Photo by Dave Winder
The Murray State football team went toe-to-toe with the 17th best team in the nation Saturday night in Conway, Arkansas, before Central Arkansas finally pulled away late in the game to top the Racers, 26-13.
Murray State led 3-0 in the first quarter and trailed by just one in the second quarter thanks to two Gabriel Vicente field goals of 39 and 24 yards. UCA pushed its lead out to 20-6, but with just 30 seconds before the half, Drew Anderson led the Racers on a 45-yard drive which was capped by a 31-yard pass to James Sappington for the touchdown.
The score held until the fourth quarter when UCA finally scored to put away the Racers at 26-13. Murray State did have its chances, however, including two turnovers, an interception and a fumble, in the end zone that would have likely ended in touchdowns for the Racers. In addition, the game-sealing drive for the Bears almost didn’t happen, as Don Parker picked off the Bears in the end zone, however the play was erased due a penalty on Murray State.
Anderson was 19-of-36 passing for 209 yards with a touchdown and an interception, while Sappington led the Racer receiving corps for the second-straight week with three catches for 57 yards and a score. Breylin Smith was 24-for-31 for UCA on the night for 301 yards, while Lester Wells led all receivers with nine catches for 158 yards.
For the second time in as many week, Quincy Williams led all tacklers in the game, this time with 12. Kendrick Catis followed Williams with eight, a tackle-for-loss and a pass breakup, while Kenney Wooten had seven tackles, a block, a sack and an interception.
The Racers return to action on the road next week when they travel to Kroger Field in Lexington to take on Kentucky.
To see Coach Stewart’s post-game comments click here.
Courtesy of GoRacers.com
Racer Football Alumni Association, LLC 