97
Hoelscher-89
Davey Logan Sophomore ... 19 6-1 270 No Letters . Lancaster, KY . Davey was ineligible in 1995. needs to work hard in pre-season camp to merit look for '96 season had outstanding high school career where he finished with 293 tackles and 93 assists was Most Valuable Player his senior year for coach Jerry Perry was chosen among state's Top 50 high school players in 1994 was a three-year All-Area choice and an All-State selection as a senior. graduate of Garrard County High School.
LINEBACKERS 53
David Hoelscher Junior 20 6-5 1/2 258 .
Two Letters Yorkshire, OH David was a secondteam AII-OVC performer in 1995 led OVC in quarterback sacks (7-44) was fourth in the league in tackles for loss (13-68) selected as EKU's Most Valuable Defensive Lineman in 1995 best effort of 1995 was four-tackle, two-assist, two - QB sack (among three tackles-for-loss) outing vs Austin Peay was OVC Newcomer of the Week vs Samford in 1994 had an excellent spring Colonel defensive line coach Jim Tanara calls David "one of the hardest working defensive linemen I've been around" never rests or sits out a series on his own two-year starter. has the potential and ability to be first-team AIIOVC in 1996 has what it takes to get a chance at playing at the next level. member of EKU's 1996 Winners Club graduate of Versailles High School.
Career Stats at EKU
Fumble Tackles
Tackles Assists Recoveries For Losses Sacks 1994
Ty Ward . Senior. 22 . 6-2 . 238 . One Letter
Lima OH Ty was a part-time starter at the end of last season for the Colonels came to Eastern at the start of last year from Riverside (CA) College member of 1995
EKU Winners Club tied for ninth in OVC in QB sacks with four last season had an excellent spring coaching staff is pleased with the way Ty improved his work habits should be an all-conference player in 1996 can run and has outstanding body control. has inside track to start at right end spot. top outing of 1995 came vs Austin Peay (5T , 4A). runs 4 95 40-yard dash had four tackles , two assists and two QB sacks in spring game graduate of L i ma Senior High School.
Career Stats at EKU
Fumble Tackles
Tackles Assists Recoveries For Losses Sacks
1995 21 18
4
Hyland-53
Victor Hyland Junior 21 . . . 5-111/2 ... 217 ... Two Letters Manchester, KY Victor was a contributor as a freshman and then, as a sophomore , he was an outstanding performer for the Colonels. sustained knee injury during the spring of 1995, missed the entire '95 season and was redshirted until completely rehabilitated participated in spring drills this past spring and should be back to his previous form for the 1996 season turned in an excellent sophomore season, totaling 102 hits in 1994 two-year member of EKU Winners Club named OVC Defensive Player of the Week in '94 Morehead State game when he came up with nine solo tackles, seven assists, one tackle for a loss and a caused fumble also turned in outstanding effort in 1994 game vs. Youngstown State when he had eight solos , five assists and one tackle behind the line. Colonel Scholar (3.0+) Presidential Scholar (3 1+) graduate of Clay County High School.
Career Stats at EKU
Morton-44
Hampton-42 Schoenlaub-54
Tony Mccombs Senior 22 6-2
240 Two Letters . . . Hopki nsville, KY ... Tony was a second-team Football Gazette and Sports Network All-American in 1995 has been chosen as the 1996 pre-season I-AA National Defens ive Player of the Year and first -team All-Amer ican by Bob Griese ' s Football Yearbook has been a fi rst-team AIIOVC pick for the past two seasons .finished the ' 95 year as si xth -l eading tackler in OVC ( 121 t otal hits ) tied for second in the league in QB sacks (si x) and tac k les for loss (15) was used some at rush end in passing situations last season had eightdouble-digittackle games in 1995 OVC Co-Defensive Player of the Week vs MTSU in 1995 when he collected 11 solos , six ass ists , two QB sacks , two other tackles for loss and two pass deflections two-t ime EKU Winners Club member. voted team's Most Valuable Defensive Player for 1995 has been selected by his teammates as one of the defensive co-capta i ns for the 1996 season , an honor well-deserved for his leadership and what he means to Colonel football team was also Division I-AA South Region Player of the Week in 1994 by Football Gazette for his effort vs Tennessee Tech when he collected 13 tackles , 12 assists a lso went over the 20 - hit mark vs Youngstown State as a sophomore when he had 18 solos, eight assists finished as the OVC's top tackler i n 1994 with 146 hits two-time OVC Defensive Player of the Week (YSU and Tennessee Tech) award winner as sophomore. should be a mainstay again in a very strong Colonel linebacking corps for Co lonels ' defense to have a successful 1996 season as a unit , Tony must play at full strength and at top of his game graduate of Christian County School.
Career Stats at EKU
Fumble Tackles
Britt Bowen Junior 20 6-2 1/2 223 One Letter . Lithonia , GA . Britt developed into a very solid linebacker in 1995 has ex cellent linebacker instincts continues to make very good progress as a football player. member of 1995 EKU Winners Club as both defensive and special teams player finished si xth this past season in the OVC in tackles for loss with 13 eclipsed the 1DO-tackle total for 1995. top performance last season came vs. Austin Peay when he collected 10 solo tackles , five assists and had two tackles for loss had three solo tackles , one sack and one caused fumble in '96 spring game started every game in 1995 graduate of South Gw i nnett High School.
Career Stats at EKU
Fumble Tackles
Frank Miscione Freshman • • 21 •. 5-11 1/2 • 242. No Letters Hamilton, Ontario , Canada Frank was reds h irted in 1995 was selected for team's Defensive Scout Team Player of the Yea r fo r '95 is a very dedicated worker can be seen headed for the weight room or runn i ng around campus, constantly working on his physical condition ing during the '96 spring game , he partic ipated on all 61 snaps by the offense was leading tackler i n game with 11 solos and three assists should make a so li d contribution this season on both defense and special teams could develop into a very good linebacker as he begins getting game experience Colonel Scholar (3.0+) Presidential Scholar (3 1+) graduate of Barton Secondary School.
Luke Morton •. Sophomore •• 20 • 6-0 203 No Letters Centerville , OH Coache s are expect i ng Luke to make a very strong contri bution to EKU football team in 1996 must help on special teams as well as linebacker has played both outside linebacker positions and long snapped , slowing his progress as a Colonel. needs to add we ight and strength totaled two tackles and five assists in 1996 spring game graduate of Centerville High School.
Brent Hampton Freshman . . . 20 .. . 5-10 1/2 . .. 192. No Letters Cynthiana, KY Brent was redsh i rted in 1995 is making steady progress as a linebacker needs time to put on weight to be ab le to compete every down will be counted on this fall as a special teams performer will eventually be a solid player at linebacker because he wants to make a contribution and be a starter. had two solo tackles and eight assists in '96 spring game his father , Doug , played for coach Roy Kidd at EKU in late '60 ' s and was a member of the Eastern Grantland Rice Bowl champion team of 1967 graduate of Harrison County High School.
Travis Schoenlaub . Freshman . 19. 6-0 . 217. No Letters .. . Louisville, Ky .. Trav is was redshirted in 1995 missed most of the fall workouts with mononucleos is was cleared to lift weights during the winter and made steady improvement in his strength and conditioning suffered knee injury in spring drills that kept him on the sideline for most of spring practice was an ex cellent high school player who can , hopefully, have better luck this year. could add needed depth at linebacker in 1996 while serving as team captain his senior year of high school , Travis collected 84 tackles , 62 assists , and 12 QB sacks graduate of Buller High School.
SECONDARY 37
Clark-24 Campbell-3
Corey Clark Junior 20 6-0
186
Two
Bob Head Senior 22 5-111/2
190 Three Letters ... Frankfort, KY .. . Bob is a returning three-year starter for the Colonels. will serve as defensive cocaptain for 1996 called by secondary coach Dean Hood , "the hardest worker I have ever coached" is an outstanding leader by example was second-team AIIOVC pick in 1994 teammates respect his hustle and desire broke on the ball better in spring practice this year than ever before top outing of 1995 came vs. Western Kent u cky when he had seven tackles , two assists tied for third on team in ' 95 with eight pass deflections had three tackles , one assist, two pass deflections in '96 spring game member of EKU Winners C lub in 1995 coach i ng staff expecting b ig things from Bob in the fall. graduate of Western Hills H igh School.
Career Stats at EKU
1994 1995 Totals 3
Letters . Thomasville, GA . Corey has more natural talent than anyone in the secondary has come a long way in h is mental approach to the game and manning his position should be a big-time contributor in 1996 one of EKU's top tacklers in big game vs. Murray State last season with
six solos had three tackles in '96 spring game tied for team lead in interceptions last season with two joins Chris Guyton , Myron Guyton, Danny Copeland and Jessie Small as former Thomas County Central stars to play at EKU. graduate of Thomas County Central High School.
Career
Chris Guyton .. Senior. 22 . 6-3 1/2 .
188 ... Three Letters . Thomasville, GA . Ch ri s will be a four-year starter for EKU in the secondary en j oyed a v ery consistent spring took charge of making the ca ll s in spring drills showed lots of confidence was more phys ical vs the r u n in spring drills sho ul d have a banner senior season three - year member of EK U W inn ers Club was OVC Defensive Player of t he Week vs Western Kentucky in 1995 with nine tack les and six assists a lso collected 14 stops vs Mo rehead State was first-team A II-OVC pick in 1993 led Co lo nels and was tied for second in OVC that season with five interceptions also led EKU in interceptions as a sophomore (3) and tied for that honor last season (2) tota led 101 h its in 1994 led EKU i n pass de fl ections last season with 14 and was second on team in 1995 in this catetory (12) runs 4.44 40-yd. dash nephew of fo rmer EKU standout and now NFL cornerback Myron Guyton graduate of Thomas County Centra l H igh School.
1995 Totals
Dedric Campbell. Sophomore 20 5-8 167 One Letter North Pole, Alaska Dedric is one of the best "cover men in Colonels' secondary was injured throughout the '96 spring drills did not get chance to have quality work and "reps" that he needed to improve his sk ills will hopefully gain we ight and strength in summer to be ready for '96 season was redshirted in 1994 graduate of Ben Eielson High School.
