Strong First Half not Enough for Racers to Overcome Panthers

Thursday, August 27

Murray, Ky.

6 p.m.

Murray State

0-1 , 0-0

Eastern Illinois

1-0 , 0-0

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
Eastern Ill.	0	14	7	7	28
Murray St.	0	14	0	0	14

Photo by: Kate Mason - Murray State Athletics

Strong First Half not Enough for Racers to Overcome Panthers

8/27/2026 10:02:00 PM | Football

Box Score

Murray State Falls to Eastern Illinois 28-14

By: Charlie Williams

The Murray State football team fell 28-14 to Eastern Illinois in its Week 0 season opener Thursday night at Roy Stewart Stadium in Murray, Kentucky.

The first quarter was a scoreless affair, as both defenses held firm. Murray State mounted the period's longest drive, a 9-play, 44-yard possession capped by a Spencer Ashby punt that pinned the Panthers at their own 5-yard line.

Murray State struck first in the second quarter when senior quarterback Collin Shannon floated a 13-yard touchdown pass to Jaxon Potter down the right sideline. Following a missed extra point, Eastern Illinois answered with a 10-yard touchdown run by Charles Kellom to take a 7-6 lead. The Racers responded with a drive to the EIU 9-yard line, but Rocco Devita's 27-yard field goal attempt was blocked with 4:57 left in the half. Kellom then extended the Panthers' lead to 14-6 with 58 seconds remaining on an 88-yard touchdown run down the left sideline.

The Racers answered as time expired, driving 73 yards on nine plays in 53 seconds. Shannon completed six passes to four receivers on the drive, including a 22-yard strike to Dimitri Howard that set the Racers up at the 7-yard line with six seconds left. As time expired, Shannon rolled right and found Trey Firestone in the back corner of the end zone. The Racers then tied the game 14-14 going into the half when Firestone took a pitch and tossed the ball to Brooks Kleinpeter for a two-point conversion.

The second half was all Panthers as they took a 21-14 lead on Charles Kellom's third rushing touchdown of the evening, a 2-yard run in the third quarter to give EIU a 21-14 lead. The Panthers sealed the win in the fourth quarter when Cole LaCrue hit Landers Green for a 20-yard touchdown pass. Murray State's late rally fell short after a turnover on downs with 6:07 remaining and an interception at the 2:15 mark.

Eastern Illinois outgained Murray State 368-320, powered by 267 rushing yards and a 33:11 to 26:49 edge in time of possession. The Racers threw for 257 yards and ran for 63. Shannon finished 26-for-40 passing for 257 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. Mykel Allen led Murray State on the ground with 54 yards on 10 carries, while Tyrell Campbell caught five passes for a team-high 66 yards. Potter added 48 receiving yards and a score, while Firestone tallied 50 yards and a touchdown on five receptions and passed to Brooks Kleinpeter for a two-point conversion. On special teams, Howard returned three kickoffs for 97 yards, including a 49-yard return.

Defensively, Klayton Ingram recorded a team-high 10 tackles, including one tackle for loss. Dylan Rowsey and Ryan McCall added eight tackles apiece, with McCall registering two tackles for loss. Jayden Walker recorded two tackles for loss and a sack to lead a five-sack effort by the Murray State defense. James Morrow Jr. tallied 1.5 sacks, while Milton White Jr. and Jackson Veasy each added one, and Jadon Martin contributed a half-sack.

UP NEXT
Murray State travels to face Middle Tennessee on Saturday, Sept. 5. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT in Murfreesboro, Tenn., marking the first meeting between the teams since 2023.

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