Racers Comeback Falls Inches Short

Saturday, October 2

Jacksonville, Ala.

6 p.m.

Murray State

Jacksonville State

Photo by: Tab Brockman

10/3/2010 12:00:27 AM | Football

MSU nearly erases 19-point second-half deficit

Box Score
Box Score (.pdf)

Murray State nearly erased a 19-point second-half deficit as the Racers pulled within six points later in the fourth quarter only to be stopped inches short on a fourth-down play in falling 40-34 to #4 Jacksonville State Saturday night at JSU Stadium.

Trailing by six points with just over three minutes to play, Dontrell Johnson fielded a punt on his 16 yard line and returned it 37 yards into Gamecock territory. The drive started with a Casey Brockman pass to Dexter Barnett for five yards and four-yard run by Mike Harris. On third down, Brockman rushed for a first down, but a holding penalty was called and backed up the Racers. JSU got pressure on Brockman on the next play and forced a 12-yard loss on a completion. Facing a 4th-and-23, Brockman rolled right and found Arthur Brackett on the right sideline, but Brackett was knocked out of bounds just inches shy of the first down.

The Racer defense forced a three-and-out and took over on their own four-yard line with 58 seconds remaining. Back-to-back completions picked up a pair of first downs and 28 yards. After an eight-yard completion to Marcus Harris on a second down, Brockman spiked the ball to stop the clock. On fourth down, the ball fell harmlessly to the turf and turning the ball over on downs.

The Racers (1-4, 1-2 OVC) got on the board on their opening possession as they put together a 12-play drive to open a 7-0 advantage. The drive started with quarterback Jeff Ehrhardt finding Arthur Brackett for a first down and Mike Harris following with an eight-yard run for another first down. MSU continued to pick up small chunks of yards as they moved down the field before Casey Brockman hit Brackett for 11 yards down to the one. Brockman took it from there as he scored on the keeper.

MSU added to its lead on its next possession as Brockman found Marcus Harris for 16 yards. Facing a fourth-and-short on their own 45, Ehrhardt found Harris for 19 more yards. Facing another third-and-long situation, the Racers stuck to their game plan and converted with a 20-yard completion to Rashad Daniels. Brockman followed with a 12-yard run of his own and Mike Harris finished the drive by covering the final three yards on two carries.

The Gamecocks (5-0, 2-0 OVC) responded on their next possession as Coty Blanchard found Jeffrey Cameron on a deep post route that resulted in a 65-yard touchdown pass.

JSU took advantage of a very short field on their next possession as they started on the Racer 35. After allowing a first down, the Racer defense stiffened and forced the Gamecocks into converting a 37-yard field goal.

The Gamecocks took their first lead of the game on their second big pass play of the half as Marques Ivory converted a third down by hitting Cameron on a 60 yard touchdown pass.

After recovering a pooch kick on the Racer 34, JSU needed just one play for Ivory to find Jamal Young for a 34-yard touchdown pass down the right sideline.

The Racer defense looked to get a stop late in the first half, but JSU had other ideas as Blanchard took the snap in punt formation and rushed 27 yards to pick up the first down. One play later, Young broke a tackle and raced 47 yards for a touchdown.

JSU continued to add to its lead on their opening drive of the second half as they capped off a seven-play drive with a 41-yard field goal off the foot of James Esco.

The MSU offense finally got going again in the third quarter as Mike Harris rushed for 11 yards and Brockman later rushed for four and another first down. The Racers moved deep into Gamecock territory and Brockman found Marcus Harris over the middle for 27 yards down to the one-yard line. Brockman did the rest as he went in from one-yard out.

With a little over eight minutes to go in the game, the Racers trailed by 13 points and forced JSU to punt. Johnson went back deep and did his thing again as he fielded the punt on the 30 and came up the left sideline, made a move on the kicker, and raced 70 yards for the touchdown.

The excitement on the Racer sideline was short lived as Alan Bonner took the ensuing kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown to push the advantage back to 13 points.

MSU had another answer on their next possession as they drove 52 yards in eight plays, with Duane Brady going the final yard for the touchdown.

Brockman led the offense by going 23-for-36 for 197 yards. He also rushed 17 times for a team-best 65 yards and two touchdowns. Brackett led the receivers with 13 catches for 96 yards, while Marcus Harris added eight catches for 99 yards.

The Racers return to action next Saturday as they welcome Missouri State to 'The Track' for Homecoming. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m.