EKU finds hope in tough stretch

With Division I-AA powerhouse Appalachian State sandwiched between two Division I-A opponents to begin the season, Eastern Kentucky faced the very real possibility of starting the Danny Hope era with an 0-3 record.

But the Colonels alleviated those fears in a big way Saturday, piling up a 35-0 halftime lead and posting a lopsided 35-7 victory over visiting Appalachian State.

Hope, a former Eastern Kentucky player in his first season as the Colonels' coach, saw his squad bounce back from a season-opening 63-13 loss at Bowling Green.

"It was a huge game and a huge win for all of EKU," Hope said during Tuesday's weekly Ohio Valley Conference teleconference. "We had a great crowd, about 15,000 people. It was a return of capacity crowds to Roy Kidd Stadium and the return of EKU winning big football games."

After losing to Bowling Green, a strong Division I-A team, and then beating Appalachian State -- which was ranked 11th nationally -- the Colonels visit Division I-A Central Michigan this week.

And the non-conference schedule doesn't get any easier for the Colonels next week when they close out their pre-OVC slate at defending Division I-AA national champion Western Kentucky.

But Hope says bring it on.

"I love our schedule," Hope said. "We have four very formidable opponents to open the season. All are top-line opponents, teams we're going to have to play really well against to compete with, and I think that will help raise our level of play going into the conference."

The victory opened eyes around the rest of the OVC.

"No doubt it was very, very impressive," Southeast Missouri State University coach Tim Billings said. "Appalachian State is one of the top teams in the nation every year. It shows Eastern Kentucky has a great football team."

SE's offensive struggles

Southeast, the OVC preseason favorite, had one of the nation's premier Division I-AA offenses last year, averaging 447 yards and 34.7 points per game. With nine returning offensive starters, the Indians were expected to click right off the bat this season.

But through two games, the 0-2 Indians have scored just 10 points and average only 293 yards. They rank last in the league in nearly every offensive category.

That surprises Eastern Illinois coach Bob Spoo.

"With all the veterans they had back, I'm surprised they haven't been more productive in that area," Spoo said.

Murray State coach Joe Pannunzio, however, said early offensive woes are often a part of football.

"I think early in the year it takes offenses a little while to come around, and I think they will," Pannunzio said.

Players of the week

By virtue of the big win over Appalachian State, Eastern Kentucky nearly swept the league's weekly awards.

Quarterback Matt Guice is the offensive player and newcomer of the week. The Massachusetts transfer completed 16 of 22 passes for 225 yards and two touchdowns.

Tackle Mike Dunn took defensive honors after he had four solo tackles, three assists, two tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Dunn also was chosen The Sports Network national defensive player of the week.

The OVC special teams award went to Samford's Cortland Finnegan, who returned four kicks for 203 yards, including an 89-yard touchdown.

Extra points

Samford (2-0), Eastern Illinois (1-0) and Jacksonville State (1-0) are the OVC's unbeaten teams. Southeast (0-2) and Tennessee Tech (0-2) are without a win. Eastern Kentucky, Murray State, Tennessee-Martin and Tennessee State are all 1-1.

n With Southeast dropping out of the polls, the OVC now has two nationally ranked teams. Eastern Illinois is 14th (USA Today/ESPN) and 15th (The Sports Network) while Eastern Kentucky is 21st (USA Today/ESPN) and 23rd (TSN).