MURRAY, Ky. – Presbyterian College gave a good account of itself in the first half on Saturday night at Roy Stewart Stadium, but too little offense and scholarships led to Murray State’s inevitable 41-10 victory in front of 6,953 mostly Racer partisans.

With 2:15 remaining the first half, the Hose and Racers were tied, 10-10, after a Mick Mikko field goal that was listed in the statistics as 15 yards. Since it is virtually impossible to kick a field goal of that distance – it would have to be kicked from the five-yard line – presumably Mikko scored from 22 because the report indicated that the line of scrimmage was the five.

Anyway, PC stormed back from a 10-point deficit, beginning with J.B. Seay’s one-yard rush with 7:32 remaining in the half.

Murray State (1-0) retook the lead with 1:05 left on D.J. Williams’ 18-yard toss to Taylor Shields. The Racers led, 17-10, at halftime, after which all drama ceased. Murray State tacked on three touchdowns and a field goal in the second half.

The Racers dominated the statistics, outrushing the Blue Hose, 231-97, outpassing them, 253-99, and piling up a 484-196 margin in total yards.

Murray State joined the Missouri Valley Football Conference this year after over 70 years in the Ohio Valley Conference. The Racers are coming off a 2-9 season that followed 10 consecutive winning seasons, three of the under current coach Dean Hood. The MVFC includes some of the strongest FCS schools in the country, such as current national champion South Dakota State and eight-time titlist North Dakota State.

Apart from PC’s first-half uprising, Murray State’s domination was complete.

Three quarterbacks – starter Williams, Eric Phoenix and Jayden Stinson – combined to hit 14/24 passes for two touchdowns, with Williams going 8/15 for 104. Phoenix was a spectacular 4/5 for 121. Six different Murray receivers made two catches apiece.

PC’s Tyler Wesley was 11/22 for 99 yards. Ty Englehart misfired on his two attempts. Wesley was by far the Hose’ leading rusher with 82 of their 97 yards. Seay scored the touchdown but finished with only 10 yards in as many carries.

Dominic Kibby caught four passes for 54 yards.

Eight Racers ran the ball, five for at least 25 yards, led by O’Darrius Jennings with 9-50.

A Wesley interception, picked off by the Racers’ Charles Alberty, was the game’s only turnover.

Presbyterian (0-1) opens its home schedule against Virginia University of Lynchburg, the last school it defeated, next Saturday at 1 p.m. Since defeating the Dragons, 21-13, on Sept. 10, 2022, the Blue Hose have lost 10 in a row.

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