Previewing NC State vs. Eastern Kentucky

Here is a preview of tonight’s NC State vs. Eastern Kentucky game that will kickoff at 6pm, which will be streaming on ESPN3.

Doeren on Eastern Kentucky 

Here is what NC State head coach Dave Doeren had to say about Eastern Kentucky this week at his weekly press conference on Monday:

A really good Eastern Kentucky team. They were 9-4 last year…in the playoffs last year…1-0 this year…scored 52 points in their opener. They are the 14th ranked team in FCS. It’s a team that has a lot of condition. Historically, they are the second winningest program. They’ve gone to the playoffs 21 times. It’s a team that has a lot of players in the NFL, and they have some players on their team right now that have the chance to do that as well. Head coach Dean Hood, who was at Wake Forest. He was good defensive coach, and you can see it in their team. They were 2nd in the nation in forced turnovers last year. They forced 33 turnovers. I know he’s an opportunistic coach as well. He was the defensive coordinator at Wake. He’s a very good coach. He’s been the Coach of the Year finalist twice since he’s been there. We look forward to the challenge.”

“Offensively, their quarterback had an allergic reaction last week and didn’t start, but #4 (Bennie Coney), he’s a transfer from Cincinnati, he’s who we expect to see. They have played two quarterbacks. Their tailback is the guy that really makes their offense go. He was a preseason All-American, #7 (Dy’Shawn Mobley). He averaged 5.8 yards per carry and had 20 touchdowns last year. He had a very productive season. They have two big receivers, two 6’5″ guys. Jeff Glover had two touchdowns in week 1. Guys that can go up and get it. They have a really good offensive lineman that plays Right Tackle. He has 33 straight starts. They have some good offensive players. Their running back is a transfer from Kentucky. They also have some playmakers on defense. Their best player in the front seven is a defensive end that transferred in from Ohio St, #9 Spence. He’s really quick twitched. Great get off…change of direction…good pass pressure. Their cornerback is also a returner…#27 (Stanley Absanon). He had a really good first game and is a really athletic guy. He breaks on the ball well. He had a pick-six in the opener and does some good things for their football team as a returner. Their D-Tackle has a lot of experience…their 390 pound guy. They have big guys on the inside.” (PI)

Here’s what he had to say about them after practice this Thursday…

“Eastern Kentucky runs the ball more than Troy. They’re more balanced. Most of their production came out of their tailback last year. He had 20 touchdowns. They have good receivers under a quarterback who is a transfer from Cincinnati. They all didn’t play so much in the opener because they got up so fast. I think they are a more balanced team. They are a no huddle team. You’re still going to see the tempo.” (PI)

Eastern Kentucky’s Key Players

RB – Senior – Dy’Shawn Mobley – Mobley was the Ohio Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Year last year.  In 2014, he rushed for 1,491 yards, averaging 5.8 yards per carry.  He rushed for 20 touchdowns.  Mobley also is a threat in the passing game, pulling in 33 receptions for 309 yards and a touchdown as well.  He is a Preseason All-American.

WR – Senior – Jeff Glover – Glover led Eastern Kentucky in 2014 with 43 receptions for 746 yards and 3 touchdowns.  Last week against Valaraiso, Glover had 5 receptions for 95 yards and two touchdowns.

DE – RS Junior Noah Spence – Spence transferred in from Ohio State, and made an immediate impact last week.  He had 5 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, and 2 QB hurries.

Eastern Kentucky Team Breakdown

Eastern Kentucky is currently ranked #19 in the FCS.  They defeated an FBS opponent last year in Miami (OH), but that victory snapped an 18-game losing streak against FBS opponents.  They are projected to finish in the Ohio Valley Conference.

Eastern Kentucky vs. NC State Team Comparison