Just The Facts
The Murray State football team improved to 2-0 in Ohio Valley Conference play with a 48-41 win at Eastern Illinois Saturday night at O’Brien Field in Charleston. The Racers set a new modern-era single-game rushing record with 449 yards, besting the previous mark of 418 against Tennessee State in 2000. The win moves the Racers to 2-0 in the OVC, marking their first 2-0 league start since 2013.
How It Happened
The two teams went back-and-forth for the entire 60 minutes, with neither team leading by more than seven at any point in the contest. Trailing 34-31 in the third quarter, quarterback Drew Anderson took his team 75 yards down the field in five plays, capping the drive with a 17 yard keeper that put his team on top 38-34.
Gabriel Vicente pushed the lead out to a full touchdown early in the fourth quarter with his second field goal of the night. However, the Panthers would answer with just 3:07 remaining in regulation on a 35-yard run by Jamal Scott to tie the game at 41. That’s when Anderson went to work, putting together another 75-yard drive that was capped by D.J. Penick’s third score of the game to put MSU on top for the final time, 48-41.
About The Panthers
Eastern Illinois finished the night with 643 yards of total offense, just 15 yards behind the Racers’ 658, as the two teams combined for 1301 yards. Jonathan Brantley was 28-of-42 passing in the game for 328 yards and three touchdowns, while Harry Woodberry was 10-for-19 for one touchdown and 147 yards. Alexander Hollins led all receivers with 132 yards on 10 catches with two touchdown, while Aaron Gooch caught eight passes for 124 yards. Nolan Dean led all defensive players with 12, while Joe Caputo followed with 11.
One-Two Punch
For the first time since 2006, the Racers had two 100-plus yard rushers with Penick rushing for 180 yards, while Rodney Castille added 142. The last time the feat occurred was in 2006 when Chad Cook rushed for 223 yards and Charlie Jordan rushed for 111 against Indiana State. The 180 yards on the ground by Penick was the most by a Racers since Mike Harris rushed for 206 against Eastern Kentucky in 2011.
Dual Threat
Drew Anderson was 21-for-36 passing for 209 yards with one touchdown and one interception. In addition, the transfer rushed for 79 yards and an additional touchdown.
Sack Attack
Kenney Wooten had four tackles on the night including two huge sacks. The bigger of the two came in the fourth quarter when he dropped Johnathan Brantley for six yards on a fourth-and-three from the Racer 27. The senior also added one quarterback hurry on the evening.
Red Alert
The Racers were a perfect eight-for-eight in the red zone on the night, scoring six touchdowns and two field goals.
OK, What’s Next?
The Racers return home to Roy Stewart Stadium Saturday to host Tennessee State at 1 p.m.
Click the link below for game highlights.
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