Wright-23
Asel-29
Tinsley-9
Scooter Asel.. Freshman ... 19 ... 6-0 .. 177... No Letters Plano, TX Scooter jumped right into a starting spot in the secondary in spring drills has tons of football savvy had a great spring practice coaching staff looking for even more improvement from him this fall. runs 4 63 40-yard dash was an all-District quarterback and was co-MVP in the state championship game as Plano won the Texas Class 5A Division I state football crown in 1994 Colonel Scholar (3.0+) Presidential Scholar (3.1 +) graduate of Plano Senior High School.
Charles Tinsley Sophomore 21 6-0 208. No Letters Cumberland, KY Charles is a very physical player who loves to hit. did not play football for three years while pursuing a major league baseball career made a lot of progress during the spring should add quality depth in secondary this season graduate of Cumberland High Shoal.
Thomas-2
Billy Wright. Freshman 19 6-1 1/2 185 No Letters . . Louisville, KY . . . Billy gained weight and: became considerably stronger in the off- season like s; contact. has good work habits can help the Colonelson special teams will add depth to secondary. graduate of Trinity High School.
Danny Thomas Junior 20 5-11 1/2 189. Two Letters Winchester, KY Danny was switched from wide receiver to defensive back midway through '96 spring practice could be impact player in secondary immediately only knows one gear
overdrive coaching staff likes the way he practices and plays the game runs 4.46 40 -yard dash had 10 receptions for 149 yards and one TD in two seasons as Colonel wideout. had three tackles, two assists in '96 spring game graduate of George Rogers Clark High School.
J. D. Bowling LB 6-2
215 Fr Madison Central High School Richmond , KY J D was a four-year participant for the Indians, including the last three seasons under MC head coach Bill Cronin hono rable mention all-state pick in 1995 was an all - conference and all-county choice last season served as defensive captain four years collected most valuable player award holds school records for most tackles in a career (530), season (170) and games (29) named to Who's Who in Sports enjoys weightlifting, painting and hunting biggest athletic thrill came when he knocked down rival's 300-pound fullback and intercepted a pass to win the game. chose EKU because of the winning atmosphere will major in law enforcement at Eastern.
Michael Brooks DB 6-2
200 Fr Shelby County High School. Shelbyville, KY Michael was a three-year participant in football for coach Tom Becherer and a three-year basketball player at SCHS for coach Gary Kidwell. was first-team all-state defensive selection last season was the Kentucky Network Class 4A Player of the Year over the past two seasons, he accounted for seven defensive touchdowns (five on interception returns and two on fumbles) three-year football and basketball starter. has 4 7 speed as option quarterback, he averaged 10.1 yards per carry, scampering for 1,238 yards in 122 carries and scoring 17 touchdowns named to Lexington Herald Leader 22-best senior Class of the Commonwealth team for 1995 his biggest athletic thrill was competing in 4A state championship game his sophomore year. picked EKU because of the Colonels' coaching staff, winning tradition and proximity to home plans to major in teacher education EKU.
185 Jr. .College of the Desert Junior College Hollywood Hills High School. Davie, FL Robert was a three-sport participant (football , basketball and track) at Hollywood Hills High also played football for coach Steve Dostal at College of the Desert in Palm Desert, CA two-time Defensive Palyer of the Year by the Hallandale Digest. was chosen as Athlete of the Year at Hollywood Hills High his senior year an all-state pick in football and all -conference choice in basketball. second team All-Foothills Conference while playing for College of the Desert enjoys painting and playing video games biggest athletic thrills include winning the three-round high school playoff, the district and regional high school championships two seasons in a row, the Foothill Conference and the Southern California Bowl in junior college selected EKU because of its winning tradition and of its academic offerings will major in teacher education at Eastern.
Robert Bryant DB 6-1
Kenneth Combs .. . LB . . . 6-2 . .. 218 ... Fr... Breathitt County High School. Lost Creek, KY . Kenneth participated in football three years and track four seasons at BCHS nicknamed "Shorty" helped the Bobcats advance from a 1-9 team his freshman season to 15-0 state champs his senior year. served as captain in 1995 third-team all-state pick by the Lexington Herald-Leader and Courier-Journal. first-team All Mountain had 1, 100 yards of all-purpose yardage as senior had 105 solo tackles, 94 assists, five interceptions , 1O sacks and four fumble recoveries last season was hurdler and threw shot and discus in track also had career marks at BCHS of 1,854 yards rushing, 562 receiving yards and 34 touchdowns enjoys weightlifting, fishing, hunting , boating and camping biggest athletic thrill was being part of the first state championship in any sport at Breathitt County member of National Honor Society picked EKU because of getting a shot at anot her championship, the winning tradition, coach Roy Kidd, his staff and players and his family and friends will have an opportunity to watch him play will major in physical education at Eastern.
Waylon Chapman QB 6-3
195 Fr Breathitt County High School Noctor, KY Waylon played three seasons of football at BCHS for coach Mike Holcomb and two years of basketball for Bobcats coach Roscoe Denny first-team all-state pick of the Lexington HeraldLeader and third-team all-state choice of The CourierJournal. his passing led Breathitt County back from a 2820 deficit in the closing minutes of regulation to force overtime in state AA championship game vs FranklinSimpson his 16-yard scoring toss on fourth down in the state finals capped a 42-35 comeback victory and an undefeated season Mr Football Finalist. 1995 Class AA Player of the Year Big Dipper Sports All-Mountain Senior Team Most Valuable Player in the 1994 and 1995 Honey Bowls member of Kentucky high school all-star football team set Breathitt County single season school records for passes attempted (281 ), completed (161 ), touchdown passes (30) and yards passing (3,113) had career school records of 6,023 yards passing and 68 touchdown passes biggest athletic thrill was winning the CCA football championship listed in Who's Who of America enjoys fishing, hunting, camping and fourwheeling chose Eastern because of coaching staff and his academic program plans to major in law enforcement atEKU.
Corey Crume TB • 6-1
215 Fr• Marion County High School Lebanon, KY Corey played four years of football at MCHS for coach Mike Griffiths, former graduate assistant at EKU also ran track and played basketball at Marion County as a senior in 1994, he picked up 1,964 yards rushing in 264 carries, while socring 37 touchdowns signed with University of Louisville out of high school and was redshirted last season had career rushing marks of 3,563 yards on 342 carries and 53 TD's was all-district and all-state pick his senior year, while being named among nation's best 100 players was a two-year all-state selection in track as long jumper enjoys listening to music and playing video games was three-time Academic All-State choice and president of the Afro-American Club in high school chose Eastern because of the great football tradition, the chance to get a quality education and family history
250 Fr South Miami Senior High School Miami, FL. Lewis played three years of high school football in Florida , including last season for coach Charles Yanda at South Miami. also won Most Valuable Track Athlete in 1995 in field events captain third-team all-county. was all-conference center was regional qualifier in shot put. Most Valuable Lineman award ranked 31st top collegiate prospect i n Dade County last year by Miami Herald. hobbies include weightligting, playing football and dabbling in electronics ranked in the top 20 percent of his senior class with 3.033 GPA biggest thrills in athletics have been making a "pancake" block and recovering muffed punts on special teams liked EKU because of the winning tradition, great coaching staff and academic opportunities offered
Lewis Diaz C/LS 6-2
Sturdie Downs DB 5-10 180 Fr Hahnville High School. Luling, LA Sturdie played four seasons (1991-94) at Hahnville High for coach Darren Barbi e r. was three-time all-district and all-metro choice his sophomore through senior seasons as HHS won t he 5A state title in 1992 and 1994 was also second team all-district as a freshman in 1991 as HHS won state crown totaled 95 tackles and four interceptions as senior did not participate in football in 1995 hobbies include playing basketball, running and fishing was listed in Who's Who Among High School Students will major in computer science at EKU this fall biggest athletic thrills included winning three state football championships and playing in the Superdome picked EKU because of the academic opportunities offered and the great football tradition.
Robert Gail. OT 6-6 290 Fr Friendswood High School. .. Friendswood, TX ... Robert was a first-team all - district and all-county choice for coach Steve Vanmeter at Friendswood High honorable mention all -State choice threeyear participant i n football at FHS interests include writing short stories, golfing and playing football. was born in Saudi Arabia and has traveled extensively through Turkey, Greece, Sri-Lanka, Italy, Germany , Poland,Africaand Cyprus biggest athletic thrill was being part of first FHS team in 23 years that advanced to playoff round action was impressed with EKU coaches , the total football program , small town setting and the friendliness and the togetherness of the Colonel football team will major in English at Eastern.
Josh Hunter C/OG 6- 21/2 263 Fr Southeast High School. Bradenton, FL. Josh was a four-year, threesport (football , track , wrestling) participant at Southeast High was three-time all-area, all-state and all-reg ion player for coach Paul Meatchle all-area pick in wrestling being part of two state championship football teams has been his biggest athletic thrill. totaled 35 pancake blocks hobbies include weightlifting and playing video games ranked 31st out of senior class of 385 chose Eastern because of its outstanding football tradition
Deven Jackson DE 6-3 240 Fr Tates Creek High School. Lexington, KY Deven participated in football , basketball and track at Tates Creek was all-city pick and captain in football for coach Joe Ruddell third - team Courier Journal all-state pick Most Valuable Offensive Lineman was part of back-to-back city champion teams at Tates Creek enjoys listen i ng to music and working with computers his biggest athletic thrill was his first sack liked EKU because of closeness to home , smaller campus and that Eastern coaches had shown the most interest in him will major in computer information systems at EKU.
