Murray State
Austin Peay
Late Kickoff Return Sends Racers to Heartbreaking Loss
11/17/2007 6:00:00 AM | Football
Terrence Holt's 85-yard kickoff return with under two minutes remaining broke a tie ballgame and put an exclamation point on the 2007 season as Austin Peay handed Murray State a 23-17 defeat Saturday afternoon at Stewart Stadium.
With the scored tied 17-17 with 2:06 remaining in the game, Holt took the kickoff at his own 15-yard line and started up the field before breaking to his right and running untouched down the right sideline for the game-winning score. The extra-point sailed wide left, leaving the Racers a chance to win the game.
""I haven't watched the tape yet, but it looks like we overran from the backside and left a crease" said head coach Matt Griffin. "That's the story of our year. That's on me, and it will get better."
The Racers (2-9, 1-7 OVC) began the final drive on their own 24-yard line and found themselves staring at a fourth-and-six before backup quarterback Chris Franklin hooked up with Rod Harper over the middle for a 20-yard gain. MSU would pick up another first down before facing another fourth down. Governors linebacker Chris Newell sealed the victory with a sack of Franklin at the MSU 42-yard line.
After the two teams failed to get on the scoreboard in the first half, the Racers offense struck on its first possession of the second half as Franklin came in for an ailing Jeff Ehrhardt and completed a nine-play drive by connecting on a swing-pass to Josh Jones in the left flat for a nine-yard touchdown. Tyler Weiss added the extra point to make the score 7-0.
APSU (7-4, 5-3 OVC) had a quick answer as Gary Orr hooked up with Lanis Frederick on a 36 pass down to the MSU six-yard line. Otis Spivey would take it in from there on the next play to tie the score 7-7.
The Governors were able to capitalize on a Racers turnover on the next possession as another 36-yard hookup from Orr to Frederick set up a four-yard score from Spencer Gulmire to close out the third period scoring with the Govs ahead 14-7.
The combination of Orr and Frederick were at it again early in the fourth as the two connected on a 23-yard pass and catch on a fourth-and-17 play at the Racers 31 yard line. MSU's defense would stiffen as APSU had to settle for a 34-yard field goal off the foot of Isaac Ziolkowski.
Following a fumble recovery by Derrick Parrott on the Govs' next possession, Weiss booted a career-best 48-yard field goal to bring the Racers to within 17-10 with 9:10 remaining.
As APSU looked poised to put the game out of reach, Tamar Butler forced a fumble at the Racers 20-yard line that was recovered by Wade Peters.
A personal foul on the play moved the ball out to the 35 and Franklin would take over from there as he would go 4-for-5 for 44 yards and also rush the ball three times for 21 yards on the drive. The drive would end when Franklin found Harper for an 11-yard scoring strike. Weiss' extra point tied the game.
Turnovers were the story of the day for the Racers as MSU turned the ball over eight times, including five times in the red zone.
Franklin would finish the game by going 12-for-23 for 105 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Before leaving the game early in the third quarter, Ehrhardt was 13-for-18 for 165 yards and three interceptions. Derrick Townsel led the receiving corps with seven catches for 87 yards. Jones added 75 yards and touchdown on five receptions, while Charlie Jordan and Harper each caught five balls.
Orr paced the Govs attack by going 12-for-22 for 189 yards. Frederick was his main target as he caught six balls for 136 yards. OVC leading rusher Chris Fletcher carried the ball 15 times for 53 yards before leaving the game in the first half with an apparent elbow injury.
"I'm very anxious to get into the offseason. That will start on Monday, said Griffin. "We're going to go get bigger, get stronger, and become better."
