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Is anyone else worried that this is a trap game?

EKU played 2 FBS opponents close last year, and they return most of a very potent offense.

I don't know much about them, but I'll share what I've found so far:

Last year they beat Bowling Green in 7 OT. Bowling Green was 6-7 with a 5-3 conference record.

EKU played Eastern Michigan close, losing 42-34. EMU was a decent team last year, going 9-4 and winning handily at Arizona State.


Starting QB Parker McKinney is a 6th year senior. He started 6 games in his 2nd year, was the starter in year 3 until a season-ending injury 7 games in, and then started full-time his 4th and 5th years. His 4th year, he did a lot with his legs, running for 596 yards. Last year was a breakout season for him; he threw for 3,956 yards on 68.6% completion with 33 TD and 8 interceptions, while running for 354 yards and 8 td.

EKU returns their top 4 rushers. The best is Braedon Sloan, who 247 says had some interest in coming to UC but never got an offer. McKinney was their #2 rusher, and their #3 rusher had 303 yards.

They had 3-headed WR corps last year, all 3 gaining between 750-790 yards. Two of them are gone, but Jaden Smith returns. RB Brendan Sloan also had 506 yards. They also have a transfer WR from USF, former 3-star recruit Dequan Stanley. Both TEs from last year have left.

Their passing offense was 3rd in FCS in yards/game and 11th in yards/attempt.

Their rushing offense was mediocre, ranked 92 in yards/game and 72 in yards/rush.

Their defense was awful last year, finishing 109th in FCS in yards/game and 101st in points/game (out of 123 teams).


Head coach Walt Wells is in his 4th year as HC. He was at WKY for 10 years in the 00s, but then he followed Willie Taggert to USF as the OC. It seems he was fired after one year, and moved 6 times in the next 8 years. This included a 2-year stop at Tennessee under Butch Jones as QC and OL coach, and a 2-year stop at Kentucky under Mark Stoops as a s a Quality Control coach.

I don't think it's the pushover we typically schedule against FCS teams, but I don't think it will be particularly close either.

I think this will be a tight 3 TD game, but with how much EKU passes, it could get ugly if they can't move it.

In the BCJ Pod, it was noted that EKU had one of the worst FCS rushing defenses and lost their three best players to the NFL...so that bodes extremely well for us given we are going to be a run first squad.

(08-31-2023 03:55 PM)bearcatmark Wrote:  I don't think it's the pushover we typically schedule against FCS teams, but I don't think it will be particularly close either.

Sandbagger!

I demand a 60-10 thrashing!

(08-31-2023 02:23 PM)Captain Bearcat Wrote:  Is anyone else worried that this is a trap game?

EKU played 2 FBS opponents close last year, and they return most of a very potent offense.

I don't know much about them, but I'll share what I've found so far:

Last year they beat Bowling Green in 7 OT. Bowling Green was 6-7 with a 5-3 conference record.

EKU played Eastern Michigan close, losing 42-34. EMU was a decent team last year, going 9-4 and winning handily at Arizona State.


Starting QB Parker McKinney is a 6th year senior. He started 6 games in his 2nd year, was the starter in year 3 until a season-ending injury 7 games in, and then started full-time his 4th and 5th years. His 4th year, he did a lot with his legs, running for 596 yards. Last year was a breakout season for him; he threw for 3,956 yards on 68.6% completion with 33 TD and 8 interceptions, while running for 354 yards and 8 td.

EKU returns their top 4 rushers. The best is Braedon Sloan, who 247 says had some interest in coming to UC but never got an offer. McKinney was their #2 rusher, and their #3 rusher had 303 yards.

They had 3-headed WR corps last year, all 3 gaining between 750-790 yards. Two of them are gone, but Jaden Smith returns. RB Brendan Sloan also had 506 yards. They also have a transfer WR from USF, former 3-star recruit Dequan Stanley. Both TEs from last year have left.

Their passing offense was 3rd in FCS in yards/game and 11th in yards/attempt.

