Junior running back Seth Millar found the end zone from 23 yards out with 2:48 left in the fourth quarter to score the game-winner as the Pikeville football team escaped Jayne Stadium with a 13-10 win over Morehead State in the Rob Tenyer Era opener before a crowd of 8,311 on Thursday night (August 29).
Tenyer was named the 14th head coach in Morehead State history in December, 2012. He had previously served 12 seasons as an assistant coach for the Eagles, including the past two as offensive coordinator. Eight of his 10 assistant coaches were also coaching their first game at Morehead State.
This was the first meeting between the two schools in football. Morehead State plays at the Division I level (Football Championship Subdivision) and is a member of the Pioneer Football League. Pikeville plays at the NAIA level and is a member of the Mid-South Conference.
"Give Pikeville credit because they came in here and won the football game. This is certainly a tough pill to swallow, but I'm proud of the effort our young men gave tonight. We will re-group and get back to the drawing board. It's a long season and I reminded our players of that," commented Tenyer.
Millar led the Bears with 106 yards on 13 carries, while sophomore running back Marquis Terrell added 97 yards and one touchdown on 16 ground attempts.
U-Pike junior quarterback Reese Browning completed 16-of-24 attempts for 131 yards. His top receiver, freshman Niquay Mack, pulled in six catches for 69 yards. Neither team scored in the first half. Terrell put Pikeville on the board at the 11:57 mark of the third quarter on an 11-yard touchdown run. The Bears didn't score again until the game winner.
Morehead State's points came from junior specialist Luke Boyd's 21-yard field goal late in the third quarter and sophomore running back Rob Harden's 12-yard touchdown run early in the fourth. Quarterback Logan Johnson, who redshirted a year ago, connected on 33-of-53 attempts for 271 yards, but threw two interceptions. He also led the Eagles in rushing with 57 yards on 10 carries.
Junior Cyrus Strahm led Morehead State in the receiving department with eight catches for 76 yards. Dominic Iori, a freshman defensive back, paced the Eagles with eight tackles in his collegiate debut. First-year linebacker Ryan Bennett and junior Michael Jackson added seven stops each.
Morehead State managed a 26-18 advantage in first downs, 378-326 upper hand in total yards and converted on 10-of-19 third-down chances, but turned the ball over three times. Pikeville managed a 195-107 advantage in rushing yards and won the time of possession battle, 34 minutes to 26.
"It's OK if this one stings for a little while because it should. We have to keep things in perspective. It's a 12-game regular season, and we still have 11 to play. I told our kids that I loved them (after the game) because I do. I love their character, attitudes, make-up and effort,” added Tenyer.
Morehead State is idle until September 7 when the Eagles visit nationally-ranked Youngstown State. Kick-off is set for 4 p.m.