Murray State University Athletics
Thursday, September 2
Murray, Ky.
7 p.m.
Murray State
vs
Mississippi Valley
Players Mentioned
S
/ Football
CB
/ Football
ILB
/ Football
DL
/ Football
OLB
/ Football
OL
/ Football
Photo by: Dave Winder-Murray State Athletics
Racers Open 97th Season With Mississippi Valley
8/31/2021 4:53:00 PM | Football
Hood & Co. look to build on momentum from last year’s 5-2 campaign
Racers Open 97th Season With Mississippi Valley
Hood & Co. look to build on momentum from last year's 5-2 campaign
Date (Time): Sept. 2 (7 p.m.)
Opponent: Mississippi Valley
Site (Venue): Murray, Ky. (Roy Stewart Stadium)
Tickets: GoRacers.com/fbtixmvsu
2021 Racer Walk Path: GoRacers.com/RacerWalk
Audio: Froggy 103.7 FM (PxP: Neal Bradley; Color: Josh McKeel)
TV: ESPN+ (PxP: Neal Bradley; Color: Josh McKeel)
Live Stats: GoRacers.com
Twitter In Game: @RacersFootball
MUR Record (Streak): 0-0 (---)
MVSU Record (Streak): 0-0 (---)
All-Time Series vs. MVSU (Streak): MUR leads 1-0 (Won 1)
All-Time Series in Murray (Streak): First Meeting
First Meeting: W 39-0 (Sept. 10, 2011; Itta Benna, Miss.)
Last Meeting: W 39-0 (Sept. 10, 2011; Itta Benna, Miss.)
Largest MSU Win: 39 Points [W 39-0] (Sept. 10, 2011; Itta Benna, Miss.)
Largest MSU Loss: ---
Last Five vs. MVSU: 1-0 (W)
The Game
On Thursday night, the Murray State football team will kick-off one of the most anticipated seasons in recent memory. After a 5-2, second-place finish in his first season in Murray, fans are eager to see what head coach Dean Hood has in store for 2021.
The Series At A Glance
Thursday will be the second all-time meeting between Mississippi Valley and Murray State and the first in Murray. The Racers won the lone previous meeting between the two teams in 2011, 39-0 in Itta Benna.
Scouting The Gamecocks
Mississippi Valley played an abbreviated schedule last spring, going 0-3 in the process. Last season, the Delta Devils averaged 13.7 points per game on 277.7 yards of offense, while opponents averaged 36.3 points per game on 418.7 yards.
Heading into the season, the Delta Devils were picked to finish sixth in the SWAC East Division and had three players named preseason All-SWAC defensive back Caleb Brunson, defensive lineman Jerry Garner and running back Caleb Johnson.
Brunson tallied nine tackles, 1.0 tackles-for-loss and two interceptions in two games last season, while Jerry Garner racked up 3.5 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks in three games.
Offensively, last year's leading rusher Caleb Johnson returns after averaging 4.7 yards per carry and two touchdowns over three games. At quarterback, Long Island transfer Connor Regan is the likely starter for Thursday. In four games with the Sharks last season, Regan went 50-for-10 for 547 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions.
Clear The Track
One of the greatest traditions in college football returns this season, as Racer 1 will once again make its way around the track following Murray State touchdowns. This year the horse, whose real name is Vegas, will be mounted for the second-consecutive season by senior Emily Helmick of St. Charles, Mo.
OVC Accolades
For the first time since 1996, Murray State has been picked to win the OVC by a vote of the league's sports information directors and head coaches. In addition, the Racers led all OVC schools with 10 players named to the Preseason All-OVC Team.
Pretty Boy Floyd
Like the legendary bank robber, Marcis Floyd had his share of thefts last season, finishing the year with three interceptions and six pass breakups. His performance last season turned heads as has already been named to the Preseason All-OVC team, the preseason Stats Perform All-American team and initial watchlist for the Buck Buchanan award, given to the nation's top FCS defensive player.
Racer Returns
Coming off their first winning season in 10 years, the Racers will bring back all 22 starters and all 13 2020 OVC All-Conference selections.
Number Changes
As the year changes, so do the numbers. Several Racers will be wearing new numbers for the 2021 season.
Â
Name                   Old #    New #
Jacobi Hearn            20                8
Brandon Burton        22                9
Eric Johanning         57              54
Nu'u Taugavau        65              66
Andrew Long           98              53
Â
Opening Day
Thursday kicks off Murray State's 97th season of football and the 49th in Roy Stewart Stadium. After a win over UT Martin last season in their overall, home and OVC openers, the Racers are now 53-39-4 all-time in season openers and 66-26-4 in home openers.
