Murray State University Athletics
Practice 13-MSU Spring Football
4/19/2006 5:00:00 AM | Football
When the Racers signed Jonathan Eiland out of Pearl River Junior College after the 2003 season, he was billed the game-breaking speedy receiver who could run both the short and deep routes and light up the scoreboard.. Last season, Eiland's first as a Racer (he redshirted the 2004 season), he lived up to the hype and caught 23 balls for 248 yards and one touchdown.
But the real sign of Eiland's ability came against Tennessee Tech, when he caught 10 passes for 136 yards, earning the Ohio Valley Conference Newcomer of the Week for the week of Oct. 1. At the time, Eiland's 100+ receiving yards was the first such feat since 2003, a span of 18 games. Eiland's 136 yards stood throughout 2005 as the season-high for receiving yards for the Racers last season.
With the absence of the top two receivers from last season, you can bet the 5-foot-10 180-pound senior from Hattiesburg, Miss. will be counted on to produce. The sure-handed receiver has looked great this spring, and will team with Rod Harper (23 receptions, 301 yards in 2005) to produce a formidable 1-2 punch at the wide receiver slot in 2006 under first-year head coach Matt Griffin.
MSU NOTES: The Racers practiced for approximately 40 minutes today, as they had to prepare to sing at the “All Campus Sing” program held on the front steps of Lovett Auditorium. The Racers were to sing the MSU Fight Song at around 5:30.
Tomorrow's practice will be held at 4 p.m. on the turf of Roy Stewart Stadium. This will be the last practice before the Spring Game, held on Friday night at 7 p.m. at Roy Stewart Stadium. The team is having a cookout before the spring game and everyone is invited. The cost is $6 per person and all fans, students and parents are asked to RSVP to Diana Waller, MSU's football secretary. Her number is 270-809-6181.
