Murray State head football coach Mitch Stewart said this week his team needs to execute well against the University of Pikeville in Thursday night’s season opener for both teams at Roy Stewart Stadium in Murray.
“Pikeville’s head coach [Al Holland Jr.] is an Eastern Kentucky University guy. With that said, he has the knowledge needed to get this team ready to come in here and play,” Stewart said.
Stewart said he most impressed with UPIKE’s returning skill players.
“They have a couple of running backs that are quick, a veteran quarterback and we will need to defend well to limit them from making the big plays,” he added.
Running back Xondre Willis rushed for 1,129 yards on 165 carries this past season.
Quarterback Bowen Smith passed for 1,726 yards and 17 touchdowns, completing 50 percent of his pass attempts.
Meanwhile, Holland said his team to ready to go against an experienced football team.
“They [Murray State] are similar to us,” he said. “They run the spread offense, so our guys know what to expect. We are a year older now.”
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. EST.