The Murray State football team improved from an early 28-3 deficit to ultimately fall 46-32 against the Illinois State Redbirds on Saturday, Oct. 11, on their home field at Roy Steward Stadium. The Racers are now 0-6 for the season and 0-2 in the Missouri Valley Conference. 

The Redbirds, who are ranked No. 4 in the Football Championship Subdivision American Football Coaches Association Coaches Poll, scored two touchdowns before graduate student Jack Tannehill’s 41-yard kick put the Racers on the scoreboard with 3:37 left in the first quarter. A six-yard touchdown run from redshirt freshman Jordan Washington, his second career touchdown, after a 15-play 77-yard drive and a one-yard run from redshirt freshman Jim Ogle brought the score to 31-17 going into halftime. 

Despite the pair of second-half touchdowns orchestrated by senior Jawaun Northington and Ogle, the Racers were unable to overcome the Redbirds’ offensive fight. The Racers scored a season-high 32 points and totaled 471 yards of offense on 76 plays. 

The Racers return to Roy Stewart Stadium at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 8, to host undefeated South Dakota State, which is ranked No. 2 in the MVC.