Offense, Defense Shine In Win Over SEMO

Saturday, November 13

Murray, Ky.

1 p.m.

Murray State

5-5 , 2-3

Southeast Missouri

3-7 , 3-2

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Southeast Mo. St.

Murray St.

Photo by: Dave Winder-Murray State Athletics

11/13/2021 7:07:00 PM | Football

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Racers have two 100-yard rushers and allow no 3rd-down conversions

In A Nutshell
The Murray State football team got huge performances on both sides of the ball Saturday, as the Racers topped Southeast Missouri, 28-10, in the 2021 home finale at Roy Stewart Stadium in Murray.

Fast Facts

· Murray State held Southeast Missouri to 0-for-13 on 3^rd down conversions in the game. It marked the first time since Valparaiso in 2013 that the Racers did not give up a single third down conversion. The Redhawks ended the day with an average 3^rd-down distance of 10.6 yards.

· With Saturday's attendance of 6,313, the third largest home finale in known history, the Racers finished the 2021 season averaging 7,843 fans per game. This season's average is the highest for a Murray State football team since 1998.

· Murray State finished the two rushers over 100 yards for the first time since 2018. DJ Williams finished with 121 rushing yards, while Damonta Witherspoon racked up 113. Williams had two rushing touchdowns on the day, while Witherspoon had one, however both also passed for a touchdown as well.

· DJ Williams' pass to Dequan Dallas in the third of 73 yards will go down as the eighth longest in school history. Dallas now has two career catches of 70 or more yards after catching an 83-yard pass from Preston Rice last season. Dallas is now one of just six Racers all-time to catch two or more passes of 70-plus yards, joining the likes of Jesse Blackburn, Janawksi Davis, Jordon Gandy, Matt Hall and Terrance Tillman. In addition, Dallas and Tillman are the only two Racers to have two catches of 70 or more yards with two different quarterbacks.

Recap
Murray State scored two touchdowns in the both the first and second quarters and that proved all they would need, as they held on for the 28-10 win. The Racers allowed just one touchdown in the game, while neither team scored in the second half.

Williams was 10-for-17 for 175 yards Saturday in addition to 121 rushing yards on 11 carries with two touchdowns including a long of 58. Witherspoon finished the day with 113 yards on 26 carries, a rushing touchdown and a passing touchdown.

Erica Samuta led a Racer defense that held the SEMO offense to less than 100 yards rushing with eight tackles. Quinaz Turner had the Racers's lone interception, while Marcis Floyd, Brandon Burton and Maurice Green each had a sack. CJ Barnes tallied a game-high 2.0 tackles-for-loss on the afternoon, while Devontae McKee finished the day with five tackles and two pass breakups.

Next Game
Murray State will travel to Eastern Illinois next week attempting to cling back-to-back winning seasons for just the third time since 1999. Kickoff from O'Brien Field in Charleston is scheduled for Noon.