Jason Muchow.. . DT ... 6-1 ... 265 ... Fr... Merritt Island High School. Merritt Island, FL. Jason played football and wrestled three seasons at MIHS was All-Space Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 1995 for coach Gerald Odom 1995 first -team AII-SCC , All-Central Florida and SA all-state 1996 North -South All-Star Game part of '95 MIHS district championship s quad team captain likes to hunt , fish , camp and work on old automobiles won Most Athletic Award at Merritt Island High. playing against UCF starting quarterback Daunte Culpepper in the 1994 state semifinals and sacking him solo liked the Eastern coaching staff and the 'down home' feeling at EKU
Kris Nevels . .. DB ... 5-10 ... 160... Fr... Simon Kenton High School. Florence, KY Kris participated in football , track and basketball at Simon Kenton was football team captain for coach Chris Wilertz as junior and senior was Defensive Back of the Year as sophomore and junior team's Best Runningback and all-conference team as a junior Northern Kentucky All -Star Te a m Man of Simon Kenton Award Senior Superlative Award Most Athletic Award biggest athletic thrill was to be a sophomore member of first Simon Kenton football team in school history to make it to playoffs and win a playoff game finished in first place in 400-meter run atthe regional track meet. interests include weightlifting , playing basketball , running, listening to music and modeling was impressed with the coaching staff at EKU and likes the proximity of campus to home
Brett O'Buck OT 6-4 270 Fr Pope High School. .Roswell, GA. .Brett played three seasons of football for coach Bob Lord and competed four years in track at Pope High was an all-conference player his junior and senior years honorable mention All-State in football. won Pope's Unsung Hero award led Pope to best record (8-2) and the state playoffs for the first time in school history enjoys hobbies of fishing , eating and weightlifting biggest athletic thrill was to beat Milton High School hisjunioryear, winning on a two-point conversion with just 15 seconds to go after being down 14 points at halftime chose EKU because "Eastern hardly ever loses and I don 't like to lose" will major in physical education this fall at Eastern
Austin Maddox KIP 6-1
190 Fr Owensboro High School. Owensboro, KY Austin was a four-year football letterman for coach Gerald Poynter and three-year letterwinner in soccer for coach Dale Poole at OHS was a 1995 honorable mention all-state kicker by the Courier-Journal. all-city kicker last season tied Owensboro High's record for longest field goal (47 yards) was 6-11 in field goal tries last year, including a 43 and 47yarder had 45 punts for 38 6 yard average with four punts downed inside the 1o yard line and three punts downed inside the five-yard line made 20-23 extra points 22 of 37 kickoffs went into the endzone also enjoys playing basketball and golf and watching ice hockey was an honorable mention academic all-state selection in high school. chose EKU because of scholarship offer and opportunity to participate as a freshman
Marshall Presley DT 6-4 260 Lakeside High School. Atlanta, GA Marshall was a four-year football participant at LHS for coach Phil Lindsey also competed in wrestling in 1994 at Lakeside all-state pick last season when he was chosen to play for the Georgia-Florida high school all-star football game was an ail-county selection his junior and senior seasons team captain in 1995 selected Most Valuable Offensive Lineman at Lakeside for five straight seasons (8th grade-senior year) collected 60 tackles , two caused fumbles , six sacks and three tackles for loss in 1995 enjoys playing basketball and reading as hobbies plans to major in physical education at EKU biggest athletic thrill came his junior season when he totaled 15 tackles , two tackles for loss, three sacks and graded out more than 97 percent effective against Tucker High School. picked EKU because of the unity between the players when he visited campus.
Adam Rader LB 6-0 200 Fr St. Francis DeSales High School. Westerville, OH Adam was a two-sport (football, track) participant at DeSales , playing football for coach Bob Jacoby first-team all-state pick in football all-league choice in track and football. Division II Defensive Player of the Year. enjoys sports of all types , weightlifting and playing sega biggest athletic thrill came his junior year when he had two sacks in front of 15,000 people in a game won by DeSales , 41-6, over archrival Watterson came to Eastern because of the EKU coaching staff, players and "their desire to win".
Donny Meyer DT 6-3
245 Fr St. Xavier High School. Louisville, KY Donny played three seasons of football at St. X for coach Mike Glaser was a first-team alldistrict and Courier-Journal honorable mention all-state pick last season enjoys fishing, playing basketball and being around friends his father, Donald, Sr., ran track atTeneessee Tech before transferring to Bellarmine College to complete his degree biggest athletic thrill was winning the 4A state championship last year. picked Eastern because of the family atmosphere
Dwane Tauiliili. DE 6-5 240 Jr Kings River College Roosevelt High School Fresno, CA .Dwane comes to Eastern from Kings River College in Reedley (CA) played two seasons of high school football at RHS for coach Kevin Johns selected Eastern because of the environment surrounding the University and its distance from home will major in business at Eastern this fall
Returning Colonels' Career Stats
PASS RECEIVING KICKOFF RETURNS
PUNT RETURNS INTERCEPTIONS
EKU Football Network
Richmond radio station WEKY-AM (1340 on the dial) will aga in serve as the flagship station for the 1996 EKU Football Network , while Eastern's public radio stations, WEKU-FM (88 9) and WEKH (90 9) also carry Colonel football over a large portion of southeastern and eastern Kentucky
This year's broadcast team will be headed by longtime play-by-play announcer Greg Stotelmyer, who will be beginning his 14th season as "The Voice of the Colonels" and his 18th season overall of calling EKU football games . Joining him as color analyst will be his partner for the past 11 seasons in the broadcast booth , Webber Hamilton , and second-year field reporter Brett Pouncey, WEKY Sports Director
In addition to the radio broadcasts, the EKU Football Network features pre-game interviews with coaches and players , and Kidd joins Stotelmyer on the field after each game for the informative Coach Roy Kidd Post-Game Show
Colonels Send Three More Players to NFL Ranks
With Eastern Kentucky's success on the football field welldocumented since the inception of I-AA football in 1978, the Colonels have also enjoyed huge success in providing signees to the different professional football leagues through the years.
A total of 33 former EKU Colonels in the past ten seasons have either been drafted or have signed as free agents with NFL clubs, including this year's additions-tight end Jason Dunn (Philadelphia Eagles, second round) , punter/kicker Marc Collins (Seattle Seahawks, free agent) and wide receiver Dialleo Burks (Philadelphia Eagles, free agent) .
Several EKU Colonels have played in the old American Football League , the now-defunct World League , the Canadian Football League, the World League of American Football , the Arena Football League and the National Football League
Split-end Aaron Marsh in 1968 began the parade of modernday Colonels to professional football as he signed and started that season for the Boston Patriots of the AFL. EKU 's next big entry was that of former Time Magazine All -American and the No . 8 pick in the 1973 NFL Draft , defensive tackle Wally Chambers He finished his first season in grand style by being named the National Football Conference's Defensive Rookie of the Year .
Entering the begining of the NFL's summer pre-season camps in July this year , nine former Eastern players were on NFL rosters . These include , with their first year in the NFL listed, offensive tackle John Jackson (1988)-Pittsburgh Steelers ; defensive end Aaron Jones (1988)-Miami Dolphins ; runningback Tim Lester (1991 )-Pittsburgh Steelers ; linebacker David Wilkins (1992)-lndianapolis Colts ; defensive end Chad Bratzke (1994)-New York Giants ; Bryan Dickerson (1995)-Jacksonville Jaquars; and Dunn, Collins and Burks
From left, the WEKY Radio broadcast team: Webber Hamilton, Greg Stotelmyer , Brett PounceyGame 1 - Sept. 7
Troy State University at Richmond
Locat ion-Troy , AL 7 :oo p.m. EDT
Founded-1887
Chancellor-Dr Jack Hawkins, Jr
Enrollment-17 ,500
Colors-Cardinal , Silver , Black
Conference-Southland
Nickname-Trojans
Athletics Director-Johnny Williams
Head Coach-Larry Blakeney (Auburn , 1970)
Coaching Record at TSU-46-13 - 1/6th year
Coaching Record Overall-46 - 13-1 /6th year
Phone (334) 670-3490
Assistant Coaches-Don Jacobs , Wayne Bolt , Mike Turk , Lance Sasser , Steve Davis , Jim Dye , Marshall Culbreath , And rea Haley
Last Year's Overall Record-11-1-0
Last Year' s Conference Record/Finish-NIA
SID-Tom Ensey-(334) 670-3480
Home Phone No - (334) 566-2038
SID FAX No -(334) 670-3278
Trainer-Chuck Ash
Stadium / Capacity-Memorial/12 ,000
Press Box Number-(334) 670-3229
Lettermen LosUReturning-22/42
PROSPECTUS
Arrid Gregory Tailback
The Trojans lost seven starters , including three five-year seniors , from last year' s 11-1 un it that averaged 38.6 points and 410yards per game At quarterback Stan Davis , a fifth-year seniorwho has served as an outstanding backup to Kelvin Simmons and Jeremy Rowell during his career , is ready to take centerstage as the starter
Fullback Joe Jackson scored 13 touchdowns last yea r to lead the team and gained 509 yards on 80 carries. At tailback should be Arrid Gregory , who started but split time in the backfield with Ted Yarbrough last year after gaining 556 yards on 76 carries in 1995 for a stunning 7 3 ya rds per carry and seven TD's
Davis' top target at receiver should be Maurice Stringerwho topped the team last year with 27 catches for 283 yards. In the offensive front , left tackle Kerry Jenkins and right guard Scott Childers return as starters and both are pre-season second-team all-Southland Football League selections.
Troy State returns five defensive starters from the 1995 team that allowed just 129 7 yards rushing , 141.6 passing and 13.1 points per game. The Trojans may have the toughest pass rush trio in Division I-AA in ends Pratt Lyons , Stacy Murry and Reggie Lowe
Marcus Spriggs , a 6-3 , 285 pound sophomore transfer from Ohio State , moves well , defeats blocks and could give TSU a boost in the middle of the line next year Dale Watson returns at outside linebacker where he put up numbers of 82 tackles , three sacks and eight tackles for loss
Demetric Shipman and Cliff Shamburger give TSU two good cover corners with returning experience The punter and placekicker positions will be manned by players with little or no e x perience at TSU , although Wes Garne r was the starting punter at Eastern Michigan in 1993 and averaged almost 40 yards per punt.
The series is tied 1-1.
1996 SCHEDULE 1995 RES ULTS
Game 2 - Sept. 1 4
Western Kentucky University at Bowling Green
7:00 p.m. CDT
Location-Bowling Green , KY
Founded-1906
President-Dr Thomas G Meredith
Enrollment-15 ,002
Colors-Red and White
Nickname-Hilltoppers
Conference-NCAA I-AA Independent Athletics Director-Lewis Mills
Head Coach-Jack Harbaugh (Bowling Green , 1961)
Coaching Record at WKU-30-44-0/8th year
Coaching Record Overall-55-71-3/13th year
Phone (502) 745-2984
Assistant Coaches-Danny Crossman , Curtis Bray ,
Phillip Montgomery , Brian Jenkins , TBA
Last Year's Overall Record - 2-8-0
Last Year' s Conference Record/Finish - N/A
SID-Paul Just-(502) 745-4298
Home Phone No (502) 781 -4852
SID FAX No -(502) 745 - 3444
Trainer-Bill Edwards
Stadium/Capacity- L.T. Smith/17 ,500
Press Box Number-(502 ) 745-4298
Lettermen LosUReturning-16/41
Jack Harbaugh Coach
Western Kentucky head football coach Jack Harbaugh returns 41 letterwinners , including 16 starters , from a youthful 1995 team thatfeatured a number of outstanding athletes , but suffered from a lack of overall e x perience
Among the 41 returning lettermen are 10 of 12 athletes who carried the football last fall , leading the Hilltoppers to second place on the NCAA's rushing offense leaders' list. This group is led by veteran tailback Antwan Floyd who enters his final collegiate season with 2,734 career rushing yards , thi rd on WKU's all - time list.
