Racers Hit Road For Final Time Against Austin Peay

Saturday, November 13

Clarksville, Tenn.

1 p.m.

Murray State

Austin Peay

The Racer defense forced four fumbles against Tennessee Tech

Photo by: Samantha Mohr

11/11/2010 12:30:49 PM | Football

Mike Harris needs 120 yards for 1,000 this season

Game Notes

Murray State (4-5, 2-3 OVC) vs. Austin Peay (2-7, 1-5 OVC)
Nov. 13, 2010 • 1 p.m. • Governors Stadium • Clarksville, Tenn.

Gameday Central
Stadium    Governors Stadium
Capacity    10,000
Surface    Field Turf
Post Time    1 p.m.
Television    None
Radio    Froggy 103.7 FM
    Neal Bradley (PxP) and Paul Bubb (Analyst)
Internet    www.GoRacers.com
Series Record    Murray State leads 30-13-0

STORY LINES
Murray State is looking to reach the .500 mark for the first time this season. The last time the Racers were at or above .500 this late in the season was in 2004 when MSU finished 7-4.

Mike Harris, the reigning OVC Newcomer of the Week, needs only 120 yards to become just the 10th Racer to eclipse 1,000 rushing yards. The junior is 10th in the FCS in rushing 125.7 yards a game.

Senior wide receiver Marcus Harris needs only six catches to become just the third receiver in Ohio Valley Conference history to reach 200 receptions. He is currently tied for fourth on the OVC list, and needs only seven receptions to move into second place. Harris is averaging 8.9 receptions a game this season.

A victory on Saturday will give the Racers their second road victory of the season. MSU has not won two games away from since 2004.

Head Coach Chris Hatcher stands just two wins shy of recording his 100th coaching victory. If he gets those victories this season, it will give the Racers their first winning season since 2004, and also their first three-game winning streak since that season.

The Game
The Racers play their final road game of the season as MSU travels to face Austin Peay. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Governors Stadium.

The Series
The Racers lead the all-time series with the Governors 30-13-0. MSU has won nine of the last 10 meetings, with the only loss coming in 2007. The Racers are 2-1 against APSU since they rejoined the OVC as a football playing member.

Success in Clarksville
The Racers have enjoyed success in Clarksville in the past as MSU has won three-straight, and seven of the last eight, trips to governors Stadium. MSU's last trip resulted in a 32-12 victory in 2008.

Racers Set Att.-Comp. Records
The pass-happy offens of the 'Hatch Attack' has helped to rewrite the passing record books at Murray State. The Racers have already established a new single-season record with 286 completions, besting the old mark of 262 set in 2007. MSU needs to attempt only 14 more pass attempts to break the record for attempts in a season. The Racers are also on pace to set a new single-season record for completion percentage. MSU is completing 67.5% of their passes this season. The current record is 63.0% set in 2002.

Quest For 1,000
Despite missing the first two games of the season, junior running back Mike Harris is on pace to become just the 10th Racer to eclipse the 1,000-yar plateau Harris currently has 880 yards and is averaging 125.7 yards a game. The last Racer to go over 1,000 yards in a season was Billy Blanchard in 2002.

Harris Named CSN All-Star
Running back Mike Harris earned another honor this week as he was named to the College Sporting News National All-Star lineup as the top offensive performer in the FCS for Week 10.

Harris Wins OVC Honor
After rushing for a career-high 242 yards against Tennessee Tech, Mike Harris was named the OVC Newcomer of the Week. It marks the third time this season Harris received this honor. Harris was also selected as an honorable mention selection for the running back of the week by the College Football Performance Awards.

Harris Climbs OVC Rec. List
Senior wide receiver Marcus Harris is climbing his way up the OVC career receptions chart. Harris currently has 194 receptions and is on pace to become just the third receiver in OVC history with over 200 receptions. He needs eight receptions to pass Taurean Stephens for second place on the all-time list.
OVC Receptions List
1. Harold Roberts, APSU (67-70)    232
2. Taurean Stephens, UTM (03-06)    201
3. Marcus Harris, MUR (07-present)    194

Juice Steals the Show
Walk-on Jerurun Kelly had a Rudy-esque moment against Tennessee Tech. Taking the field on the final play of the game, Kelly dropped into coverage from his linebacker spot and intercepted a pass. He wasn't done yet as he found his blockers and the endzone enroute to a 77-yard touchdown.

Harris Cracks Top 5
Running back Mike Harris' 242-yard rushing performance against Tennessee Tech was the fifth-best single-game performance in Racer history.
Single-Game Rushing Yards
1. Stevie Chaney    Austin Peay    310
2. George Greenfield    Evansville    259
3. Derrick Cullors    Western Illinois    253
4. Derrick Cullors    SEMO    252
5. Mike Harris    Tenn Tech    242

94-Yard Run
Near the end of the first half against Tennessee Tech, Mike Harris broke free on a 94-yard runs. The run was the third longest from scrimmage in Racer history. Carl Walker broke free on a 97-yard run against Austin Peay in 1954, and was later tied as Stevie Chaney went for 97 yards against Austin Peay in 2005.

Racers Rush for 300 Yards
The Murray State offense rushed for 300 yards against Tennessee Tech. It marked the first time the Racers rushed for over 300 yards in a game since rushing for 335 yards against Indiana State on Sept. 16, 2006.

Pair of 200-yard Games
Mike Harris continues to put his name in the Racer record books as he became just the third Racer to rush for more than 200 yards in two games in a season. Derrick Cullors eclipsed the mark three times in 1995, and George Greenfield did it twice in 1972.

Johnson Blocks Two Kicks
Dontrell Johnson made a name for himself against Tennessee Tech as he became the first Racer to block two kicks in the same game. In the third quarter, Johnson came around the end to block an extra point. Early in the fourth quarter, Johnson blocked a field-goal attempt and helped set up a Racer touchdown that put the game away.

Up Next
The Racers play their final game of the 2010 season as they welcome Tennessee State to 'The Track' on Nov. 20. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.