Racers Fall In Season Opener at Illinois

Saturday, September 3

Champaign, Ill.

2:30 p.m.

Murray State

0-1

Illinois

1-0

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Murray St.

Illinois

Photo by: Tab Brockman

9/3/2016 8:48:00 PM | Football

Box Score BOX SCORE (PDF)PHOTO GALLERY

Just The Facts
The Murray State football team began its 2016 season with a 52-3 loss to Illinois Saturday afternoon at Memorial Stadium in Champaign.

The Turning Point
Senior quarterback KD Humphries threw two interceptions in the first two MSU possessions, both of which Illinois converted into touchdowns, to put the Racers in an early 14-0 hole. The Illini then added three more touchdowns, to go up 35-0, before Murray State finally got on the board late in the second half. Connor Mitchell cut the lead to 35-3 with a 34-yard field goal, but that would be as close as MSU would get in the game.

About The Illini
In head coach Lovie Smith's collegiate debut, Illinois put up 515 yards, while limiting the Racers to just 165 defensively. Wes Lunt was 15-for-21 passing for the Illini for 226 yards and three touchdowns. Malik Turner caught two of Lunt's three touchdown passes to finish the day with 83 yards on three catches. Kendrick Foster had 118 yards on the ground for the Illini with 112 of those yards coming on a pair of identical 56-yard touchdown runs. Hardy Nickerson led his team defensively with 11 tackles, while Gimel President had a team-high 2.0 sacks.

Kicking It
Connor Mitchell accounted for MSU's only points in the game, nailing a 34-yarder. His other attempt in the game, a 50-yarder, had the distance, but went just right of the goal posts. Punting wise, Landon Stratton averaged 42.4 yards on seven punts with two of 50-yards or more, one touchback and one that landed inside the 20-yard line.

Facing A Tough Defense
The Racers were held to just 165 yards of total offense in the game. It was the first time MSU has been held under 200 yards since the 2010 season opener at Kent State when it amassed just 193. It was also the the lowest overall offensive output for Murray State since NC State held the Racers to only 36 yards in 2009.

Have A Day, JJ
Jonathan Jackson had Murray State's only two sacks of the game for a total loss of 11 yards. He finished the game with five total tackles.

Defensive Breakouts
Lamont Crittendon led Murray State with a career-high eight tackles, while Quincy Williams followed with seven and two quarterback hurries. Dylan Boone also had seven tackles in the game, including a game-high five solo tackles.

Up Next
Murray State will open its 2016 home slate with a non-conference affair against regional rival Missouri State. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. and the game will be broadcast live on the OVC Digital Network.