Floyd , who ran for 880 yards last season , is just 836 yards away from Western's career rushing record (3 ,570) , set by Joe Arnold ( 1985-88).
Fullback La Travis Powell (496 yards , 4 TD's) and quarterback Willie Taggart (430 yds ., 8 TD's) also return, along with runningback Ron Townsley (352 yds ., five scores) , tailback Mitchell Randle (290 yds. , 2 TD ' s) and wingback Sidney Williams (159 yds )
Heading up the list of receivers is junior Joey Stockton who ranked fifth in the nation in all-purpose running (119.0 yds pg ), 11th in receiving yards per game (86 3) and 22nd in kickoff return average (23 95)
Leading the way for the defense is last year's top tackler , linebacker Bryson Warner (86 stops in '95) Others returning on this side of the ball are defensive backs Carlis Phillips , Delvechio Walls and Bryan Daniel and tackle Kenny Martray
Western leads the series, 38-31-3.
1996 SCHEDULE 1995 RES UL TS
Aug 29 KENTUCKYWESLEYAN 14 MURRAY STATE 35
Sept. 7 at Murray State 14 at Eastern Kentucky 38
Sept .14 at EASTERN KENTUCKY 34 at Austin Peay 38
Sept. 21 at Austin Peay 32 ALABAMA-BIRMINGHAM 18
Sept. 28 at Marshall 39 at Troy State 56
Oct. 5 at Alabama-Birmingham 17 JACKSONVILLESTATE 15
Oct. 12 at Jacksonville State 9 EASTERN ILLINOIS 35
Oct. 19 LIBERTY 6 at Indiana State 27
Oct. 26 INDIANASTATE 28 at Southern Illinois 30
Nov 2 SOUTHERN ILLINOIS 36 at Liberty 49
Nov 9 at Morehead State
Larry Blakeney CoachGame 3 - Sept. 21
Appalachian State University at Richmond
7:00 p.m. EDT
Location-Boone , NC
Founded-1899
Chancellor-D r. Francis Borkowski
Enrollment-11,650
Colors-Black and Gold Conference-Southern
Nickname-Mountaineers
Athletics Director-Roachel Laney
Head Coach-Jerry Moore (Baylor, 1961)
Coaching Record at ASU-55-29-0/8th year
Coaching Record Overall-82 - 77-2/15th year Jerry Moore Phone (704) 262-2501 Coach
Assistant Coaches-Rob Best , Ruffin McNeil! , Stacy Searels , Dale Jones, Tim Horton , John Wiley , Louis Clyburn , Mark DiBastiani
Last Year's Overall Record - 12-1-0
Last Year's Conference Record/Finish-8-0-0/First
SID-Rick Covington-(704) 262-3080
Home Phone No.-(704) 262-5480
SID FAX No -(704) 262-6106
Trainer-Andy Massey
Stadium/Capacity-Kidd Brewer/16 ,650 Press Box Number-(704) 262-3172
Lettermen LosUReturning-13/54
PROSPECTUS
Jerry Moore enters his eighth season as head coach at Appalachian State and welcomes 54 lettermen , including 16 starters, for the 1996 campaign
Last season, the Moutaineers were ranked second 13 consecutive weeks and became the first team in Southern Conference history to compile an 8-0-0- league mark. Appy State also became the first Division I school in North Carolina to compile an 11-0-0 record in the modern era
Eleven lettermen , including all five starters, return to the offensive line in 1996 Three of the starting five (center Scott Kadlub , tackle Chad Groover, guard Shawn Clark) were first-team All-Southern Conference selections , while Kadlub and Groover were named to All-American teams.
Damon Scott returns at tailback for ASU after rushing for 1,458 yards and 16 touchdowns A pair of redshirt freshmen, Chris Charles and Luke Manual, and returnee Bake Baker will battle it out for the starting quarterback job.
Otis Smith (27 catches-344 yards) and Kevin Burton (17-190) will be back to head the Mountaineer receivers. Four lettermen, including Jeff Vollmer , who started in all seven of his appearances in '95 , are back at tight end
The defense will be led by a veteran nine-lettermen line and linebacker corps 1995 Buck Buchanan Award inaugural winner Dexter Coakley , a twotime consensus All -American at linebacker , heads these returnees, along · with All-SC linebacker Joe DiBernardo All four starters in the '95 secondary were lost to graduation.
Eastern leads the series, 2-1-0.
Game 4 - Sept. 28
Tennessee Tech University at Richmond
7:00 p.m. EDT
Location-Cookeville , TN
Founded-1915
President-Dr Angelo Volpe
Enrollment-8 ,260
Colors-Purple and Gold
Conference-Ohio Valley
Nickname-Golden Eagles
Athletics Director-Dr. David Larimore
Head Coach-Mike Hennigan (Tennessee Tech , 1973)
Coaching Record at TTU-0-0-0/1 st year
Coaching Record Overall-0-0-0/1 st year Mike Hennigan Coach Phone (615) 372-3930
Assistant Coaches-David Bibee, Gerald Brown , Jeff _______
Fela, Chris Jones, Ted Lockerby, Randy Pippin , Lorenza Rivers, Mike Smith
Last Year's Overall Record-3-8-0
Last Year's Conference Record/Finish-2-6/Tie 6th
Football SID-Jeff Patton (615) 372-3088
Home Phone No -(615) 537-3236
SID FAX No.-(615) 372-6139
Trainer-David Green
Stadium/Capacity-Tucker/16 ,500
Press Box Number-(615) 372-3293 , 3088
Lettermen LosUReturning-16/39
PROSPECTUS
Robert TaylorCornerback
Tennessee Tech begins its first season under new head coach Mike Hennigan in 1996 and Hennigan is expecting one thing above all else from the Golden Eagles - -competition
"The whole team will be starting from scratch, and that should make for some good competition," Hennigan said.
At quarterback , senior Jamie Sander (1,738 yards passing and 10 touchdowns in '95) , junior Greg Triplett (538 yards passing, two TD's, 67 percent completion rate) and sophomore transfer Phillip Anderson are expected to battle for the starting spot , with redshirt freshman Thomas Weaver also in the mix.
Seniors Mondreka Hendrix and Demond Stone headline Tech's receiver corps Stone had 20 catches for 278 yards and three TD's in 1995 , while Hendrix added 15 grabs for 137 yards and one score
Several familiar faces return to the defensive front in 1996 Seniors Marcus Patton and Shawn Sickler and juniors EddieArnell and Jamie McBryar will work at the end positions In the middle, seniors Jim Nelson and Adam Wright lead the way.
Juniors Trent McNaull (7 4 tackles) and Sammy Sanders (61 tackles) will lineup at the inside linebacker positions. Ira Lacy returns atstrongside LB, while Eric Rowe will lineup at roverback
Senior Robert Taylor , who was second in the league in interceptions in 1995 with six , returns for his final campaign at one corner Senior Jay Henderson returns at punter(39 1 avg ), while senior Ryan Kelly (6-8 FG , 26-28 EP) is back as Tech's kicker
Dexter Coakley LinebackerGame s - Oct. s
SE Missouri State University at Richmond {Homecoming)
2:00 p.m. EDT
Location-Cape Girardeau, MO
Founded-1873
President-Dr. Kala Stroup
Enrollment-8,500
Colors-Red and Black Conference-Ohio Valley
Nickname-Indians
Athletics Director-Dr. Richard McDuffie
Head Coach-John Mumford (Pittsburg State , 1979)
Coaching Record at SEMO-27 -39-0/7th Year
Coaching Record Overall-27-39-0/7th Year Phone (573) 651-2110
Assistant Coaches-Greg Bamberger , Charles Sabbatini , Dave Dumars , Jay Thomas , Tony Gilbert , Kevin Verdugo
Last Year's Overall Record-5-6-0
Last Year 's Conference Record/Finish -5-3-0/4th
SID-Ron Hines-(573) 651-2294
Home Phone No.-(618) 985-3452
SID FAX No -(573) 651-2810
Trainer-Dave Grossman
Stadium/Capacity-Houck/10 ,000
Press Box Number-(573) 651-2191
Lettermen Lost/Returning-15/30
PROSPECTUS
Rebuiding the offensive backfield has been one of the major tasks the SEMO coaching staff has faced since the close of last season
Justin Martini and Travis Blevins will vie for the quarterback slot , while Tony McDonald, Corey Sellars , Corey Williams and Gabe Jenkins are candidates at tailback
Mumford feels the offensive line should be a strength of the 1996 team with three starters returning and guards Justin Landers and Roy Miller recovered from injuries that sidelined them last season Returning starters include AII - OVC cand idate Durand Frierson at center and tackles Scott Davis and Mike Nielsen.
The 1996 SEMO defense will be built around a strong linebacking corps that includes both talent and depth Bobby Haggerty, who tied for the OVC lead last season in tackles with 136 hits, leads this group , along with Sondra Rhodes and Brian Burton , a pre-season All-American last season who was granted a medical redshirt after going down with a knee injury in the second game last fall.
The defensive line will be strengthened by the return of All-Amer ican candidate Angel Rubio , who received a medical redshirt after being injured in the 1995 season opener
The secondary includes All-America candidate Greg Klund and veteran defenders Andrew Joyce and Ronnie Sm ith Sophomore Fred Hambrick should move to a starting position at one corner with Smith on the other , while Joyce and Klund will man the safety slots Eastern leads the
Game 6 - Oct. 19
Middle Tennessee State University at Murfreesboro
6:00 p.m. CDT
Location-Murfreesboro , TN
Founded-1911
President-Dr James E. Walker
Enrollment-17,424
Colors-Navy Blue and White
Conference-Ohio Valley
Nickname-Blue Raiders
Athletics Director-Lee Fowler
Head Coach-Boots Donnelly (MTSU , 1965)
Coaching Record at MTSU-125-7 1-1/18th year
Coaching Record Overall-139-78-1/20th year Boots Donnelly
Phone (615) 898 - 2570 Coach
Assistant Coaches-Todd Tanney , Tom Fiveash , Ray
Barnes, Matt Riley , Eric Roark , Alex Robins , Billy
D'Ottavio , Floyd Walker.
