Murray State University Athletics
Murray State Football Preseason Practice #16
8/17/2007 5:00:00 AM | Football
The Murray State Racers completed their second of three preseason scrimmages today, scrimmaging at 3:35 p.m. at Stewart Stadium.
Following today's scrimmage, Racer head coach Matt Griffin announced the starting quarterback when the Racers open their season Aug. 30 at Louisville will be redshirt freshman Jeff Ehrhardt, who got the nod over sophomore Zach Barnard and fellow redshirt freshman Chris Franklin.
"The quarterback situation has shaken out the last few days," Griffin said. "Jeff's really separated himself - he's had a good preseason. He's a bright guy and he's done a lot of things right since the first day he stepped foot on campus. He's relaxed, especially when things get tight, and has progressed a lot over the last 12 months. He has great athleticism and he also runs the ball well."
The offense ran 50 plays today during the scrimmage, excluding special teams work. The offense gained 314 yards (83 passing, 231 rushing), scoring four touchdowns. The defense caused two fumbles, recovering both, with sophomore defensive end Tyler Sinclair scooping one up and taking it 40 yards for a touchdown.
On offense, Ehrhardt completed three of his six passes for 31 yards, while Franklin went 3-for-8 for 28 yards and one touchdown, a three-yard strike to fullback Bryan Cardenas. Barnard went 2-for-2 for 24 yards and one touchdown, an 18-yard screen pass to Marcus Harris.
Charlie Jordan led the rushing attack with six rushes for 64 yards and one touchdown from two yards out, while Ehrhardt rushed seven times for 44 yards. Freshman Antoinne Lightfoot ran once on a reverse, cruising 66 yards for a touchdown, and Paul McKinnis the ball ran five times for 33 yards. Josh Jones rushed four times for eight yards, and Franklin rushed eight times for 14 yards, fumbling once and getting sacked three times. Harris, who split time at quarterback and wide receiver, rushed three times for two yards, with one fumble.
Harris caught two balls for 23 yards and a touchdown, while DeAngelo Nelson caught one pass for 22 yards. Jordan added in one reception for 22 yards, and Lightfoot caught one pass for six yards. Also catching passes were McKinnis (one for four yards), Rod Harper (one for three yards), and Cardenas (one for three yards, a touchdown).
On defense, Zach Kutch led the team with four tackles, followed by Jordan Malay, who had three tackles, including one sack. Nico Yantko had two fumbles, a forced fumble and fumble recovery, and Nathan Williams also had two tackles. Omre Harris, Taylor Lanigan, Joshua Hatchell (one sack), and Karl Finkes all had two tackles apiece, while the following players had one tackle each: Marvin Robinson, Jr., Andrew Fogg, Tyler Barrett, Darrell Davis, Jr., Daniel Moore (one sack), Will Roach, Austin Berry, Craig Durham, Derrick Parrott, Koji Farrington, Chris Tune, Zach Goebel, Joe Gilland, and Matt McWhorter.
On special teams, Sean O'Brien and Tyler Weiss split the Point After Touchdown attempts, going a perfect 7-for-7. Weiss handled the lone kickoff, and O'Brien punted once for 43 yards. Weiss attempted the only field goal, a 48-yarder that had the distance but hit the left goal post.
To conclude practice, Griffin called all players to surround the kicker for "pressure" field goals from 35 yards out, with every player not included in the play screaming and trying to distract the kicker. The tandem of O'Brien/Weiss went 1-for-2.
Griffin was pleased with the results from today's scrimmage, compared to the first practice of the preseason, which occurred on Aug. 9.
"The defense played a lot better," Griffin said. "We missed about 18-19 tackles the first scrimmage, and that can't happen. We cut that number way down today."
"I think our offense found their rhythm after the first two or three series. We got back on track and loosened up."
The Racers return to practice Saturday at 3:35 p.m.
Murray State opens its 83rd season of college football on Aug. 30 at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium, where they will face the University of Louisville Cardinals. Kick-off time is set for 6:30 p.m.
