2020 Eastern Kentucky Colonels football team

American college football season

2020 Eastern Kentucky Colonels football

Opportunity Bowl champion
Conference	Ohio Valley Conference
Record	3–6 (0–0 OVC)
Head coach	Walt Wells (1st season)
Offensive coordinator	Andy Richman (1st season)
Defensive coordinator	Jake Johnson (1st season)
Home stadium	Roy Kidd Stadium
Seasons ← 2019 2021 →

2020 Ohio Valley Conference football standings
v t e
Team	W		L	W		L
No. 8 Jacksonville State $^	6	–	1	10	–	3
No. 19 Murray State	5	–	2	5	–	2
No. 21 Austin Peay	4	–	2	4	–	5
Southeast Missouri State	4	–	3	4	–	4
UT Martin	3	–	4	3	–	4
Tennessee Tech	2	–	5	2	–	5
Tennessee State	2	–	5	2	–	5
Eastern Illinois	1	–	5	1	–	5

$ – Conference champion ^ – FCS playoff participant Note: Eastern Kentucky played only in the fall and opted out of the spring season. Rankings from STATS Poll

The 2020 Eastern Kentucky Colonels football team represented Eastern Kentucky University during the 2020–21 NCAA Division I FCS football season. They were led by Walt Wells in his first season as the program's 15th head coach.^[1] The Colonels played their home games at Roy Kidd Stadium and competed as a member of the Ohio Valley Conference.

Schedule

While the Ohio Valley Conference moved conference games to the spring of 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, while allowing member schools to play four non-conference games in the fall of 2020, Eastern Kentucky scheduled eight non-conference games for the fall of 2020.^[2]

Date	Time	Opponent	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
September 5	1:00 p.m.	at Marshall*	Joan C. Edwards Stadium Huntington, WV	ESPN	L 0–59	12,001
September 12	12:00 p.m.	at West Virginia*	Milan Puskar Stadium Morgantown, WV	FS1	L 10–56	976
September 26	1:00 p.m.	at The Citadel*	Johnson Hagood Stadium Charleston, SC	ESPN+	W 37–14	3,081
October 3	3:00 p.m.	Houston Baptist*	Roy Kidd Stadium Richmond, KY	ESPN+	L 30–33	2,916
October 17	7:00 p.m.	at Troy*	Veterans Memorial Stadium Troy, AL	ESPN3	L 29–31	10,500
October 24	3:00 p.m.	No. 11 Central Arkansas*	Roy Kidd Stadium Richmond, KY	ESPN+	W 31–28	2,932
November 7	3:00 p.m.	Stephen F. Austin*	Roy Kidd Stadium Richmond, KY	ESPN+	L 6–24	2,569
November 14	4:00 p.m.	at No. 11 Central Arkansas*	Estes Stadium Conway, AR	ESPN+	L 25–37	2,000
November 21	3:00 p.m.	Western Carolina*	Roy Kidd Stadium Richmond, KY (Opportunity Bowl)^[3]	ESPN+	W 49–17	3,009
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from STATS Poll released prior to the game All times are in Eastern time

^[4]

Game summaries

At Marshall

Game One – Eastern Kentucky Colonels at Marshall Thundering Herd

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Colonels	0	0	0	0	0
Thundering Herd	21	17	14	7	59

at Joan C. Edwards Stadium • Huntington, West Virginia

Date: Saturday, September 5, 2020
Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
Game weather: Clear • Temperature: 77 °F (25 °C) • Wind: ENE 3 mph
TV announcers (ESPN): Jason Benetti (play-by-play), Andre Ware (analyst), Katie George (sideline)
Pregame line: Marshall –25.5 • Odds to win: Marshall 95.8%

