Murray State University Athletics
Kentucky, Six Home Games Highlight '03 Racer Football Schedule
5/19/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
With one final addition, the 2003 football schedule for the defending Ohio Valley Conference champion is complete, according to Murray State head football coach Joe Pannunzio.
Murray State added Valparaiso University earlier this month to give the Racers a balanced 12-game schedule with six home games and six road games for the 2003 season. This season will mark the first time in school history the Racers will play 12 regular-season games since the NCAA allows 12-game schedules in 2002 and 2003 only.
MSU, which went 7-5 and won its eighth OVC football title a year ago, will open the 2003 season at home against Valpo on Saturday, Aug. 30 before traveling to Lexington, Ky., on Saturday, Sept. 6 for a first-ever meeting with the University of Kentucky.
"I really like the way our schedule has fallen into place, especially with the addition of Valpo," Pannunzio said of the schedule. "Not only do we add another home game, we get a chance to iron out any wrinkles before taking on Kentucky. The credit goes to our athletic director (E.W. Dennison) for setting up the Valpo game and to our president (Dr. F. King Alexander) for giving us the go-ahead.
"This the most balanced and demanding schedule we've had since I've been here, but our players welcome the challenge."
Once again, the Racers will face regional rivals Southern Illinois and Indiana State in the non-conference season. Following the UK game, MSU travels to Carbondale, Ill., on Sept. 13 and returns home on Sept. 20 to take on Indiana State.
Murray State will play eight conference games for the first time since 1996 because of the addition of new OVC members Jacksonville State and Samford, and the league schedule appears favorable for the Racers.
A date at Tennessee Tech on Sept. 27 kicks off the Racers' OVC slate, followed by a home game against Jacksonville State (Oct. 4) and a trip to Birmingham, Ala. to meet Samford University (Oct. 11).
OVC powerhouses Eastern Illinois, which shared the 2002 OVC title with the Racers last year, and Eastern Kentucky come into MSU's Roy Stewart Stadium.
However, the Eastern Illinois (Homecoming, Oct. 18) and Eastern Kentucky (Nov. 1) games are sandwiched around a trip to Southeast Missouri (Oct. 25), a team expected to contend for this year's title.
"Obviously, we're pleased to have Eastern Illinois and Eastern Kentucky coming to our place, which should be an advantage," said Pannunzio, whose Racers were 6-0 at home last season. "But that stretch of games in October and November with Eastern Illinois, Southeast Missouri and Eastern Kentucky will be demanding to say the least."
MSU closes the regular season with a Thursday evening game at Tennessee-Martin on Nov. 13 and a home finale against Tennessee State on Nov. 22.
The Murray State athletic ticket office is taking season-ticket orders, as well as ticket orders for the Sept. 6 game at Kentucky. For more information call the MSU athletic ticket office at 762-4895.