Last Year's Overall Record-7-4-0
Last Year's Conference Record/Finish-6-2/3rd
SID-Ed Given-(615) 898-2450
Home Phone No - (615) 895 -0827
SID FAX No.-(615) 898-5626
Tra iner-George Camp
Stadium / Capacity-Floyd/15 ,000 Press Box Number-(615) 898-2312
Lettermen Lost/Returning-11/37
PROSPECTUS
Anthony Hicks
Defensive End
Coach Boots Donnelly and his staff went into spring practice with three problem areas in need of repair- - offensive line , depth in defensive line and secondary
The Blue Raiders , who will be moving from NCAA Division I-AA to Division I-A in 1998 , return a total of 19 starters and 37 lettermen from last year 's team that finished with a 7-4 record
The seven returning offens ive starters include receivers Demetric Mostiller and Toby Walker , tight end Carlos Geter, guards Andy Massey and Buck Williams , tackle Jarvis Jo ll y and quarterback Jonathan Quinn.
The tailback slot should be manned by junior Lebrian McGill who ran for 705 yards and five TD's last season. Quinn brings back excellent passing credentials , having completed 108 of 223 passes for 1,724 yards and eightTD's
Mostiller and Walker accounted for 72 catches , 1,605 yards and nine TD's Mostiller set a school record with 934 yards pass receiving MTSU returns 10 defensive starters , including All-OVC ends Anthony Hicks and Anthony McCord, tackles Reggie Upshaw and Jay Moore , linebackers Kris White and Brian Chastain , cornerbacks Gary Barnes and Cedric Stegall , and safeties Jeremy McMurry and Garland Henley
Both kickers , punter Brandon Thomas and Rhett Kopp , also return Eastern leads the series, 26-19-0.
1996 SCHEDULE 1995 RESULTS
Aug 31 at Louisiana Tech 11 TENNESSEE STATE 7
Sept. 7 at Tennessee State 26 at Georgia Southern. 34
Sept. 14 UT CHATTANOOGA 42 at Mo rehead State 0
Sept. 21 Open 0 MURRAY STATE 34
Sept. 28 at Murray State 28 ALABAMA- BIRMINGHAM 13
Oct 5 at Jacksonville State 43 at Austin Peay 0
Oct 12 AUSTIN PEAY 21 at Eastern Kentucky 34
Oct. 19 EASTERN KENTUCKY 42 SOUTHEAST MISSOURI 0
Oct 26 at Southest Missouri 45 UT MARTIN 17
Nov 2 Open 31 at Tennessee Tech 6
Nov 9 at UT Martin 14 at Texas A&M ······ 56
Nov 16 EASTERN ILLINOIS
Nov 23 TENNESSEETECH
John Mumford Coach Angel Rubio NoseguardGame 7 - Oct. 26
University of Tennessee-Martin at Martin
1 :00 p.m. CDT
Location-Martin , TN
Founded-1951
President-Dr Margaret N Perry
Enrollment- 5,646
Colors-Royal Blue , Orange and White Conference-Ohio Valley
Nickname-Skyhawks
Athletics Director-Benny Hollis
Head Coach-Don Mcleary (Tennessee , 1970)
Coaching Record at UTM-49-63/1 Hh year
Coaching Record Overall-59-71/13th year Don Mcleary Phone (901) 587-7670 Coach
Assistant Coaches-Mike McIntyre , Todd Kirk , Rod Olson , Marion Hobby , Kacy Rodgers , Brian Spano , Jody Evans , Mark Leposky
Last Year's Overall Record-5-6-0
Last Year' s Conference Record/Finish-4-4/5th
SID-Lee Wilmot-(901) 587 -7630
Home Phone No.-(901) 587-9811
SID FAX No -(901) 587-7624
Trainer-Tim Mull ins
Stadium / Capacity-Skyhawk/7 ,500
Press Box Number-(901) 58 7 -7678 , 7676
Lettermen Lost/Returning-16 / 37
Remondia Weems
PROSPECTUS Safety
An offensive unit filled with experience highlights the UT Martin Sky hawks in 1996.
Coach Don Mcleary's first edition of the Skyhawks more than lived up to its new nickname UT Martin averaged 43 pass attempts per game While Mcleary says that the pass will still be an integral part of his team's attack, the coach wants to establish the run on a more consistent basis which will allow the Sky hawks to be more of a ball-control club.
SeniorquarterbackJeffMcCronewill be the player called upon to direct the Sky hawks' revamped attack as he passed for2 ,519 yards and 17 TD's in his first season in the program
Three e x perienced receivers return in Lenny Harris(53-790-5) , Deumaine Reeder(40-448-3) and John Dillon (20-272-2) for the Sky hawks Howe v er , the top pass receiver last season -tailback Nikki Jackson (63-425-0) - for UTM also led the club in rushing with 466 yards and five TD's in 79 carries
An offensive line , led by veteran center Will Woody, guard Jason Lawrence and tackle Richard Coure , should help UTM run the football more effectively
The Sky hawk defense was hit hard by graduation Top players on this unit should include tackle Jamy Reynoldson , who was among the leaders in the OVC in quarterback sacks and highly-regarded defensive end Antonio Strobridge.
Remondia Weems and Chr is Jones will lead a young secondary Carlton Sisco is the most e x perienced linebacker returning , butTemple transfer Jon Swift should make an immediate impact.
Eastern leads the series, 7-0.
Game a - Nov. 2
Tennessee State University at Richmond
1 :30 p.m. EST
Location-Nashville , TN
Founded-1912
President-Dr James A. Hefner
Enrollment-8,448
Colors-Royal Blue and White
Conference-Ohio Valley
Nickname-Tigers
Athletics Director-Howard Gentry , Jr
Head Coach-L. C Cole (Nebraska , 1980)
Coaching Record at TSU-0-0 -0/1 st year
Coaching Record Overall-0-0 - 0/ 1st year
Phone (615) 963-5914
Assistant Coaches-Jake Cabell, Johnnie Cole , Kurt Hiedelberg , George James, Willie Jones , James
Reese
Last Year's Overall Record - 2-9-0
Last Year's Conference Record/Finish - 1-7/Tie-8th
SID-Johnny "Ballpark" Franks (615) 963-5851
Home Phone No -(615) 793-8889
SID FAX No.-(615) 963-7515
Trainer-Rod Newman
Stadium/Capacity-Hale/16 ,000
Press Box Number-(615) 963-7515
Lettermen Lost/Returning-16 /40
PROSPECTUS
The Tigers ofTennessee State University are looking to the 1996 season as an opportunity to recapture the pride and tradition of their historic past. This year , Tennessee State will be working to snap a stretch of five consecutive losing seasons
L.C Cole , who begins his first season as head coach of the Tigers this year , returns 40 lettermen from last season's squad that finished with a 29 overall record.
Four starters are back on an offensive unit that averaged 297 6 yards per game. The quarterback duties will fall to either junior Robey Williams (56128 for 680 yards and 7 TD's) or Brian Davis , a transfer from Middle Tennessee.
The wide receivers will be paced by second-team AII-OVC Jerome Hurd (53-644-6) and Duane Moore and Juan Hall. Jarrick Hillery (644 yds ) returns as the starter at tailback , while LamarrWallace (183 yds ) is back at fullback 6-3 , 280-pound Raymond Jones is back as the starting center.
Five starters return to the defensive side of the ball. Tackle Michael Thompson and end James Johnson will help hold down the line Led by allstar candidates Michael Holcey , Thomas Jackson and Ryan Falker , TSU possesses perhaps one of the top linebacker units in the OVC
The secondary will feature two starters back , including cornerback Clifford Green (45 tackles, six tackles for loss) and strong safety Darrell Hinton (56 tackles , eight tackles for loss , one interception)
Eastern leads the series, 9-0-0.
r 1996 SCHEDULE
Aug 31 FLORIDA A&M
Sept. 7 MIDDLE TENNESSEE
Sept. 14 Jackson State (Memphis , TN)
Sept. 21 Open
Sept. 28 Southern (Atlanta, GA)
Oct. 5 LANE COLLEGE
Oct. 12 Open
Oct. 19 UT MARTIN
Oct. 26 AUSTIN PEAY
Nov. 2 at Eastern Kentucky
Nov 9 at Tennessee Tech
Nov 16 atMurrayState
\.. Nov 23 SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
1995 RESULTS
7 at Middle Tennessee 11
19 vs Jackson State 24
7 vs Florida A&M 24
15 vs South Carolina State
7 at UT Martin
7 at Austin Peay....
Game 9 - Nov. 9
Murray State University at Richmond 1 :00 p.m. EST
Location-Murray , KY
Founded-1922
President-Dr. Kern Alexander
Enrollment-8,328
Colors-Blue and Gold Conference-Ohio Valley
Nickname-Racers
Athletics Director-Mike Strickland
Head Coach-Houston Nutt (Oklahoma State, 1980)
Coaching Record at MSU-20-14-0/4th year
Coaching Record Overall-20-14-0/4th year Phone (502) 762-6181
Assistant Coaches-Bo Hannaford , Mark Hutson, Mike Markuson , Larry McClain, Danny Nutt
Last Year's Overall Record-11-1-0
Last Year's Conference Record/Finish-8-0-0/1 st
SID-Brian Morgan -(502) 762-4270
Home Phone No.-(502) 753-6897
SID FAX No.-(502) 762-6814
Trainer-Alan Lollar
Stadium/Capacity-Stewart/16 ,800
Press Box Number-(502) 762-6811
Lettermen LosUReturning-17/44
PROSPECTUS
William Hampton Cornerback
After what anyone would consider a season of a lifetime a year ago, the Murray State Racers are hoping that 1996 shows that 1995wasn'tjust an abnormality but the start of a trend.
Matching 1995's success will be difficult. Murray State posted its firstever 11-0 regular season, won the school's first Ohio Valley Conference championship since 1986 and was ranked in the top five of Division I-AA most of the season.
But Racer head coach Houston Nutt, who revitalized football at Murray State after the Racers had not had a winning season since 1989 and who was the OVC Coach and Eddie Robinson award-winner as I-AA Coach of the Year, hopes 1995 was just the beginning.
The Racers return five starters on offense, including AII-OVC quarterback Mike Cherry (135-225 for 2,084 yards and 16 TD's). Gone from the offense is '95 OVC Offensive Player of the Year in runningback Derrick Cullars, who rushed for a MSU record 1,765 yards last season.