Their rushing offense was mediocre, ranked 92 in yards/game and 72 in yards/rush.

Their defense was awful last year, finishing 109th in FCS in yards/game and 101st in points/game (out of 123 teams).


Head coach Walt Wells is in his 4th year as HC. He was at WKY for 10 years in the 00s, but then he followed Willie Taggert to USF as the OC. It seems he was fired after one year, and moved 6 times in the next 8 years. This included a 2-year stop at Tennessee under Butch Jones as QC and OL coach, and a 2-year stop at Kentucky under Mark Stoops as a s a Quality Control coach.

Billy, Mark, Bearcat Man, 7 guys from the accounting department and I could play both sides of the ball and get a dub.

(08-31-2023 07:14 PM)rath v2.0 Wrote:  

(08-31-2023 02:23 PM)Captain Bearcat Wrote:  Is anyone else worried that this is a trap game?

EKU played 2 FBS opponents close last year, and they return most of a very potent offense.

I don't know much about them, but I'll share what I've found so far:

Last year they beat Bowling Green in 7 OT. Bowling Green was 6-7 with a 5-3 conference record.

EKU played Eastern Michigan close, losing 42-34. EMU was a decent team last year, going 9-4 and winning handily at Arizona State.


Starting QB Parker McKinney is a 6th year senior. He started 6 games in his 2nd year, was the starter in year 3 until a season-ending injury 7 games in, and then started full-time his 4th and 5th years. His 4th year, he did a lot with his legs, running for 596 yards. Last year was a breakout season for him; he threw for 3,956 yards on 68.6% completion with 33 TD and 8 interceptions, while running for 354 yards and 8 td.

EKU returns their top 4 rushers. The best is Braedon Sloan, who 247 says had some interest in coming to UC but never got an offer. McKinney was their #2 rusher, and their #3 rusher had 303 yards.

They had 3-headed WR corps last year, all 3 gaining between 750-790 yards. Two of them are gone, but Jaden Smith returns. RB Brendan Sloan also had 506 yards. They also have a transfer WR from USF, former 3-star recruit Dequan Stanley. Both TEs from last year have left.

Their passing offense was 3rd in FCS in yards/game and 11th in yards/attempt.

Their rushing offense was mediocre, ranked 92 in yards/game and 72 in yards/rush.

Their defense was awful last year, finishing 109th in FCS in yards/game and 101st in points/game (out of 123 teams).


Head coach Walt Wells is in his 4th year as HC. He was at WKY for 10 years in the 00s, but then he followed Willie Taggert to USF as the OC. It seems he was fired after one year, and moved 6 times in the next 8 years. This included a 2-year stop at Tennessee under Butch Jones as QC and OL coach, and a 2-year stop at Kentucky under Mark Stoops as a s a Quality Control coach.

Billy, Mark, Bearcat Man, 7 guys from the accounting department and I could play both sides of the ball and get a dub.

And cover

(08-31-2023 07:44 PM)Billy_Bearcat Wrote:  

(08-31-2023 07:14 PM)rath v2.0 Wrote:  

(08-31-2023 02:23 PM)Captain Bearcat Wrote:  Is anyone else worried that this is a trap game?

EKU played 2 FBS opponents close last year, and they return most of a very potent offense.

I don't know much about them, but I'll share what I've found so far:

Last year they beat Bowling Green in 7 OT. Bowling Green was 6-7 with a 5-3 conference record.

EKU played Eastern Michigan close, losing 42-34. EMU was a decent team last year, going 9-4 and winning handily at Arizona State.


Starting QB Parker McKinney is a 6th year senior. He started 6 games in his 2nd year, was the starter in year 3 until a season-ending injury 7 games in, and then started full-time his 4th and 5th years. His 4th year, he did a lot with his legs, running for 596 yards. Last year was a breakout season for him; he threw for 3,956 yards on 68.6% completion with 33 TD and 8 interceptions, while running for 354 yards and 8 td.

