Late Touchdown Pushes UTM Past Racers

Saturday, October 15

Roy Stewart Stadium

6 p.m.

Murray State

1-5 , 1-2

UT Martin

4-3 , 3-1

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

UT Martin

Murray State

Photo by: Tab Brockman

10/15/2016 11:55:00 PM | Football

Box Score BOX SCORE (PDF)SEASON STATS (PDF)OVC STATS (PDF)PHOTO GALLERY

Just The Facts
In a game that saw six lead changes, including two in the fourth quarter, UT Martin outlasted the Murray State football team, 38-31, Saturday night at Roy Stewart Stadium in Murray, Kentucky.

The Turning Point
Mitch Mersman began the fourth quarter by hitting his third field goal of the night to extend UT Martin's lead to 30-21. However, on the following drive Murray State drove 84 yards and capped the drive with a 23-yard pass from KD Humphries to Jesse Blackburn to pull within two at 30-28. The Skyhawks followed by going three-and-out on their next drive, giving MSU the ball back with 11:48 to play. Connor Mitchell ended the ensuing drive by nailing a 50-yard field goal to put MSU up, 31-30, with 10:06 to play. The lead, however, lasted only 15 seconds and Troy Cook connected on a 75-yard pass to Greg McKillon to put UT Martin on top for good.

About The Skyhawks
Troy Cook was 21-for-38 for 317 yards and three touchdowns on the night, while Ben Axline led UTM's receiving corps with 64 yards on six catches and a touchdown. Mersman scored 12 of the Skyhawk's 38 points in the game as was 3-for-3 on PAT attempts and 3-for-4 on field goal attempts, converting from 37, 39 and 37 yards. James Gilleylen led all tacklers in the game with 10, five of which were solo.

Mitchell's Big Kick
Connor Mitchell's 50-yard field goal in the fourth quarter was a career-high, beating his previous career long by nine yards. It was the first 50-plus yard field goal by a Racer since Shane Andrus' 52-yard game-winner against EIU that helped MSU clinch the 2002 OVC championship. Mitchell was also a perfect 4-for-4 on PAT attempts in the game.

Super Mareio
Mareio McGraw rushed for a game-high 110 yards Saturday, marking the first time a Racer has tallied 100-plus yards on the ground this season. It also marks the first 100-yard plus rushing effort by a MSU true freshman since Duane Brady racked up 114 yards against Austin Peay in 2010. He finished the game averaging 11.0 yards per carry, thanks in large part to his 65-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, his lone score of the game.

Go-To Gandy
Jordon Gandy had eight catches for 118 yards Saturday, marking his fourth 100-plus yard game of the season. He also hauled in a touchdown, giving him a team-high seven on the year.

On The Right Paige
Marico Paige led the MSU defense Saturday with nine tackles, six of which were solo. He also had 1.0 tackles-for-loss for two yards and two quarterback hurries. However, Paige's largest contribution on the night may have been his fumble recovery in the first quarter and his forced fumble in the second quarter, both of which led directly to Murray State touchdowns.

Up Next
Murray State will travel to the Land of Lincoln for the third time this season for a date with the 18th-ranked Panthers of Eastern Illinois. Kickoff at O'Brien Field in Charleston is scheduled for 1 p.m.