Morehead State opens its 93rd season of collegiate football versus nationally-ranked Mercer on Saturday. Kickoff at Five Star Stadium is set for 7 p.m. ET.
The game marks the 10th consecutive season the Eagles have faced at least one FCS top-25 opponent - every season in head coach Rob Tenyer's era. This is also the first-ever Week 0 game for Morehead State.
The game will air live on ESPN+. It can be heard on the Eagle Sports Radio Network with WIVY-96.3 FM serving as flagship station. Chuck Mraz and Jason Blanton provide the radio call. Fans can also hear it on MSUEagles.com, WGOH-110.9 FM/1370 AM and WMST-106.9 FM/1150 AM.
THE SERIES
Record vs. Mercer: First Meeting
First Meeting: 8/27/22
Last Meeting: N/A
Eagles' Record in Morehead: 0-0
Eagles' Record in Macon: 0-0
GAME NOTES
• With its 7-4 scorecard last fall, Morehead State secured its first back-to-back above .500 seasons since 2002 and 2003. The seven victories marked most since a 7-4 finish in 2015. The Eagles finished in a tie for second place in the Pioneer League with newcomer St. Thomas - the second consecutive second place finish.
• Mercer and Morehead State were actually both in the PFL at the same time. In 2013, when Mercer reinstated its program for the first time since 1941, the Bears competed for one season in the PFL before moving to the Southern Conference. The Eagles and Bears, however, did not meet that year and have not met in any other year on the gridiron either, according to records.
• Morehead State owns a 15-24 all-time record against current Southern Conference schools. A majority of that is with ETSU where the Eagles are 12-16 all-time. The Eagle program has also faced Samford (1-3), VMI (1-3), Western Carolina (0-1) and Wofford (1-1). The latest matchup was with VMI in 2016.
• The Eagles will be looking to replace both the PFL Offensive Player of the Year (BJ Byrd) and Defensive Player of the Year (Vaughn Taylor, Jr.). That was the first time in program history the Eagles had secured both of the league's top individual honors.
• Sophomore Chance Harris is expected to take over starting running back duties. The 5-11 back had 147 yards on 42 carries as a freshman in 2021. He will also likely handle kickoff return and some punt return duties.
• Morehead State also breaks in a new starting quarterback. Following the graduation of All-PFL man Mark Pappas, who has 3,500 yards last year, redshirt sophomore Grady Cramer is the heir apparent. He did have 227 yards and a pair of touchdowns in limited action last season and brought a championship pedigree to MSU, having played prep ball for northern Kentucky power Highlands High School. Expect to see some action, though, from backups Carter Cravens - a redshirt freshman - and Colin Parachek - a true freshman.
• Strong safety Cooper Krezek, center Cam Marriott and long snapper Brady McKnight were tabbed to the official Preseason All-PFL Team.
• Eight Eagles were tabbed Preseason All-PFL by Phil Steele. Those included First-Teamers Cam Marriott, Devon Connors, Cooper Krezek and Brady McKnight. Second-Team picks were offensive linemen Jaxsen Spears and Jacob Ungruhe. Third-Teamers were Sese Aumavae and Khiyree Keith
• Cam Marriott, Wade Acey, Matt Guilfoil and Khiyree Keith were chosen to the All-Commonwealth Team by the Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame.
• Khiyree Keith returns as the second leading interception producer in the PFL. Keith nabbed four opponent errant tosses last season
• The wide receiver duo of Christian Graves and Jeremiah Scott combined for more than 550 yards on 37 catches in 2021.
• With the graduation of record-setting kicker Andrew Foster, MSU will deploy a separate placekicker and punter for the first time in several years. Nathan Hazlett is expected to kick, while newcomer and Louisiana-Monroe transfer Kip Warren is slated to punt.
SCHEDULE PAGE (LINKS TO LIVE STATS, ESPN+ AND AUDIO)
By Matt Schabert, Morehead State Athletic Media Relations