MurrayState slams the door shut on Tennessee State 19-3

3

Tennessee St. 3-5 , 2-1

19

 Murray St. 1-8 , 1-3

When facing a defeated team, the goal is not be that team to be that long awaited “1” in their lopsided win-loss record. Tennessee State was in that position as they faced the previously winless 0-8 Racers of Murray State on Saturday.

Unfortunately, for Tennessee State, they became lone occupant on Murray’s victory ledger, as the Racers used the Tennessee State formula of a stout running game, churning up 194 yards on the ground, and solid defense to hand the Tigers their first conference loss of the season ,19-3.

After the tams exchanged punts on their opening drives, Tennessee State threatened to score, but Kaleb Mosley’s 41-yard field goal attempt was blocked by Cam Brown.

In the second quarter it would be Murray’s turn to experience issues in the kicking game. Following a short five play drive that stalled after starting on the TSU 47 yard-line, Aaron Baum’s 47-yard field goal attempt was no good, leaving the game scoreless.

The first score of the game, and the only for TSU, would come in the later portion of the second quarter when Mosley would complete a 9-play, 63-yard drive with a 25-yard field goal to make the score 3-0.

Tennessee State did not enjoy the lead long as the Racers responded on their very next offensive possession, needing only 5 plays, which were all runs to travel 75 yards, getting in the end zone on a 5-yard run from LaMartez Brooks. The PAT was unsuccessful, leaving the score 6-3.

Neither team was able to achieve anything on their opening drives of the second half, with both clubs being forced to punt. On Murray State’s second drive they were able to put together an 8-play, ( 5 of which were runs) 51-fyard drive that did not end with a touchdown but  with an Aaron Baum field goal, this one from 47-yards out to push the Racer lead to 9-3. 

The Murray State offense barely had time to take their helmets off and drink some Gatorade because they were back on the field in a mere 72 seconds after the Racers defense forced a  Tennessee State turnover-on-downs after an unsuccessful 4th down conversion attempt deep in their own territory. Four plays later, Baum’s second field goal of the afternoon, this one from 41-yards out pushed the Murray State advantage to 12-3. 

Early in the fourth quarter the Racers added a last touchdown on Cortezz Jones’ 14-yard run, concluding an 8-play, 53-yard drive that brought the score to its final count of 19-3.

Tennessee State was held to just 77 yards on the ground on just 28 attempt, both makes being the fewest since the 27 carries for a mere 45 yards against Middle Tennessee State. Only one TSU ball carrier had more than 11 yards rushing and that was Jalen Rouse with 84 yards on 14 carries. Although the Tigers out gained the Racers in total yards 323 to 283 but they were only able to translate that production into just 3 points. Draylen Ellis completed 20 of 34 passes for 230 yards, but threw an interception and was sacked 5 times. The sacks and the lack of a productive running game speaks to the offensive line getting beat at the point of attack, which had not been the case in their three game winning streak.

Next week Tennessee State hosts Southeast Missouri, who is undefeated in OVC and the issues at the point of attack on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball are not addressed, TSU’s hopes of claiming the OVC will disappear into the distance just as Murray State ball carriers did on Saturday.

Team Statistics

2ND QUARTER
04:04 – TSU – Mosley,Kaleb 25 yd field goal 9 plays, 63 yards, TOP 03:28	3	0
01:40 – MUR – Brooks,LaMartez 5 yd run ( ), 5 plays, 75 yards, TOP 02:17	3	6
3RD QUARTER
07:39 – MUR – Baum,Aaron 47 yd field goal 8 plays, 51 yards, TOP 04:15	3	9
04:53 – MUR – Baum,Aaron 41 yd field goal 4 plays, 3 yards, TOP 01:34	3	12
4TH QUARTER
13:22 – MUR – Jones,Cortezz 14 yd run (Webber,Zaden kick), 8 plays, 53 yards, TOP 04:48	3	19