Murray State Racers (3-4, 0-2 OVC) at Tennessee State
Tigers (4-3, 2-1 OVC)
Saturday, October 30 • 5:00 p.m.
Nissan Stadium
(69,143) • Nashville, Tenn.
Video:.............................. https://es.pn/3Bg2Wyl
(ESPN+)
Live Stats:....................................... https://bit.ly/3b4F8CT
Series
Record:........................... Murray State leads 18-13
Last Meeting:.................
Murray State won 35-13 (3/21/21)
Dean Hood at Murray State:............................
8-6 (2 yrs.)
Dean Hood Overall:................................... 63-44
(10 yrs.)
Eddie George at Tennessee State:.................... 4-3 (1 yr.)
Eddie
George Overall:............................................. same
Murray
State Last Week:............... L, 47-6 vs. Austin Peay
Tennessee State Last
Week:..... W, 28-0 at Eastern Illinois
Massey Ratings Predicxtion.......
Murray State 24 - TSU 21
NOTEWORTHY
• It will be Homecoming for Tennessee State on Saturday at Nissan Stadium. They welcome Murray State to Nashville, the first meeting between the two teams at the venue since 2013 (recent matchups since then were played at Hale Stadium).
• The teams have played seven previously times at Nissan Stadium, with TSU holding a 5-2 advantage in those games. Overall Murray State holds an 18-13 all-time series lead, having won five in a row (and 10 of 12) in the series.
• Murray State had its largest Homecoming attendance since 2000, with 10,023 fans in the stands for the team's game with Austin Peay. It was the first 10,000-plus crowd since 2019 for the team.
• The Racers were just 3-for-12 on third down and outgained 497 to 289 on offense by the Governors.
• In his second career start, DJ Williams completed 18-of-31 passes for 140 yards and a touchdown and led the team with 75 rushing yards on 12 carries (6.2 ypc).
• Lawaun Powell led Murray State with 13 tackles. Marcis Floyd had six tackles (2.0 for loss), a sack and two pass breakups.
• Tennessee State recorded its first shutout since 2017 (60-0 over Virginia-Lynchburg) and first against a Division I opponent since 2013 (31-0 vs. SEMO) by winning 28-0 at Eastern Illinois. TSU limited the Panthers to just 187 yards of total offense.
• TSU had four takeaways in the win, its most in its last eight games, and limited EIU to 2-of-17 on third down. Brothers James and Josh Green each had an interception.
• The Tigers have now won three games in a row for the first time since the 2017 season. The three wins in a row against OVC opponents is the first since 2013 (the last time the Tigers made the FCS Playoffs).
• Geremy Hickbottom threw for one touchdown and rushed for two others in the win. The transfer from Grambling had accounted for 14 touchdowns (10 passing, 4 rushing) in seven games in 2021.
• Freshman Zaire Thornton caught four passes for 76 yards and a touchdown. He shares the team lead with 19 receptions this season.