Racers Open OVC Play Saturday With UT Martin

Date (Time): Sept. 29 (6 p.m.)
Opponent: UT Martin
Site (Venue): Murray, Ky. (Roy Stewart Stadium)
Audio: Froggy 103.7 FM (PxP: Neal Bradley; Color: Josh McKeel)
TV: ESPN+
Live Stats: GoRacers.com
Twitter In Game: @RacersFootball
MUR Record (Streak): 0-3, 0-0 OVC (Lost 3)
UTM Record (Streak): 1-3, 1-0 OVC (Won 1)
All-Time Series vs. UTM (Streak): MSU leads 36-20-1 (Won 1)
First Meeting: Won 13-0 (Oct. 17, 1924 Murray, Ky.)
Last Meeting: Won 13-10 (Oct. 7, 2017 in Martin, Tenn.)
MUR Next Game: Oct. 6 at Eastern Illinois
MUR Next Home Game: Oct. 13 vs. Tennessee State

The Game
The Murray State football team opens OVC play Saturday against UT Martin for its annual Family Weekend Game. The game, which kicks off at 6 p.m., will be broadcast on ESPN= and Froggy 103.7 FM

Saturday’s Weather
Just a 25-percent chance of rain and temps in the upper 70s are projected for Saturday. with mild winds at just 4-7 mph.

Last Time Out
Despite losing to Kentucky, 49-10, Murray State left Lexington with several positives as it headed into its bye week. Defensively, Kenney Wooten had the first sack of the season on UK quarterback Terry Wilson, in addition to forcing one of two fumbles on the afternoon, the other coming from Marquez Sanford. Sanford led the Racers on the day with seven tackles, including 0.5 for loss. Offensively, after giving up eight turnovers in the first two games of the season, Murray State had just one Saturday, a late-game interception by Shuler Bentley, who was under extreme pressure on the play. In addition, the Racers improved on their third down conversion rate, going from 8-for-27 in the first two games to 9-of-16 Saturday.

Drew Anderson was 15-of-32 in the game for 118 yards, while backup Preston Rice came in late and broke off a 21-yard run for MSU’s only touchdown of the game. Receiving wise, the freshmen duo of Malik Honeycutt and Armani Hayes led the Racers with four catches each for 76 and 35 yards, respectively. On special team, Gabriel Vicente improved to 4-for-4 on field goals on the year with a 29-yarder as time expired in the first half.

The UT Martin Series
Gabriel Vicente’s field goal as time expired game the Racers a 13-10 win last season, marking their first win over the Skyhawks overall since 2010 and giving them their first win in Martin since 2003. The Racers now lead the all-time series 36-20-1 and also lead the series at home 19-8-1.

Scouting The Skyhawks
The Skyhawks picked up their first win of the season Saturday with a 37-7 trouncing of then 24th-ranked Austin Peay. Dresser Winn passed for 199 yards on 21 of 28 passing with one touchdown, while Kentel Williams rushed for 91 yards. Garrett Wall led the UTM defense with 13 tackles, while Kevin Prather, Jr. followed with 12. The UTM offense is currently averaging 128.5 yards on the ground and 260.0 yards per game in the air, while scoring 28.0 points per game. Defensively, they are allowing 38.2 points per game with 139.0 rushing yards and 279.8 yards passing. Prather, Jr. currently is the Skyhawks’ leading tackler with 39 tackles and 8.5 tackles-for-loss. On special teams, UT Martin leads the nation in kickoff return defense with just four yards on three total returns for 1.3 yards per return.

A Long-Standing Feud
UT Martin is currently Murray State’s oldest active rivalry. The Skyhawks were the Racers fourth ever opponent in MSU’s inaugural season in 1924. Although, UT Martin, then known as Hall-Moody Institute, was Murray State’s first three opponents, Union (TN), Lambuth, Evansville, either no longer sponsor football (UU, UE) or the school has closed all together (LU).

The Second Season
Murray State is 29-41 all-time in OVC openers and is 16-19 when the opener takes place in Murray. The Racers and Skyhawks have met just once in an OVC opener, a 63-38 win by Martin in 2008 in Murray.

Coach To Cure
Coach To Cure MD is a one-day, nationwide awareness building and fundraising event that will be held on September 29, 2018. The goal of Coach To Cure MD is to raise awareness of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (Duchenne, pronounced “DOO-SHIN”), generate new financial support for Duchenne research and to demonstrate coaches’ commitment to the betterment of young men and the core academic research missions of their universities. College football coaches all over the country have been asked to wear a patch with the Coach To Cure MD insignia on Saturday, September 29th. By wearing this patch, coaches will show their support for Coach To Cure MD and the fight against this disease. On Saturday, Tristan Phelps, who lives with DMD, and his family will be the guests of the Racer and will conduct the opening coin toss.

The Second Season
Murray State is 29-41 all-time in OVC openers and is 16-19 when the opener takes place in Murray. The Racers and Skyhawks have met just once in an OVC opener, a 63-38 win by Martin in 2008 in Murray.

Seniors Honored
Prior to Saturday’s game 16 seniors will be honored with their loved ones as part of the annual senior night. This year’s seniors are Drew Anderson, Shuler Bentley, Chase Boling, J.R. Burns, Xavier Chisolm, Rashad Johnson, Nolan Nichols, Silas Owens, Marquez Sanford, Tyler Stepney, Jordan Tyler, Chris White, Quincy Williams, Qmond Woods and Kenney Wooten.

OK, What’s Next?
The Racers hit the road next week when they travel to Eastern Illinois. Kickoff from Charleston is set for 6 p.m.

Courtesy of GoRacerss.com