Racers Stumble in Final Road Contest

Saturday, November 10

Richmond

12 p.m.

Murray State

Eastern Kentucky

Photo by: Tab Brockman

11/10/2012 1:52:00 PM | Football

BOX SCORE | BOX SCORE (.pdf) | 1st HALF GALLERY | 2nd HALF GALLERY

Murray State ended its 2012 road campaign with a 55-24 defeat at #18 Eastern Kentucky. Despite the lopsided score, a pair of Racers established new single-season records.

Junior wide receiver Walter Powell broke a pair of school records as he had eight catches for 133 yards and a pair of touchdowns. The performance raised his season totals to 90 catches for 1,162 yards and nine touchdowns. He broke the single-season reception mark of 88, set by Harvey Tanner in 1967, while also breaking Reggie Swinton's 1996 mark of 1,120 yards. Powell also set a new school record with his sixth 100-yard receiving game.

Quarterback Casey Brockman finished the day 34-for-47 for 343 yards and three touchdowns. On the season, he is 339-for-491 for 3,540 yards and 25 touchdowns. He broke his own school and OVC record for attempts and completions in a season, while breaking Justin Fuente's MSU and OVC record for passing yards in a season.

The Racer (4-6, 3-4 OVC) offense wasted little time getting into the endzone as they took the opening drive down the field on a 10-play, 75-yard scoring drive. MSU did its damage through the air as Brockman was 7-for-7 for 75 yards on the drive. Patrick Robertson caught three passes on the drive, while Jaamal Brady hauled in a 14-yard pass. Facing a third-and-goal, Brockman found Ja-Vonta Trotter over the middle for a four-yard touchdown.

The Colonels (8-3, 6-2 OVC) responded with a touchdown of their own on their first possession as they kept the ball on the ground on the legs of Matt Denham. On the drive, Denham carried the ball five times for 61 yards, including going the final 16 yards over right tackle.

The MSU offense was a little more quick strike on their second possession as they only needed three plays to cover the 75 yards. Brockman hit Powell on a quick screen to the right, and lineman Harris Bivin and Andy Mahoney threw big downfield blocks, as Powell outran the defense down the center of the field for the 65-yard touchdown.

EKU had another answer on the ground as they drove down the field and faced a third-and-goal. A pass interference call gave the Colonels the ball on the two, and Denham went into the endzone on the next play.

The Racer offense was able to move the ball on their third possession, but a dropped pass on a third down on the first play of the second quarter led to a 38-yard field goal from Jordan Benton.

The Colonels took their first lead of the game as TJ Pryor hit Tyrone Goard for a 34-yard completion, and later found Denham over the middle for a 26-yard touchdown pass on third down.

MSU regained the lead as they scored on their fourth-straight possession, converting a trio of third downs. Nevar Griffin caught a pair of passes on the drive, covering 44 yards. Facing a 3rd-and-10, Brockman fought off a defender to find Powell over the middle for an 18-yard touchdown.

The high-scoring first half continued as EKU wide receiver Tyrone Goard hauled in a one-handed 43-yard grab over the middle on third-and-long, and Denham went up the middle for a 33-yard touchdown on the next play.

The Colonel defense forced a punt and were able to extend their first-half lead as running back Deshaun Sands threw a pass to the endzone that was hauled in by Goard for a 22-yard touchdown.

EKU came out in the second half and used a Racer turnover to open the flood gates as they went on to outscore the Racers 21-0 in the second half.

Jaamal Berry led the Racers on the ground as he carried six times for 59 yards. He also added four catches for 23 yards.

The Racers close out the 2012 season on Nov. 17 against Southeast Missouri for Senior Day. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at The Track.