Improved Offense Can’t Lift Racers Past EIU

Saturday, September 24

Murray, Ky.

4 p.m.

Murray State

Eastern Illinois

Photo by: Dave Winder-Murray State Athletics

9/24/2022 7:57:00 PM | Football

Box Score

Over 400 yards of offense can’t overcome five turnovers

In A Nutshell
Despite putting up over 400 yards of offense on the afternoon, turnovers and penalties doomed the Murray State football team Saturday as they fell to Eastern Illinois, 35-21, at Roy Stewart Stadium in Murray, Kentucky,

Fast Facts

Playing behind for most of the half, the Racers scored early in the fourth and after an EIU field goal, held the Panthers to a three-and-out with 3:09 to play. However, over the following 23 seconds Murray State would throw an interception, allow a 20-yard return, receive a 15-yard penalty and allow the Panthers to score a touchdown, sealing the win for Eastern Illinois.
For the ninth time in 11 years (excluding 2020 spring season), the Racer have now at least one game with 10,000-plus fans. Saturday's Family Weekend affair was attended by 10,112 fans, marking the largest attended game since the 2020 global COVID-19 pandemic.
Redshirt sophomore quarterback Jayden Stinson returned from injury Saturday, to get the first start of his collegiate career. The Mayfield native finished the game 28-for-46 for 334 yards, three touchdowns and four interceptions.
Lewis Halton had another big day of punting, with an average of 42.3 yards on four punts with a long of 47 and one being downed inside the 20-yard line.
For the second time in as many games, Jamari Dailey led the defense with nine tackles, while Lawaun Powell and Jaylon Bolden followed with eight.
LaMartez Brooks, DeQuan Dallas and Taylor Shields all had touchdowns in the game with Dallas leading the receiving corps with 97 yards on nine catches.
Turnovers and penalties proved to be the Achilles heel for the Racers as they committed seven penalties for a loss of 65 yards to go along with five turnovers. Conversely, the Panthers committed just two penalties for a loss of 10 yards with no turnovers.