Â
Hood & Co. look to build on momentum from last year's 5-2 campaign
Date (Time): Sept. 2 (7 p.m.)
Opponent: Mississippi Valley
Site (Venue): Murray, Ky. (Roy Stewart Stadium)
Tickets: GoRacers.com/fbtixmvsu
2021 Racer Walk Path: GoRacers.com/RacerWalk
Audio: Froggy 103.7 FM (PxP: Neal Bradley; Color: Josh McKeel)
TV: ESPN+ (PxP: Neal Bradley; Color: Josh McKeel)
Live Stats: GoRacers.com
Twitter In Game: @RacersFootball
MUR Record (Streak): 0-0 (---)
MVSU Record (Streak): 0-0 (---)
All-Time Series vs. MVSU (Streak): MUR leads 1-0 (Won 1)
All-Time Series in Murray (Streak): First Meeting
First Meeting: W 39-0 (Sept. 10, 2011; Itta Benna, Miss.)
Last Meeting: W 39-0 (Sept. 10, 2011; Itta Benna, Miss.)
Largest MSU Win: 39 Points [W 39-0] (Sept. 10, 2011; Itta Benna, Miss.)
Largest MSU Loss: ---
Last Five vs. MVSU: 1-0 (W)
The Game
On Thursday night, the Murray State football team will kick-off one of the most anticipated seasons in recent memory. After a 5-2, second-place finish in his first season in Murray, fans are eager to see what head coach Dean Hood has in store for 2021.
The Series At A Glance
Thursday will be the second all-time meeting between Mississippi Valley and Murray State and the first in Murray. The Racers won the lone previous meeting between the two teams in 2011, 39-0 in Itta Benna.
Scouting The Gamecocks
Mississippi Valley played an abbreviated schedule last spring, going 0-3 in the process. Last season, the Delta Devils averaged 13.7 points per game on 277.7 yards of offense, while opponents averaged 36.3 points per game on 418.7 yards.
Heading into the season, the Delta Devils were picked to finish sixth in the SWAC East Division and had three players named preseason All-SWAC defensive back Caleb Brunson, defensive lineman Jerry Garner and running back Caleb Johnson.
Brunson tallied nine tackles, 1.0 tackles-for-loss and two interceptions in two games last season, while Jerry Garner racked up 3.5 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks in three games.
Offensively, last year's leading rusher Caleb Johnson returns after averaging 4.7 yards per carry and two touchdowns over three games. At quarterback, Long Island transfer Connor Regan is the likely starter for Thursday. In four games with the Sharks last season, Regan went 50-for-10 for 547 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions.
Clear The Track
One of the greatest traditions in college football returns this season, as Racer 1 will once again make its way around the track following Murray State touchdowns. This year the horse, whose real name is Vegas, will be mounted for the second-consecutive season by senior Emily Helmick of St. Charles, Mo.
OVC Accolades
For the first time since 1996, Murray State has been picked to win the OVC by a vote of the league's sports information directors and head coaches. In addition, the Racers led all OVC schools with 10 players named to the Preseason All-OVC Team.
Pretty Boy Floyd
Like the legendary bank robber, Marcis Floyd had his share of thefts last season, finishing the year with three interceptions and six pass breakups. His performance last season turned heads as has already been named to the Preseason All-OVC team, the preseason Stats Perform All-American team and initial watchlist for the Buck Buchanan award, given to the nation's top FCS defensive player.
Racer Returns
Coming off their first winning season in 10 years, the Racers will bring back all 22 starters and all 13 2020 OVC All-Conference selections.
Number Changes
As the year changes, so do the numbers. Several Racers will be wearing new numbers for the 2021 season.
Â
Name                   Old #    New #
Jacobi Hearn            20                8
Brandon Burton        22                9
Eric Johanning         57              54
Nu'u Taugavau        65              66
Andrew Long           98              53
Â
Opening Day
Thursday kicks off Murray State's 97th season of football and the 49th in Roy Stewart Stadium. After a win over UT Martin last season in their overall, home and OVC openers, the Racers are now 53-39-4 all-time in season openers and 66-26-4 in home openers.
Â
Indiana State VS Murray State | MVC Baseball Tournament | Game Highlights
Friday, May 22
Evansville VS Murray State | Women's Basketball Game Highlights
Saturday, February 28
Head Coach Rechelle Turner | Racer Basketball | 2/26/26 Post Game Press Conference
Friday, February 27
Thomas & Pena | Racer Basketball | 2/26/26 Post Game Press Conference
Friday, February 27
