Wildcat football is set to take on the University of Eastern Kentucky for the homecoming game after a disappointing loss to North Alabama University last week.
With the loss, the team fell to 4-3 and second in the United Athletic Conference. Fortunately for the Wildcats, they will play the next two games at home before finishing the season on a three-game road trip.
When it comes to getting back in the win column, Head Coach Keith Patterson has a simple approach.
“We’re 3-1 in conference and we have a chance to move to 4-1 this week,” Patterson said. “We have to get back to focusing on the process.”
The offense had a good day, putting up 37 points on 468 total yards. The team rushed for four touchdowns as Isaiah Johnson and Sam Hicks both found the endzone twice.
EKU will face the Wildcats with a 3-3 record after losing to Southern Utah University 42-21 last week. Quarterback Matt Morrissey is coming off one of his lowest passing games after he threw for 207 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
Joshua Carter, the Colonels’ leading rusher will enter the game with 494 yards and five touchdowns on the season. He will look to bounce back against the Wildcats after rushing for only 43 yards on 11 carries against SUU.
The Wildcats will look to utilize their weapons on offense against a defense giving up 373 yards per game and allowing 26 points per game.
“Starting from our left side to our right side, O-line, X all the way to Z we’re unbelievably talented,” said Maverick McIvor, a graduate student and quarterback from San Angelo. “It’s my job to get them the ball.”
McIvor has been able to grow this season under first-year Offensive Coordinator Rick Bowie. Bowie’s implementation of an air raid offense emphasizes running the ball with Johnson and Hicks while utilizing the team’s deep receiving core.
“It’s taking the next step,” McIvor said. “It’s really important to see that people can rally around you. When things get hard it’s important to never waver and to stay the course.”
