MURRAY, Ky.
– Murray State, already an explosive offensive unit, got
plenty of help from a mistake-prone, patched-up Tennessee Tech
lineup and the Racers rode their opportunities to a 44-13 Ohio
Valley Conference victory Saturday afternoon in chilly Stewart
Stadium.
Tech, which had won three straight coming into the contest,
suffered four turnovers in the game as its overall record slipped
to 4-5. The Golden Eagles are 3-3 in the OVC with Homecoming next
Saturday against Eastern Kentucky.
Murray State, which leads the OVC in passing and total offense,
had 504 yards in the contest, improving to 4-5 overall and 3-3 in
the league.
After taking a 16-0 lead, Murray State saw the Golden Eagles close
the gap to 16-7 on a 19-yard TD pass from Cass Barnes to Tim
Benford. MSU added two field goals, and turned away a Tech scoring
chance from the one-yard line to take a 22-7 lead into
halftime.
Tech made it 22-13 to start the second half as Jocques Crawford
raced 13 yards for a touchdown, but mistakes caught up with Tech
after that. The final score came on a 77-yard interception return
for a touchdown on the game’s last play.
Barnes, making his first start since 2007, was 21-for-35 for a
career-best 203 yards and one touchdown. He threw one interception
and was sacked twice. Benford caught eight passes for 98 yards.
Dontey Gay, who left the game in the third quarter with an injury,
led Tech’s ground game with 49 yards on eight carries.
Marty Jones headlined the defense with 12 tackles and an
interception while Richmond Tooley had two interceptions.
Mike Harris, the league’s leading rusher, had 242 yards and
one touchdown on 23 carries. Casey Brockman passed for 202 yards
and two scores, going 17-for-27 with three interceptions. He was
sacked once. Marcus Harris had eight catches for 126
yards.
First Quarter Notes
* Murray took advantage of a Golden Eagle mistake on the opening
possession to grab a 7-0 lead. After the Racers marched inside the
Tech 10, the Golden Eagle defense held to force a field goal
attempt. However, Tech had 12 players lined up on the fourth down
play, and the penalty moved the ball to a fourth-and-one so MSU
chose to chance it. Casey Brockman's pitch to Mike Harris allowed
him to walk into the end zone on the right side.
* Cass Baarnes, makiing his first start of the season, had the
offense moving on Tech's first possession, getting into Racer
territory. However, Dontey Gay lost the handle on the handoff and
Murray recovered at the MSU 40.
* On the first play, Brockman fired a deep pass to a wide open
Marcus Harrris for a 59-yard touchdown and a 13-0 MSU lead
following a missed PAT.
* Marty Jones stripped the ball from the receivers hands to make
his fourth interception of the season at the TTU 14 to halt
Murray's third possession. Marcus Harris appeared to make a catch,
but Jones took it away before they hit the ground.
* Another mistake on special teams cost the Golden Eagles the ball
with 3:08 to play in the opening quarter. After the defense came up
with three big stops to force a punt, the Golden Eagles ran into
the kicker to allow MSU to retain possession. MSU moved across
midfield in two plays, but Richmond Tooley came up with second
interception of the season at the Tech 23.
* On second down, Cass Barnes scrambled and lost the football, and
MSU recovered at the Tech 24. Four plays later Keinan Cullen kicked
a 37-yard field goal to make it a 16-0 Racer lead with 18 seconds
to play in the first quarter.
Second Quarter Notes
* Junior Tim Benford went up high in the end zone to pull down his
ninth touchdown pass of the season, and the 21st of his decorated
career, to cut the margin to 16-7. It was a 19-yard pass from
Barnes for the score.
* Kelechi Ordu came up with two tackles and Dustin Dillihay made
an ankle tackle to save a TD, as Murray settled for a 20-yard field
goal after facing first-and-goal. That made it 19-7.
* The Golden Eagles drove to the MSU one-yard line, facing
fourth-and-goal, but Barnes' pass attempt to Charles Stevens was
broken up at the goal line with two minutes to go until halftime.
Earlier, Barnes had gone 10 yards for an apparent TD, but the play
was called back on a penalty.
