Morehead State defeats Valparaiso 17-5 in Pioneer League opener
- Carter Cravens led Morehead State with two touchdown passes and a total of 132 passing yards.
- Valparaiso struggled offensively, managing only five points and 126 total yards against a strong Morehead State defense.
- The victory improved Morehead State's record to 3-2 overall and 1-0 in the Pioneer Football League, reinforcing their historical dominance over Valparaiso.
On Saturday, Morehead State faced Valparaiso in their Pioneer Football League opener, showcasing a strong performance from quarterback Carter Cravens. He threw two touchdown passes, including a 44-yard strike to Bradley West on the opening drive and a 25-yard touchdown to Nate Garnett in the fourth quarter. The Eagles also added a 35-yard field goal by Thomas Schwartz, contributing to their total of 17 points. Valparaiso managed to score only five points, with a 46-yard field goal from Ryan Hawk and a safety resulting from a blocked punt. Cravens completed 5 of 16 passes for 132 yards without any interceptions, demonstrating efficiency despite a lower completion rate. In contrast, Valparaiso's quarterbacks struggled, combining for 12 completions on 24 attempts for just 91 yards, with Michael Appel Jr. throwing two interceptions. Morehead State's defense was particularly dominant, sacking the Beacons' quarterbacks nine times, with Noah Benza leading the charge with 3.5 sacks. The game marked a significant moment for Morehead State, improving their record to 3-2 overall and 1-0 in the league, while Valparaiso fell to 2-3 and 0-1 in the Pioneer Football League. Historically, Morehead State has had a strong record against Valparaiso, now standing at 25 wins to 5 losses. This victory sets a positive tone for the Eagles as they continue their season. Overall, the game highlighted the effectiveness of Morehead State's offense and the resilience of their defense, establishing them as a competitive force in the league this season.