Murray State University Athletics
Murray State battles But Drops Opener At Louisville
8/30/2007 5:00:00 AM | Football
As openers against NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision teams go, the Murray State Racers were already fighting an uphill battle. It was the classic match up where a team from the NCAA Football Championship Series plays up to a higher level and isn't expect to come out on the winning end.
In Thursday's 2007 season opener at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium, the Racers tried on the 10th ranked Louisville Cardinals and came away with a 73-10 loss, but more important; they found out more about their team, good and bad.
The final box score showed the Racers were out gained 655 yards to 271, however MSU will find the positives and take them home to
Freshman Jeff Ehrhardt making his first start at quarterback for MSU threw for one touchdown and completed 12 passes for 88 yards.
“We're going to keep the same attitude and prepare for the next game the same way and build off the good things,” Ehrhardt said. “We'll come back next week and try and win a football game.”
The Racers got on the board after trailing 7-0 at the 8:04 mark in the opening quarter.
Ehrhardt connected with Derrick Townsel for a 13-yard gain on a 3rd and five play from the MSU 40 yard line to keep the drive alive.
On second down from the
At the end of the first quarter,
The Racers added a 24-yard field goal from O'Brien with 14:56 left in the second quarter and the score was 28-10.
The half ended with the Cardinals on top 49-10.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Racers had success against the favored Cardinals in the first half. The Racers ran 45 plays and gained a total of 214 yards. Freshman Paul McKinnis rushed for 67 yards on seven carries and Ehrhardt looked very comfortable on the big stage with 12 pass completions in 20 attempts for 88 yards. Senior Rod Harper caught four passes for 30 yards in the opening half.
The Racers were unable to put any points on the board in the second half.
MSU rushed for 130 yards in the game led by McKinnis with 72 on nine carries, Ehrhardt had 27 yards on seven tries.
Back up quarterback Chris Franklin played the entire second half and ended with 53 yards after completing seven of 11 passes.
MSU head coach Matt Griffin made note after the game that Ehrhardt is his starting quarterback.
“Jeff is our starting quarterback, there is no controversy,”
“I wanted to get Chris in the game, he hasn't played since high school two years ago,”
Eight different MSU receivers had catches In the game, led by Harper and Townsel each with four all coming in the first half.
On defense, sophomore safety Josh Marshall had six solo tackles to lead the way.
“We talked all week about how tired we were of hitting each other and wanted to play somebody,”
“I was proud of our kids the way they hung in there and continued to fight”
Game Notes
The game marked the Racers' tenth game against a NCAA Bowl Subdivision Series team since 2000. The Racers have tangled with the likes of
The Racers now prepare for the second game of the season next Saturday, Sep. 8 against
MSU started the 2006 season 0-2 (losses to
The win was
