Murray State University Athletics
Saturday, September 26
Stewart Stadium
6 p.m.
Murray State
vs
Tennessee Tech (Family Weekend)
Players Mentioned
LB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
CB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
WR
/ Football
QB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
DL
/ Football
DE
/ Football
WR
/ Football
DB
/ Football
OL
/ Football
P
/ Football
OL
/ Football
Photo by: Curt Hart
Racers Start OVC Saturday At Home With TTU
9/21/2015 3:57:00 PM | Football
Date (Time): Sept. 26 (6 p.m.)
Opponent: Tennessee Tech
Site (Venue): Murray, Ky. (Stewart Stadium)
Audio: Froggy 103.7 FM (PxP: Neal Bradley; Color: Dave Winder)
TV: American Sports Network (PxP: Jeff McCarragher; Color: Michael Young)
Web Stream: OVCDigitalNetwork.com
Live Stats: GoRacers.com
Twitter In Game: @RacersFootball, @PGriffithMSU
MSU Record (Streak): 1-2, 0-0 OVC (L2)
TTU Record (Streak): 1-2 (W1)
All-Time Series vs. TTU (Streak): TTU leads 42-37-1 (L1)
Last Meeting: TTU 30, MSU 27 OT (Oct. 4, 2014 - Cookeville, Tenn.)
MSU Last Game: at Western Michigan, L 20-52
TTU Last Game: vs. Mercer, W 29-22
MSU Next Game: Oct. 3 at Southeast Missouri
MSU Next Home: Oct. 10 vs. Austin Peay
The Game
After two weeks on the road, Murray State returns home to open OVC play Saturday at 6 p.m., against the Golden Eagles of Tennessee Tech for the annual Family Weekend game. The game will be broadcast on the American Sports Network, which is carried locally by WDKA MyNetworkTV 49. Fans not in an ASN market will still be able to watch the game free of charge on OVCDigitalNetwork.com. The game will also be broadcast locally on the radio on Froggy 103.7 FM with the voice of the Racers, Neal Bradley,
Saturday's Weather
During the day, the temps will reach the mid-80's before cooling down to a the low-60's to mid-50's for game time. The skies are expected to be clear with the winds light and variable coming out of the east at 4-5 mph.
Last Time Out
The Racers ran into a buzz saw like offense at Western Michigan last week, falling 52-20 at Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo. The Broncos amassed over 600 yards of total offense in the game, while limiting MSU to its lowest output of the season at 367.
KD Humphries finished strong under center going 25-for-41 for 304 yards with one passing, touchdown, one rushing touchdown and an interception. The game marks his second 300-plus yard game of the season, just three games in. Jeremy Harness turned in his third 100-plus yard receiving game in as many tries, catching seven passes for 114 yards. Janawski Davis scored the lone receiving touchdown of the game from two yards out, while Roman Clay had a rushing score from three yards out.
While Murray State fell behind, 10-0, at the end of the first quarter; it wasted little time to score in the second. Just four minutes into the quarter, KD Humphries found Janawski Davis from two yards out to close the gap at 10-6. Facing just a four-point deficit at the half late in the quarter, MSU failed to stop WMU on a fourth-and-one and allowed the Broncos to score with under five minutes to play, giving them a 17-6 lead at the break.
After Murray State went three and out on the ensuing drive, Western Michigan scored with just five seconds left in the half to take a 23-6 lead. The Broncos never looked back from there and went on to a 52-20 victory.
vs. Tennessee Tech
Heading into its 81st edition on Saturday, the Murray State-Tennessee Tech rivalry is currently the longest running in Racer history. The Golden Eagles have a slight edge in the series at 42-37-1, but the Racers have the edge at home where they lead 21-17-1.
Last year's 30-27 overtime win by TTU in Cookeville snapped a four-game win-streak by the Racers in the series; however MSU has won each of the last four meetings at Stewart Stadium and has not lost there since 2006.
Scouting The Golden Eagles
After starting the season with losses to Houston and Wofford, Tennessee Tech got off the schneid last week with a 29-22 win at home over Mercer. Krys Cates caught seven passes for 197 yards and two scores in the game and earned OVC Offensive Player of the Week honors for his efforts.
Jared Davis currently leads the pass happy Golden Eagle offense, as both he and the team are averaging 258.7 yards per game. His leading target this year has been Brock McCoin who averages 124.0 yards a game and has two touchdowns.
Tennessee Tech hasn't been able to gain much traction on the ground this season averaging just 2.3 yards per carry on 29.0 attempts per game for a total of 196 yards at 65.3 per game.
Defensively, TTU is allowing 36.0 point per game in 2015 and giving up an average of 533.0 yards with 324.3 of those on the ground and 208.7 in the air. Tra'Darius Goff leads the Golden Eagles defensively with 35 tackles, 1.0 for loss and a fumble recovery, while Jay Rudwell follows at 25 tackles, 1.5 for loss, 1.0 sacks and a quarterback hurry.
