Defensive Touchdowns Spark Racers to 56-24 Victory

Saturday, November 12

Stewart Stadium

1 p.m.

Murray State

Austin Peay

Photo by: Tab Brockman

11/12/2011 3:38:00 PM | Football

Box Score | Box Score (.pdf) | 1st half gallery | 2nd half gallery | Postgame Notes

Murray State got a pair of defensive touchdowns in the first half, and Mike Harris scored four times as the Racers secured their second-straight winning season with a convincing 56-24 victory over Austin Peay Saturday afternoon at Stewart Stadium.

The Racers (6-4, 4-3 OVC) got off to a fast start as Ryan Walker forced a fumble on the second play of the game that was scooped up by Qua Huzzie and returned 24 yards for a touchdown. The play set the tone for the MSU defense that held the Governors to just five yards of offense in the opening quarter.

MSU used the wind advantage in the first quarter to operate with a short field. The Racers started all four of their first-quarter possessions from their own 40 or better. The Racers moved the ball into Govs territory, but were unable to punch the ball in the endzone. Senior Kienan Cullen made sure MSU got points on the board as he connected on field goals of 37, 33, 41 and 30 yards on the four possessions.

The defense made their presence known again on the Govs possession as Julian Whitehead intercepted a bobbled pass and returned it 42 yards for a touchdown.

The Govs (3-7, 2-5 OVC) were able to get on the board midway through the second quarter on a Scott Thomas 10-yard pass from Jake Ryan. MSU had an answer in the terms of Harris as the senior capped a 65-yard drive with a three-yard touchdown run. Just over 90 seconds later, Harris capped a 47-yard drive with a five-yard scoring run.

The Racers came out in the second half and drove down the field before stalling again and getting a 22-yard Cullen field goal. It was the fifth field goal of the game for Cullen, tieing the MSU record held by Greg Duncan (1988) and Rob Hart (1996).

APSU got a pair of touchdown passes to Devin Stark in the third quarter, but they were surrounding a Harris 30-yard touchdown reception in which he made a handful of defenders miss and cut back across the field.

Harris closed out the scoring in the fourth quarter as he cut back and raced 17 yards to the corner of the endzone for his third rushing touchdown of the game.

Harris finished the day with 134 yards and three touchdowns on 26 carries. He also caught four passes for 59 yards and another score. The performance was the sixth 100-yard rushing performance and the 10th of his career.

Brockman quietly went about his business to the tune of 25-for-39 for 277 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 67 yards on 11 attempts. In the process, Brockman raised his 2011 total to 285 completions, setting a new mark in the OVC for completions in a season, breaking the old record of 279.

Nevar Griffin led the receivers with six catches for 81 yards, while Patrick Robertson caught four passes for 22 yards and Walter Powell had 64 yards on three grabs.

Sam Small led the defense with 13 tackles and raised his season total to 102.

The Racers close out the 2011 regular season next Saturday as they travel to face Southeast Missouri. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.