Murray State
UT Martin*
Racers Fall 48-26 At UT Martin
9/22/2011 7:05:00 PM | Football
Murray State was unable to respond after falling behind early Thursday night, losing 48-26 to UT Martin at Graham Stadium in Martin, Tenn.
UT Martin (2-1, 1-1 OVC) did the majority of its damage on offense with the ground game, rushing for 272 total yards and five touchdowns, including four in the first quarter as they put the Racers in a 28-0 hole after 15 minutes.
Jeffrey Richard came up with a big play early in the second quarter, blocking a punt from the UT Martin 31 yard line to give the Racers their best field position of the game at the Skyhawks' 19 yard line.
Mike Harris scored his fourth rushing touchdown of the season, running it in from nine yards out as he carried the ball all three plays of the drive.
Harris drove the team down the field on the next series, busting off a 45 yard run, his longest of the season, down the left sideline to the Martin 24 yard-line. Murray State (2-2, 1-1) stalled inside the red zone, where Kienan Cullen connected on a 31 yard field goal.
Richard had another big play on special teams in the third quarter, tackling the Martin punter after a bobbled snap to give the Racers possession at the UTM 29 yard line.
Duane Brady made another huge special teams play near the end of the third, breaking a number of tackles and eluding numerous defenders on a 98-yard kickoff return touchdown along the Murray State sideline. The return fell just one yard shy of the school record, set by three different players.
Casey Brockman scored his first passing touchdown of the night halfway through the fourth quarter, finding Dexter Durrante on a short pass down the middle of the field from the UT Martin eight yard-line. The score capped a seven play, 68 yard drive that saw Murray State rush for three first downs on carries of 16 yards or longer.
Harris ended the game with 121 yards on 15 carries. He ran for at least 100 yards for the third time this season, averaging 8.1 per carry.
Brockman was 27-38 on the night, throwing for 240 yards and one touchdown
Brandon Wicks led the defense on the night, recording 13 total tackles. Sam Small (12) and Qua Huzzie (10) also recorded double-digit tackles in the game.
The Racers return to The Track next weekend, hosting #16 Jacksonville State. Kickoff on Oct. 1 is scheduled for 6 p.m.
