Murray State University Athletics
Racer football ready to blossom as spring workouts begin
3/31/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Murray State head coach Joe Pannunzio has football on his mind these days, but it's a basketball analogy that he uses to make a point as the Racers begin spring workouts.
"It's the same, no matter what sport you're talking about: teams that win play good defense," Pannunzio said. "Right now, I'm afraid people could dunk on us right now."
With just about every part of the squad in good shape, Pannunzio knows that the Racers need help on the defensive line, where only three returners are on the roster.
"We lost Marcus White, Brandon Dixon and Greg Archer," Pannunzio said. "Replacing those guys won't be easy."
The Racers still hope to bring in some help on the defensive line before next season begins.
On offense, the Racers may have the most explosive unit in all of I-AA football.
It all begins with the Racers' trio of running backs that combined to rush for 2,369 yards and 25 touchdowns last season.
Seniors Nick Turner and Ron Lane and junior Chad Cook also turned in a Murray State first on Nov. 13 when each rushed for 100 yards against Tennessee-Martin.
Pannunzio enjoys having so many options in the backfield.
"Those guys are the three horsemen, aren't they?" Pannunzio said. "Any one of those three could lead the OVC in rushing, but together, they are unstoppable and very hard for any of our opponents to defend."
The Racer receivers will also add a dimension to the offense that they didn't have last season: having more than one target to throw to.
Dan Rumley, who led the Racers with 578 receiving yards in 2004, is back for his senior season, and was largely the only option to throw deep to last season.
Sophomore Lee McGinnis, plus newcomers Jonathan Eiland, Maurice Marchman and Frank Clayton, will play a big part in the Racers' passing attack.
Quarterback Adam Fisher, who threw for 1,485 yards and seven touchdowns in 2004, is back, but will have competition for the starting slot from newcomer Ken Topps.
Another mission for this team during spring practice is to find some new leadership after the graduation of 19 seniors.
"Any time you lose the type of senior leadership we had, it takes some time for new leaders to step up," Pannunzio said. "I think we'll begin to see that happen as we go along here in the spring
"We need that, because without leadership you can't have the kind of season that we all want."
The Racers' next workout is Friday at 3:30 p.m. at the MSU practice fields or Stewart Stadium.
Saturday morning at 6:30, the Racers scrimmage. They also have some live action scheduled Sunday at 1 p.m.
The public is invited to attend any of the workouts.
Here is the spring schedule, that is subject to change:
Friday, April 1, 3:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 2, 6:30 a.m.
Sunday, April 3, 1:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 6, 3:30 p.m.
Friday, April 8, 3:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 9, 6:30 a.m.
Wednesday, April 13, 3:30 p.m.
Friday, April 15, 3:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 16, 6:30 a.m.
Sunday, April 17, 3 p.m.
Wednesday, April 20, 3:30 p.m.
Friday, April 22, 3:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 23, 8:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 24, 3 p.m.
Murray State's 2005 season begins Sept. 3 at Mississippi State. The Racers' home-opener is Sept. 17 against Indiana State.
