Media Day, Picture Day, Final Practice Fill Tuesday For The Racers

Murray State University's football had a full day on Tuesday. The Racers had pictures taken early in the morning, the coaches and selected players participated in media day around lunch time and the team had its final practice of preseason camp in the afternoon.

Head coach Matt Griffin, his assistants and 14 players addressed the media at Murray State's annual football media luncheon.

“It's been as hot of a camp as I've been through,” Griffin told the gathering of media. “There's been no complaining from the kids and I'm pleased with the effort they've put out. We haven't had any serious injuries, the kids came back in good shape and that has helped to prevent injuries.”

Griffin was asked about his group of newcomers by members of the media.

“We've got some freshmen that are going to play,” said Griffin. “We're particularly happy with the young defensive linemen that have come in and made an impact. A couple of running backs and offensive linemen have impressed as well.”

The new Murray State head coach addressed the change the players have had to make with an entire new group of coaches.

“We put a lot of demands on the whole team,” Griffin added. “I'm flattered the way they've accepted us as a staff and how hard they've worked.”

The final practice of preseason camp was one of the shortest, lasting less than an hour.

“We backed off on them the last couple of days,” Griffin said. “Sometimes when you push too hard at the end of camp that's when you end up with injuries. We've been lucky so far and we didn't want to push it.”

The Racers scrimmaged for a short time and worked on point-after attempts and field goals.

“This is day 17 and they did a great job,” Griffin said of preseason camp. “I hoped by the end that they'd grow together as a team and they have.”

“The team chemistry is great, a much more positive outlook in the locker room,” said senior offensive tackle Johnathan Harper.

As the team gathered around Griffin at the end of practice, he told them, “We just beat the animal, our first challenge is done.”

“Camp always takes a toll on you but we're ready to get the regular season started,” said Harper. “I'm from Florida and we had some tough camps down there with the heat, but this has been the hottest and toughest I've ever been through.”

With the end of preseason camp the team will have Wednesday, the first day of classes, off before beginning preparations for Missouri on Thursday.

“Show your professors the same effort you show the coaches on the field,” Griffin told his team following practice, on the eve of the first day of the fall semester.

Murray State opens its 82nd season of college football on Sept. 2 when the team travels to Columbia, Mo., to face the University of Missouri at 6 p.m.

The coaching staff hasn't focused on Missouri being a Division I-A team from the Big 12 Conference.

“It's another ball game for us,” Griffin said. “We have to play them just like everyone else on our schedule.”

The Racers first home game of the Griffin era will be on Sept. 23 when the team faces Illinois State at 6 p.m., at Stewart Stadium.

Murray State University Athletics

Media Day, Picture Day, Final Practice Fill Tuesday For The Racers

Related News

Related Videos