Second-Half Shutout Not Enough For Racers Against EKU

Saturday, October 28

Roy Stewart Stadium

3 p.m.

Murray State

2-6 , 1-3

Eastern Kentucky (Homecoming)

3-5 , 3-3

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Eastern Ky.

Murray St.

Photo by: Curt Hart

10/28/2017 7:48:00 PM | Football

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

Just The Facts
The Murray State football team shutout Eastern Kentucky in the second half of Saturday's homecoming game at Roy Stewart Stadium, but it was the Colonel's 26 first-half point that allowed them to leave Murray, Kentucky with a 26-13 win.

How It Happened
The Colonels put Murray State in a 14-0 hole early and led the Racers 26-6 at halftime. Despite a perfect second half defensively and a late touchdown from Shuler Bentley to Jordon Gandy, it was too little, too late as the Racers dropped their second game in a row.

About The Colonels
Eastern Kentucky put up 480 yards of total offense in the game, including 279 yards on the ground. Daryl McCleskey led the EKU offense with 144 yards, while LJ Scott had 35 yards and two touchdowns. Tim Boyle was 15-for-25 through the air for 201 yards and two touchdowns, while Neiko Creamer had a team-high 66 receiving yards on three catches.

Offensive Highlights
Shuler Bentley completed 20 of 40 passes for 210 yards Saturday, while Jordon Gandy led the Racers with 82 yards on three receptions and MSU's lone touchdown of the game. Gabriel Vicente was 2-for-2 on field goals in the game with kicks from 21 and 34 yards, while D.J. Penick led MSU in rushing with 40 yards on eight carries.

Double-Digit Defense
Bishop Woods and Marico Paige each played a key role in the second-half shutout of the Colonels as Woods' had a career-high 11 tackles and Paige followed with 10. Paige also had a personal best 2.0 tackles-for-loss, while Woods added 1.5.

Wade Continues To Climb
D'Montre Wade picked up his fifth interception of the season Saturday, moving him into a 15-way tie for eighth place in the MSU single-season record book. With one more pick, he will have accomplished a feat that has been done just seven times in the 92-year history of MSU football and that is pick off six or more passes in a single-season.

Turnover Battle
The Racers once again Saturday proved why they are currently ninth in the FCS and first in the OVC in turnovers gained by creating three, two interceptions and a fumble. The problem against EKU came as the Racers also committed three turnovers and scored just three points off miscues, while the Colonels scored seven.

OK, What's Next?
The Racers will travel to Jacksonville, Alabama next week to take on the third-ranked Gamecocks. Kick-off from Burgess-Snow Field is scheduled for 1 p.m.