Racers Fall To UTM In OVC Opener

Saturday, October 9

Martin, Tenn.

2 p.m.

Murray State

2-3 , 0-1

UT Martin

4-1 , 1-0

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Murray State

UT Martin

Photo by: Dave Winder-Murray State Athletics

10/9/2021 5:47:00 PM | Football

Box Score BOX SCORE (PDF)

Rough first half sinks Racers, but second half play shows promise

In A Nutshell
The Murray State football team stumbled in its OVC opener Saturday, falling 48-24 to 21^st-ranked UT Martin at Hardy M. Graham Stadium in Martin.

Fast Facts

Maurice Greene blocked a field goal attempt by the Skyhawks in the second quarter, it was the first of his career and the first by a Racer since Bishop Woods did so in 2016 against Jacksonville State. Woods also blocked an extra point attempt in the same game.
Aaron Baum kicked a 24-yard field goal Saturday in the first quarter for his fifth consecutive made field goal. The string of good form comes after Baum missed his first three attempts of the season.

Recap
It was a tale of two half for Murray State, as UT Martin simply outplayed the Racers in the first half, jumping out to a 34-3 lead at halftime. However, the Racers found new life in the second half as they outscored the Skyhawks, 21-14, and outgained them as well, 230-116.

DJ Williams was impressive in his first game with significant minutes at quarterback for Murray State. Playing for the majority of the second half, Williams was 13-for-22 for 182 yards and a touchdown, in addition to 28 yards rushing.

Malik Honeycutt led the Murray State receivers with three catches for 51 yards, while Taylor Shields had the lone receiving touchdown in the contest. Damonta Witherspoon scored twice for MSU in the game and finished the day with 64 yards on 17 carries.

Defensively, Jamari Dailey led the way for Murray State with eight tackles, while Eric Samuta and Alec Long had seven each, in addition to a tackle-for-loss and a hurry for Samuta.

Next Game
The Racers will close out their 2021 non-conference slate next Saturday when they travel to Cape Girardeau to take on Southeast Missouri at Houck Stadium at 2 p.m.