5 Things You Need to Know About the Murray State Racers

Let’s face the facts. It is hard to get overly excited about this Saturday’s contest between the Kentucky Wildcats and the Murray State Racers. The ‘Cats are sitting at an ugly 3-6 record, are coming off of a bye week, and the Kentucky Basketball team just beat Duke in the Champions Classic. Many within Big Blue Nation have turned the page on a disappointing football season to what promises to be an exciting basketball season. However, that doesn’t mean the game won’t be played. This game should offer a get-right spot for the Wildcats who are clinging to their very last hopes of bowl eligibility. A trip to Austin, Texas followed by the season finale against Louisville loom after what should be an easy win against Murray State.

For all of Kentucky’s struggles this season, Murray State has had it worse. The Racers are 1-9 on the season and have largely been non-competitive. They do play a brutal schedule, but it has not been a fun season for the FCS program. Kentucky should be able to do what they want, on both sides of the ball, on Saturday afternoon.

As always, we have all of your pregame needs right here on Kentucky Sports Radio dot com for the 1:30 p.m. (Eastern Time) kickoff on ESPN+ between the Kentucky Wildcats (3-6, 1-6) and the Murray State Racers (1-9, 0-7). If you haven’t already, you have to dive into Adam Luckett’s Scouting Report. That is your in-depth, football-nerd preview. For those in search of a more surface level look at what to expect on Saturday afternoon, you are in the right place. Let’s dive on in to five things you need to know about the Murray State Racers.

Offensive Attack Struggling to Find a Strength

This is a Murray State Racers offense that does not stack up very well among FCS programs in any offensive category. They average just a tick over 21 points per game which is 90th in the FCS. The Racers ranks 92nd in yards per play at five and 66th in yards per rush at 4.2. An inability to consistently move the ball has been met with struggles on third down and issues with ball security. Murray State has converted just 36.2% of third downs and ranks 105th in the FCS with 18 turnovers across their 10 games.

You wouldn’t expect much out of a 1-9 team, but the statistics are bleak for the Racers. Kentucky’s defense should be able to flex their muscles and potentially pitch a shutout just like they did way back in week one at Kroger Field.

Running Game led by Quarterback and Two Tailbacks

It has been a roundabout journey for Jayden Johannsen to end up as the Murray State Racers quarterback. The South Dakota native began his career at traditional FCS powerhouse North Dakota State before transferring to the Division II level to play at South Dakota School of Mines. Johannsen was a three year starter there racking up 8,199 passing yards, 1,635 rushing yards, and 98 total touchdowns. Now, he is back to the FCS level and it is not going very well. The super senior has tossed for 1,405 yards on a 56.3% completion percentage and ball security has been a major concern. Johannsen has thrown 10 interceptions and coughed up four fumbles. However, his 328 non-sack rushing yards gives the Racers a different dynamic in the run game.

Junior running back Jawaun Northington has been the Racers’ top rusher leading the way with 371 yards on 90 attempts and six touchdowns. The Louisville native who graduated from DuPont Manual High School is slippery in the backfield forcing 31 missed tackles on the season. Meanwhile, Q’Daryius Jennings is another running back to be aware of in the Murray State backfield. The redshirt junior has added 329 rushing yards on the season. This team is certainly going to try and establish the run on Saturday afternoon.

Murray State Hooper Helping on the Gridiron

In 2022, Justice Hill 13.4 points and 5.1 assists per game at Murray State which earned him First Team All-OVC honors. That wasn’t just any Murray State Racers team either. That group won 31 games and reached the NCAA Round of 32 before losing to Saint Peter’s. Hill followed Coach Matt McMahon to LSU the next season, but the jump to the high-major level didn’t work out great for him. He then found his footing last season at Loyola Marymount averaging 11.2 points and 4.2 assists per game. Why are we talking about a basketball? Well, Justice Hill is now back at Murray State and is suiting up for the Racers on the gridiron.

The 6’0″ 170 pound receiver has reeled in 22 catches for 319 yards and two touchdowns. Despite not playing football since high school, Hill has been one of Murray State’s top targets. Back on October 12th against Indiana State, Hill broke out with seven catches for 103 yards and a score. He will now be on a short list of players to make both a Kentucky Football and Kentucky Basketball scouting report.

Racers Feature Worst Defense in the FCS

Teams are averaging 45.0 points per game against the Murray State Racers. That is including their 59-8 win over Mississippi Valley State. When you remove that game, the 45.0 jumps to early 50 points per game. The Racers have allowed over 50 points in three consecutive games and have done so six times on the season. If there was ever a time for a struggling Kentucky Wildcats offense to find some success it would be on Saturday afternoon at Kroger Field. The stats are just downright back for the Racers.

• Points Per Game: 45.0 (#123 in FCS)
• Yards Per Play: 6.9 (#118 in FCS)
• Yards Per Rush: 5.3 (#110 in FCS)
• Yards Per Attempt: 8.9 (#118 in FCS)
• Third Down Conversion Rate: 49.6% (#114 in FCS)
• Turnovers: 7 (#113 in FCS)

Whether it is on the ground or through the air there should be plenty of opportunities to move the ball and create chunk plays against the Racers. They allow nearly seven yards per play, don’t get off the field on third down, and really struggle to force turnovers. Missing 128 tackles in 10 games is a statistic that really stood out as well. That is a tough recipe for success on the defensive side of the football.

Standout Punter on Special Teams

It is never a good sign when the 5 Things You Need to Know includes a point about special teams. We only go this far under desperate conditions. However, there just isn’t much to talk about with this Murray State Racers team. True freshman Tom O’Hara has arguably been the best player on Murray State’s team this season. He is booting the ball an average of 45.1 yards per punt as the Racers rank 12th in net putting average across all FCS teams. To the extent that this team has a strength it would definitely be their punting game.