Murray State
Tennessee Tech
Players Mentioned
Racers Host Austin Peay In Home Finale
11/14/2019 10:34:00 AM | Football
Date (Time): Nov. 16 (12 p.m.)
Opponent: Austin Peay
Site (Venue): Murray, Ky. (Roy Stewart Stadium)
Audio: Froggy 103.7 FM (PxP: Neal Bradley; Analyst: Josh McKeel)
TV: ESPN3 (PxP: Bob Belvin; Analyst: Chip Hoback)
Live Stats: GoRacers.com
Twitter In Game: @RacersFootball
MUR Record (Streak): 4-6 [2-4 OVC] (Lost 3)
APSU Record (Streak): 7-3 [5-1 OVC] (Won 3)
All-Time Series vs. APSU (Streak): Racers lead 36-16 (Lost 2)
All-Time Series in Murray (Streak): Racers lead 21-5 (Lost 1)
First Meeting: W 34-13 (Nov. 14, 1953; Clarksville, Tenn.)
Last Meeting: L 23-48 (Nov. 17, 2018, Clarksville, Tenn.)
Last Five vs. APSU: 2-3 (LLWWL)
MUR Next Game: Nov. 23 at Southeast Missouri
MUR Next Home Game: 2020 Season
The Game
The Murray State football team will kick-off a jam packed Racer day across three sports Saturday when it welcomes No. 22 Austin Peay to Roy Stewart Stadium for a First Financial Bank Battle of the Border matchup.
Saturday's Weather
Saturday will be sunny but chilly with highs in the low 40s. The good news for Racers fans is that there is next to no chance for rain, almost zero cloud cover and very mild winds at 6-8 m.p.h. out of the northwest.
Last Time Out
Despite getting off to a hot start, the Murray State football team threw two interceptions inside the five-yard line that proved in Saturday's game against Tennessee Tech at Roy Stewart Stadium in Murray, Kentucky. The two picks eventually proved to be the difference in the contest, as the Racers fell to the Golden Eagles, 17-7. Murray State came out firing on all cylinders in the contest coming up with an interception on the third play of the game and using just three plays on offense to score and take an early 7-0 lead. Unfortunately for Murray State however, that would be their only score of the game. In addition to the interceptions in the second and fourth quarters, MSU also struggled to extend drives as they were just 2-for-11 on the day. LaMartez Brooks has Murray State's only touchdown of the game, as he finished the day with five catches for a game-high 68 yards. Preston Rice was 23-for-32 in the game for 196 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions, while his counterpart, Bailey Fisher, was 20-for-28 with two touchdowns and one interception. On defense, Anthony Koclanakis eclipsed the century mark for tackles on the year by racking up 18 Saturday to give him 103 total with two games left to play. Marcis Floyd followed Koclanakis with nine stops on the day in addition to his interception in the first quarter, while Alec Long added seven.
The Austin Peay Series
Saturday will be the 53rd meeting between Austin Peay and Murray State in what is now dubbed the First Financial Bank Battle of the Border. Despite a two-game win streak by the Govs in the series, its first since 1977-78, the Racers overwhelmingly lead the series, 36-16. The Racers also own the series at home where they have won 21 of the last 26 meetings including eight of the last 10.
Scouting The Govs
After beating UT Martin last week, the Govs currently sit atop the OVC standing at 5-1 with the tiebreaker over Southeast Missouri. In Saturday's game, Austin Peay and UT Martin matched each other's offensive outputs in three of the four quarters, but it was the Govs 17-point second quarter that proved to the difference maker. Kentel Williams rushed the ball 17 times for 118 yards and three touchdowns for Peay in the game, while Javaughn Craig passed for 255 yards including 126 to Deangelo Wilson.
Austin Peay enters Saturday scoring an OVC-high 34.7 points per game, while limiting opponents to 23.7. The Govs also currently boast the best offense in the league with 183.4 yards per game rushing and 257.2 yards per game passing for 436.1 yards per game total.
Williams currently leads the ground attack for Austin Peay with 83.4 yards per game to go along with nine touchdowns, while Craig and Wilson currently average 219.6 yards per game passing and 109.2 yards per game receiving, respectively. Defensively, Jauntarius Bryant currently leads the Govs with 80 tackles, while Josephus Smith leads in sacks and tackles-for-loss at 14.5 and 5.5 and Kordell Jackson leads in interceptions with seven.
Battle Of The Border
Now in its fourth season, the First Financial Bank Battle of the Border is an all-sports trophy dedicated to two school that are separated by just 67 miles. The Racers have captured all possible points so far this season and lead 15-0, including a tough five-set win by volleyball Wednesday. There are 67 points total including those for University giving and community service with 34 needed to clinch the trophy. A win in 2019-20 would be the fourth straight for the Racers, while the Govs are in search of their first win in the series.
So Hard To Say Goodbye
Saturday will be senior day for Murray State as the Racers say goodbye to 19 seniors. Seniors that will be honored this year are Brendan Bognar, Kendrick Catis, Cam Carter, Justin Connor, Steve Dawson, Tyre Gray, Dior Johnson, Jason Johnson, Brandon Legendre, Edmond McGhee, Jonathan Moss, Rajai Perkins, Matz Peters, Brion Sanchious, James Sappington, Korey Tillman, Gabe Vicente, Nigel Walton and TJ Porter.
Standing In The Hall Of Fame
On Friday, two more Racer football alumni will join the MSU Hall of Fame. Defensive lineman Austen Lane and kicker Rob Hart will take their place in Racer lore in the annual event, alongside other inductees Morgan Hicks, (RIF), Coach Connie Keasling (WTN), Alexis Love (WTF), De'Teri Mayes (MBB) Stevon Roberts (MTF), Siebert Straughn (MTF) and Pat Ward-Sieb (WTF, WBB)
Defensive Prowess
Through 10 games, the Racers are currently allowing just 27.4 points per game. If MSU ends the season on its current pace, it would be the fewest amount of points allowed by a Racer defense since 2004.
Simply The Best
The Racers will also say goodbye to another familiar face Saturday, as director of the Racer Band, John Fannin, takes his final bow at Roy Stewart Stadium. Fannin has conducted the Racer Band at football games for 25 seasons and during that time has seen it grow from 85 to over 300 today.
