Trailing 31-3 at new PFL foe Presbyterian Saturday, the Morehead State football team kicked in a different gear. But a second-half rally came up short as the Eagles fell 31-16 to the Blue Hose at Bailey Memorial Stadium in both team's conference opener.
The Eagles got behind 24-3 at the half, but a pair of touchdown connections by junior quarterback Mark Pappas gave the visitors some life. A 50-yard strike to senior transfer receiver BJ Byrd and a 15-yard scoring toss to sophomore slot man Matt Guilfoil, his first career touchdown, accounted for the Eagles' second-half points.
The defensive effort was highlighted by senior back Vincent Winey, who came up with 10 tackles and made 2.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage. He also forced a fumble. MSU also picked off Blue Hose QB Tyler Huff twice, once by junior defensive back Khiyree Keith and once by junior cornerback Brandon Barbee.
Huff ended with a pair of second-quarter TD tosses, including a 65-yard strike to make it 24-3.
Morehead State returns home for its first game at Jayne Stadium since Nov. 23, 2019 when the Eagles ended the year versus Stetson.
The Eagles host the Hatters Saturday at Noon ET.
