Game Details
The Morehead State Eagles (0-0) host the Allen Yellow Jackets (0-0) in the season opener on Saturday, August 30 at 6:00 PM ET inside Jayne Stadium in Morehead, Kentucky.
Team Overviews
Allen Yellow Jackets
Finished 2-8 in 2024, tying for last place in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC).
Program launched in 2021 and has never been blanked in a game.
Led by head coach Cedric Pearl—hired from Central State where he coached from 2014–19—Allen returns a largely new roster looking to improve on both sides of the ball.
Morehead State Eagles
Posted a 7-5 record in 2024, tying for third in the Pioneer Football League.
Dominant at home last year (6-1), marking the second-best home record in program history.
Defense allowed seven or fewer points in five games and ranked third nationally in FCS passing yards allowed (144.2 YPG).
Turnover margin was +12 (fourth nationally), with 31 interceptions over the past two seasons.
Senior QB Carter Cravens returns under center, needing 909 yards to crack the top ten in career passing yards at Morehead State.
Veteran receiver Ryan Upp (99 receptions, 1,417 yards) enters in striking distance of program records in catches and receiving yards.
Coaching & Schemes
Allen’s Cedric Pearl enters Year 2 looking to accelerate the Yellow Jackets’ physical brand, emphasizing a ground-and-pound rushing attack bolstered by freshman and junior transfers.
Morehead State’s Jason Woodman (second season) leans on coordinator Wil Truelove’s aggressive front, mixing zone-blitzes with tight-coverage shell looks to force turnovers. Offensively, the Eagles operate a balanced attack, marrying Cravens’ pocket passing with a downhill rush team.
Key Matchups
Allen’s offensive line vs. MSU’s interior rush: If the Eagles control the line of scrimmage, they’ll force early third-and-longs that set up the pass-rush to pester Pearl’s QB.
Cravens’ decision-making under pressure: Look for pre-snap motion and quick-game concepts to neutralize blitzes; if Cravens can consistently hit Upp on the move, the Eagles will stretch the SIAC tandem-coverage.
Yellow Jackets’ clock-control potential: Should Allen establish early rushing success, fade the Eagles’ pace and bet on the Under 46.5—long, methodical drives tend to suppress high totals.
Special teams spark: A blocked punt or a long return by Allen could tighten the spread early; consider an ML play on Allen if you expect a bounce-back performance in a hostile FCS environment.
Broadcast & Streaming Info
Stream live on ESPN+ with Jared Stacy and Mark Ledford on the call. Audio coverage available via the Eagle Sports Radio Network (WIVY-96.3 FM, WGOH-100.9 FM/1370 AM, WMST-106.9 FM/1150 AM).
Game Odds
Allen Yellow Jackets 46.5
Morehead State Eagles – 24.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, August 29, 2025
