In Week 3 of the 2025 College Football Regular Season, the Eastern Kentucky Colonels travel to Huntington, WV to play against the Marshall Thundering Herd. This game will take place under the lights at Joan C. Edwards Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 6:00 PM and broadcast on ESPN+. Both teams are looking to secure their first victory of the season.
The Eastern Kentucky Colonels enter this contest with a 0-1 record after a challenging opener against the Louisville Cardinals, where they fell 51-17. Despite struggling offensively, the Colonels will aim to improve upon their passing and rushing performances as they continue their season on the road. Eastern Kentucky is not affiliated with a conference, which allows them some flexibility in their schedule.
Marshall Thundering Herd, part of the Sun Belt Conference, also seeks redemption following consecutive losses to start the season. Their most recent game was a narrow 21-20 defeat at home to Missouri State Bears, highlighting areas for potential growth, particularly in their passing game. With a home-field advantage, Marshall hopes to capitalize on their ground game to secure a win against Eastern Kentucky.
Marshall vs Eastern Kentucky At a Glance
- Game Date and Time: Saturday, September 13, 2025, at 6:00 PM
- Venue: Joan C. Edwards Stadium in Huntington, WV
- Current Records: Eastern Kentucky Colonels 0-1, Marshall Thundering Herd 0-2
- Television: ESPN+
- Betting Odds: Marshall favored with a moneyline of -626
- Spread: Eastern Kentucky +14.5 (-112), Marshall -14.5 (-109)
Marshall’s Thundering Challenge: A Preview of the Eastern Kentucky Colonels
Colonels Offensive Overview
The Eastern Kentucky Colonels have shown potential on the offensive front, yet consistency has been a key challenge. Their passing game seeks to find rhythm with their quarterback aiming to capitalize on short and medium routes. The ground game, however, has been their mainstay, often setting the tone for their drives.
Eastern Kentucky’s offensive line will play a crucial role against Marshall’s formidable defense. Protecting the quarterback and creating lanes for their running backs will be pivotal for the Colonels’ success.
Defense: Strengths and Weaknesses
The Colonels’ defense has had moments of brilliance, particularly in stopping the run. They have been adept at reading plays and reacting swiftly to contain explosive plays.
However, their pass defense has been exploited in recent games, indicating an area that requires improvement. Shoring up the secondary and improving communication will be essential against Marshall’s varied offensive strategies.
Key Players to Watch
The Colonels’ quarterback remains a central figure, orchestrating their offensive plays and attempting to exploit any gaps in Marshall’s defense. His connection with the wide receivers could determine their passing success.
On defense, the linebackers are crucial, often stepping up to make critical tackles and disrupt the opposition’s play. Their performance in containing Marshall’s rushing attempts will be vital.
Strategies and Game Plan
Eastern Kentucky is likely to emphasize ball control, utilizing their rushing attack to manage the clock and limit Marshall’s offensive possessions. Establishing an early lead could force Marshall to adjust their game plan.
Defensively, the Colonels might opt for zone coverage to counter Marshall’s passing threats while keeping an eye on their rushing capabilities. Disciplined play and minimizing penalties will be key to their defensive success.
Colonels’ Betting Trends
- SU Last 3: 2-1 (66.7%)
- ATS Last 3: 1-2 (33.3%)
- O/U Last 3: 2-1 (66.7%)
In summary, the Eastern Kentucky Colonels will need to harness their strengths and address their vulnerabilities effectively. A well-rounded performance on both sides of the ball will be essential in their quest against Marshall. The game promises a tactical battle, with both teams keen to leverage their strategies for a win.
Eastern Kentucky Colonels Strive to Rebound in Upcoming Game
Offensive Analysis
The Eastern Kentucky Colonels have started the 2025 season with challenges on the offensive front, scoring only 17 points, which places them at the 69th rank. The passing game has struggled significantly, with just 76 yards, putting them at 171st. Their rushing game isn’t faring much better, with 74 yards ranking them 145th.
First downs have been a relative bright spot for the Colonels, ranking 53rd with 10 achieved in their opening game. This suggests an ability to move the chains, even if their yardage totals are lacking. Improvement in passing and rushing will be critical for their offensive success in future games.
Defensive Assessment
On the defensive side, the Colonels allowed 51 points against Louisville, ranking them 41st in points against. However, their pass defense showed potential by securing three interceptions, ranking them 4th. The Colonels have yet to record a sack or recover a fumble, areas that could significantly impact their defensive performance.
The defense’s ability to create turnovers through interceptions indicates a strength that could be further developed. If they can complement this with pressure on the quarterback, the defense may help keep games more competitive.
Key Players
Quarterback Myles Burkett managed 76 passing yards in the first game, with no touchdowns or interceptions. As the season progresses, his development will be crucial for the offensive unit’s success. Running back Brady Hensley contributed 24 rushing yards and a touchdown, indicating potential as a key offensive contributor.
Wide receiver Marcus Calwise Jr. had 29 receiving yards on one catch, while Dequan Stanley added 21 yards on two receptions. Their involvement in the passing game will be important to provide more options for Burkett.
Recent Performance
The opening game against Louisville resulted in a 51-17 loss for Eastern Kentucky. Despite the defeat, the Colonels managed to secure 10 first downs, indicating some offensive capabilities. However, the disparity in both passing and rushing yards compared to their opponent highlighted areas needing improvement.
Eastern Kentucky’s defense faced a tough test against a potent Louisville offense, allowing over 500 total yards. The three interceptions they achieved were a silver lining in an otherwise challenging defensive outing.
Betting Trends
- SU Last 3: 0-1 (0.0%)
- SU All Games: 0-1 (0.0%)
- SU as Underdog: 0-1 (0.0%)
- ATS Last 3: 0-1 (0.0%)
- ATS All Games: 0-1 (0.0%)
- O/U Last 3: 1-0 (100.0%)
- O/U Totals ≥ 50: 1-0 (100.0%)
Marshall vs Eastern Kentucky Prediction: Marshall -14.5
In Week 3 of the 2025 regular season, Marshall will play host to Eastern Kentucky at Joan C. Edwards Stadium. Despite both teams looking for their first win, Marshall is positioned as a -14.5 favorite. Eastern Kentucky has struggled offensively this season, ranking near the bottom in both passing and rushing yards.
Marshall’s offense, while not yet firing on all cylinders, has managed to score 27 points on average, which should present challenges for Eastern Kentucky’s defense. Marshall’s capability to control the ground game with their superior rushing yardage could be a decisive factor in this matchup. The Thundering Herd are 1-0 ATS at home, adding further confidence in their ability to cover the spread against a struggling opponent.
Defensively, Marshall’s unit is ranked 5th in sacks, and this pressure can significantly disrupt Eastern Kentucky’s passing attack. Eastern Kentucky has allowed 51 points in their first game, and their defense may find it tough to slow down Marshall’s more robust offensive line. This creates an advantageous situation for Marshall to expand the lead and cover the spread.
Given these factors, Marshall is well-positioned to secure a comfortable victory at home. A projected final score of Marshall 38 – Eastern Kentucky 17 supports the prediction that Marshall will cover the -14.5 spread.
- Marshall vs Eastern Kentucky Prediction: Marshall -14.5
- Marshall vs Eastern Kentucky Score: Marshall 38 – Eastern Kentucky 17
