Football | 10/19/24 | 8:06 AM

HELENA, Mont. - The Carroll College Football team will return to the field for the first time in two weeks, hosting Eastern Oregon at 1 p.m. on Valley Bank Field at Nelson Stadium.

The Fighting Saints (4-1, 3-0) enter this week rested and refocused, coming off of a very-welcomed mid-season bye week. They'll look to make it five straight over the Moutaineers (3-3. 3-1), who picked up a 28-21 win over MSU-Northern last weekend in La Grande.

Last week's bye couldn't have come at a better time for the Saints. Carroll had a week to slow down, ice down some nagging injuries, revisit what went right, and wrong, and get their minds right for what will be a difficult home stretch of the season.

Five weeks into the year, Carroll finds themselves in a similar position as last season. The Saints are 4-1, with their lone loss coming in the first week of the season. Right at the midway point, the team knows exactly who they are, and what needs to be accomplished in order to make a return to the NAIA Football Championship Series next month.

Winners of four straight, the Saints found a groove starting in week three. Over their past three games, the Saints are outscoring their opponents 123-12. Offense, defense, and special teams have all been working cohesively, and the results speak for themselves.

Defensively, Carroll enters the week as one of the top units in the entire NAIA. The nation's No. 4 defense is allowing only 209.4 total yards per game, while holding opponents to just 11.0 points per game (No. 8).

Offensively, quarterback Jack Prka (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho / SR) is having a very good year. The senior signal caller is doing nearly everything right when it comes to throwing the ball. His 72.4 percent pass accuracy (76-105, 953 yds) is currently tops in the NAIA.

The Saints are in the top third of the nation in most offensive categories, and will look to keep things rolling against an Eastern Oregon defense that is near the bottom of the nation in yards allowed (417.8 ypg, No. 71).

Chris Akulschin (Gig Harbor, Wash. / R-JR) had a breakout performance the last time the two teams met in Helena. The then-redshirt-freshman hauled in nine catches for 158 yards and three touchdowns. He comes into this week off of a two touchdown performance against MSU-Northern, and aims to continue his hot play.

After hosting the annual Helena Small Fry Football Championships at Valley Bank Field on Wednesday, Carroll Athletics is proud to offer free admission to any Small Fry Player wearing their jersey to this afternoon's game.

Kick-off for this afternoon's game is slated for 1 p.m.

The game will be streamed live HERE, and a tape delay broadcast will air on SWX stations throughout Montana later this evening.

Catch Voice of the Saints, Nick Dietzen, and Carroll Hall of Famer, Gary Turcott, call the action live on Rewind 94.9 FM, or online HERE.

Live stats for the game can be followed HERE.

Visit www.carrollathletics.com this evening for a full recap of the action, and to stay up to date with everything going on in Carroll Athletics.