Game information
First quarter (12:19) MRSH – Xavier Gaines 22 yard pass from Grant Wells, Shane Ciucci kick (Drive: 7 plays, 72 yards, 2:41; Marshall 7–0) (8:04) MRSH – Brendan Knox 8 yard rush, Shane Ciucci kick (Drive: 4 plays, 70 yards, 1:31; Marshall 14–0) (2:01) MRSH – Talik Keaton 21 yard pass from Grant Wells, Shane Ciucci kick (Drive: 5 plays, 65 yards, 2:05; Marshall 21–0) Second quarter (10:02) MRSH – Garet Morrell 2 yard pass from Grant Wells, Shane Ciucci kick (Drive: 15 plays, 72 yards, 6:12; Marshall 28–0) (6:07) MRSH – Shane Ciucci 23 yard field goal (Drive: 7 plays, 49 yards, 1:37; Marshall 31–0) (3:07) MRSH – Jaron Woodyard 42 yard pass from Grant Wells, Shane Ciucci kick (Drive: 1 play, 42 yards, 0:06; Marshall 38–0) Third quarter (7:04) MRSH – Sheldon Evans 6 yard rush, Shane Ciucci kick (Drive: 12 plays, 90 yards, 5:05; Marshall 45–0) (0:43) MRSH – Lawrence Papillon 13 yard rush, Shane Ciucci kick (Drive: 7 plays, 63 yards, 2:47; Marshall 52–0) Fourth quarter (4:02) MRSH – Amir Richardson 3 yard pass from Luke Zban, Shane Ciucci kick (Drive: 15 plays, 75 yards, 8:22; Marshall 59–0)

Game information

First quarter

(12:19) MRSH – Xavier Gaines 22 yard pass from Grant Wells, Shane Ciucci kick (Drive: 7 plays, 72 yards, 2:41; Marshall 7–0)
(8:04) MRSH – Brendan Knox 8 yard rush, Shane Ciucci kick (Drive: 4 plays, 70 yards, 1:31; Marshall 14–0)
(2:01) MRSH – Talik Keaton 21 yard pass from Grant Wells, Shane Ciucci kick (Drive: 5 plays, 65 yards, 2:05; Marshall 21–0)

Second quarter

(10:02) MRSH – Garet Morrell 2 yard pass from Grant Wells, Shane Ciucci kick (Drive: 15 plays, 72 yards, 6:12; Marshall 28–0)
(6:07) MRSH – Shane Ciucci 23 yard field goal (Drive: 7 plays, 49 yards, 1:37; Marshall 31–0)
(3:07) MRSH – Jaron Woodyard 42 yard pass from Grant Wells, Shane Ciucci kick (Drive: 1 play, 42 yards, 0:06; Marshall 38–0)

Third quarter

(7:04) MRSH – Sheldon Evans 6 yard rush, Shane Ciucci kick (Drive: 12 plays, 90 yards, 5:05; Marshall 45–0)
(0:43) MRSH – Lawrence Papillon 13 yard rush, Shane Ciucci kick (Drive: 7 plays, 63 yards, 2:47; Marshall 52–0)

Fourth quarter

(4:02) MRSH – Amir Richardson 3 yard pass from Luke Zban, Shane Ciucci kick (Drive: 15 plays, 75 yards, 8:22; Marshall 59–0)

Statistics	EKU	MRSH
First downs	7	34
Plays–yards	47–166	83–627
Rushes–yards	31–86	54–282
Passing yards	80	345
Passing: comp–att–int	10–16–1	22–29–0
Time of possession	25:37	34:23

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Eastern Kentucky	Passing	Parker McKinney	7/10, 71 yards, 1 INT
	Rushing	Quentin Pringle	6 carries, 39 yards
	Receiving	Keyion Dixon	3 receptions, 34 yards
Marshall	Passing	Grant Wells	16/23, 307 yards, 4 TD
	Rushing	Knowledge McDaniel	14 carries, 93 yards
	Receiving	Talik Keaton	2 receptions, 68 yards, 1 TD

At West Virginia

	1	2	3	4	Total
Colonels	0	7	3	0	10
Mountaineers	14	28	7	7	56

At The Citadel

	1	2	3	4	Total
Colonels	13	10	7	7	37
Bulldogs	7	7	0	0	14

Houston Baptist

Houston Baptist Huskies at Eastern Kentucky Colonels

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Huskies	14	10	7	2	33
Colonels	7	0	10	13	30

at Roy Kidd Stadium, Richmond, Kentucky

Date: October 3
Game time: 3:00 p.m. EDT
Game weather: Cloudy 43% Humidity • Temperature: 62–69 °F (17–21 °C) • Wind: 1-3 SW MPH
Game attendance: 2,916
Referee: Steve Hazle
TV: ESPN3
Box score, Recap

