Murray State University Athletics
Murray State
Missouri
Racers Open Season at Missouri
8/27/2013 11:13:00 AM | Football
GAME NOTES | LIVE STATS | LIVE AUDIO | LIVE VIDEO
Murray State (0-0, 0-0 OVC) vs. Missouri (0-0, 0-0 SEC)
Aug. 31 - 6:07 p.m.
Memorial Stadium - Columbia, Mo.
STORY LINES
The Racers open the 2013 season on the road against an FBS opponent for the fourth-straight season. It is also the third-straight season the Racers will player a BCS opponent.
The contest marks the second time the Racers and Tigers have met in a season opener. The only other meeting between the two teams was in the 2006 season opener, a 47-7 Tigers victory.
The game will be the first against an SEC opponent since MSU played at Mississippi State in the 2005 season opener. The Racers have also played at Kentucky (2003) and Ole Miss (2001).
The Racers will have a new signal caller this season after the graduation of three-year starter Casey Brockman. Sophomore Maikhail Miller emerged from preseason camp as the starter, with junior Parks Frazier serving as the backup.
Murray State's roster features three players from the state of Missouri. All three players are from the St. Louis area and include senior wide receiver Walter Powell (Hazlewood East), junior wide receiver Nevar Griffin (McCluer North) and sophomore wide receiver Paul Rice (Gateway Tech).
The Game
The Racers open the 2013 season on the road as they travel to face Missouri on Aug. 31 at 6 p.m.
TV Coverage
The season opener at Missouri will be televised on Fox Sports Pay-Per-View. The game will also be available on ESPN3, but will be blacked out in areas where the game is available on TV.
vs. Missouri
The Racers and Tigers are meeting for just the second time on the gridiron. The only other meeting occurred in the 2006 season opener with the Tigers coming away with a 47-7 victory.
Last Time vs Mizzou
The two teams met in the 2006 opener in Columbia with the Tigers coming away victorious, 47-7. The Tigers scored the first 47 points of the game before the Racers finally got on the board with just under two minutes remaining.
FBS Openers
This season marks the 13th time since the 1969 season that the Racers have opened the season against an FBS opponent. Eight of the previous 12 meetings have all come within the last 13 years.
BCS Openers
The Racers are opening the season against a BCS opponent for the third-straight season, and the seventh time since 2000. This is the second time over that span MSU has opened up with Missouri. The Racers have also played Louisville twice, Florida State, Mississippi State and Mississippi.
SEC Openers
Saturday's opener against Missouri marks the fourth time the Racers have opened a season against an SEC opponent. The previous three meetings came against Mississippi State in 2005, Mississippi in 2001 and Georgia in 1945.
Aug. 31 Openers
For the third time since 2000, the Racers will open the season on Aug. 31. During that time span, MSU has opened the season two times each on Aug. 28, Aug. 30, Sept. 1, Sept. 2 and Sept. 3. Overall, this is the fifth time the Racers have opened the season on Aug. 31.
Faurot Field
Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium is named after former Tiger legend Don Faurot. Don is the older brother of former Racer coach Fred Faurot. Fred guided the Racers to a 43-29-3 record in eight seasons from 1948-55.
Turnovers in Opener
The Murray State defense has forced at least two turnovers in each of the last five season openers.
Year   Opponent   Turnovers
2008   Lambuth   2
2009   Kentucky Wesleyan   4
2010   Kent State   2
2011   Louisville   3
2012   Florida State   2
Players Return to Show Me State
Three members of the Racer offense will be returning to their home state in the season opener. All three players are from St. Louis. Senior Walter Powell played at Hazelwood East, while junior Nevar Griffin played at McCluer North and sophomore Paul Rice at Gateway Tech.
Racers Add Pair From Louisville Area
Murray State added a pair of transfers from the Louisville area. Linebacker Jalen Harrington transferred from Louisville, while defensive tackle Thomas Chapman transferred from Kentucky. Harrington, from Fern Creek HS, has three years of eligibility, while Chapman, duPont Manual, has four years of eligibility.
New Defense
Murray State will feature a new defense in 2013 as Dennis Therrell takes over as the new defensive coordinator. Therrell is no stranger to MSU, as he served as the team's defensive coordinator in 2004 and 2005.
All New Defensive Staff
Therrell, who will coach the safeties, is not the only new member of the defensive staff as the Racers have an entirely new defensive staff from a season ago. Davern Williams will coach the defensive line, Santos Carrillo the linebackers, Carlos Alvarado the corners and Jay Burcham will serve as defensive quality control.
Like Father, Like Son
Defensive coordinator Dennis Therrell is not the only member of the family to join the Racers for the 2012 season. His oldest son, John, joined the Racers this summer after spending the previous four years playing at UNLV.
Miller Named Starter
Sophomore Maikhail Miller emerged from preseason camp as the starting quarterback for the season opener at Missouri. Miller beat out junior Parks Frazier and sophomore KD Humphries. Frazier will serve as the backup.
New Uniforms
The Races will sport new uniforms in 2013. The Racers will continue to wear blue jerseys at home, but have turned in the gold pants for anthracite this season. MSU will wear all white on the road.
New Helmets
For the fifth-straight season, the Racers will take the field donning a new helmet. MSU returned to the Navy helmets this season, after wearing gold the previous two seasons. The helmets are similar to the ones worn during the 2010 season, but have added a gold stripe down the center.
Sam Small Returns to Middle
Senior Sam Small returns to anchor the Racer defense after missing last season with an injury. Small earned second-team all-OVC honors in 2011 after finished the season with a team-best 115 tackles.
Powell Preseason All-America
Senior Walter Powell earned preseason All-America recognition from just about every organization that does a preseason team. He is coming off a season where he earned First-Team All-America honors as an all-purpose back.
Powell Rated Top FCS All-Purpose Back
According to Phil Steele, Walter Powell is the top rated all-purpose back and punt returner in the FCS. He is also rated the #4 wide receiver, and the #27 player overall.
CFPA Watch Lists
Several members of the Racer football team were named to the College Football Performance Award Watch Lists at their respected positions.
Walter Powell   Wide Receiver
   Punt Returner
   All-Purpose
Jaamal Berry   Running Back
Duane Brady   Kickoff Returner
Jordan Benton   Place Kicker
Steven Mix   Punter
OVC Game of the Week on ESPN3
The Racers Homecoming football game against Austin Peay will be televised live on ESPN3 as part of the OVC Game of Week package this season.
Racers on TV
The Racers will have three road games televised on the Racer TV Network this season. The games at Southeast Missouri, UT Martin and Tennessee State will be carried live this season.
Racers in the Pros
The Racers have three former players currently on NFL rosters. Wide receiver Marcus Harris (2010) is with the New York
Berry/Powell Preseason All-OVC
Seniors Jaamal Berry and Walter Powell were selected to the Preseason All-OVC team voted on by the head coaches and sports information directors. Berry was honored at running back, while Powell was selected at wide receiver and return specialist.
Racers Picked Sixth
The Racers were picked to finish sixth in the Ohio Valley Conference preseason polls. Defending champion Eastern Illinois was picked to repeat.
BCS Bowl Interceptions
Murray State held the distinction last season of being the only FCS team, over the last two seasons, to have interceptions against two quarterbacks playing in BCS Bowl Games. The Racers intercepted Louisville's Teddy Bridgewater on his first career pass in 2010, while also intercepting EJ Manuel in the 2011 season opener.
Up Next
The Racers welcome Campbellsville to The Track for the 2013 home opener. The game will also serve as Senior Day, as the Racers will honor the 22 seniors.
