Murray State University Athletics
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Murray State Football Set To Open 2006 Season At Missouri
9/1/2006 1:00:00 PM | Football
Murray
Griffin has four true freshmen slated to start on defense against Missouri. Another six true freshmen are penciled in second on the defensive two-deep depth chart. Five true freshmen and three more redshirt freshmen are listed second on the offensive depth chart.
The four freshmen defensive starters are Matt McWhorter (
Junior Ryne Salyer will take the snaps from center for MSU. The
Senior Chad Cook will carry the load on the ground for the Racers. Last season Cook rushed for 692 yards in only nine games. His four touchdowns a year ago raised his career total to 20 scores and brought the
The top returning pass catcher from the 2005 season is senior Jonathan Eiland. The
While the defense will feature plenty of fresh faces, two of the top performers from the 2005 squad are back. Linebacker Nathan Williams (
The Tigers are under the direction of head coach Gary Pinkel, who begins his sixth season at Missouri (29-30) and his 16th campaign as a head coach (102-67-3).
Missouri brings eight offensive and seven defensive starters back from a 2005 team that went 7-5 overall, 4-4 in the Big 12 and beat South Carolina in the Independence Bowl. A total of 36 letter winners return while 19 were lost.
Missouri will have a new quarterback under center when the game kicks off, after record setter Brad Smith graduated. Smith set 69 different MU, Big 12 and NCAA game, season and career records in his four seasons as the starter. His replacement will be sophomore Chase Daniel who appeared in 10 games and threw for 347 yards.
A pair of seniors anchor the defensive unit for the Tigers. Defensive end Brian Smith is the school's all-time leader with 24 career sacks. Free safety David Overstreet led the squad with 100 tackles in 2005.
The Racers first home game of the
