Murray State University Athletics
Racers Open 2009 Season Thursday Against Kentucky Wesleyan
9/3/2009 2:30:00 PM | Football
Sept. 3 7 p.m.
Roy Stewart Stadium - Murray, Ky.
The Murray State football team opens the 2009 season Thursday evening as the Racers play host to the Panthers of Kentucky Wesleyan. The 85th season of Racer football will kickoff at 7 p.m. at Stewart Stadium.
Gameday Central
Stadium Roy Stewart Stadium
Capacity 16.800
Surface Field Turf
Kickoff 7 p.m.
Television MSU TV-11 (tape delay)
Radio Froggy 103.7 FM
Neal Bradley (PxP) and Paul Bubb(Color)
Internet www.GoRacers.com
Series Record MSU leads 1-0
STORY LINES
The Racers open their 85th season of football against Kentucky Wesleyan. Thursday's game is Faculty/Staff Appreciation Night at Stewart Stadium.
Murray State received two votes in The Sports Network preseason poll.
Thursday's game marks the second time the Racers and Panthers will meet on the gridiron. The two teams last met Nov. 20, 1999 with the Racers coming away with a 53-0 victory at Stewart Stadium.
Murray State will open its third-straight season on a Thursday evening. The Racers opened the 2007 season at nationally-ranked Louisville before opening the 2008 campaign at home against Lambuth.
The Racers are 11-1 in their past 12 home openers dating back to the 1997 season. The lone loss came against nationally-ranked Illinois State in 2006. MSU is 2-1 in home openers under head coach Matt Griffin after victories over Lambuth in 2007 and 2008.
Murray State will wear gold pants for the first time in the Matt Griffin era when the Racers take the field for the 2009 season.
2009 Season
The Murray State Racers are kicking off their 85th season of football. MSU has compiled an overall record of 438-372-36 dating back to the first game on Sept. 26, 1924.
Captains
Captains for the 2009 season opener against Kentucky Wesleyan are linebacker Tamar Butler and offensive guard Eric Ornella.
Season Openers
Murray State is 47-33-4 in season openers dating back to the first season in 1924. The Racers are 1-2 in season openers under head coach Matt Griffin.
Home Openers
The Racers are opening the season at home for the fifth time since the 2000 season. MSU is 4-0 in those openers, including a 41-17 victory over Lambuth in 2008.
Gold Pants
For the first time in the Matt Griffin era, the Racers will wear gold pants when they take the field for the 2009 season opener. The Racers have worn all blue at home since Griffin's arrival prior to the start of the 2006 season.
Lane Tabbed FCS Preseason Defensive Player of Year
MSU senior defensive end Austen Lane was tabbed as the Football Championship Subdivision Preseason Defensive Player of the Year by the Consensus Draft Services. He was also picked as a First-Team All-America by the CDS.
Up Next
The Racers take to the road for the first time as they travel to take on North Carolina State Sept. 12. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. central time.