* The Racers got out from the shadow of their goal post when Mike
Harris ran 94 yards to the Tech one. A penalty on the play moved
the ball back to the Tech 11. Once again, the Golden Eagle defense
held on three downs, MSU called timeout with 2.7 seconds to go
facing a fourth-and-three at the four. Racer coach Chris Hatcher
elected to go for the field goal and Cullen made the 21-yarder for
a 22-7 halftime lead.
Third Quarter Notes
* Tech took the opening kick of the second half and marched to
paydirt. After Dontey Gay left with an ankle injury, Jocques
Crawford (who was not expected to play due to an ankle injury)
raced 13 yards for the touchdown. Murray State blocked the PAT to
make it a 22-13 contest.
* Tim Beford lost a fumble at the Tech 27 following a 12-yard
pickup and Matt Johnson recovered for the Racers. On the first
play, Richmond Tooley snared his second interception of the game at
the six to give the ball back to the offense.
* Tech couldn't move and Nick Campbell punted into the wind to the
TTU 43. From there, the Racers went 10 plays and 20 yards and
Cullen kicked his third field goal of the day, a 40-yarder for a
25-13 lead wtih 2:20 to play in the quarter.
Fourth Quarter Notes
* Still within two touchdowns, the Golden Eagles were moving to
open the fourth quarter, but stalled at the MSU 34. From there,
Matthew Barker's 51-yard field goal try was blocked by Dairrian
Skinner and recovered at the Tech 39. On third down, Dexter
Durrante busted a 22-yard yard, which led to a one-yard TD push by
Duane Brady. That made it 32-13 wih 12:13 to play.
* Murray was backed up to its own seven following a 45-yard punt
by Campbell, but that didn't faze the Racers. Brockman hit Marcus
Harris for 15 yards, then for 33 yards, and finally hit Dexter
Barnett for a 0ne-yard TD to cap the 93-yard, 11-play scoring drive
that made it 38-13. Jamere Hogie blocked the PAT try.
* On the final play of the game, Barnes was hit as he threw a pass
over the middle, and Prince Nwagbara made an interception at the
MSU 23. He rambled 77 yards for a touchdown as the clock expired
for the final 44-13 margin.
June 27, 2011
Hall of Famer Lowell Smith passes away; Services Monday
June 22, 2011
Edwards named honorable mention preseason All-America
May 1, 2011
Off the gridiron; on the job
April 14, 2011
Football team holds annual Spring Game Saturday at 11
February 22, 2011
Save the date: Jim Ragland Bass Tournament scheduled for Saturday, May 7
February 22, 2011
Astronaut, former Golden Eagle Barry Wilmore speaker for Chamber
February 2, 2011
Versatility key in Golden Eagle 2011 football signing class
January 30, 2011
Benford wins Robert Hill Johnson Award, eight others honored
January 21, 2011
Public invited as Golden Eagles holds annual awards dinner Jan. 30
January 11, 2011
Hall of Famer Bill Dupes passes; Services Wednesday in Sweetwater
January 5, 2011
It's Game Week: FCS Champion to be crowned Friday night
December 24, 2010
Golden Eagle receiver Tim Benford named to All-America team
December 18, 2010
Student-athletes, support staff among Saturday's graduates
December 17, 2010
Student-athletes, support staff among Saturday's graduates
November 24, 2010
Benford, Hilliard named all-OVC; Crawford on all-newcomer squad
November 22, 2010
Barnes captures national Player of the Week honors
November 21, 2010
Barnes, Crawford and Tooley honored with weekly OVC awards
November 20, 2010
Golden Eagles stun No. 4 Gamecocks with huge fourth quarter comeback
November 17, 2010
Area students with good grades to be honored at Saturday's game
November 16, 2010
Golden Eagles celebrate Senior Day as No. 4 JSU visits Saturday
November 13, 2010
Golden Eagles downed by EKU Colonels in Homecoming clash
November 10, 2010
HOMECOMING: Golden Eagles host Eastern Kentucky Saturday
November 6, 2010
Opportunistic Murray State upends injury-riddled Tech
November 5, 2010
