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EKU football releases 2020 conference schedule

Posted at 9:53 PM, Dec 26, 2019
and last updated 2019-12-26 21:53:26-05

RICHMOND, Ky. – Eastern Kentucky University announced its eight-game 2020 Ohio Valley Conference football schedule on Thursday.

The Colonels will play four OVC games at home and four on the road. EKU will face Tennessee-Martin, Eastern Illinois, Murray State and Tennessee State at home. Eastern will go on the road to play Tennessee Tech, Austin Peay, Jacksonville State and Southeast Missouri.

Eastern Kentucky will be under the leadership of new head coach Walt Wells in 2020. Wells returned to EKU for the third time, having served as an assistant from 1997 to 2002 and again during the 2015 season.

The 2020 conference schedule begins on Sept. 26 at Tennessee Tech. EKU held the Golden Eagles to 150 yards of offense, including just two rushing yards, in a 22-10 victory this past season in Richmond.

Eastern will play its first OVC home game on Oct. 3 against Tennessee-Martin. It will be the second straight year the Skyhawks have visited Roy Kidd Stadium. Quarterback Parker McKinney threw for a season-best 313 yards and tossed two touchdown passes in the 2019 meeting between the two teams.

A week later Eastern Kentucky takes to the road to face defending league champion Austin Peay on Oct. 10 in Clarksville. The Governors escaped Richmond with a 28-21 overtime win this past season.

Eastern Illinois will visit Roy Kidd Stadium on Oct. 17. In a steady cold rain and on a saturated field last season in Charleston, Eastern Kentucky limited the Panthers to 89 yards of total offense on its way to a 33-6 road win.

After an off week, the Colonels return to Jacksonville State for the second straight year on Oct. 31. In 2019, EKU beat the Gamecocks 29-23, the first win over JSU since 2012.

Eastern Kentucky will host Murray State on Nov. 7 and play at Southeast Missouri on Nov. 14. The Colonels went to Murray and allowed just 22 rushing yards while beating the Racers 34-27 last year.

The 2020 regular season concludes on Nov. 21 at home against Tennessee State. The Colonels will host the Tigers for the second straight year. Eastern rushed for 379 yards, averaging nine yards per carry, in a 42-16 win over TSU this past season.

All game times will be announced at a later date.

Eastern Kentucky has won two national championships, 21 conference titles and has made 21 playoff appearances. No other FCS team has won at least two FCS national titles and 20 or more conference championships. EKU has had 67 All-America selections and 33 NFL draft picks.