OVC Openers
Murray State is 29-38 all-time in OVC openers, but are 16-16 in the friendly confines. Tennessee Tech has been a frequent opening opponent over the years with teams facing off 33 times previous to lead off OVC play. TTU leads the season-opening series between the teams at 20-13, but it is tied at 8-8 in Murray.
Keepin' It 100
Through three games this season, Jeremy Harness has surpassed the 100-yard plateau in each and is currently averaging 125.0 yards per game. His 375 total yards and 125.0 per game currently lead the OVC and rank him fourth and eighth in all of FCS, respectively.
Climbing The Charts
With Saturday's game, Jeremy Harness now ranks third and seventh, respectively, in career receptions (156) and receiving yards (1,789) in MSU history, passing Derrick Townsel on both lists. With his touchdown at WMU, Janawski Davis inched closer to the sixth spot on the receiving touchdown list as currently has 17 with Billy Hess next up with 19. He did however, knock Shun Boykins of the receptions list to move into 10th with 116.
True Grit
Murray State started a season-high three true freshman on Saturday with offensive players Chris White, Drew Rutland and Kwan Stallworth all getting the nod. It was the third start for White, the second for Rutland and first for Stallworth. Three other true freshmen also saw significant action in the contest with Marquez Sanford, Rashad Johnson and Silas Owens seeing action on the defensive side of the ball.
Omli-Vore
Junior transfer Toby Omli racked up a career-high 15 tackles on Saturday night at WMU, with seven going down as unassisted. The 15 tackles are the most by a Racer in a single-game so-far this season. Omli has slowly, but surely, settled into his new team after recording three tackles against Kentucky Wesleyan and six at Northern Illinois.
Fumble-Aya
For the second straight game, Murray State recovered a pair of fumbles with Joey Cicoria and Demetric Johnson doing the honors at Western Michigan. Cicoria's fumble was unforced, while DeAndre Cooper caused the one recovered by Johnson.
Reaching A New Stratton-Sphere
Punter Landon Stratton finished Saturday's game with a 40-yard plus average for the first time this season, punting the ball five times at an average of 46.6 yards a punt. The 46.6 yards on Saturday bests his previous season-high of 39.9 set at Northern Illinois. In addition, he set a new career long of 55 yards and had two 50-plus yard punts for the second time this season. For his performance, he was rewarded with MSU's first OVC weekly honor of the season.
Up Next
Murray State will make the short trip to Cape Girardeau next Saturday for a showdown with Southeast Missouri. Kick-off is scheduled for 6 p.m., with the game being broadcast live on the American Sports Network. Check local listing for times and stations.
Opponent: Tennessee Tech
Site (Venue): Murray, Ky. (Stewart Stadium)
Audio: Froggy 103.7 FM (PxP: Neal Bradley; Color: Dave Winder)
TV: American Sports Network (PxP: Jeff McCarragher; Color: Michael Young)
Web Stream: OVCDigitalNetwork.com
Live Stats: GoRacers.com
Twitter In Game: @RacersFootball, @PGriffithMSU
MSU Record (Streak): 1-2, 0-0 OVC (L2)
TTU Record (Streak): 1-2 (W1)
All-Time Series vs. TTU (Streak): TTU leads 42-37-1 (L1)
Last Meeting: TTU 30, MSU 27 OT (Oct. 4, 2014 - Cookeville, Tenn.)
MSU Last Game: at Western Michigan, L 20-52
TTU Last Game: vs. Mercer, W 29-22
MSU Next Game: Oct. 3 at Southeast Missouri
MSU Next Home: Oct. 10 vs. Austin Peay
The Game
After two weeks on the road, Murray State returns home to open OVC play Saturday at 6 p.m., against the Golden Eagles of Tennessee Tech for the annual Family Weekend game. The game will be broadcast on the American Sports Network, which is carried locally by WDKA MyNetworkTV 49. Fans not in an ASN market will still be able to watch the game free of charge on OVCDigitalNetwork.com. The game will also be broadcast locally on the radio on Froggy 103.7 FM with the voice of the Racers, Neal Bradley,
Saturday's Weather
During the day, the temps will reach the mid-80's before cooling down to a the low-60's to mid-50's for game time. The skies are expected to be clear with the winds light and variable coming out of the east at 4-5 mph.
Last Time Out
The Racers ran into a buzz saw like offense at Western Michigan last week, falling 52-20 at Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo. The Broncos amassed over 600 yards of total offense in the game, while limiting MSU to its lowest output of the season at 367.
KD Humphries finished strong under center going 25-for-41 for 304 yards with one passing, touchdown, one rushing touchdown and an interception. The game marks his second 300-plus yard game of the season, just three games in. Jeremy Harness turned in his third 100-plus yard receiving game in as many tries, catching seven passes for 114 yards. Janawski Davis scored the lone receiving touchdown of the game from two yards out, while Roman Clay had a rushing score from three yards out.
