Just The Facts
The Murray State football team turned in one of its most balanced performances in recent memory in a 34-18 win over Austin Peay in Murray in front of a large Homecoming crowd at Stewart Stadium Saturday. The usually pass-heavy MSU offense was still effective with 286 yards in the air, but the Racers also found their ground attack in the contest rushing for 240 yards, the most against a Division I opponent since 2013.
The Turning Point
Murray State scored twice in the first quarter on short runs by KD Humphries and Roman Clay and jumped out to an early 14-0 lead. After Austin Peay cut the lead to 14-6 at the end of the first quarter, Murray State forced and recovered a Governor fumble for the second time in the game. On the ensuing drive, Clay would score again to make it 21-6 and with MSU never looking back from that point on. Austin Peay went on to outscore Murray State 12-3 in the second half, but the damage was already done thanks to a 31 point first half effort by the Racers.
About The Governors
The Governors rushed for 21 2yards Saturday en route to 370 yards of total offense. Kendall Morris was the workhorse for the Govs, running for 136 yards and a score, while Taye Davis had 63 yards and a touchdown.
Trey Taylor was 11-for-19 with one interception for 104 yards, while Timarious Mitchell was 3-for-6 for 35 yards with one touchdown. Jared Beard led all receivres in the game with 97 yards and a touchdown on seven catches with a long of 51.
Just Getting It Done
KD Humphries was 32-for-51 under center for Murray State on Saturday, passing for 286 yard with no interception, but no touchdowns either. However, the junior still accounted for 14 point in the game as he had two rushing touchdowns on the day. His leading target on the day was Jesse Blackburn, who had 88 yards in six catches in addition to big 31 yard run on a fourth-and-four in the fourth quarter.
Blocked Out
Demetrius Mason picked up his first blocked kick of the season and the team’s second Saturday, when he blocked an Austin Peay PAT in the first quarter. For Mason, it was the third blocked kick of his career after pickup up blocks against Union (Ky.) and Eastern Kentucky last season.
Creating Offense With Defense
Elijah Daniel and Mason each forced fumbles in the contest, with Joey Cicoria and Mason recovering the respective Austin Peay turnovers. The Racers were able to make the Govs pay on both fumbles, as each ensuing drive ended in a MSU touchdown.
Staying 100
With 118 rushing yards on Saturday and 148 yards last week at Southeast Missouri, Roman Clay became Murray State’s first running back to post back-to-back 100-plus yard rushing in over two years. The last Racer to do so was Jaamal Berry in 2013, who had 146 and 134 yards against Austin Peay and UT Martin, respectively.
Settling In
In his second week as the starting placekicker for Murray State, senior Connor Mitchell was 2-for-3 on field goal attempts and 4-for-4 on extra points. The two field goals in a game were a career best for Mitchell, as was his field goal in the third quarter that went 31 yards to set a new career long.
Defense Wins Games
The 370 yards of total offense allowed by the Murray State defense on Saturday was a season-low against Division I opponents. The previous low against an in-division foe was 380 yards against Tennessee Tech, while the overall season-low is 356 yards against Division II Kentucky Wesleyan. Toby Omli led the defense with seven tackles in the game, while St. Pierre Anilus followed with six and a team-high five solo tackles.
Up Next
The Racers will now take a week off for their annual bye week. Murray State will return to action on Oct. 24 to take on rival UT Martin at 2 p.m., at Hardy M. Graham Stadium in Martin, Tennessee
Comments
