CARROLLTON, Ga. - Following an eye-catching 3-0 start through non-conference play, the 22nd-ranked UWG football team begins its United Athletic Conference Slate on Saturday, hosting Eastern Kentucky at University Stadium.
Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. as both West Georgia (3-0, 0-0 UAC) and EKU (1-2, 0-0 UAC) open conference play.
GAME INFORMATION
#22 UWG (3-0, 0-0 UAC) vs. EKU (1-2, 0-0 UAC)
Saturday, September 20
Kickoff: 6 p.m. EST
Location: Carrollton, GA // University Stadium
TV: ESPN+
Radio: KISS 102.7
"It's zero to zero now as we go into conference play," said head coach Joel Taylor during his weekly press conference on Monday. "It was great to start off 3-0, that's awesome, but now it's conference play and our goal is to win the conference."
West Georgia earned wins over Samford, Nicholls, and last week's thrilling come from behind triumph over East Tennessee State to begin their season 3-0 for the first time since 2022, but now the Wolves host EKU for the first time ever and look to avenge a 26-7 week three loss in 2024.
EKU was a playoff team a year ago, but this year is off to a 1-2 start with the win coming over Houston Christian while the Colonels fell to FBS opponents Louisville and Marshall.
"I think they are a good defensive ball club, they've got some size up front and they have some good defensive backs, I think one of them was a preseason All-American," Taylor said of Saturday's opponent. "I think they've scored twice on defense already and they basically shut us out last year. I know we scored, but they got after us."
UWG has looked solid on both sides of the football through three games, with their defense coming in ranked sixth in FCS football in total defense (246.7), third in rushing defense (65.0), 35th in passing defense (181.7) and sixth in scoring defense (14.7).
Junior linebacker Jay Carter has led the defense each week, and enters week four with 29 total tackles and ranks third in the UAC with 9.7 tackles per game.
Offensively, UWG has used multiple weapons depending on the week and matchup, but one constant has been Latrelle Murrell. The reigning UAC Offensive Player of the Week had 116 yards rushing with 92 receiving yards and two touchdowns through the air in the ETSU win and the native of Douglasville is eighth in FCS in yards per rush (6.92) and third in the country in rush yards per game (138.3).
EKU has struggled on offense, but again, the Colonels have played two FBS opponents in three weeks, and Taylor knows a Walt Wells coached team will be effective on both ends of the field.
"I have a lot of respect for Walt Wells. He does a phenomenal job and he's one of the old school coaches," remarked Taylor, "They're going to be really good on defense and control the ball on offense and kids are going to play hard in the trenches."
The Colonels are averaging just 14.7 points per game and have question marks at quarterback.
"If you look at their stats, especially on offense, they aren't doing much, but they've played two FBS opponents, so they'll look to get that going on offense against us," Taylor added.
At quarterback, EKU has two options and have used both thus far this season. Myles Burkett has played the majority of the snaps, throwing for 168 yards while Jordyn Potts has thrown for 78 and has the Colonels' only passing touchdown.
It's just the second all-time meeting between EKU and UWG with the two teams meeting for the first time ever in Richmond in 2024. UWG enters play with a four-game winning streak intact dating back to the final game of last season.
The game is being broadcast on ESPN+ and UWG fans can also listen live to the radio broadcast on KISS 102.7 or the Gradick Communications Listening Portal.
Fans are encouraged to wear blue for game two at University Stadium. Tickets are available and can be purchased at Wolves Ticket Central.