Junior Reginald Swinton returns after finishing second on the squad in receptions last season with 27 catches for 412 yards and three TD's. Donnie Stephens (9-105-2) is back at tight end after backing up Xavier Shephard for three seasons.
First-teamAII-OVC selection Anthony Hutch returns for his senior year at defensive end to head the Racer line. First-team AII-OVC linebacker Ronnie Merritt and second-team all-league LB Reuel Shephard are back, as is All-American defensive back William Hampton, who set an NCAA record with 280 yards of interception returns on eight interceptions.
Eastern leads the series, 31-20-4.
1996SCHEDULE
Game 1 O - Nov. 1 & Austin Peay
State University at Clarksville, TN
1 :30 p.m. CST
Locatio n-Clarksville, TN
Founded-1927
President-Dr. Sal Rinella
Enrollment-7,800
Colors-Red and White
Conference-Ohio Valley
Nickname-Governors
Athletics Director-Dr. Kaye Hart
Head Coach-Roy Gregory (UT Chattanooga, 1968)
Coaching Record at APSU-16-39-0/6th year
Coaching Record Overall-16-39-0/6th year
Phone (615) 648-7905
Assistant Coaches-Ed Smith, David Armstrong, Russ
Ehrenfield, Charles Huff, Curtis Rouse, Garrett
Hagin
Last Year's Overall Record-3-8-0
Last Year's Conference Record/Finish-2-6-0/Tie-6th
SID-Brad Kirtley (615) 648-7561
Home Phone No.-(615) 647-0992
SID FAX No.-(615) 648-7562
Trainer-Chuck Kimmel
Stadium/Capacity-Governors/10, 000
Press Box Number-(615) 648-7191, 7194
Lettermen LosUReturning-15/37
PROSPECTUS
Roy Gregory Coach
Jacob Dickson FullbackAPSU football coach Roy Gregory has taken a "get-tough" approach to the 1996 season.
"Defense and the kicking game is where it all starts," Gregory said. 'We are trying to find some people--like in our secondary--who will bust their rear to be the best they can be. We definitely lack experience back there."
The Govs' defense will be led by a pair of linebackers, senior Phil Hancock and junior Thomas Williams, who each recorded more than 100 tackles in 1995. Upfront , APSU returnstackleAmiziahSmithwhofinished with 34 tackles , including five for losses
Smallish defensive end Carlos Payne (5-9, 225) led the OVC in tackles for loss (16 for 42 yards), while Jules Hewitt could be ready to come into his own at defensive end after missing action last season with a dislocated shoulder.
Offensively, the Govs return 10 starters, including wide receiver Gary Williams, who earned second-teamAII-OVC honors a year ago, and Charles Hall (18-395-3).
Jacob Dickson returns for his third straight season as a starter after leading APSU in rushing (607 yds.) for the second straight season.
Chris Horton is back at running back, while Alonzo Porter and Q.T. Todd will battle it out at tight end. After Lance Hoeltke's departure at quarterback, Daniel Williams, Matt Hicks andAlsay Montgomery will challenge for that spot. Potentially, the Govs return the entire offensive line unit intact.
Eastern leads the series, 34-3-0.
Game 11 - Nov. 23
Eastern Illinois University at Charleston
1 :30 p.m. CST
Location-Charleston, IL
Founded-1895
President-Dr David Jorns
Enrollment- 10 ,700
Nickname-Panthers
Colors-Blue and Gray Conference-Ohio Valley
Athletics Director-TBA
Head Coach-Bob Spoo (Purdue, 1960)
Coaching Record at EIU - 52-49-1/10th year
Overall Coaching Record-52-49-1 /1 oth year
Phone-(217) 581 -5031
Assistant Coaches-John Smith, Roy Wittke, Michael Garrison, Clancy Barone, Bob Krieger, John Bowers
Last Year's Overall Record-10-2-0
Last Year's Conference Record/Finish-5-1/Tie-1 st
SID-David Kidwell
SID Office Phone No.-(217) 581-6408
Home Phone No.-(217) 345-4166
SID FAX No.-(217) 581-6434
Trainer-Rob Doyle
Stadium/Capacity-O'Brien/10 ,000
Press Box Phone No.-(217) 581-5032
Lettermen Lost/Returning-12/32
PROSPECTUS
Eastern Illinois has six starters back on each side of the ball but the players who put up the numbers and earned the accolades have graduated. It will be a challenging year as EIU enters a new era in the Ohio Valley Conference after 11 years in the Gateway Conference.
With 12 fulltime starters and 32 lettermen back , the possibility exists for a good season, but 10th year coach Bob Spoo needs to determine starters at several skill positions
Eureka College transfer Mike Simpson will have a shot at the starting QB post after setting an NCAA Division Ill single season pass efficiency record in 1994 by completing 73.4 percent of his passes for 1,988 yards and 25 touchdowns
With both starting runningbacksgone, including All-American and No. 2 EIU all-time rusher Willie High, the Panthers will turn to junior Ibrahim Bawa (388 yds.) to carry the ball most of the time Only one offensive lineman graduated so EIU will have plenty of size and experience at those slots.
Last year's Panther defense was No. 11 nationally in rush defense and No. 17 in scoring "D", giving up just 15.2 ppg.
The EIU defense will be paced by senior lineman Brian McGavock, a second-team All-Gateway pick who led the team with eight sacks; linebacker Rodney Wilson, the team's No. 2 tackler in 1995with 98; and Chris Brown, a three-year starter at cornerback who is expected to solidify the secondary.
EKU leads the series, 3-0-0.
EASTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY ALL-OVC FOOTBALL PLAYERS
Pfaadt back
Smith , back
Marsh, end
Miller , tackle 1987
Bill Brewer, tackle 1967 , 1968 JessieSmall,end. 1987 , 1988
Fred Troike guard 1967, 1968 Gary Greve, guard 1987
Ron Reed, linebacker 1967 Mike Kelly , guard 1988
Harry Lenz, back 1967 Mike Delvisco, center 1988
Jim Moberly , linebacker 1968 Oscar Angulo, tight end 1988
Larry Kaelin guard 1969 Tim Lester, back 1988, 1991
Teddy Taylor, guard 1967-1969 Mike Cadore, end 1988
Jimmie Brooks, back
1966-1971 Chris Coffey , linebacker 1988
Harry Irwin , tackle 1970 Kelly Cutright, safety 1988
Butch Evans, fullback 1970 Mark Mitchell, guard 1989
James Wilson, tight end 1971 Al Jacevicius , tackle 1989
James Porter , back 1971 Jim Von Handorf, center 1989
Wally Chambers, tackle 1970, 1972 Markus Thomas, back 1989, 1992
James Croudep , linebacker 1970, 1972 Randy Bohler, flanker 1989
Larry Kirksey end 1972 Bernard Rhodes tackle 1989
Alfred Thompson , back 1973 ErnestThompson, noseguard 1989-1991
Rich Thomas, back 1973 John Holmes, guard 1990
Everett Talbert, back 1974, 1976 Tim Wimbley , guard.. 1990, 1991
Joe Alvino, guard 1974 1976 Carl Satterly, tackle 1990, 1991
John Revere, flanker 1974 Greg McKee , tackle.. 1990 1991
Robyn Hatley, tackle 1974, 1975 Kelly Blount , linebacker 1990
Earl Cody, kicker 1974 David Wilkins, end 1990, 1991
Stan Roberts, noseguard 1974 Brett Kol nick, end 1990
Junior Hardin, tackle 1974, 1975 Craig Brooks, safety 1990
Elmo Boyd, split-end 1975, 1976 Mike Roth, guard 1991
Scot McCallister, back 1975 Randy Wardlow end 1991
Ernie House, back 1976 Chris McNamee , safety.. 1991
Roosevelt Kelly , center 1976 Brian Pressler, tackle 1992
Anthony Miller back 1976, 1977 Mike
ave All-Time Standings
Bob Spoo Coach Ibrahim Bawa RunningbackPast Scores with 1996 r
Middle Tennessee
Murray State
1995 Eastern Statistics
Individual Statistics
Jason Combs
Burt Talley
James Hand
Miek Ruppe
Brian Cox
Scott Trent
Mike Cherry
Derrick Cullors
William Murrell
Dee Mostiller
Gerald Bentley
Chris Dill
Dione Tyler
1995 AII-OVC Football Team
FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
Kentucky*
State
State
State
Tech#
State Eastern Kentucky Middle Tennessee Tennessee Tech Murray State
Southeast Missouri
Name
Royce McGowan
Mark Robinson
Chris Reid
Mike Nielsen
Durand Frierson
Chris Whitefield
Tommy Luginbill
Michael Peni x
Brigham Lyons
Jerome Hurd
Kwabene ldelette
Gary Williams
Marc Collins
Fred Thomas
FIRST TEAM DEFENSE
Tackle Offensive Tackle Offensive Guard
Offensive Guard Center
Tight End
Running Back
Runningback Wide Receiver Wide Receiver
Punter/Kicker
Kick Return / Punt Return
SECOND TEAM OFFENSE
School
Tennessee State Murray State
Tennessee Tech
Southeast Missouri
Southest Missouri #
Eastern Kentucky
Eastern Kentucky
Tennessee Tech #
Middle Tennessee
Tennessee State
Murra y State
Austin Peay
Eastern Kentucky #
Tennessee -Martin
Offensive Tackle Offensive Tackle
Offensive Guard
Offensive Guard Center
Tight End Quarterback
Runningback
Running back
Wide Receiver Wide Receiver Wide Receiver
Punter/Kicker
Kick Return / Punt Return
Name
Brad Godwin
Anthony McCord
Anthony Hutch
Anthony Hicks
Tony Mccombs
Natahanial Claybrooks
Ronnie Merritt
W illiam Hampton
Fred Thomas
Frank Russell
Joe Ganns
Marc Collins
Name
Emmanuel Duviella
David Hoelscher
Jim Lackey
Steve Gulash
Reuel Shepherd
Ronnie Bell
Ryan Falker
Bobby Haggerty
Robert Taylor
Renardo Hampton
Kirk Pointer
Victor Bonds
Kenny Thomas
Erik Lombard
School
Tennessee-Martin#
Middle Tennessee
Murray State
Middle Tennessee
Eastern Kentucky*
Middle Tennessee• Murray State
Murray State
Tennessee-Martin
Southeast Missouri
Eastern Kentucky Eastern Kentucky*
SECOND TEAM DEFENSE
School
Murray State
Eastern Kentucky
Tennessee State #
Eastern Kentucky
Murray State
Eastern Kentucky
Tennessee State
Southeast Missouri #
Tennessee Tech
Murray State
Austin Peay
Tennessee State
Murray
1995 In Review
Game 1
August 31 at Orlando, FL
Game3
Sept. 16 at Richmond, KY
Game 5
Yards
86 89
EKU - Robert Bould i n 10 yd. run (Marc Collins kick)
UCF - Rufus Hall 24 yd. pass from Daunte Culpepper (Charlie Pierce kick)
UCF - Marquette Smith 1 yd.run (kick failed)
EKU - William Murrell 5 yd. run (Collins kick)
UCF - Smith 1 yd. run (pass failed)
EKU - Collins 46 yd. FG
UCF - Hall 4 yd. pass from Culpepper (Pierce kick)
UCF - Nakia Reddick 58 yd. interception return (Pierce kick)
UCF - Hall 11 yd. pass from Culpepper (Pierce kick)
EKU - Murrell 36 yd. run (Collins kick)
EKU - Jason Dunn 9 yd. pass from Greg Couch (Chris Whitefield pass from Couch)
Attendance: 13,422
Game 2
Sept. 9 at Richmond, KY
EKU - William Murrell 1 yd. run (Marc Collins kick)
EKU - Murrell 7 yd. run (Collins kick) EKU - Ferlando Wilson 1 yd. run (kick blocked)
EKU - Daymon Carter 2 yd run (kick failed)
3,800 (est.)