EKU returns their top 4 rushers. The best is Braedon Sloan, who 247 says had some interest in coming to UC but never got an offer. McKinney was their #2 rusher, and their #3 rusher had 303 yards.

They had 3-headed WR corps last year, all 3 gaining between 750-790 yards. Two of them are gone, but Jaden Smith returns. RB Brendan Sloan also had 506 yards. They also have a transfer WR from USF, former 3-star recruit Dequan Stanley. Both TEs from last year have left.

Their passing offense was 3rd in FCS in yards/game and 11th in yards/attempt.

Their rushing offense was mediocre, ranked 92 in yards/game and 72 in yards/rush.

Their defense was awful last year, finishing 109th in FCS in yards/game and 101st in points/game (out of 123 teams).


Head coach Walt Wells is in his 4th year as HC. He was at WKY for 10 years in the 00s, but then he followed Willie Taggert to USF as the OC. It seems he was fired after one year, and moved 6 times in the next 8 years. This included a 2-year stop at Tennessee under Butch Jones as QC and OL coach, and a 2-year stop at Kentucky under Mark Stoops as a s a Quality Control coach.

Billy, Mark, Bearcat Man, 7 guys from the accounting department and I could play both sides of the ball and get a dub.

And cover

Seriously.. not that any opponent should be taken lightly, but if we struggle with EKU we're are absolutely screwed in B12 play

I would hope UC’s DLine will be able to dominate in this game.

Bearcat fans just cannot be happy.

Relax and enjoy. There are still eleven weeks to get all angsty.

Seems like the kind of game that will be close at the half and then we smoke them.

I will remind everyone that the history making 2021 CFP team went to half time 7-7 with Murray State.

Don't poop yourselves if we're not blowing them out after a minute and a half.

Show the love if you see him:

(08-31-2023 02:23 PM)Captain Bearcat Wrote:  Is anyone else worried that this is a trap game?

EKU played 2 FBS opponents close last year, and they return most of a very potent offense....

Only if the Bearcat FB team is as over confident as our fanbase is. SHOULD this game be a W and even a lopsided one? Maybe. But the 'Cats are definitely not any type of juggernaut at this point and can't afford to take any team (even the 4 random dudes and 7 folks from Accounting) lightly. I hate to quote our previous coach but respect the opponent and respect each game. I'd almost rather they struggled for a half or more against EKU because if they just roll I think they go against Pitt very over confident. Hopefully CSS keeps that under wraps. Of course, OTOH, I'd love to see them roll against all 3 of the first opponents and go into the OK game riding high. I'm such a schizo at this point! Oh and one side of my family tree calls OK home and roots for either OU or OSU so there's that too

(08-31-2023 07:14 PM)rath v2.0 Wrote:  

(08-31-2023 02:23 PM)Captain Bearcat Wrote:  Is anyone else worried that this is a trap game?

EKU played 2 FBS opponents close last year, and they return most of a very potent offense.

I don't know much about them, but I'll share what I've found so far:

Last year they beat Bowling Green in 7 OT. Bowling Green was 6-7 with a 5-3 conference record.

EKU played Eastern Michigan close, losing 42-34. EMU was a decent team last year, going 9-4 and winning handily at Arizona State.


Starting QB Parker McKinney is a 6th year senior. He started 6 games in his 2nd year, was the starter in year 3 until a season-ending injury 7 games in, and then started full-time his 4th and 5th years. His 4th year, he did a lot with his legs, running for 596 yards. Last year was a breakout season for him; he threw for 3,956 yards on 68.6% completion with 33 TD and 8 interceptions, while running for 354 yards and 8 td.

EKU returns their top 4 rushers. The best is Braedon Sloan, who 247 says had some interest in coming to UC but never got an offer. McKinney was their #2 rusher, and their #3 rusher had 303 yards.

They had 3-headed WR corps last year, all 3 gaining between 750-790 yards. Two of them are gone, but Jaden Smith returns. RB Brendan Sloan also had 506 yards. They also have a transfer WR from USF, former 3-star recruit Dequan Stanley. Both TEs from last year have left.

