Murray State
Eastern Illinois
Racers Fall Just Short in Upset Bid of Eastern Illinois
10/13/2007 5:00:00 AM | Football
Murray State sophomore running back Charlie Jordan rushed for a career-high 127 yards and two touchdowns and the Racers put together a solid all-around game in nearly pulling off an upset of #23 Eastern Illinois before falling 27-24 Saturday afternoon at Roy Stewart Stadium.
Jordan entered the game with only 144 yards and one touchdown on the season while sharing time in the back field with Paul McKinnis and Josh Jones.
"For three weeks, we've wanted one of the guys to take the running back position. It's not a position where you can go by committee, with a few exceptions like when Auburn had Ronnie Brown and Cadillac Williams, said head coach Matt Griffin. "Hopefully, Charlie has stepped up and taken the position, but guys like Josh (Jones), Paul (McKinnis), and Prince (Nwagbara) have provided real good competition. Until we can get some continuity running the ball, we'll just be a decent offense."
The first half belonged to the defenses as the two teams combined to force four turnovers and five punts. The first turnover of the game resulted in six points as the Panthers took advantage of an interception on the Racers first possession of the game to put together a 10 play drive that was capped off by an outstanding one-handed catch from wide receiver Micah Rucker. The extra-point was missed and EIU held the early 6-0 advantage.
"I have to give Eastern Illinois credit ? they made plays when they had to," said Griffin. "Our defense was much better, but they were on the field a little more than we would've liked."
MSU (1-5, 0-3 OVC) was able to answer back on its third possession of the game as Jordan broke off a 26-yard run to set up Tyler Weiss' 35-yard field goal with 1:00 remaining the first quarter.
EIU (4-3, 3-1 OVC) was poised to push across their second touchdown of the quarter as the Panthers had a goal-to-goal situation on a long pass to Rucker, but cornerback Derrick Parrot would strip EIU running back Ademola Adeniji at the one-yard line to thwart the scoring chance.
The two teams would exchange fumbles early in the second quarter before the Panthers would miss a 34-yard field goal attempt wide left. MSU then had its chance to connect on a field goal at the end of the half, but Weiss' attempt from 37 yards was wide right.
The offenses took control of the game in the second half as Adeniji would push the Panthers lead to 10 points with a 35-yard touchdown run midway through the quarter. MSU's Jordan was not to be outdone as he broke through the left side and cut back to the right for a 35-yard touchdown run of his own.
"The offense went in this week and put in some more packages, more plays, and I have to give all the credit to the offensive line," said Jordan. "We worked on the inside run in practice and we executed well today. It felt real good to score those two touchdowns."
The Panthers then turned to their horse as Adeniji carried the ball six times on the ensuing possession for 28 yards, including a 10-yard scamper to push the advantage tot 20-10.
The special teams would get into the act for the Racers as Derrick Townsel would force and recover his second fumble on a punt return and set up the MSU offense at the EIU 14. Jordan would capitalize from there as he carried the ball on all three plays and capped off the drive with a five-yard run. Weiss would add the extra point to pull within three with 12:42 remaining in the contest.
EIU went back to its bread-and-butter in Adeniji as he put together a career day with 35 carries for 197 yards and three touchdowns. He carried the ball 13 times in the fourth quarter as the Panthers controlled the clock in holding the ball for 11:01 in the final quarter. He scored his final TD of the game from 15 yards out with 9:07 to play.
After stopping the Panthers on downs with under a minute remaining in the game, redshirt freshman Jeff Ehrhardt drove the Racers down the field by connecting on 5-of-6 passes for 105 yards in just 20 seconds. The drive was capped off with a 20-yard strike to wide out Rod Harper.
The touchdown drive made it a three-point game with the onside kick to come. The Racers got what they wanted as the ball was bobbled, but the Panthers were able to recover and preserve the victory.
The Racers return to the field next Saturday as they travel to take on Southeast Missouri State. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. at Houck Stadium.
NOTES
? Rod Harper's catch on the opening drive gave him at least one catch in 22-straight games
? Tyler Weiss pinned the Panthers down at their own 10-yard line with a career-long 57-yard punt in the first quarter
? Charlie Jordan's 127-yard performance was the first 100-yard performance by an MSU back since Jordan rushed for 111 yards against Indiana State on Sept. 16, 2006
? Sophomore wide receiver Derrick Townsel forced and recovered two fumbles on punt returns
