Carter Cravens throws 3 TDs, Morehead State holds off West Virginia State, 37-35 in season opener

Updated Aug. 31, 2023 9:51 p.m. ET

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MOREHEAD, Ky. (AP) — Carter Cravens overcame two first-half interceptions by throwing three touchdown passes before intermission and Caleb Ramseur rumbled 10 yards for the game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter as Morehead State held off West Virginia State 37-35 for a win in the season-opener on Thursday night.

The Eagles held a 31-21 lead late in the third quarters and stopped the Yellow Jackets on downs at the Morehead State 45, but Ramseur was hit on the next play from scrimmage by Christian Thompson, fumbled and Nick Blake scooped the loose ball and scored from 45 yards out to get West Virginia State within a field goal, 31-28.

Cravens engineered a nine-play, 78-yard drive to put the game out of reach.

West Virginia State went 75 yards in eight plays to get within a field goal with 2:54 left. Donovan Riddick fired 37 yards to Javion Monroe for the touchdown.

Cravens was 21-of-32 passing for 236 yards and added another 82 yards on 11 carries. James Louis carried 18 times for 72 yards and Ramseur had five carries for 24 yards.

Riddick completed 25 of 32 passes, three for touchdowns, and finished with 288 yards. Joel Felder carried 15 times for 117 yards and a touchdown for West Virginia State.

It was the third meeting between the schools and first since 1996, when Morehead State earned a 60-22 victory. West Virginia State, which won the first meeting, 22-0 in 1992, is a member of the Division II Mountain East Conference.

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AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll

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