Paced by a balanced offensive attack which netted 303 yards on the ground and 144 through the air, the No. 16 ranked Eastern Kentucky Colonels defeated arch-rival Western Kentucky, 30-10, in a steady downpour Saturday night in Richmond before 9,080 loyal and wet fans.

Eastern fullback Chad Culver capped a seven-play, 72 yard drive that opened the game with a seven-yard sprint up the middle for his first collegiate touchdown to put EKU up 7-0.

After Western Kentucky countered with a 20-yard field goal by Jeff Poisel, junior flanker Tyrone Browning, a transfer from Indiana University, ran 72 yards to paydirt on a flanker reverse to put EKU up 14-3 at the 10:07 mark of the second quarter.

Western, not to be outdone on big plays, hit one of its own as tailback Rod Smart to a pitchout from quarterback David Michael and skirted up the near sideline 89 yards to the end zone pulling the 'Toppers to within 14-10 at the break.

The second half was all EKU as junior placekicker Jason Martin hit a 28-yard field goal, junior tailback Corey Crume scored on a two-yard run and Browning closed the scoring for the night on a nine-yard TD reception on a third-and-goal play with 13:14 left in the game.

EKU quarterback Waylon Chapman continued his outstanding season, going 13-17 for 144 yards and one TD, as he now has thrown at least one TD in every game this year for Eastern.

Browning and junior Alex Bannister each caught five passes for Eastern.

EKU's rushing attack was led by senior tailback Derick Logan with 125 and Crume with 95 yards on the ground.

For the Eastern defense, junior roverback Scooter Asel came up 11 solo tackles, two assists and an interception; senior tackle Terry Thomas had nine tackles, three assists and two tackles for loss; and first-time starter, freshman Yeremiah Bell at cornerback, was credited with eight tackles, five assists and two tackles for loss.

WKU was led by Smart with 148 yards on the ground, while fullback Shane Ricketts added 72 yards and Michael added 43 yards rushing.

Western was 0-5 passing with one interception.

Eastern moves to 5-1 on the season and has open date this weekend (Oct. 16) before hosting league foe, UT Martin, Oct. 23 in a 2:00 p.m. Homecoming contest.

Western falls to 4-2 and travels to Tennessee Tech this Saturday for another Ohio Valley Conference game.

In OVC play, Eastern is now 2-0, while Western drops to 3-1.