
Presbyterian College’s 10-game losing streak is unlikely to end in the season opener at Murray (Ky.) State’s Roy Stewart Stadium on Saturday night at 7 p.m. EDT.
Steve Englehart’s second season figures to be considerably better, but opening against the Racers is a stern assignment. Dean Hood’s team was 2-9 last year – PC was 1-10 – but Murray State has the benefit of athletic scholarships and the Blue Hose do not.
This is the 1,000th game in Murray history. The teams have never played in any sport. Last season ended a streak of 10 consecutive winning seasons.
As is the case for all of Presbyterian’s home events later in the fall, Saturday’s affair will be streamed live on ESPN+. The Blue Hose are not broadcasting on radio this season.
This is Presbyterian’s third official season in the Pioneer Football League, the Racers are members of the Missouri Valley Conference, one of the country’s better FCS leagues.
The 17th head coach in the history of Presbyterian College football, Steve Englehart guides a more experienced and deeper roster into the season. Fifteen starters and 58 letterman return, joining 19 transfers. The Blue Hose have only eight seniors.
Sophomore wide receiver Dominic Kibby, a Catonsville, Md., product, is PC’s top returnee, having caught 41 passes for 796 yards last season.
Phil Steele magazine placed five Racers on the preseason All-MVC roster, with three of those members on the offensive side of the ball (D.J. Jones, Jacob Frye, & Taylor Shields).
Presbyterian begins its 111th season of football in 2023. The program has fielded a football team every season since 1913 and has won 510 games.
Englehart hired four new full-time assistants to his staff approaching his second year in Clinton, adding running backs coach Leroy Wilson, offensive line coach Blake Stone, defensive line coach Liam Smith and inside linebackers coach Quinton Lee.
In addition, Englehart brought in Jake Maggio, recently graduated from West Liberty, to assist in the development of the special-teams unit.

Laurens took another loss at home on Friday night as Belton-Honea Path scored two touchdowns in each quarter to drop the Raiders, 55-21.
In its first three games, Laurens (0-3) has been outscored, 159-37. The T19/40 for 149 yards. The Hillcrest transfer was also the Raiders’ leading rusher with 13 carries for 46 yards and two touchdowns.
BHP (2-0) amassed a 553-237 edge in total offense and outrushed Laurens, 428-88.
Marquis Henderson (14-208, 3 TDs) and Noah Thomas (3-101, 1) provided a 96-yard score.
Quarterback Noah Thomas connected on 14/18 passes for 143 yards and three scoring tosses.
Denari Lee-Jackson and Nick Fowler each caught five passes for the Raiders, who play their first road game in Inman next week against Chapman (2-1).
Thornwell is 0-2 against Calhoun Falls Charter, on the road and overall.
The Blue Flashes won on Friday, 52-6, after beating the Saints, 42-13, a week earlier.
Laurens Academy (1-2) rebounded in style, winning at Newberry Academy, 58-0.
The Crusaders have defeated the Eagles seven consecutive times.
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