Game4
EKU
EKU
Renaldo Lampkins 10 yd pass from Shane Kennedy (Ryan Devins kick)
William Murrell 1 yd. run (Marc Collins kick)
Murrell 25 yd. run (Collins kick)
SEMO - Dione Tyler 34 yd. pass from Kennedy (pass failed)
EKU - Bobby Washington 9 yd. pass from Tommy Luginbill (Collins kick)
EKU - Dialleo Burks 62 yd. pass from Luginbill (Collins kick)
EKU - Washington 48 yd. pass from Luginbill (Collins kick)
SEMO - Tyler 85 yd. run (kick failed)
EKU - Ferlando Wilson 1 yd. run (Collins kick)
SEMO - Lampkins 13 yd. pass from Kennedy (pass failed)
Attendance: 7,105 (est.)
Game 6
Oct.14at Richmond, KY
EKU - Jason Dunn 55 yd. run (Marc Collins kick)
EKU - Daymon Carter 2 yd. run (Collins kick)
EKU - William Murrell 8 yd. run (Collins kick)
WKU - Joey Stockton 50 yd. pass from Willie Taggart (Brad Harrell kick)
WKU - Taggart 10 yd. run (Harrell kick)
EKU - Bobby Washington 75 yd. pass from Tommy Luginbill (Collins kick)
EKU Dunn 4 yd. pass from Luginbill (Collins kick)
EKU - Collins 49 yd. FG
Attendance: 18 ,600 (est.)
EKU - William Murrell 1 yd. run (Marc Collins kick)
EKU Robert Bouldin 1 yd. run (Collins kick)
TTU - Ryan Kelly 45 yd. FG
EKU - Murrell 3 yd. run (Collins kick)
5,500 (est.)
EKU - Dialleo Burks 30 yd. pass from Tommy Luginbill (Marc Collins kick)
EKU - William Murrell 1 yd. run (Collins kick)
MTSU-Shelby Parker 3 yd. run (Rhett Kopp kick)
EKU - Murrell 19 yd. run (kick failed)
EKU - Murrell 63 yd. punt return (Collins kick)
EKU - Bobby Washington 33 yd. pass from Luginbill (Collins kick)
MTSU-Toby Walker 60 yd. pass from Jonathan Quinn (Kopp kick)
MTSU-Reggie Upshaw 68 yd. fumble return (Kopp kick)
Attendance: 7,900 (est.)
Game7
Oct. 21 at Richmond, KY
EKU - W ill iam M u rre ll 61 yJ ru n (Marc C o llin s k ick)
EKU - Murre ll 1 y d run (C ollins kick)
VTM - C had Brew e r 5 yd pa ss from J eff M cc ron e (J .J B row n kick)
EKU - Co lli ns 41 yd FG
EKU - Daym o n C a rt e r 21 yd. ru n (Co ll in s k ick)
EKU - C a rter 11 yd run (Co ll i ns k ick)
lJTM - Le nn y Ha rris 4 yd pas s fr o m
Mccrone ( Deuma ine Reeder pass from M c c ro ne )
EKU - Fe rla ndo Wilson 2 y d. r un (Col li ns k ick)
Attendance : 1 2 ,800 (es t.)
Game 8
O ct. 28 at Nashville , T N Easte rn K e ntuck y
EKU - Tom m y L ug i nbill 4 y d ru n (Marc C o llins kick)
EKU - W i lliam Murrell 36 y d. run (Co lli ns k ick)
EKU - Diall e o Burk s 5 yd pa s s fr o m Lug i nbi ll (Co l l ins k ick)
EKU - Burk s 5 yd pass fr o m G reg Couch (Coll i ns k ick)
TSU - Calvin Daven po rt 22 y d pa ss f rom Da ry l Wil li ams ( Patri ck M c Fall k ick)
EKU - Mu rre ll 2 yd ru n (Co ll i ns k ick)
TSU - J ero me Hurd 7 y d. p as s from W i lliams (M c Fall kick)
EKU - Daym o n Carter 1 y d run (J o hn Wr ig ht kick)
EKU - Ferlando Wilson 55 y d run (Wr ig ht kick)
EKU - W ils o n 4 yd. run (Wright k ick)
TSU - Hurd 5 y d pass fr o m Rob ey W illi am s (kick fa i led )
Attendance : 2 ,716
Game 9
Nov. 4 at Murray, KY
MSU - Chris Dill 32 yd. FG
MSU - Reginald Swinton 10 yd. pass from Mike Cherry (Dill kick)
EKU - Daymon Carter 15 yd. run (Collins kick)
MSU - Herman Taylor 28 yd. pass from Cherry (Dill kick) Attendance: 15,711
Game 10
EKU - Daymon Carter 14 yd run (Marc Collins kick)
EKU - Carter 69 yd. pass from Tommy Luginbill (Colllins kick)
MSU - David Bone 7 yd run (Br ian Nurick kick)
EKU - William Murrell 85 yd kickoff return (Col l ins kick)
EKU - Nurick 44 yd. FG
EKU - Murrell 12 yd run (Co l li ns kick)
EKU - Collins41 yd. FG
EKU - Carter 1 yd run (Collins kick)
EKU - Collins 44 yd. FG
Attendance: 4,100 (est.)
Game12
Nov. 25 at Missoula, MT
EKU - Daymon Carter 64 yd. run (Marc Co ll ins kick)
EKU - Robert B o uldin 13 yd pass from Tommy Luginbill (Collins kick)
EKU - Carter 30 yd run (Collins kick)
EKU - D a nn y Tho mas 8 y d. pass from L ugin b ill (Co ll ins kick) Attenda nce: 2,200 (est.)
Game 1 1
1995 NCAA Division I-AA Playoffs (First Round)
NCAA Division I-AA
Since the NCAA formed Division I-AA football in 1978 , Eastern Kentucky University has been a dominant force in the race for the national championship. Except for the initial year and 1985, the Colonels have either received invitation bids or automatically qualified by virtue of their Ohio Valley Conference championship for the postseason national playoffs, a grueling four-week tournament that involves 16 teams.
EKU captured the national title in both 1979 and 1982 and fought its way to the finals in 1980 and 1981 The 1983, 1984 , 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993 and 1995 teams were defeated in first round playoff action The
1986, 1988 nd 1991 Colonel squads advanced to the semifinals before losing and the 1987 and 1994 teams lost in the quarterfinals.
The I-AA football championship is under the control and supervis ion of the four-man NCAA I-AA Football Committee, which is elected by the NCAA membership at the annual convention.
Other Division I-AA champions have been Florida A&M (1978) , Boise State (1980), Idaho State (1981 ), Southern Illinois {1983), Montana State (1984), Georgia Southern (1985 , 1986, 1989 and 1990), Northeast Louisiana (1987), .Furman (1988), Youngstown State (1991, 1993 and 1994), Marshall (1992) and Montana (1995)
How EKU has Ranked in I-AA Polls
Final 1992 Poll
Eastern Kentucky and The Division I-AA Playoffs
Quick Facts
Appearances: 16 (1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983 , 1984, 1986 , 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 199~ 1994, 1995)
National Championships: 2 (1979, 1982)
National Runnersup Titles: 2 (1980, 1981)
First Round Exits: 7 (1983, 1984 , 1989 , 1990, 1992, 1993, 1995)
Quarterfinal Round Exits : 2 (1987, 1994)
Semifinal Round Exits: 3 (1986, 1988 , 1991)
Playoff Record at Home: 10-4
Playoff Record on Road: 4-8
Playoff Record (Neutral Site): 2-2 (National Championship Games)
Largest Margin of Victory: 30-7 (vs Lehigh , national championship game, 1979)
Largest Margin of Defeat: 48-0 (vs. Montana , first round, 1995))
Overall Playoff Record: 16-14
1979
Year-By-Year Results
(H) Eastern Ky 33, Nevada-Reno 30 (Double Overtime)
(N) Eastern Ky 30, Lehigh 7 (National Championship at Orlando, Florida)
1980
(A) Eastern Ky 24 , Eastern Illinois 22
(A) Arkansas State 24, Eastern Ky 10
1987
(H) Eastern Ky 40 , Western Ky 17
(A) Northeast Louisiana 33, Eastern Ky 32
1988
(A)
(N) Eastern Ky 23, Lehigh 20
Boise State 31 , Eastern Ky 29 (National Championship at Sacramento, California)
1981
(H)
(A)
(N)
1982
(H)
(H)
(N)
1983
Eastern Ky 35, Delaware 28
Eastern Ky 23, Boise State 17
Idaho State 34, Eastern Ky. 23
(National Championship at Wichita Falls, Texas)
Eastern Ky 38 , Idaho 30
Eastern Ky. 13 , Tennessee State 7
Eastern Ky 17 , Delaware 14
(National Championship at Wichita Falls, Texas)
(H) Boston University 24, Eastern Ky. 20
1984
(H) Middle Tennessee 27, Eastern Ky. 1O
1986
(A) Eastern Ky 23 , Furman 10
(H) Eastern Ky 28, Massachusetts 17
(H) Eastern Ky 41 , Western Ky 24
(A) Georgia Southern 21, Eastern Ky 17
1989
(H) Youngstown State 28, Eastern Ky 24
1990
(H) Furman 45, Eastern Ky. 17
1991
(H) Eastern Ky. 14 , Appalachian State 3
(H) Eastern Ky 23, Midd l e Tennessee 13
(A} Marshall 14, Eastern Ky 7
1992
(A) Marshall 44, Eastern Ky O
1993
(A) Georgia Southern 14 , Eastern Ky 12
1994
(H) Eastern Ky 30, Boston U. 23
(A) Youngstown State 18, Eastern Ky. 15
1995
(A) Montana 48, Eastern Ky. O
PASS RECEIVING
Nikki Jackson, TM
Gerald Bentley, TT
Jerome Hurd, TS
Gary Williams, AP
Deumaine Reeder, TM
Maurice Blakemore, TM
Renaldo Lampkins, SE
Dee Mostiller, MT
SCORING
Derrick Cullars, MU
William Murrell, EK
Chris Dill, MU
Michael Penix, TT
Daymon Carter, EK
Dione Tyler, SE
Brigham Lyons, MT
David Mccann, MU
PUNTING No.
