RICHMOND — Justin Bell had to watch most of the win over Morehead State from the sidelines and he wasn’t really sure he would even be able to get back on the field last week against Coastal Carolina.

At least not until right before kickoff.

“Honestly, I don’t know what it was,” Bell said. “I got taped and I went out there for warm-ups and coach asked how my ankle felt and I said it felt better. I guess because of the adrenaline I was able to play the whole game.”

Bell played and made a big-time impact as the Colonels picked up their first non-conference road win in 10 years.

The senior defensive back had five tackles, forced two fumbles and had three pass breakups in the 35-17 win over the Chanticleers.

Bell’s return helped re-energize a banged-up EKU secondary. In the first two games of the season, the Colonels had allowed more than 300 yards passing.

Against Coastal Carolina, EKU allowed just 233 yards.

“It’s like that when you’ve got young guys without much experience,” Bell said of secondary. “Me, Brooklyn Fox and Brandon Stanley have tried to get the other safeties and defensive backs mentally focused and trying to get them sound with their footwork and their assignments. It’s a learning process. Coach (Tony) Hatmaker tells me all the time to have patience and they will get it.”

Bell forced a fumble near mid-field as Coastal Carolina was trying to get back in the game mid-way through the fourth quarter. That fumble was recovered by EKU’s Anthony Shoemaker with 6:30 left and the Colonels up by 18 points.

Bell also forced a fumble after a reception by Niccoll Mastromatteo in third quarter. That ball was recovered by the Chanticleers at the EKU 27-yard line and led to a field goal.

Led by Bell, the EKU defense had an interception (Fox) and seven pass break-ups.

“We separated the man from the ball six times,” EKU coach Dean Hood said. “I don’t know if I’ve ever seen that.”

Bell has also been one of EKU’s top special teams threats the past couple of years, but that bad ankle has kept him from returning any kicks so far this season.

“Covering punts I’d have to use my ankle a lot more,” Bell said. “So, I’m limited on that for now.”



Still winning the turnover battle

The Colonels have won the turnover battle in all three games this season, but they’ve not been able to capitalize on those miscues.

EKU’s opponents have turned the ball over eight times, including five by Purdue in the season opener, still they haven’t led to any points.

The Colonels scored 120 points off 31 turnovers last season.

EKU is currently at a +3 turnover ratio, which is third in the OVC and tied for 23rd nationally.



Goard goes over a 1,000 yards

Senior wide receiver Tyrone Goard returned to the lineup last Saturday after missing the Morehead State game with a concussion.

Goard caught a 77-yard TD pass, the longest of his career, and finished with 113 yards. It was the third 100-yard receiving performance of his career and lifted him past the 1,000-yard mark for his career.

“He’s hard to prepare for,” Hood said of Goard. “First of all, he’s so big. But, he’s also got great ball skills. He can adjust back if the ball is short. He can accelerate if its thrown deep. He can go up and get one. He knows when he is out of position and he can’t get to it and he has to become the defender. He’s just really good when the ball is in the air.”

Last season, Goard had 39 catches for 627 yards and 11 touchdowns.

The senior had just one catch in the season opener before being forced to the sidelines.



1982 team reunion set for this weekend

Worn Cleat Club members are invited to attend the 30th-year reunion of EKU’s undefeated national championship team of 1982, which will be held Friday at Gillum’s Sports Bar in the Richmond Mall.

The event is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m.

The 1982 team and the Worn Cleat Club will also be tailgating Saturday in the Colonel Club portion of the Alumni Coliseum parking lot from 2 to 6 p.m. before the OVC opener against Jacksonville State.

Worn Cleat Club members are also invited to the 1982 team’s social/dance which will be held Saturday night following the EKU-JSU game from 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the Madison Country Club in Richmond.