Murray State University Athletics
Murray State
4-5 , 1-3
Tennessee Tech
3-6 , 1-3
Floyd Makes History As Racers Top TTU
11/6/2021 8:12:00 PM | Football
Defensive back returns two INTs for school-record 117 yards
In A Nutshell
Murray State used a huge defensive effort and a record-breaking performance from Marcis Floyd to top Tennessee Tech, 32-27, Saturday at Roy Stewart Stadium in Murray, Kentucky.
Fast Facts
· Marcis Floyd broke a 37-year old record Saturday when he racked up 117 return yards on two interceptions. Floyd had a pick-six for 90-yards and an additional interception for 27 yards. The previous record of 115 yards was set by Ralph Robinson in 1984 against Akron. Additionally, Floyd was only two yards away from the OVC record of 119 yards set by Bobby Sipio of Western Kentucky in 2000 against Tennessee State.
· Floyd's return of Tennessee Tech's two-point conversion in the fourth quarter marked the first time the Racers have accomplished the feat since Shawn Samuels-Connell did it in 2015 at Tennessee State.
· The three turnovers forced by Murray State Saturday marks the fifth time in the Dean Hood era that MSU has caused its opponent to turnover the ball three or more times.
· The three field goals by Aaron Baum Saturday marked the fourth time in his career and third this season that he has scored multiple field goals in a single game.
Murray State jumped out to a 10-0 lead early in the first with an Aaron Baum field goal followed by a three-yard rush from Damonta Witherspoon. After Tech got within three at the end of the first, DJ Williams completed a 79-yard drive by scoring from six-yards out to extend the lead to 17-7.
On the ensuing Tennessee Tech drive, Floyd took a Willie Miller pass 90 yards to for a touchdown for the second pick-six of his career. He followed it with another interception two drives later leading to another Baum field goal and giving MSU a 27-7 break.
The Golden Eagles scored the lone touchdown of the third to trim the lead to 13 points. After a third Baum field goal to start the fourth, Tech answered with a 12-play, 75-yard drive to cut the deficit to 10, however Floyd intercepted the two-point try and returned it 99 yards to give MSU two points of its own. The Golden Eagles scored once more with under a minute to play, but it did not matter as MSU held on for the win.
DJ Williams was 12-for-19 for 137 yards passing in the game, while rushing for an additional 83 and a touchdown. Damonta Witherspoon led the rushing attack for the Racers with 87 yards and a score, while LaMartez Brooks had a team-high 79 yards receiving.
Floyd finished the game with seven tackles, a sack, two interceptions for a school-record 117 return yards, a touchdown and a defensive PAT. Eric Samuta posted a game-high 11 tackles to go along with a forced fumble, while Luwaun Powell posted two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and seven solo tackles.
Next Game
Murray State returns to Roy Stewart Stadium for the final time this season next Saturday to host Southeast Missouri at 1 p.m.
Team Stats
TTU 0, MUR 3
MUR - Baum,Aaron 47 yd field goal 11 plays, 46 yards, TOP 04:49
TTU 0, MUR 10
MUR - Witherspoon,Damonta 3 yd run (Baum,Aaron kick), 6 plays, 63 yards, TOP 02:16
TTU 7, MUR 10
TTU - Gist,David 6 yd run (Olsen,Hayden kick), 11 plays, 72 yards, TOP 05:13
TTU 7, MUR 17
MUR - Williams,DJ 6 yd run (Baum,Aaron kick), 14 plays, 79 yards, TOP 06:44
TTU 7, MUR 24
MUR - Floyd,Marcis 90 yd interception (Baum,Aaron kick)
TTU 7, MUR 27
MUR - Baum,Aaron 46 yd field goal 5 plays, 45 yards, TOP 01:01
TTU 14, MUR 27
TTU - Brown,Jordan 3 yd run (Olsen,Hayden kick), 13 plays, 75 yards, TOP 06:35
TTU 14, MUR 30
MUR - Baum,Aaron 21 yd field goal 4 plays, 7 yards, TOP 01:32
TTU 20, MUR 30
TTU - Brown,Jordan 2 yd run ( pass), 12 plays, 75 yards, TOP 03:47
TTU 20, MUR 32
MUR - Floyd,Marcis 99 yd PAT return
TTU 27, MUR 32
TTU - Gist,David 2 yd run (Olsen,Hayden kick), 9 plays, 73 yards, TOP 01:32
