Murray State’s defense couldn’t hold off the offensive attack from Louisville as the Racers lost 56-0 on the road.
The Cardinals scored eight touchdowns, picking up 690 yards in the process. Louisville allowed 166 yards from the Racers.
The Racers were forced to punt on their opening drive, which led to a touchdown on the Cardinals first drive. Senior quarterback Jack Plummer completed a pair of 30-yard passes to set up a 12-yard rushing touchdown by junior wide receiver Jamari Thrash.
After the two teams traded punts, the Cardinals struck again with a 1-yard rushing touchdown from senior running back Isaac Guerendo.
On Louisville’s next drive, Plummer looked deep for a receiver, but junior defensive back Zayteak McGhee intercepted it, giving the Racers the ball at their own 17-yard line. But the offense couldn’t get going, and they were forced to punt after three plays.
Louisville’s pass offense continued to strike as Plummer threw a pass to Thrash, who took the reception 72 yards for the third touchdown of the game, putting the Cardinals up 21-0 in the second quarter.
The next offensive drive for Louisville was more of the same, as Jawhar Jordan took a handoff 72 yards for another touchdown.
Just before halftime, Plummer tossed another deep ball that was intercepted by junior defensive back KaVan Reed. At halftime, the Cardinals led 28-0.
In the first drive out of the break, Jordan scored another touchdown on a 1-yard handoff. Then, after an interception from Murray State senior quarterback Eric Phoenix, junior wide receiver Ahmari Huggins-Bruce ran in a 6-yard touchdown of his own.
A fumble on Murray State’s next drive set up a 4-yard touchdown rush from freshman running back Keyjuan Brown to start the fourth quarter.
The Cardinals tacked on one last touchdown when junior quarterback Harrison Bailey completed a pass to senior tight end Joey Gatewood.
That was the last score of the game as the Cardinals defeated the Racers 56-0.
Sophomore quarterback DJ Williams started the game for the Racers and was 7/16 passing with 68 yards. He also rushed for 21 yards on seven attempts. As a team, the Racers rushed for 94 yards.
Five quarterbacks played for Louisville, with senior Jack Plummer getting the start and completing 16 of his 22 passes for 247 yards and throwing one touchdown. The Cardinals’ quarterbacks combined for 346 passing yards and two touchdowns, as well as two interceptions by Plummer.
The Cardinals’ run game combined for 344 rushing yards and six touchdowns, with Jordan leading the way. He rushed for 135 yards and two touchdowns on seven attempts.
The Racers fall to an even 1-1 on the season. They take on Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tennessee on Saturday, Sept. 16. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.
