Photo by MSU Athletics
The Racers are set to travel up-state to take on the Kentucky Wildcats on Saturday.
The Game
The Murray State football team travels to Lexington for just the second time in program history Saturday to take on Kentucky. Kickoff from Kroger Field is scheduled for Noon ET/11a.m. CT and the game will be broadcast nationally on the SEC Network Alternate, as well as locally on Froggy 103.7 FM with the “Voice of the Racers” Neal Bradley and Aaron Clayton calling the action.
Saturday’s Weather
Partly sunny and a high of 85 is what is forecasted for Saturday in Lexington. Chance of rain is about 25-percent, while the winds will be moderate coming out of the northeast at 7-9 mph.
Last Time Out
Murray State went toe-to-toe with the 17th best team in the nation Saturday, before Central Arkansas finally pulled away late in the game to top the Racers, 26-13. UCA pushed its lead out to 20-6, but with just 30 seconds before the half, Drew Anderson led the Racers on a 45-yard drive which was capped by a 31-yard pass to James Sappingtonfor the touchdown. The score held until the fourth quarter when UCA finally scored to put away the Racers at 26-13. Murray State did have its chances, however, including two turnovers, an interception and a fumble, in the end zone that would have likely ended in touchdowns for the Racers. In addition, the game-sealing drive for the Bears almost didn’t happen, as Don Parker picked off the Bears in the end zone, however the play was erased due a penalty on Murray State. Anderson was 19-of-36 passing for 209 yards with a touchdown and an interception, while Sappington led the Racer receiving corps for the second-straight week with three catches for 57 yards and a score. For the second time in as many week, Quincy Williams led all tacklers in the game, this time with 12. Kendrick Catis followed Williams with eight, a tackle-for-loss and a pass breakup, while Kenney Wooten had seven tackles, a block, a sack and a pass breakup.
The Kentucky Series
Saturday will be just the second meeting between two team with the only other being a 37-6 win by Kentucky in Lexington in 2003.
Scouting The Wildcats
Kentucky enters Saturday at 2-0 after an upset of #25 Florida in Gainesville last week. All-SEC running back Benny Snell rushed for 175 yards in the game, while Terry Wilson completed 11 of 16 passes for 151 yards and a touchdown. Kash Daniel led the UK defense with 11 tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss and a quarterback hurry, Darius West followed Daniel with eight tackles and an interception. The Wildcats are currently outscoring opponents by an average of 31.0 to 18.0. Kentucky is currently averaging 301.0 yards per game on the ground, with an additional 139.5 yards in the air. Through two games this season, Snell has already racked up 300 yards and touchdowns, while Wilson is 22-for-34 with two touchdowns for 229 yards.
… And He Can Kick Too
After two years of serving as the main kickoff kicker, James Sappington made the switch to receiver this year and currently leads the team in all categories with 6 catches for 92 yards and one touchdown. He is also still the backup kicker and punter.
Kenney’s Big Day Out
Kenney Wooten did a little bit of everything Saturday at UCA as he had six tackles, four solo, 1.0 sacks, a blocked extra point and a pass breakup that led to an interception.
No Returns
The MSU punt defense is currently one of the best in the nation at 27th, allowing just return thus far this season for only two yards.
Creating Opportunities
Through two games, Murray State is 12th in the nation turnovers gained with five, including two interceptions and three fumbles recovered.
OK, What’s Next?
The Racers will take an early bye week before returning to Roy Stewart Stadium on September 29 to open OVC play against UT Martin.
Courtesy of MSU Athletics