Marc Collins, EK 43
Eric Lombard, MU 31
Brandon Thomas, MT 64
Jay Henderson, TT €8
LesStuart,TM 31
Chris Wiggins, AP 71
Jason Terrill, SE 00
Clifford Green, TS 56
KICKOFF RETURNS No.
William Murrell, EK 17
James Brown, TM 14
Gerald Bentley, TT 31
Pete Ruby, MO 12
Brigham Lyons, MT 26
Corey Curry, MO 15
Jon Riley, SE 20
Stanley Cook, TS 17
INTERCEPTIONS No.
William Hampton, MU 8
Robert Taylor, TT 6
Marquis Walker, SE 5
Frank Russell, SE 5
Cedric Stegall, MT
Tyrone Shorter, AP
Fred Thomas, TM
Benny Gaston, TS
Preston Jones, TM
Pointer,
Ohio Valley Conference Records
TEAM-SINGLE GAME
Records
TEAM-SEASON
INDIVIDUAL-SINGLE GAME
INDIVIDUAL CAREER
Modern Eastern Football Records
Single Game Individual Records
Most extra points - 9 (Jamie Lovett vs. Tenn. Tech. 1981)
Longest run from scrimmage - 97 yards (Don Daly vs. Morehead, 1951)
Most runs from scrimmage - 43 (Alfred Thompson vs. Morehead, 1973)
Most yards rushing - 300 (Markus Thomas vs. Marshall, 1989)
Most passes attempted - 45 (Jim Guice vs. Middle Tennessee, 1966)
Most passes completed - 25 (Jim Guice vs. Akron, 1968)
Most yards passing - 318 (Chris Isaac vs. Murray State, 1981)
Most touchdown passes thrown - 4 (Jim Guice vs. Northwood, 1967 and Ernie House vs. Austin Peay, 1975)
Most touchdowns scored - 4 (Aaron Marsh vs. Northwood, 1967; Jimmie Brooks vs. East Tennessee , 1971; Stan Mitchell vs. Ashland, 1975; Terence Thompson vs. Akron, 1981, and Western Kentucky, 1982; Elroy Harris vs Austin Peay, 1988, and vs. Western Kentucky, 1988; Mike Cadore vs. Delaware State, 1988; Markus Thomas vs Austin Peay, 1992)
Most passes received - 19 (Aaron Marsh vs. Northwood, 1967)
Most receiving yardage - 316 (Aaron Marsh VS Northwood, 1967)
Most passes intercepted - 4 (Buddy Pfaadt vs Austin Peay, 1966 and Pat Smith vs Marshall , 1986)
Most times punted - 13 (Jeff McCarthy vs. Morehead , 1971)
Most yards punted - 468 (Jeff McCarthy vs. Morehead, 1971)
Longest field goal - 57 yards (Dale Dawson vs. Murray State, 1985)
Longest punt - 78 yards (Bob Plotts vs Tampa, 1966)
Longest punt return - 88 yards (Tony James vs Austin Peay, 1982, and vs. Florida A & M, 1984)
Most field goals - 5 (Jamie Lovett vs. Youngstown State, 1983)
Most points scored - 26 (Elroy Harris vs. Austin Peay, 1988)
Most points scored by kicking - 16 (Jamie Lovett vs. Youngstown State, 1983)
Most yards kickoff return - 232 (Mike Cadore vs. Northeast Louisiana, 1987)
Longest interception return - 100 (George Floyd vs. Youngstown State , 1980)
Longest kickoff return - 100 (Leon Brown vs Austin Peay, 1989 and vs. Western Kentucky, 1992)
SINGLE SEASON INDIVIDUAL RECORDS
Most points scored - 164 (Elroy Harris, 1988)
Most touchdowns scored - 27 (Elroy Harris, 1988)
Most extra points kicked - 46 (Todd Duffy, 1991)
Most extra points attempted - 48 (Todd Duffy, 1991)
Most field goals - 23 (Dale Dawson, 1986)
Most points scored by kick - 108 (Dale Dawson, 1986)
Most runs from scrimmage - 371 (Elroy Harris, 1988)
Most yards rushing - 1,998 (Elroy Harris, 1988)
Most yards rushing by fullback - 1,239 (Tim Lester, 1988)
Most passes attempted - 297 (Mike Whitaker, 1986)
Most passes completed -163 (Mike Whitaker, 1986)
Best passing percentage - 62.7 (Lorenzo Fields, 1988)
Most yards passing - 2,077 (Mike Whitaker, 1986)
Most yards total offense - 2,013 (Mike Whitaker, 1986)
Most touchdown passes thrown - 16 (Mike Whitaker, 1986)
Most touchdown passes received - 11 (Aaron Marsh, 1966)
Best rushing average (min. 50 times) - 7.2 yards (Leon Brown, 1993)
Most yardage on pass rece iving - 1,095 (Aaron Marsh, 1967)
Most passes received - 73 (Aaron Marsh, 1966)
Best punting average - 42 3 (Marc Collins, 1995)
Most passes intercepted - 10 (George Floyd, 1981, and Pat Smith, 1986)
Most punts returned - 36 (George Floyd, 1981)
Most yards on punt returns - 456 (Aaron Marsh, 1967)
Best punt return average - 17.0 (Aaron Marsh, 1967)
Most kickoffs returned - 34 (Danny Copeland, 1986)
Most yards on kickoffs returned - 967 (Danny Copeland, 1986)
Best kickoff return average - 33.1 (Tony James, 1983)
INDIVIDUAL CAREER RECORDS
Most yards rushing - 5,552 (Markus Thomas, 1989-92 )
Most yards passing - 5,041 (Jim Guice, 1965-68)
Most touchdown passes thrown - 46 (Jim Guice , 1965-68)
Most yards total offense - 5,552 (Markus Thomas, 1989-92)
Most plays total offense - 934 (Jim Guice, 1965-68)
Most rushing attempts - 920 (Jimmie Brooks, 1968-71)
Most field goals kicked - 49 (Dale Dawson, 1983-86)
Most field goals attempted - 69 (Jamie Lovett, 1980-83, and Dale Dawson, 1983-86)
Most extra points kicked - 126 (David Flores, 1977-80)
Most extra point kick attempts - 131 (David Flores, 1977-80) and (Marc Collins , 1992-95)
Most points scored by kick - 244 (Dale Dawson, 1983-86)
Most points scored - 355 (Elroy Harris, 1985, 87-88 )
Most touchdowns scored - 58 (Elroy Harris , 1985, 87-88)
Most yards per carry rushing - 6.57 (Markus Thomas, 1989-92)
Most kickoffs returned - 74 (Jerry Parrish, 1978-81)
Most yards on kickoffs returned - 2,072 (Jerry Parrish, 1978-81)
Most consecutive extra points kicked - 70 (Todd Duffy, 1990-91)
Most punts returned - 78 (George Floyd, 1978-81)
Most yards on punt returns - 708 (Tony James, 1981-84)
Most passes intercepted - 22 (George Floyd, 1978-81)
Most yards interception returns - 328 (George Floyd, 1978-81)
Best kickoff return average - 30 0 (Mike Cadore, 1985-88)
SINGLE GAME TEAM RECORDS
Most points scored by opponent - 99 vs. Wittenberg in 1931
Largest victory margin - 67-0 vs. Morehead in 1925
Largest defeat margin - 99-0 vs. Wittenberg in 1931
Most net yards rushing - 510 vs East Tennessee in 1977
Most first downs - 33 vs. WisconsinOshkosh in 1975
Most first downs rushing - 26 vs. Morehead State in 1989
Most touchdowns scored - 9 vs Evansville in 1953; vs Tennessee Tech, 1981
Most extra points - 9 vs. Tennessee Tech, 1981
Most yards penalized - 201 vs. Morehead State, 1988
Least net yards rushing by opponent - (-43) vs. Middle Tennessee, 1981
Most touchdown passes - 6 vs Northwood in 1967
Fewest first downs given up - 2 vs. Murray State in 1976
SINGLE SEASON TEAM RECORDS
Undefeated seasons - 1940 (8-0-0), 1954 (8 - 0-1), 1982 (13-0-0)
Most wins - 13 , 1982 (13-0-0)
Most defeats - 8 in 1929 (1-8-0)
Most ties - 4 in 1909 (0-0-4)
Most points scored - 424 (1988)
Most points by opposition - 264 (1930)
Least points scored - 15 (1930)
Most consecutive games without a loss or tie - 18 (1982-83)
Most consecutive games without a loss - 19 (1982-83), 1 tie
Most touchdowns scored - 56(1988)
Most extra points kicked - 49 (1994, 1995)
Most passes completed - 170 (1967)
Most passes attempted - 304 (1986)
Best passing percentage - 62.3 (1988)
Least yards rushing by opponents - 951 (1953)
Least yards passing by opponents - 487 (1957)
Best punting average - 42.3 (1995)
Most yards penalized - 925 (1988)
Most yards rushing - 4,309 (1988)
Most yards passing - 2,133 (1967)
Best total offense - 5,793 (1988)
Most first downs rushing - 212 (1988)
Most first downs passing - 95 (1986)
Most passes intercepted by EKU defense29 (1986)