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BUIES CREEK, N.C.—Despite a late touchdown and 405 yards of total offense, Morehead State lost at Pioneer League opponent Campbell, 31-22 Saturday afternoon at Barker-Lane Stadium.
The Eagles had their best offensive day since the season opener and their best day against a Division I opponent, had 296 yards through the air on 28-of-43 passing by quarterback Zach Lewis. Brendan McLaughlin led all receivers with 79 yards on five catches.
Morehead State scored a late rally touchdown on a 25-yard yard pass from Lewis to Drew Morgan with 3:33 remaining, capping a six-play, 58-yard drive. It was MSU's first offensive touchdown in the fourth quarter since the Southern Virginia game. Lewis found Jerrod Pendleton for the two-point conversion pass to pull MSU within three.
The Eagle defense stopped the Camels on the ensuing drive, setting up a chance for a game-winning or tying drive. CU's Cody Lyons ended the Eagle drive prematurely by picking off a Lewis pass and returning it 45 yards for a touchdown to secure the win.
"That third interception was not a bad read by Zach, but he threw it behind him. I can count on my hands the number of times he's thrown it behind someone this season. He's a special kid and he's going to be a real special player," MSU coach Matt Ballard said.
Morehead State seemed unstoppable in the first quarter, marching 69 yards on eight plays, more than half of which came on a 37-yard completion from Zach Lewis to Brendan McLaughlin. MSU went for it on fourth and goal from the Campbell three, earning Lewis his first career passing touchdown, a completion to Ronnie McDermott.
Less than five minutes later, Mike Adler avoided a defender who had slipped into the backfield, broke through the line and ran 29 yards to put the Eagles up 14-3 in the closing minutes of the first quarter. Adler's run was the longest of the day for MSU, who totaled 109 yards on 27 carries on the ground.
Morehead State moved the ball effectively in the second quarter also, racking up 263 first half yard of total offense, but had three drives stalled by turnovers, a fumble and two interceptions. A 27-yard touchdown run by Harrison Jordan and a late, long field goal by Adam Willets pulled the Camels within one at halftime at 14-13.
The Eagles, who have not scored in the third quarter since the season opener against Southern Virginia, were stalled with just 26 yards of offense, all on the ground in the third. Campbell took advantage, gaining the lead with a Willets field goal.
"In that second half, we couldn't piece it together on offense and defense," Ballard said. "We've got to give credit where credit is due and Campbell gets that credit. They executed and made plays and didn't make the mistakes and penalties we did."
Campbell scored its second touchdown of the game to start the fourth on a 46-yard pass from Daniel Polk to Jordan. CU added two to its lead by hitting Lewis just past the goal line, forcing a fumble into the end zone. MSU recovered the ball, resulting in the safety.
The Camels (2-6, 1-4 PFL), who picked up their first-ever PFL win, tallied 208 yards on the ground, the most rushing yards MSU, ranked first nationally against the run entering the game, has given up all season. CU totaled 374 yards of total offense.
"We didn't defend the run well and we gave up a couple of big pass plays," Ballard said. "They got leverage on us and we weren't getting any backside pursuit."
Morehead State (2-7, 0-6) will be off next week and will host San Diego on Nov. 14 at Jayne Stadium in its home finale. That game, which kicks off at 1 p.m., will be broadcast on Wazzoo Sports TV. Campbell plays at Drake at 2 p.m. ET next Saturday.