Game information
First quarter HBU – Vernon Harrell 8-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (Gino Garcia kick), 7:45. Huskies 7–0. Drive: 6 plays, 49 yards, 1:12. HBU – Jerreth Sterns 42-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (Gino Garcia kick), 6:01. Huskies 14–0. Drive: 2 plays, 57 yards, 0:21. EKU – Matt Wilcox Jr. 10-yard pass from Parker McKinney (Alexander Woznick kick), 1:32. Huskies 14–7. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 4:29. Second quarter HBU – Gino Garcia 24-yard field goal, 14:01. Huskies 17–7. Drive: 9 plays, 68 yards, 2:31. HBU – Dreshawn Minnieweather 1-yard run (Gino Garcia kick), 0:43. Huskies 24–7. Drive: 7 plays, 43 yards, 2:49. Third quarter EKU – Matt Wilcox Jr. 7-yard pass from Parker McKinney (Alexander Woznick kick), 10:53. Huskies 24–14. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 4:07. EKU – Alexander Woznick 26-yard field goal, 1:36. Huskies 24–17. Drive: 10 plays, 55 yards, 4:25. HBU – Josh Sterns 65-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (Gino Garcia kick), 0:38. Huskies 31–17. Drive: 3 plays, 70 yards, 0:58. Fourth quarter EKU – Alonzo Booth 29-yard run (A. Woznick kick), 13:21. Huskies 31–24. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 2:17. EKU – Keyion Dixon 27-yard pass from Parker McKinney (Alexander Woznick kick blocked), 4:04. Huskies 31–30. Drive: 12 plays, 80 yards, 6:22. HBU – Tra Fluellen 98-yard PAT return, 4:04. Huskies 33–30

Game information

First quarter

HBU – Vernon Harrell 8-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (Gino Garcia kick), 7:45. Huskies 7–0. Drive: 6 plays, 49 yards, 1:12.
HBU – Jerreth Sterns 42-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (Gino Garcia kick), 6:01. Huskies 14–0. Drive: 2 plays, 57 yards, 0:21.

EKU – Matt Wilcox Jr. 10-yard pass from Parker McKinney (Alexander Woznick kick), 1:32. Huskies 14–7. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 4:29.

Second quarter

HBU – Gino Garcia 24-yard field goal, 14:01. Huskies 17–7. Drive: 9 plays, 68 yards, 2:31.
HBU – Dreshawn Minnieweather 1-yard run (Gino Garcia kick), 0:43. Huskies 24–7. Drive: 7 plays, 43 yards, 2:49.

Third quarter

EKU – Matt Wilcox Jr. 7-yard pass from Parker McKinney (Alexander Woznick kick), 10:53. Huskies 24–14. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 4:07.
EKU – Alexander Woznick 26-yard field goal, 1:36. Huskies 24–17. Drive: 10 plays, 55 yards, 4:25.
HBU – Josh Sterns 65-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (Gino Garcia kick), 0:38. Huskies 31–17. Drive: 3 plays, 70 yards, 0:58.

Fourth quarter

EKU – Alonzo Booth 29-yard run (A. Woznick kick), 13:21. Huskies 31–24. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 2:17.
EKU – Keyion Dixon 27-yard pass from Parker McKinney (Alexander Woznick kick blocked), 4:04. Huskies 31–30. Drive: 12 plays, 80 yards, 6:22.
HBU – Tra Fluellen 98-yard PAT return, 4:04. Huskies 33–30

Statistics	HBU	EKU
First downs	24	26
Total yards	520	480
Rushing yards	140	184
Passing yards	380	296
Turnovers	0	3
Time of possession	27:41	32:19

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Houston Baptist	Passing	Bailey Zappe	35/46, 380 yards, 3 TD
	Rushing	Dreshawn Minnieweather	9 rushes, 38 yards, TD
	Receiving	Vernon Harrell	10 receptions, 98 yards, TD
Eastern Kentucky	Passing	Parker McKinney	25/40, 296 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT
	Rushing	Alonzo Booth	17 rushes, 108 yards, TD
	Receiving	Keyion Dixon	6 receptions, 112 yards, TD

At Troy

Eastern Kentucky at Troy

	1	2	3	4	Total
Colonels	7	10	0	12	29
• Trojans	14	7	7	3	31

Date: October 17, 2020
Location: Veterans Memorial Stadium
Troy, AL
Game start: 2:35 p.m. CDT
Elapsed time: 3 hours and 37 minutes
Game attendance: 10,500
Game weather: 71 °F (22 °C) • Weather: Clear • Wind: W 5 MPH
Referee: Marshall Lewis
TV announcers (ESPN3): Will Kollmeyer (play–by–play) and Ben Stanfield (analyst)

