Racers Look to Carry Momentum into Eastern Illinois

Game Notes

Murray State (2-4, 1-2 OVC) vs. Eastern Illinois (0-7, 0-5 OVC)
Oct. 23, 2010 • 1:30 p.m. • O'Brien Field • Charleston, Ill.

Gameday Central
Stadium    O'Brien Field
Capacity    10,000
Surface    Field Turf
Post Time    1:30 p.m.
Television    None
Radio    Froggy 103.7 FM
    Neal Bradley (PxP) and Paul Bubb (Analyst)
Internet    www.GoRacers.com
Series Record    Eastern Illinois leads 14-11-0

STORY LINES
Saturday's contest features the OVC's top passing offense in Murray State (305.17) against the top passing defense in Eastern Illinois (142.71).

Eastern Illinois has won each of the last seven meetings against the Racers, including five straight played in Charleston. The Racers are averaging just 7.6 points per game in the last five road contests.

The Murray State offense made history against Missouri State as the Racers became the first team in the history of the FCS to have a 500-yard passer, 200-yard receiver and a 200-yard rusher.

MSU set or tied 25 school, OVC and FCS records in the victory over Missouri State.

The Racer offense is averaging 52.7 points and 552 yards over the last three games.

Wide receiver Marcus Harris is averaging 7.75 receptions and 110.8 yards a game. He would rank 3rd nationally in both categories, but is not yet eligible after missing two games with an injury.

The Game
The Racers return from their bye week to travel to face Ohio Valley Conference foe Eastern Illinois. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. at O'Brien Field.

The Series
The Racers and Panthers are meeting for the 26th time on Saturday. EIU holds a 14-11 advantage in the all-time series and have come away victorious in seven straight, and nine of the last 10 meetings. The Racers are just 3-9 in Charleston, with the last victory coming in 1998.

Last Victory vs. EIU
Although it has been eight years since the Racers last beat the Panthers, the last second victory is one that fans will never forget. With MSU trailing by one point late in the game, Shane Andrus nailed a 52-yard field goal as time expired to give MSU a share of the OVC Championship.

Hatcher Following a Bye Week
Head coach Chris Hatcher is 8-2 in his career following a bye week. He won his first eight games, but has dropped each of the last two.

Who is Mike Harris?
That seems to be the question surrounding the Racers sudden emergence in the ground game. The Broken Arrow, Okla. native did not appear in the first two games, and is averaging104 yards a game on the ground over the last four. He had his first career 100-yard game with 119 yards against UT Martin, and then ran for 212 yards against Missouri State.

Fourth Quarter Scoring
After scoring just seven points in the fourth quarter through the first four games, Murray State has scored 41 fourth-quarter points over the last two games. MSU scored 14 in the fourth against Jacksonville State, and followed it up with 27 in the final stanza against Missouri State.

Up Next
The Racers hit the road for the second-straight week as they travel to face Eastern Kentucky. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. at Roy Kidd Stadium.

Murray State University

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