2008 Woodie Awards
A year older, a year wiser, or new year, same story?
Racers conclude preseason, look forward to Lambuth kickoff fall season at home against Lambuth Eagles
Issue date: 8/22/08 Section: Sports
Tim MacAllister
Staff writer
The Murray State football team is gearing up for what could be a tough season. The Racers have concluded their fall camp and are getting ready to face their first opponent: the Lambuth University Eagles.
The Racers are in their second year with Head Coach Matt Griffin at the helm. The team lost only seven seniors from a squad that averaged 27 points a game last year. Griffin's potent offense is led by returning quarterback and last year's Ohio Valley Conference Freshman of the Year, Jeff Ehrhardt.
Ehrhardt has continued training to run a spread offense against the likes of Indiana and Western Kentucky Universities this year.
The Racers completed their third and last inter squad scrimmage with promising results.
The three quarterbacks Ehrhardt, sophomore Chris Franklin, and freshman Nico Yantko culminated 23 completions on 33 pass attempts and throwing just one interception while rushing for two touchdowns.
Sophomore running back Corey Borden led the Racers in rushing with 73 yards on just eight carries. Junior Charlie Jordan had 14 yards on four carries while redshirt freshman Prince Nwagbara had the highest yards per carry, 12.3, racking up 37 yards on three carries.
Although the offense put up big yardage, it was the defense that allowed the offense down the field but did not allow them to score.
Three straight drives by the offense of more than four plays, and yet no points came about due to a stiffening Racer defense in the red zone.
Later in the scrimmage freshman linebacker Terrence Wilmer picked off a Franklin pass to give the defense their first turnover of the scrimmage.
Griffin said the Racers have improved in every aspect of the game, which will give them a better chance to win in a non-conference schedule. Murray State will face foes Lambuth University, Indiana University, Illinois State University and Western Kentucky University.
The Racers are facing two Bowl Championship Series teams in Indiana and Western Kentucky. The Hoosiers of Indiana went 7-6 last year including a trip to the Insight Bowl, while the Hilltoppers of Western Kentucky went 7-5, transitioning them to the Bowl Championship Series.
Griffin said the Racers will have their hands full for the 2008-2009 season, but is optimistic his team's effort in the offseason will increase its chances for a winning season.
"I think the coaches and players are excited to get out of camp," Griffin said. "I think we had a real tough and long camp, I think it was 17 or 18 days. The kids did a very good job they reported in a very good condition."
The Racers will face Lambuth at home Aug. 28, to kick-off their non-conference schedule. The Racers and Eagles met up last year, a game in which the Racers came out on top 48-13. The game will be at Roy Stewart Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 7 p.m.
Tim MacAllister can be reached at
timothy.macallister@murraystate.edu.
Staff writer
The Murray State football team is gearing up for what could be a tough season. The Racers have concluded their fall camp and are getting ready to face their first opponent: the Lambuth University Eagles.
The Racers are in their second year with Head Coach Matt Griffin at the helm. The team lost only seven seniors from a squad that averaged 27 points a game last year. Griffin's potent offense is led by returning quarterback and last year's Ohio Valley Conference Freshman of the Year, Jeff Ehrhardt.
Ehrhardt has continued training to run a spread offense against the likes of Indiana and Western Kentucky Universities this year.
The Racers completed their third and last inter squad scrimmage with promising results.
The three quarterbacks Ehrhardt, sophomore Chris Franklin, and freshman Nico Yantko culminated 23 completions on 33 pass attempts and throwing just one interception while rushing for two touchdowns.
Sophomore running back Corey Borden led the Racers in rushing with 73 yards on just eight carries. Junior Charlie Jordan had 14 yards on four carries while redshirt freshman Prince Nwagbara had the highest yards per carry, 12.3, racking up 37 yards on three carries.
Although the offense put up big yardage, it was the defense that allowed the offense down the field but did not allow them to score.
Three straight drives by the offense of more than four plays, and yet no points came about due to a stiffening Racer defense in the red zone.
Later in the scrimmage freshman linebacker Terrence Wilmer picked off a Franklin pass to give the defense their first turnover of the scrimmage.
Griffin said the Racers have improved in every aspect of the game, which will give them a better chance to win in a non-conference schedule. Murray State will face foes Lambuth University, Indiana University, Illinois State University and Western Kentucky University.
The Racers are facing two Bowl Championship Series teams in Indiana and Western Kentucky. The Hoosiers of Indiana went 7-6 last year including a trip to the Insight Bowl, while the Hilltoppers of Western Kentucky went 7-5, transitioning them to the Bowl Championship Series.
Griffin said the Racers will have their hands full for the 2008-2009 season, but is optimistic his team's effort in the offseason will increase its chances for a winning season.
"I think the coaches and players are excited to get out of camp," Griffin said. "I think we had a real tough and long camp, I think it was 17 or 18 days. The kids did a very good job they reported in a very good condition."
The Racers will face Lambuth at home Aug. 28, to kick-off their non-conference schedule. The Racers and Eagles met up last year, a game in which the Racers came out on top 48-13. The game will be at Roy Stewart Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 7 p.m.
Tim MacAllister can be reached at
timothy.macallister@murraystate.edu.
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