MOREHEAD, Ky. – Six of the Presbyterian College football team's drives ended in either a turnover on downs, fumble, or interception on Saturday afternoon during a low-scoring PFL clash with Morehead State, allowing the Eagles to prevail 14-7.

PC's first points of the day came with 11 minutes left, and due to the tenacity of the Blue Hose defense, the deficit was simply seven points after that cash-in.

The scoreboard stayed the same from then on, however, as PC's last two trips ended with a controversial 4^th-down takeaway and a pick at the Morehead 14-yard line.

Presbyterian and MSU have now played to four consecutive one-score results. Since the beginning of the 2023 season, the Blue Hose have witnessed 10 games (nine of them against conference foes) that finished within a 10-point window.

 
FINAL SCORE: Morehead State, 14 – Presbyterian, 7
RECORDS: Presbyterian (2-5, 0-3) – Morehead State (4-3, 2-1)
LOCATION: Jayne Stadium (Morehead, Ky.)
 


NOTABLES
 
- Junior outside linebacker Malek Horlback wreaked havoc on Morehead's o-line, tallying both of PC's sacks, three tackles behind the line of scrimmage, and a forced fumble in the opening period.

- Horlback and Alex Herriott added up for 15 stops in the close loss, as Presbyterian's defense contributed eight TFL's.

- Making his fifth career start under center, redshirt-freshman Collin Hurst completed 16 of 29 attempts which led to 154 passing yards. He found Jayden Pressey for a 23-yard TD nearly four minutes into the 4^th.

- Although they came up empty when the final horn sounded, Presbyterian closed the contest at plus-13 in first downs (23-10). The counter to that point was three TO's in either half, enabling MSU to narrowly grab the win.

- Over the past two games, the Blue Hose have held their opponent to a combined 72 rushing yards. Morehead only mustered 40 yards on the ground from start to finish, as Presby earned a 273-252 edge in total yardage.

- Both sides struggled in third-down situations (3-for-12 by the Blue Hose and 3-for-13 by the Eagles). A huge difference-maker in the final score was PC's 0-for-3 mark when inside the red zone.


 
HOW IT HAPPENED – FIRST HALF
 
- It took nine series to find the first points of any kind on Saturday, with Morehead striking first on a 4^th-down gamble with 3:43 left until the break.

- PC ended the first quarter on a somber note, unable to punch it into the end zone from the 1-yard line.

- The home side went into the locker room with a slim 7-0 lead, a score that stayed still all the way until the last frame.

 

HOW IT HAPPENED – SECOND HALF
 
- Following a 3^rd quarter dominated by D, Morehead State capitalized on a 64-yard completion (the longest play from scrimmage of the day) which led to another touchdown.

- It was a five-yard scamper that put the Eagles ahead by 14, although the Blue Hose finally scratched just two minutes later on Pressey's TD catch.

- The 10^th touchdown pass of Hurst's young career, that toss completed a 69-yard drive on six snaps that swiftly cut the deficit in two.

- PC wouldn't budge on the next offensive set for Morehead, leading to a three-and-out. Now with an opportunity to tie the game, the Scotsmen kept possession of the ball for over six minutes while meticulously pushing forward.

- Converting an earlier 4^th-down play with the legs of Justin Montgomery, the Blue Hose were again asked to move the chains on 4^th down at the Morehead 26.

- With 2:30 to go, an interception was ruled on the next snap and the Eagles attempted to play keep-away.

- PC's vigorous defense made MSU punt once more with 56 seconds on the clock, positioning head coach Steve Englehart's team with 42 yards of turf ahead.

- After two consecutive runs by Hurst totaled 28 yards, the Blue Hose were knocking on the door yet again with 20 ticks left. However, it was another INT that sealed the deal, and the Eagles emerged as the victors.


 
UP NEXT
 
- A tough test awaits Presbyterian next weekend, taking on Drake for Homecoming on October 19. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 on ESPN+ in what will be PC's first home meeting in almost a full month.

- The reigning Pioneer Football League champions, Drake ran the table in conference play last season and has yet to lose a PFL bout this year. On Saturday, the Bulldogs won a marquee battle over previously-undefeated Butler 27-17.

- With that result, Drake has now grabbed 14 straight conference victories. PC nearly spoiled that streak last November, sliding to a 16-14 loss in Des Moines.