Big Fourth Quarter Gives Racers 49-28 Victory Over #18 Tennessee State

Saturday, November 3

Stewart Stadium

11 a.m.

Murray State

Tennessee State

Photo by: Tab Brockman

Big Fourth Quarter Gives Racers 49-28 Victory Over #18 Tennessee State

11/3/2012 1:01:00 PM | Football

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

Murray State rushed for a season-high 284 yards and scored the final 29 points of the game to rally for a 49-28 victory over #18 Tennessee State in a nationally televised game Saturday afternoon at Stewart Stadium.

TSU (8-2, 4-2 OVC) looked to seize control of the game in the third quarter as they put together a 99-yard drive that took just under five minutes off the clock and took a 28-20 advantage.

The Racers (4-5, 3-3 OVC) had other plans as they responded with a 10-play scoring drive that ignited the team and the fans. Casey Brockman started the drive with a 17-yard completion to Ja-Vonta Trotter. Brockman later connected with Walter Powell for 20 yards, before Duane Brady went up the middle for five yards and a first down. Three-straight running plays by Jaamal Berry culminated with a five-yard scoring run.

The defense stepped up on the next drive and forced a three-and-out, giving the offense the ball on the TSU 38. A 20-yard strike to Powell, followed by a 17-yard hook-up with Janawski Davis quickly put the ball on the one-yard line. Brockman went over left end on the next play for the touchdown. Brockman then found Dontel Watkins for the two-point conversion to give the Racers the 35-28 lead.

The Tigers came right back with a drive of their own that reached the Racers 33-yard line. Michael German's next pass deflected of the receiver's hands, and into the arms of a diving Julian Whitehead.

The offense wasted little time in capitalizing as Berry went for 17 yards on the first play, then came back two-plays later with a big 47-yard run. Brockman found Trotter for a five-yard touchdown pass to increase the lead to 14 points.

After the two teams exchanged punts, the TSU offense took over deep in its own territory. Facing a 3rd-and-6, German dropped back to pass, but was sacked by Jeremy Brackett. The Tigers punted out of their own endzone, and Powell returned the punt to the endzone, but it was brought back by a penalty.

Taking over on the 18-yard line, the Racers fed the hot hand and Berry responded by gaining 11 yards on the first play, six more yards on the next play, and punched it in for the touchdown on the third play.

The Tigers got on the board on their second possession as they intercepted a pass in the endzone and put together a 12-play scoring drive. Trabis Ward did the bulk of the load as he carried eight times for 28 yards on the drive, including going the final two yards for the touchdown.

The Racers responded on their next possession as Brady went up the middle for 23 yards, and Brockman followed with a 15-yard connection with Trotter. After another 14-yard gain by Brady, Brockman found Powell for a 13-yard touchdown.

The MSU defense forced a three-and-out, the Racer defense moved down the field into the red zone. After Brady picked up eight yards on three-straight carries, the Racers settled for a 25-yard Jordan Benton field goal.

TSU took the air out of the ball in the second quarter as the took 9:30 off the clock on a 18-play drive. The Tigers ran the ball 12 times on the drive, and ended it with a six-yard Michael German touchdown pass to Weldon Garlington.

The Racer offense had another quick response as they needed only five plays to cover 70 yards and reach the endzone. Brockman scrambled to pick up a first down and a defensive holding penalty moved the ball into Tigers territory. On third down, Jaamal Berry went over left tackle, made a cut across the field, and raced for a 35-yard touchdown.

Berry led the Racers by rushing for 163 yards and three touchdowns on 16 carries. Brady added 78 yards on nine carries as the Racers averaged 8.6 yards a carry.

Brockman finished the day 27-for-38 for 271 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He also gained 19 yards on the ground and a touchdown. He raised his career total to 9,962 yards of total offense, passing Michael Proctor for the school and OVC record.

Powell recorded his fifth 100-yard receiving performance of the season by catching eight passes for 117 yards and a touchdown. In the process, he became the 6th Racer receiver with 1,000 receiving yards in a season.

The Racers return to action next weekend as they travel to face Eastern Kentucky. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. and can be seen live on the Racer TV Network.