Murray State University Athletics
Saturday, October 9
Martin, Tenn.
2 p.m.
Murray State
at
UT Martin
Players Mentioned
K/P
/ Football
Photo by: Dave Winder-Murray State Athletics
Racers Quest For OVC Title Begins Saturday at UTM
10/5/2021 10:35:00 PM | Football
MSU looking to capture first conference crown since 2002 in 74th OVC season
Date (Time): Oct. 9 (2 p.m.)
Opponent: #21 UT Martin
Site (Venue): Martin, Tenn. (Hardy M. Graham Stadium)
Audio: Froggy 103.7 FM (PxP: Neal Bradley; Analyst: Aaron Clayton)
TV: ESPN+ (PxP: John Hatler; Analysts: Chris Brinkley; Derek Carr)
Live Stats: GoRacers.com
Twitter In Game: @RacersFootball
MUR Record (Streak): 2-2, 0-0 OVC (Won 1)
UTM Record (Streak): 3-1, 0-0 OVC (Won 3)
All-Time Series vs. UTM (Streak): Racers lead 37-21-1 (Lost 1)
All-Time Series in Murray (Streak): Racers lead 20-8-1 (Won 1)
First Meeting: W 13-0 (Oct. 17, 1924; Murray, Ky.)
Last Meeting: W 14-10 (Feb. 28, 2021, Murray, Ky.)
Largest MSU Win: 48 Points [W 62-14] (Oct. 9, 1999; Murray, Ky.)
Largest MSU Loss: 42 Points [L 34-76] (Oct. 17, 2007, Martin, Tenn.)
Last Five vs. UTM: 3-2 (WLWWL)
MUR Next Game: Oct. 16 at Southeast Missouri
MUR Next Home Game: Oct. 23 vs. Austin Peay
The Game
After finishing second last season and being picked as the preseason favorite this season, the Racers begin their 74th OVC football season Saturday at 21st-ranked UT Martin on a mission to capture their first OVC championship since 2002.
The Series At A Glance
Saturday will be the 61st all-time meeting between the Racers and the Skyhawks with Murray State leading the way in the all-time series, 38-21-1. UT Martin has won seven of the last 10 games in the series, however, the Racers have now won three of the last four.
Scouting The Skyhawks
UT Martin will enter Saturday's contest at 3-1 on the year with a Top-25 road win at Jacksonville State to their credit. In addition, the Skyhawks will be ready and rested for Saturday after having a bye this past week.
UT Martin currently averages 30.8 points and 430.8 yards per game, while allowing 31.8 and 418.2 points and yards per game, respectively. In addition, UTM's offense is split fairly even with 218.0 yards per game on the ground and 212.8 yards per game in the air.
Running back Peyton Logan currently leads the way for the Skyhawks offensively by averaging 92.0 rushing yards per game, in addition to another 33.0 yards receiving with a combined three touchdowns. At quarterback, Tulane transfer Keon Howard has been a big boost to the Skyhawks this season as he is currently completing 60.8-percent of his passes with seven touchdowns and 212.8 yards per game. Defensively, JaQuez Aikins is putting up big numbers with 10 tackles, 3.5 tackles-for-loss, 3.0 sacks, one pass breakup, one forced fumble and one safety.
A Win Saturday Would...
A win Saturday would give Murray State three wins out of their last four tries in OVC openers, all of which have been against UT Martin.
Kick It
After kicking three 40-plus yard field goals and an extra point in the win over Eastern Illinois, kicker Aaron Baum was named as the OVC Specialist of the Week Sunday.
Seeing Red
Murray State's red zone defense has been impressive this season and currently ranks as the 15th best in the nation. The Racers have made five red zone stops this season including three last week against EIU.
Out Of The Gates
Saturday will serve as the OVC opener for Murray State and they enter the game with a 31-42 record in those contests. After a win over the Skyhawks in the 2020 league opener, MSU is now 2-2 against UT Martin when beginning OVC play.
Opponent: #21 UT Martin
Site (Venue): Martin, Tenn. (Hardy M. Graham Stadium)
Audio: Froggy 103.7 FM (PxP: Neal Bradley; Analyst: Aaron Clayton)
TV: ESPN+ (PxP: John Hatler; Analysts: Chris Brinkley; Derek Carr)
Live Stats: GoRacers.com
Twitter In Game: @RacersFootball
MUR Record (Streak): 2-2, 0-0 OVC (Won 1)
UTM Record (Streak): 3-1, 0-0 OVC (Won 3)
All-Time Series vs. UTM (Streak): Racers lead 37-21-1 (Lost 1)
All-Time Series in Murray (Streak): Racers lead 20-8-1 (Won 1)
First Meeting: W 13-0 (Oct. 17, 1924; Murray, Ky.)
Last Meeting: W 14-10 (Feb. 28, 2021, Murray, Ky.)
Largest MSU Win: 48 Points [W 62-14] (Oct. 9, 1999; Murray, Ky.)
Largest MSU Loss: 42 Points [L 34-76] (Oct. 17, 2007, Martin, Tenn.)
Last Five vs. UTM: 3-2 (WLWWL)
MUR Next Game: Oct. 16 at Southeast Missouri
MUR Next Home Game: Oct. 23 vs. Austin Peay
The Game
After finishing second last season and being picked as the preseason favorite this season, the Racers begin their 74th OVC football season Saturday at 21st-ranked UT Martin on a mission to capture their first OVC championship since 2002.
The Series At A Glance
Saturday will be the 61st all-time meeting between the Racers and the Skyhawks with Murray State leading the way in the all-time series, 38-21-1. UT Martin has won seven of the last 10 games in the series, however, the Racers have now won three of the last four.
Scouting The Skyhawks
UT Martin will enter Saturday's contest at 3-1 on the year with a Top-25 road win at Jacksonville State to their credit. In addition, the Skyhawks will be ready and rested for Saturday after having a bye this past week.
UT Martin currently averages 30.8 points and 430.8 yards per game, while allowing 31.8 and 418.2 points and yards per game, respectively. In addition, UTM's offense is split fairly even with 218.0 yards per game on the ground and 212.8 yards per game in the air.
Running back Peyton Logan currently leads the way for the Skyhawks offensively by averaging 92.0 rushing yards per game, in addition to another 33.0 yards receiving with a combined three touchdowns. At quarterback, Tulane transfer Keon Howard has been a big boost to the Skyhawks this season as he is currently completing 60.8-percent of his passes with seven touchdowns and 212.8 yards per game. Defensively, JaQuez Aikins is putting up big numbers with 10 tackles, 3.5 tackles-for-loss, 3.0 sacks, one pass breakup, one forced fumble and one safety.
A Win Saturday Would...
A win Saturday would give Murray State three wins out of their last four tries in OVC openers, all of which have been against UT Martin.
Kick It
After kicking three 40-plus yard field goals and an extra point in the win over Eastern Illinois, kicker Aaron Baum was named as the OVC Specialist of the Week Sunday.
Seeing Red
Murray State's red zone defense has been impressive this season and currently ranks as the 15th best in the nation. The Racers have made five red zone stops this season including three last week against EIU.
Out Of The Gates
Saturday will serve as the OVC opener for Murray State and they enter the game with a 31-42 record in those contests. After a win over the Skyhawks in the 2020 league opener, MSU is now 2-2 against UT Martin when beginning OVC play.
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