By Nathan Hutchinson
Register Sports Editor
RICHMOND —
In each of the past two seasons, the Colonels have ranked near the bottom of the Ohio Valley Conference in rushing offense.
In 2008, EKU was seventh in the league at 110.2 yards a game rushing and last year the team ranked just sixth, averaging 135.6 yards a game on the ground.
However, in last week’s season opener at Missouri State, the Colonels couldn’t generate even that kind of modest production from their rushing attack.
EKU finished with just 35 net yards rushing on 25 carries in a 31-9 loss to the Bears. The Colonels got almost nothing whatever from a trio of running backs and basically abandoned the ground game in the second half.
At the half, EKU had just 11 yards rushing on 14 carries.
“I talked to (offensive coordinator) Mike Springston at the half and we just said, ‘Let’s air it out. Let’s spread them out and let (quarterback) T.J. (Pryor) see the field,” EKU coach Dean Hood said after the game.
Getting production on the ground has certainly been a problem recently for the Colonels.
In the past seven games (which include five losses), EKU has rushed for more than 150 net yards just once — 233 against Jacksonville State in last year’s season finale. During that stretch, the Colonels have finished with less than 100 net yards on the ground three times — against Missouri State and last season against Austin Peay (loss) and UT-Martin (31-25 win).
In the season-opening loss Friday to Missouri State, Kyle Lumpkin led the Colonels with 16 yards on seven carries. H.B. Banjoman had 12 yards on two carries, while Bruce Frieson carried the ball just once, which resulted in a fumble.
Pryor had 15 carries for just 15 net yards, but did have EKU’s longest run of the game — 18 yards.
Losing streak continues
The season-opening loss to Missouri State pushed the Colonels’ losing streak to four games.
EKU had not lost four-consecutive games in 13 years.
The Colonels lost the final game of the 1996 season at Eastern Illinois, then opened the 1997 season with losses to Troy State, Western Kentucky and Appalachian State.
EKU has not lost five games in a row since 1972.
TO streak snapped
The Colonels did not force a turnover in the final three games of last season, but did have one against Missouri State.
Yameen Thomas forced a fumble by Bear quarterback Cody Kirby early in the fourth quarter on the EKU 10-yard line.
Thomas, a senior defensive lineman, also recovered the fumble.
Bright spots
There were a few notable bright spots in the Colonels’ season-opening loss, especially on offense.
Pryor finished with a career-high 315 passing yards, while completing 22-of-47 attempts with two interceptions. The sophomore standout probably would have finished with even more impressive statistics if not for several dropped passes.
In his first extended playing time of his college career, sophomore wide receiver Tyrone Goard turned in a solid performance. He had five catches for a team-high 89 yards, including a 41-yard catch.
