The Murray State Racers traveled to Vermillion, South Dakota, on Saturday, Oct. 4, to open conference play against the South Dakota Coyotes, and came up short with a loss of 49-24.
The Coyotes were the first on the board with a touchdown with 13:03 remaining in the first quarter. South Dakota scored once again with 7:02 left in the first. Murray State got on the scoreboard with just 1:04 left in the quarter, when graduate student J’kalon Carter caught redshirt freshman Jim Ogle’s 16-yard pass. This touchdown was after 10 plays and 80 yards, and graduate student Jack Tannehill’s kick was good, making the score 14-7 after the first.
Heading into the second quarter, South Dakota was once again the first to score, which was a touchdown with 9:51 remaining in the second. With 3:16 left in the second quarter, South Dakota scores another touchdown. Just eight seconds before the half was up, the South Dakota Coyotes managed one more touchdown, making the score going into halftime 35-7.
The action continued after halftime, as South Dakota scored a touchdown with 13:05 remaining in the third quarter. This 67-yard run from one play made the score 42-7. Murray State got in on the action with 9:43 remaining in the third quarter, when redshirt sophomore Darius Cannon received Carter’s 29-yard pass. This touchdown was successful after eight plays and 78 yards, and Tannehill’s kick for the extra point was good, bringing the score to 42-14. The Racers scored again with 4:23 left in the third quarter, a successful 47-yard field goal by Tannehill. The Coyotes scored next, with 1:13 remaining in the quarter, off of five plays and 67 yards. Going into the fourth quarter, South Dakota was up 49-17.
Both teams stayed strong on their defense in the final quarter of the game, but Murray State scored one last touchdown with 3:27 left in the ball game. This was a one yard run by redshirt freshman Tyrell Campbell, after 14 plays and 80 yards, and Tannehill’s kick for the extra point was good.
Ending this game with a final score of 49-24, Murray State will head into week seven with a record of 0-5. The Racers will be back home at 6 p.m. at Roy Stewart Stadium ath on Saturday, Oct. 11, to take on Illinois State.