Their passing offense was 3rd in FCS in yards/game and 11th in yards/attempt.

Their rushing offense was mediocre, ranked 92 in yards/game and 72 in yards/rush.

Their defense was awful last year, finishing 109th in FCS in yards/game and 101st in points/game (out of 123 teams).


Head coach Walt Wells is in his 4th year as HC. He was at WKY for 10 years in the 00s, but then he followed Willie Taggert to USF as the OC. It seems he was fired after one year, and moved 6 times in the next 8 years. This included a 2-year stop at Tennessee under Butch Jones as QC and OL coach, and a 2-year stop at Kentucky under Mark Stoops as a s a Quality Control coach.

Billy, Mark, Bearcat Man, 7 guys from the accounting department and I could play both sides of the ball and get a dub.

Hey now...specialist only for me.

We've had a few close calls with such opponents over the years. If this turns out to be one of them, there will be lots of broken legs with newer fans jumping off the bandwagon before the first FBS opponent comes calling.

While we don't have a good read on our returning mix of players or what this coaching staff intends to do, I really expect we will be pleasantly surprised by a more creative offense, a terrific D-line, and a capable defense overall.

Man, this forum will be a freakin' wreck before the Pittsburgh game... Biblical stuff... Cats and dogs living together...

It's a FCS team...at home...Nippert.
Good lord.

(09-01-2023 01:27 PM)BearcatJerry Wrote:  Man, this forum will be a freakin' wreck before the Pittsburgh game... Biblical stuff... Cats and dogs living together...

It's a FCS team...at home...Nippert.
Good lord.

I dunno. Good chance the program will fold rather than go on the road at Pitt.

(08-31-2023 02:23 PM)Captain Bearcat Wrote:  Is anyone else worried that this is a trap game?

EKU played 2 FBS opponents close last year, and they return most of a very potent offense.

I don't know much about them, but I'll share what I've found so far:

Last year they beat Bowling Green in 7 OT. Bowling Green was 6-7 with a 5-3 conference record.

EKU played Eastern Michigan close, losing 42-34. EMU was a decent team last year, going 9-4 and winning handily at Arizona State.


Starting QB Parker McKinney is a 6th year senior. He started 6 games in his 2nd year, was the starter in year 3 until a season-ending injury 7 games in, and then started full-time his 4th and 5th years. His 4th year, he did a lot with his legs, running for 596 yards. Last year was a breakout season for him; he threw for 3,956 yards on 68.6% completion with 33 TD and 8 interceptions, while running for 354 yards and 8 td.

EKU returns their top 4 rushers. The best is Braedon Sloan, who 247 says had some interest in coming to UC but never got an offer. McKinney was their #2 rusher, and their #3 rusher had 303 yards.

They had 3-headed WR corps last year, all 3 gaining between 750-790 yards. Two of them are gone, but Jaden Smith returns. RB Brendan Sloan also had 506 yards. They also have a transfer WR from USF, former 3-star recruit Dequan Stanley. Both TEs from last year have left.

Their passing offense was 3rd in FCS in yards/game and 11th in yards/attempt.

Their rushing offense was mediocre, ranked 92 in yards/game and 72 in yards/rush.

Their defense was awful last year, finishing 109th in FCS in yards/game and 101st in points/game (out of 123 teams).


Head coach Walt Wells is in his 4th year as HC. He was at WKY for 10 years in the 00s, but then he followed Willie Taggert to USF as the OC. It seems he was fired after one year, and moved 6 times in the next 8 years. This included a 2-year stop at Tennessee under Butch Jones as QC and OL coach, and a 2-year stop at Kentucky under Mark Stoops as a s a Quality Control coach.

No

(08-31-2023 02:23 PM)Captain Bearcat Wrote:  Is anyone else worried that this is a trap game?

Trap game? If the Cats are excited and pumped up for the first game of the season . . .

(09-01-2023 02:12 AM)Bearhawkeye Wrote:  Show the love if you see him:

hell yeah. is he more of a combo guard?