Nine Golden Eagles, eight starters out Saturday at Murray State
November 3, 2010
Golden Eagles return to action with tough chore at Murray State
October 23, 2010
Golden Eagles get "special" win at Tennessee State
October 22, 2010
Four selected for induction into Tech Sports Hall of Fame Nov. 12
October 19, 2010
Golden Eagles look to make it three-in-a-row Saturday in Nashville
October 18, 2010
Edwards, Mitchell selected as National Players of the Week
October 17, 2010
Edwards, Mitchell and Crawford voted OVC weekly honors
October 16, 2010
Defense dominates as Tech tops Panthers, 34-20
October 15, 2010
From Legacy to fireworks, Saturday's game loaded with entertainment
October 13, 2010
Golden Eagles look for back-to-back wins when EIU visits
October 12, 2010
Watson Brown needs your votes for National Coach of the Year
September 30, 2010
Military Appreciation Night when Tech hosts Skyhawks in York Trophy battle
September 30, 2010
Fireworks to light up sky tonight over Tucker Stadium
September 30, 2010
Golden Eagles edged by Skyhawks in Tucker Stadium, 27-24
September 28, 2010
First Tennessee Bank sponsoring annual Football Poster Night Thursday
September 26, 2010
Nashville band Due West featured Thursday in Magic 98.5 Tailgate Park
September 25, 2010
Late rally not enough as Golden Eagles drop OVC opener, 23-21
September 23, 2010
Tech football schedule ranks as toughest in all of NCAA Division I
September 22, 2010
Watson Brown needs your vote for the Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year poll
September 20, 2010
Golden Eagle conference slate opens Saturday at surprising SEMO
September 16, 2010
Weather halts game early, Golden Eagles earn 43-0 victory over Lane
September 14, 2010
Season opener to finish with fireworks over Tucker Stadium
September 13, 2010
First home game of the season brings Lane Dragons to Tucker Stadium
September 13, 2010
WCTE TV to televise four home games live in 2010
September 11, 2010
Golden Eagle turnovers help No. 4 TCU roll to 62-7 victory
September 9, 2010
Communiversity Night planned at Golden Eagle home opener Thursday
September 9, 2010
Reserve by noon Friday to attend Insider's Lunch Monday
September 8, 2010
Golden Eagles to tackle highest-ranked football foe in OVC history
September 4, 2010
Early lead, solid effort highlight Tech showing at No. 17 Arkansas
September 3, 2010
Five seniors chosen as 2010 Golden Eagle football captains
September 3, 2010
Former players invited back for Football Alumni Reunion Sept. 30
September 1, 2010
Looking Back: A peek into the Golden Eagle photo archives
August 29, 2010
Golden Eagle football guide for 2010 available online
August 27, 2010
OVC finalizes Game of the Week, web streaming plans for football
August 26, 2010
Camp Notebook: Watson Brown Show to air Mondays on TV, radio
August 25, 2010
Camp Notebook: Long snapper Jordan Adams fills key position
August 24, 2010
Camp Notebook: Special events at home games announced
August 21, 2010
Outlook for Golden Eagle success boils down to one word: Depth
August 20, 2010
Camp Notebook: Fans invited to Saturday's Gathering of Eagles
August 15, 2010
First scrimmage gives coaches exactly what they're looking for
August 13, 2010
Who do you think will be Tech's "gamebreaker" this fall?
August 13, 2010
Camp Notebook: First day in pads; Business tickets on sale
August 11, 2010
Looking Back: A peek into the Golden Eagle photo archives
August 10, 2010
Camp Notebook: Golden Eagles to add pads Wednesday
August 9, 2010
Camp Notebook: Spirits soar for Golden Eagles on first day
August 8, 2010
Golden Eagles get fall camp underway Monday morning
August 6, 2010
New feature added to website; Fans can cast votes daily
August 3, 2010
Livingston greets Purple Pride Caravan
August 3, 2010
Watson Brown, Athletics to host weekly Insiders' Lunch
July 27, 2010
Large turnout greets Purple Pride Caravan in Monterey
June 16, 2010
Slade Adams named to preseason FCS All-America team