London Sets MSU FG Record – Racers Fall in Brookings

Saturday, November 2

Brookings, SD

2 p.m.

Murray State

1-8 , 0-6

(3) South Dakota State

7-2 , 4-1

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Murray St.

South Dakota St.

Photo by: Murray State Sports Information

London Sets MSU FG Record – Racers Fall in Brookings

11/2/2024 6:10:00 PM | Football

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James London’s 55-yard field goal was the bright spot of the day when the Racers played South Dakota State for the first time in the MVFC

The Murray State Racers dropped a 52-6 defeat Saturday to the No. 3 ranked South Dakota State Jackrabbits in their first visit to Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium in Brookings.

The Racers (1-8) and 0-6 in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, come home next Saturday (Nov. 9) for the final home game of the 2024 season when they host the Missouri State Bears in a 1 p.m. kick at Roy Stewart Stadium.

The game marked the first meeting between the Racers and Jackrabbits as the Racers compete in their 100^th season in program history.

MSU's James London took over the program's career lead with his fifth field goal of 50 yards or more when he booted his career-long effort of 55 yards with 3:33 in the first quarter. London's field goal is the longest of the season in the MVFC after he had the longest in the league in 2023 of 53 yards.

London's field goal cut the SDSU lead to 7-3 with 3:33 remaining in the first quarter. On SDSU's next drive, they hit the Racers with a 67-yard touchdown run that helped produce 24-point quarter that eventually led to a 38-6 lead over the Racers at halftime.

The Racers couldn't scratch on the scoreboard in the second half and ended the day outgained by the Jackrabbits 595 to 236 yards. MSU ran 14 fewer plays than SDSU did and managed only 4.1 yards per play.

In his return to his native state of South Dakota, Murray State quarterback Jayden Johannsen was 14-of-18 passing for 94 yards and he threw one interception. Johannsen grew up in Sioux Falls and was part of a Washington High School program that won three-straight South Dakota State championships.

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Game Notes

The 55-yard field goal for James London with is his career-long as it got over the crossbar with 3:33 in the first quarter.
The boot made London the first Racer to have five field goals of 50-yards or more in the 100-year history of Murray State Football.
His 55-yarder is the – longest field goal in Murray State history. The gold standard for the longest field in Murray State history remains the 52-yarder that Paul Hickert made at home on the final play of the first half against Eastern Kentucky in 1986 under Coach Frank Beamer.
Justice Hill's 29-yard run after taking a direct snap in the early second quarter was the racers' longest play of the day and the fifth-longest this season in nine games.
Jewaun Northington led the Racers on the ground with 39 yards rushing on 12 carries.
Larry Preston led the Racers with five tackles, all of the solo variety.
The Racers' offense found it difficult to move the ball against the defending FCS champion Jackrabbits as they have gone back-to-back games without a touchdown.
When the Racers host the Missouri State Bears next Saturday, it will mark the Bears' first visit to Murray since 2016.
The Racers lead the all-time series with Missouri State 8-4, but have lost the last three since Murray State's last win at home in 2013.