Mike Cherry (2022) - Hall of Fame - Murray State University Athletics

Mike Cherry

Induction:
2022

Mike Cherry - Football (1995-96)

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Runnin' with the Racers Podcast - April 05, 2023

Given the fact quarterback Mike Cherry and receiver Reggie Swinton teamed for nearly 100 pass completions in 25 games from 1995-96 and helped the Racers win a pair of Ohio Valley Conference championships, it's only fitting that they will be inducted together in the class of 2022 to the Murray State Hall of Fame.

Certainly, opponents of the Racers grew weary of trying to game plan against this dynamic duo as they led Murray State to a 22-3 overall record and 16-0 in the OVC in the 1995 and 1996 seasons. Cherry and Swinton are Inextricably linked in Racer Football lore, even 26 years after their last game together.

Swinton was a speedy receiver from Little Rock and Cherry hailed from Texarkana. Swinton arrived at MSU in the fall of 1994 and grew into his role as a receiver and kick returner until he was ready to show what he could really do when Cherry arrived in 1995, after transferring from the Arkansas Razorbacks at the behest of Coach Nutt.

In 1995, Cherry threw for 2,460 yards and 18 touchdowns and was named All-OVC. Swinton caught 34 passes for 514 yards in 1995 and then exploded on the scene in 1996, with 75 catches for 1,120 yards. Cherry threw for 2,737 yards on 199 completions with 18 touchdowns (eight TDs by Swinton). Swinton earned All-America honors and Cherry was named OVC Player of the Year in 1996

On an average night, this pair of Racers were a handful for any defense, but on the night of Sept. 14, 1996, they were almost perfect in a game against the Southern Illinois Salukis at home in Roy Stewart Stadium. Cherry and Swinton connected on 10 passes for an incredible 224 yards and three touchdowns. The 224 yards receiving by Swinton is still second on the MSU single-game list. Later in the 1996 season, Cherry and Swinton led MSU to a 34-6 win at home over Western Illinois (11-30-96) as the first and still only postseason win in program history.

In two seasons of 1995 and 1996, Cherry and Swinton hooked up for 99 pass completions, 1,451 yards and nine touchdowns. In an era of run-first offenses, the numbers this pair put up are still impressive today.

Cherry and Swinton join teammates William Hampton (2012), Rob Hart (2019) and their coach, Houston Nutt (2018) in the MSU Hall of Fame.

Cherry & Swinton Notes

Join teammates William Hampton (2012), Rob Hart (2019), and Coach Houston Nutt (2018) in the MSU Hall of Fame.
Two seasons together at Murray State in 1995 and 1996 produced two OVC championships for Coach Houston Nutt.
Combined in 1995-96, they helped the team to a 22-3 overall record and a 16-0 mark in OVC play.
The 1995 team was MSU's second undefeated team in the regular season at 11-0 as they joined the 1933 team who was the only other perfect team in MSU history in going 9-0.
Made 1-AA Playoffs in 1995 and 1996.
MSU's 34-6 win at home over Western Illinois (11-30-96) is the only postseason win in program history as of 2022.
In 1995-96 Cherry and Swinton hooked up for combined 99 pass receptions for 1,451 yards and 9 touchdowns for an average completion of 14.6 yards.
Mindful of the great offensive connection Cherry and Swinton enjoyed, the Racers also had big time yard gainers in running backs Derrick Cullors and David McCann and receivers Kwabene Idelette and Jesse Jones.
Cherry and Swinton teamed for a record night at home against Southern Illinois (11-14-96) of 10 completions for 224 yards and three touchdowns. The 224 yards was a career-high for both players.
It was then and still is in 2022, the second-best receiving game in MSU history, behind only Harvey Tanner's 255 yards with QB Larry Tillman against Middle Tennessee (Oct. 14, 1967).
In 2022, Cherry and Swinton become the 51st and 52nd football players to be inducted into the MSU Hall of Fame.

Mike Cherry – Football – 1995-96

Lasting legacy of the right quarterback at the right time to lead the Racers in what is still the best two-season run in program history.
Out of Texarkana, Cherry first played collegiately at Arkansas in 1993 and 1994, where he appeared in 10 games where he completed 21-40 passes for 242 yards with one touchdown.
In 1992. Houston Nutt was an assistant coach to Danny Ford at Arkansas. Cherry followed Nutt to Murray State in the spring of 1995 after Nutt became the MSU head coach in 1993.
Was named twice to All-OVC First Team as league's top QB
Named the 1996 OVC Player of the Year.
Held the career record at MSU for passing efficiency and is still fifth in 2022.
In a period of college football before pass-first offenses, Cherry's 365 career completions is still 10th in 2022 at MSU. His 36 career touchdown passes still rank eighth.
Cherry had four 300-yard passing games at MSU.
391yds, 31-50 Northern Iowa 11/25/95 (Postseason record for the Racers)
395 yds, 18-31 Southern Illinois 9/14/96
312 yds, 13-21 Tennessee Tech 10/28/95
328 yds, 17-24 Eastern Kentucky 11/4/95 (Clinched OVC championship)
In his MVP season of 1996, threw for 2,737 yards with 18 touchdowns.
Two-year totals were impressive with 365-640 passing for 5,197 yards and 36 touchdowns.

Cherry – National Football League

Selected by the New York Giants in the 1997 NFL Draft in the sixth round as the 171st overall pick.
Was the 17th Murray State player selected in the NFL Draft and the first since Eric Crigler in 1990.
After Cherry's selection, it would be another 13 years before a Racer was drafted again…as Austen Lane was taken by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2010.
Spent four seasons with the Giants from 1997-00.
Wore jersey No. 18 with the Giants, the same number he wore with the Racers.