MOREHEAD, Ky. — Quarterback Mark Pappasand wide receiver BJ Byrd connected for two touchdowns, while Pappas added a third through the air, and Morehead State football made a 28-7 halftime lead stand up Saturday as the Eagles ousted Stetson 31-14 in the 2021 spring home opener at Jayne Stadium.
The Eagles moved to 1-2. Running back Issiah Aguero also had a big day, rushing for a season-high 86 yards and a touchdown on 20 totes. Wideout Thomas Campbell-Clay piled up a career-best 96 receiving yards on six catches and his first career touchdown.
Morehead State’s defense also came up clutch with three interceptions of Stetson QB Alex Piccirilli. Picks came from linebacker Cameron Barrett, cornerback Brandon Barbee (for the second straight game) and defensive back Kameron Frye.
HOW IT HAPPENED
– Stetson actually got on the scoreboard first before the next 28 points were scored by the home team.
– With 4:39 left in the first quarter, Campbell-Clay ended an eight-play, 68-yard drive with a two-yard score from Pappas.
– Frye picked off a pass at the Stetson 33-yard line and nearly took it for a pick six. He was downed at the one, but Aguero punched it in on the next play to make it 14-7.
– Two second-quarter TDs from Byrd highlighted the 28-7 halftime lead. The first came on a six-yard strike with 6:46 left. The second came on a nine-yard connection after Barrett’s interception at the Hatter 45 yard line that he returned to the 28.
– Piccirilli scored on an 11-yard run in the third quarter.
– Kicker Andrew Foster finished off the scoring with a 27-yard field goal with 1:07 left in the third period.
KEY STATS
– Morehead State out-gained Stetson 326-304.
– MSU was +2 on the turnover margin. The Eagles now have five interceptions in the last two games.
– A week after a 10-tackle performance, linebacker Vincent Winey exploded for 15 tackles today, a career high.
– Defensive end Vaughn Taylor, Jr., came up with two tackles for loss, including a sack, and a pass break up.
– The Eagles had a season-high 16 first downs.
– MSU was 8-of-15 on third down chances and was 4-of-5 in the red zone.
UP NEXT
Morehead State will face Davidson on the road next Saturday with kick-off at 1 p.m. ET.