The Murray State Racers football team opened their 101st season on Aug. 30, with a loss of 45-17 on the road at East Tennessee State University.
After ETSU scored two touchdowns in the first quarter, the Racers got on the scoreboard with 12:52 left in the second quarter with a field goal by graduate student Jack Tannehill.
ETSU gave it right back, scoring another touchdown at the 10:31 mark in the second quarter. Despite being down 21-3, the Racers defence stayed strong, leading to the Buccaneers scoring only one more time in the half, which was a 33-yard field goal with 21 seconds left before halftime.
The Racers were the first to get on the scoreboard in the second half, with Jawuan Northington completing a one-yard run for a Racer touchdown. With the score being 24-10, Murray State scored again. Freshman Brooks Kleinpeter completed a 15-yard pass from Jim Ogle to score another Racer touchdown.
After a very successful beginning to the third quarter from MSU, ETSU broke away and managed to score two touchdowns before the quarter was over, making the score 38-17 transitioning into the final quarter of the game. At the 11:57 mark in the fourth quarter, ETSU scored the final touchdown of the game on an eight play, 41-yard drive, making the final score 45-17 in MSU’s opening game.
Murray State’s next game is their home opener against the Southeastern Louisiana University Lions at Roy Stewart Stadium at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 6.
