Racers Welcome Tennessee State to 'The Track'

GAME NOTES

RV/RV Murray State (1-1, 0-0 OVC) vs. Tennessee State (1-1, 0-0 OVC)
Sept. 17 - 6 p.m.
Stewart Stadium - Murray, Ky.

STORY LINES
The Racers open the 2011 home and Ohio Valley Conference season as they host Tennessee State on Family Weekend. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at 'The Track.' This is the first time since 2007 that the Racers have opened the season with two games on the road.

Murray State running back Mike Harris is the adidas OVC Offensive Player of the Week after rushing for 104 yards and two touchdowns against Mississippi Valley State. It marked the first offensive player of the week award for the senior, afte earning three newcomer of the week honors last season.

The Murray State defense posted its first shutout in seven years in blanking Missisippi Valley State. It was also the first shutout on the road since 1986, and the first non-conference road shutout since 1979. The defense has not allowed a point is 103:20.

The contest on Saturday will mark the first time in school history that the Racers will open their Ohio Valley Conference season against the same team they played their last game against the previous season. MSU closed out the 2010 season with a 28-23 victory over Tennessee State.

2011 football posters and scheduele cards will be available at the new Racer promotions stand located at gate 3 on the concourse level.

Members of the Junior Racers can pick up their t-shirts and popcorn vouchers at the promotions stand. Non-members can sign up here too.

The Game
The Racers open the 2011 home season as they welcome Tennessee State to 'The Track.' Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.

vs. Tennessee State
The Racers and Tigers have met 22 times prior with both teams coming away with 11 victories. MSU has had the advantage as of late, winning each of the last three contests.

Home Opener
Saturday marks the 2011 home opener for the Racers. MSU is 57-26-4 in home openers, including victories in 13 of the last 15 home openers. This also marks the second-straight season the Racers will play a conferenc opponent in the home opener.

OVC Opener
The Racers are 26-37 in Ohio Valley Conference openers. MSU is also looking to get back to .500 in OVC home openers as the Racers are 31-32 in those contests.

Start Where You Finish
For the first time in school history, Murray State will open its conference season against the same team in ended the previous season. The Racers closed out the 2010 season by defeating Tennessee State, 28-23, at Stewart Stadium.

Racers Receiving Votes
The Racers continue to receive national recognition as they are receiving votes in both the national polls for the third-straight week. MSU moved up to 27th in the coaches poll, while remaining 29th in The Sports Network/Fathead.com poll.

Harris Earns OVC Honor
Senior running back Mike Harris rushed for 104 yards and two touchdowns against Mississippi Valley State, earning him adidas OVC Offensive Player of the Week honors. The honor marks the first offensive award for Harris, after earning Newcomer of the Week honors three times a season ago.

Cullen Named to CFPA Honor Roll
Senior punter Kienan Cullen was named to the College Football Performance Awards honor roll following his performance against Mississippi Valley State. Cullen averaged 41 yards on five punts, including having three punts inside the 20-yard line. He also booted a season-best 55-yarder in the contest.

Racers Record Shutout
The Murray State defense recorded the teams first shutout in seven years as the Racers blanked Mississippi Valley State, 39-0. The last time the Racers posted a shutout was against UT Martin (38-0) on Nov. 13, 2004. The last road shutout came against Southeast Missouri (16-0) on Sept. 21, 1996. The last non-conference road shutout came against UT Martin (24-0) on Oct. 6, 1979.

Shutout Streak Reaches 103:20
The Racer defense has been dominant over the past six quarters as they ran their streat 103:20 without allowing a point. The defense has not been scored upon since early in the second quarter against Louisville.

Defense Registers Safety
The defense helped to get the Racers on the board against Mississippi Valley State as the unit registered a safety in the first quarter. It marked the first safety for the Racers since they recorded two in 2009 season opener against Kentucky Wesleyan.

Beauford Has Career Day
Junior Hannibal Beauford had his best day as a Racer against the Delta Devils as he hauled in seven passes for 111 yards. He started his day with a 36-yard catch and run on the first play from scrimmage. He laterd added catches for 23 and 21 yards. He broke his previous career bests of three catches (Kent State) and 61 yards (Missouri State).

Wicks Makes Presense Known
Sophomore Brandon Wicks made his presesence known as he intercepted a pass and also blocked a punt that was returned for a touchdown. He had a second interception in the second half, but it was wiped out due to a penalty. He finished the game with six tackles.

Richard Scores TD
Freshman Jeffrey Richard did something a defensive lineman dreams about against Mississippi Valley State...he scored a touchdown. Richard jumped on a blocked punt for a touchdown in just his second career game.

Craig Tosses TD in 1st Career Game
Redshirt freshman Graham Craig threw his first collegiate pass against Mississippi Valley State. The pass was complete for a short gain. On the next drive, Craig threw a corner route to Ja-Vonta Trotter that resulted in a 33-yard touchdown pass. Craig finished the game 4-for-5 for 27 yards and a touchdown.

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