While Murray State fell behind, 10-0, at the end of the first quarter; it wasted little time to score in the second. Just four minutes into the quarter, KD Humphries found Janawski Davis from two yards out to close the gap at 10-6. Facing just a four-point deficit at the half late in the quarter, MSU failed to stop WMU on a fourth-and-one and allowed the Broncos to score with under five minutes to play, giving them a 17-6 lead at the break.
After Murray State went three and out on the ensuing drive, Western Michigan scored with just five seconds left in the half to take a 23-6 lead. The Broncos never looked back from there and went on to a 52-20 victory.
vs. Tennessee Tech
Heading into its 81st edition on Saturday, the Murray State-Tennessee Tech rivalry is currently the longest running in Racer history. The Golden Eagles have a slight edge in the series at 42-37-1, but the Racers have the edge at home where they lead 21-17-1.
Last year's 30-27 overtime win by TTU in Cookeville snapped a four-game win-streak by the Racers in the series; however MSU has won each of the last four meetings at Stewart Stadium and has not lost there since 2006.
Scouting The Golden Eagles
After starting the season with losses to Houston and Wofford, Tennessee Tech got off the schneid last week with a 29-22 win at home over Mercer. Krys Cates caught seven passes for 197 yards and two scores in the game and earned OVC Offensive Player of the Week honors for his efforts.
Jared Davis currently leads the pass happy Golden Eagle offense, as both he and the team are averaging 258.7 yards per game. His leading target this year has been Brock McCoin who averages 124.0 yards a game and has two touchdowns.
Tennessee Tech hasn't been able to gain much traction on the ground this season averaging just 2.3 yards per carry on 29.0 attempts per game for a total of 196 yards at 65.3 per game.
Defensively, TTU is allowing 36.0 point per game in 2015 and giving up an average of 533.0 yards with 324.3 of those on the ground and 208.7 in the air. Tra'Darius Goff leads the Golden Eagles defensively with 35 tackles, 1.0 for loss and a fumble recovery, while Jay Rudwell follows at 25 tackles, 1.5 for loss, 1.0 sacks and a quarterback hurry.
OVC Openers
Murray State is 29-38 all-time in OVC openers, but are 16-16 in the friendly confines. Tennessee Tech has been a frequent opening opponent over the years with teams facing off 33 times previous to lead off OVC play. TTU leads the season-opening series between the teams at 20-13, but it is tied at 8-8 in Murray.
Keepin' It 100
Through three games this season, Jeremy Harness has surpassed the 100-yard plateau in each and is currently averaging 125.0 yards per game. His 375 total yards and 125.0 per game currently lead the OVC and rank him fourth and eighth in all of FCS, respectively.
Climbing The Charts
With Saturday's game, Jeremy Harness now ranks third and seventh, respectively, in career receptions (156) and receiving yards (1,789) in MSU history, passing Derrick Townsel on both lists. With his touchdown at WMU, Janawski Davis inched closer to the sixth spot on the receiving touchdown list as currently has 17 with Billy Hess next up with 19. He did however, knock Shun Boykins of the receptions list to move into 10th with 116.
True Grit
Murray State started a season-high three true freshman on Saturday with offensive players Chris White, Drew Rutland and Kwan Stallworth all getting the nod. It was the third start for White, the second for Rutland and first for Stallworth. Three other true freshmen also saw significant action in the contest with Marquez Sanford, Rashad Johnson and Silas Owens seeing action on the defensive side of the ball.
Omli-Vore
Junior transfer Toby Omli racked up a career-high 15 tackles on Saturday night at WMU, with seven going down as unassisted. The 15 tackles are the most by a Racer in a single-game so-far this season. Omli has slowly, but surely, settled into his new team after recording three tackles against Kentucky Wesleyan and six at Northern Illinois.
Fumble-Aya
For the second straight game, Murray State recovered a pair of fumbles with Joey Cicoria and Demetric Johnson doing the honors at Western Michigan. Cicoria's fumble was unforced, while DeAndre Cooper caused the one recovered by Johnson.
Reaching A New Stratton-Sphere
Punter Landon Stratton finished Saturday's game with a 40-yard plus average for the first time this season, punting the ball five times at an average of 46.6 yards a punt. The 46.6 yards on Saturday bests his previous season-high of 39.9 set at Northern Illinois. In addition, he set a new career long of 55 yards and had two 50-plus yard punts for the second time this season. For his performance, he was rewarded with MSU's first OVC weekly honor of the season.
Up Next
Murray State will make the short trip to Cape Girardeau next Saturday for a showdown with Southeast Missouri. Kick-off is scheduled for 6 p.m., with the game being broadcast live on the American Sports Network. Check local listing for times and stations.
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