Scoring summary

1	12:53	TROY	AJ Lewis 16-yard pass from Gunnar Watson (Evan Legassey kick) (6 plays, 91 yards, 2:07)	TROY 7–0
	06:38	EKU	Keyion Dixon 90-yard pass from Parker McKinney (Alexander Woznick kick) (2 plays, 96 yards, 0:45)	TIE 7–7
	03:16	TROY	Khalil McClain 9-yard pass from Gunnar Watson (Evan Legassey kick) (8 plays, 60 yards, 3:22)	TROY 14–7

2	13:37	EKU	Alexander Woznick 19-yard field goal (4 plays, 1 yard, 1:34)	TROY 14–10
	04:49	EKU	Alonzo Both 12-yard rush (Alexander Woznick kick) (14 plays, 85 yards, 6:45)	EKU 17–14
	02:26	TROY	Kimani Vidal 1-yard rush (Evan Legassey kick) (7 plays, 77 yards, 2:23)	TROY 21–17

3	09:35	TROY	Reggie Todd 22-yard pass from Gunnar Watson (Evan Legassey kick) 8 plays, 80 yards, 2:33)	TROY 28–17

4	14:41	EKU	Alexander Woznick 22-yard field goal (9 plays, 42 yards, 3:25)	TROY 28–20
	05:50	EKU	Alexander Woznick 25-yard field goal (4 plays, 22 yards, 1:43)	TROY 28–23
	00:21	EKU	Keyion Dixon 4-yard pass from Parker McKinney (two-point pass conversion attempt failed) (10 plays, 80 yards, 2:28)	EKU 29–28
	00:00	TROY	Evan Legassey 47-yard field goal (3 plays, 30 yards, 0:21)	TROY 31–29

Pregame line	Over/under
TROY −30	60^[5]

Statistics	Eastern Kentucky	Troy
First downs	21	27
Total yards	425	507
Rushing yards	55	174
Passing yards	370	333
Turnovers	1	3
Time of possession	34:12	25:48

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Eastern Kentucky	Passing	Parker McKinney	30/47, 370 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
	Rushing	Alonzo Booth	15 carries, 39 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	Keyion Dixon	8 receptions, 196 yards, 2 TDs
Troy	Passing	Gunnar Watson	26/38, 333 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs
	Rushing	Kimani Vidal	13 carries, 143 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	Kaylon Geiger	7 receptions, 100 yards

No. 11 Central Arkansas

	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 11 Bears	0	7	7	14	28
Colonels	0	17	0	14	31

Stephen F. Austin

	1	2	3	4	Total
Lumberjacks	14	0	7	3	24
Colonels	0	3	3	0	6

At No. 11 Central Arkansas

	1	2	3	4	Total
Colonels	0	9	16	0	25
No. 11 Bears	17	7	0	13	37

Western Carolina

	1	2	3	4	Total
Catamounts	0	10	0	7	17
Colonels	7	14	0	28	49

References

^ Moore, Josh (December 9, 2019). "Kentucky quality control assistant Walt Wells named head coach at EKU". Lexington Herald-Leader. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
^ "Eastern Kentucky football goes against OVC plan, schedules 8 non-conference games". nationofblue.com. August 21, 2020. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
^ "EKU To Host Inaugural Opportunity Bowl". Eastern Kentucky University. October 26, 2020. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
^ "2020 Eastern Kentucky Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
^ "Eastern Kentucky Colonels vs Troy Trojans". Odds Shark. Retrieved October 18, 2020.

v t e Eastern Kentucky Colonels football
Venues	Hanger Stadium (1938–1968) Roy Kidd Stadium (1969–present)
Bowls & rivalries	Bowl games 1955 Tangerine Bowl 1967 Grantland Rice Bowl Morehead State: Old Hawg Rifle Western Kentucky: Battle of the Bluegrass
Culture & lore	The Colonel "Rally Maroon and White" Marching Colonels
People	Head coaches NFL draftees
Seasons	1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901–1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917–1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943–1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
National championship seasons in bold